Global Yoga
6300 California Street
(between 25th Ave & 26th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94121 (415) 751-6908
- Good for Kids: No
33 reviews
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
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23 Reviews for Global Yoga
I came to this Bikram Yoga studio searching for a new, different kind of workout. I am addicted.
I've taken Bikram on a few occasions elsewhere in California, but I just love the classes here at this studio. The teachers are excellent- they accommodate all levels and encourage you, as a student, to push hard to strengthen your body. Honestly, doing Bikram Yoga is a gift you give to yourself. If you want 90 minutes, of just being in that very moment- no trivial life distractions, just focusing on your breathing, balance, and strength, this is the class for you. I love it. And I look forward to it every day that I do it. You can't beat that feeling of accomplishment and peace after completing a class. Purely Amazing.
I'll be the first to admit that working out is NOT fun.
I mean who really wants to get all sweaty, gross, and out of breath? Not me...
BUT, I am addicted to Bikram and it's definitely made me a firm believer in alternative workout methods. There is absolutely no need to worry about figuring out how to use crazy weight machinery, feeling like a hamster on a wheel, or the meat heads giving you the look because your a first timer.
Global Yoga embraces everyone. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.
Check it out.
I started doing Bikram Yoga here last week. I have enjoyed the experience. The room and decor are just ok, but I felt the instructor was awesome. Very nice and works with you, helping you along the way. The room was so hot, I felt like I was going to pass out, but that is the experience. I am trying to go every week a few times, and so far its been a good time. I would definetly recommend this studio as a beginner, because thats what I am. I felt energized and healthy after I left, now thats what I'm talking about. =)
I'm a tree!
I'm an eagle!
I'm a pretzel!
Well, I'm definitely as salty as one! We aren't even into the the second exercise and I'm sweating. We all are. It's lovely. I never realized how refreshing it can be sweating profusely with a bunch of other sweaty strangers in a 700 degree room.
I've been avoiding specifically this kind of yoga for a while. There seems to be something unhealhty about exercising in such a hot room. But there is surprisingly enough air! Also, it's easier for your muscles to relax and stretch when it's so warm.
The best thing about this place is the non-judgmental vibe. It's tough, this Bikram stuff, and some of us newbies need some training wheels (aka we need to sit down before we pass out and collapse the pretzel-trees around us). Yes, my first time about 20 mins in my world turned dark blue....and I sat...and I got up...*dark blue*...sat down again...*purple*...."I can hold it, come on stay up..." *dark blue* so I sat a few times, and guess what? I felt no pressure to get back up, nor even a little judgement, and I wasn't the only one.
I may try some other yoga styles at their other center in the Marina bc this is a little intense (and the times are tough on my schedule), but it definitely got easier even the second time I did it. I didn't need to sit down once!
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A kindler gentler Bikram Yoga. Mary is fantastic.
I sometimes go to the sea cliff school here and while the instructors are some of the best ones EVER, I really don't like the studio much. 1st, the room is not hot at ALL. It's like lukewarm! I barely get winded when I do Bikram there, so I don't sweat much, and the reason I do bikram in the first place is because I want to sweat off fat. Try a drop in session at Global, then go to any Funky Door Yoga studio and compare. The studios at Funky Door are scorching. I'm sweating almost by the end of the first breathing excersise! Not to mention I think that the instructors at Global Yoga make us do the positions too quickly, especially the first breathing excersise. They need to get new heaters in there or something because hot yoga is supposed to be just that-- HOT!
Comparing Bikram yoga to other forms of yoga, I've never really felt that this style was mentally rewarding. But, Global Yoga SF at Seacliff in the Richmond changed my mind!
One of the most important things to me when going to a yoga studio is the teachers. At other Bikram studios, you usually have some impatient teacher shouting. And when you look around at other students, you can see them killing themselves getting into a certain postion and the teacher not saying anything to guide them. The best thing about this studio is the attentive and caring teachers. They really watch out for the students and their well being. And the teachers do not shout. For once, it makes going to Bikram yoga quite refreshing!
The studio is huge and seldom gets crowded. There is always plenty of space. There is no lingering sweaty stench, either, even though the studio is covered in carpet (the only major downer). The women's dressing room is equipped with a shower and cubbies that you can easily place your belongings.
If you haven't tried the studio, they have an awesome deal for $29 unlimited yoga for a whole month. After the deal, their rates are not that bad. They just raised their rates just recently after 10 years but compared to other yoga studios, the prices are reasonable.
It was great living in the Richmond neighborhood and this yoga studio was walking distance from my old apartment. Parking can be tough so be prepared to agressively look for spot.
All in all, you can't lose with this studio. If you haven't tried Bikram, try it at this studio first. You cannot go wrong!
