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Soja Martial Arts & Yoga
Rating Details »
Categories: Martial Arts, Yoga [Edit]
2406 Webster St(between 24th St & 25th St)
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 832-7652
- Hours:
Mon. 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tue-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Soja Martial Arts & Yoga
This is a hidden gem, and I had to share it with ya'll. I live about three blocks from here, and even though it only has a few reviews, it's hard to say anything that hasn't already been said.
The people ARE what makes the place so great. The welcome, community atmosphere, the quality of the instruction is just unbelievable.
Every single teacher cares deeply about the craft of teaching, not just the subject matter, and that shows. Peter the owner wouldn't let anyone teach here who didn't meet that criteria, and MAN could a few other bay area studios benefit from this benchmark.
Run don't walk, to any class they have, but watch out - it's addictive!!
I have taken 2 of the Wed. noon Vinyasana yoga classes and loved them. Teacher is great-space is clean and beautiful. EZ parking except it is metered. I will definitely be back to try some other classes.
My husband and I scheduled some private yoga instruction with Ambika at Soja Martial Arts after my husband hurt his back.
When he got the ok from his doctor, we scheduled our private session with Ambika. She focused on restorative yoga poses that could be easily