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EDIT:
Mary Jarvis is no longer the owner of Global Yoga, and there are new owners.
**********************
I have been going to Global Yoga on and off for about the last 10 years, and it has helped me on so many different levels - emotionally, mentally and physically. It is an incredible feeling walking out after doing bikram, things seem brighter and problems you may have in your life seem more manageable.
The instructors at Global have always struck me as being caring, attentive and know what they're doing. Mary's classes in particular are always wonderful, she has a gift for making you laugh and giving encouragement - and listening to her during class makes time fly.
In terms of the studios, the richmond studio is very big and more room to spread out, the original studio on chestnut is smaller. Both studios are always very clean.
After being out of town, I can't wait to get back into the routine at Global again! Obviously, I have to disagree with the poster below, going here has given me a way to find my peace within.
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The first time I went to this yoga studio it was awesome . . . unfortunately they couldn't keep it up for a second round. I have never been treated so badly, by anyone, in my life. Mary, I think her name is, was so unbearably rude to me that she actually made me cry . . .CRY PEOPLE! Needless to say I don't recommend this studio as a place for relaxation, rejuvenation, or learning.
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My laziness is astounding (see Great India Restaurant review below). It has skyrocketed to new levels, so I decided to try Bikram Yoga again in a bid to reclaim some of my former kick ass-ness.
I signed up for the $29 for a month of yoga special. Due to scheduling conflicts, I found out that for three days of the week the only class to fit my schedule was the 6 AM class. *gulp* Despite the fact that I used to work out at 6 AM before, my inner Lazy screamed as I woke up at 5:30 to walk myself over to the studio.
My first bikram yoga class in over a year went like this:
5:55 -- omg, I forgot how hot this room gets. Just put your mat down and relax. Relaxxxxx..
6:10 -- oh shit, now we have to actually move around in here. crap. pose 1..
6:15 -- why am I doing this to myself?! Not only could you be sleeping right now, but you could be cooler than this room...
6:20 -- I've only been in here 20 minutes?!?!?! wlke24pvfwl;!?
The rest of the class sped by once I stopped looking at the clock. I was helped through some of the poses by the teacher, which was good.
The feeling of getting through class and stepping into the fresh air can't be beat. It's addictive. This place is a great place to start. It beats Funky Door a million times over: here, teachers are attentive and the classes feel less regimented. At Funky Door I was pushed from pose to pose to pose with no attention to my form -- there were too many people!
It is only my first class (in awhile) but I am definitely going back!!
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Mary, the founder of these 2 Bikram yoga schools, is AWESOME. We're talking about a woman that was facing back surgery after a horrible car crash whom was able to avert going under the knife through her practice. Amazing, and true. I like this place for Bikram, because it is one of the few places that 1) doesn't scream in your face (btw, bad breath smells worse in a heated room!!!) 2) emphasizes form over "looking cool" 3) remembers the names, faces, and skill levels of all the regular students. If you want to strengthen and lengthen your spine, this is the place!
Oh, and I don't think everyone realizes that there are 2 locations: California St (with showers and bigger) and Chestnut St (no showers and a little smaller).
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I just discovered Global Yoga just a hop-skip-and a jump from my house. It's been a while since I've found a solid yoga spot, it's hard to find a place where you like the instructor, the classes aren't too crowded, and the style of yoga they teach is right for you. For me Global Yoga is it. They have an 8pm class that streches you out and relaxes you for a good nights sleep (and it is not over-crowded). And I appreciate that they yoga they teach in class is manageable- none of this toes tucked behind your ears crap. They take it slow, which is important when you are stuck in a room that is heated to 90 degrees for 90 minutes.
I am hooked.
Great class!
The main reason why I do yoga is to help me keep up with my martial arts. As a full time instructor and student I had to deal with lower back and neck pain, after doing yoga my spine doesn't hurt as much and the extra flexibility helps me a lot during my martial arts training. On top of that I love the heat and I don't mind sweating a lot during class.
The only problem now is that when I try other types of yoga, they are never challeging enough comparing to bikram.
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Overall, this is a great studio for Bikram Yoga although I do have some negatives to go along with the positives.
Positives:
-Very clean and roomy and not smelly
-Sarah F. and Jeff are great instructors
-Super convenient for me living in the Richmond
-Good schedule and it's never really crowded
Negatives:
-It's not that hot...probably 98 degrees versus 105 (some might find this a positive but I like it hot)
-It's a little bit dark in there; would like it to be brighter....easier to see my alignment in the mirror
-the classes are really only about 75 minutes (potentially a positive for some). it seems like the classes always start late and finish early. I really wish we would have a full two minute savasana after tree pose/toe stand instead of just 15 seconds.
Because it's not that hot and the classes aren't a full 90 minutes I sometimes refer to Global Yoga as Bikram Lite but again it's still a great studio with great teachers.
Bikram Yoga kicked my ass. First time doing any kind of Yoga, I really didn't know what I was in for. It looked so easy, who knew it was actually torture? I didn't think I would be wobbling on shaky legs with my spine stretched out and my ass in the air drenched in sweat and forced to stay like that. And it being 90 degrees didn't help. Damn.
But I am going next Tuesday for sure. Quite a workout, and afterwards I felt fabulous!
And the place was clean, the instructor made me feel welcome and really focused on helping me not completely fall on my face.
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Heated yoga should be a life altering experience, here it's not. I went to this studio back when they first opened and recently went back to try it out again for a month. This is one of the worst yoga studio I have ever been to. The experience is so contrary to what bikram purification and yoga is all about.
The instructors come off as if they just graduated from 2 week yoga instructor camp. Most of them are not in touch with the personal needs of students and do not correct postures to align the body in proper position to complete a true yoga experience. In the classes I attended saw some of the students were confused, some discouraged, and others unknowingly out of alignment (that could so easily be fixed with a simple touch to the hips).
A lot of people do yoga without even knowing what they're missing be being somewhat off in their body position. Because it's so difficult to see yourself, having the guidance of a knowledgeable person, attune to subtlety and not just there for free yoga, is essential. I'm pretty sure one of the instructors I took a class with was on break from his job sitting in front of a computer at LucasArts. And he loved to talk about movies, music, Lost, and other TV shows he had watched last night...during class!
Added negative: Studio floors are carpeted, repeatedly sweat soaked throughout the day, and smell pretty bad. Chestnut studio parking is challenging.
Positive: Richmond studio has relative easy parking.
I've been to most of the Bikram Yoga studios in the city and this is by far the best one--clean, good energy. Mary is really great and creates one of the best Bikram environments. Showers would be nice though, definitely.
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My first Bikram experience. The instructor was very friendly and really watched out for me (checked and kindly made suggestions on my poses), cracked open a window a little bit when she felt like I might need it...I personally thought that Bikram was torture while I was doing it (couldn't stop thinking about ice cream) but afterwards, I felt great!
The studio itself was very large and completely full (yet not really crowded feeling). The locker room was very clean and street parking wasn't bad. Give it a try! It costs $12 for a class.
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Literally changed my life. I thought I would hate it but these classes are so relaxing, welcoming, and effective at burning the fat. I sleep better as well. Mary is truly inspiring. The only bummer is that recently she hasn't taught any of my classes but the other instructors are good as well. Would appreciate a 6:30AM class instead of 6AM but that is maybe just me since I am a student.
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First time doing bikram, peoples, and I had a blast! You know that feeling you get when when you get out of a hot shower into the cool air? It feels like that only 10 times better! The workout itself wasn't too hard and the heat was actually comfortable, (but then again, I love hot weather so it was really nice).
I signed up for the $29 for a month and will be going at least twice a week this month before I start going anytime I want for $12. Try it out, folks!
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Out of all of the bikram yoga places in the city this place is my favorite. Very clean, very nice--except they don't offer showers. But the classes aren't as full and steamy hot as Funky Door. Always nice and accomplished leaders. And Mary is quite inspirational at times.
I just wished they offered more 6:00AM classes :(
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Before we went last night, my friend said "Listen, I think my mat is kind of stinky. When I roll it out, I need you to smell it for me and tell me if it's really bad." Ha! Like you can differentiate one person's funk from another once you step foot in that room. And I don't mean that as an insult, it's part of the beauty of bikram. I too have been to most of the studios in this city and think that this is far and away the best one. It's hot enough but not too hot, the instructors are fantastic, Mary (the founder) is an absolute gem, the studio doesn't have that claustrophobic feel that too many other places do, I just can't say enough great things about it.
P.S. They have showers. Well, A shower, but it's not like anyone is ever in there for too long. I don't know why so many other reviewers said there weren't showers....
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I am hooked.
I began with their $30 30 days package for new comers and I am now hooked. My first class was a jolt! I didn't come hydrated and I felt like passing out and just sat there, but figured hey its a sauna thats good for me. The teacher saw that dizzy look in my eyes and wrapped a cold towel around my neck as I sat there looking at everyone elses poses. It only took me drinking glasses of water continuously throughout the day to be able to do my next class all the way through. I always leave class feeling emotionally and physically uplifted. The routine is fantastic, feels just right. The teachers are both caring and down to earth, while maintaining a distance that provides space for listening to ones personal guidance and motivation, rather than appealing to the teacher. (Or at least thats my philosophical understanding :) ) Also classmates are friendly, diverse, and have a nice range of abilities.
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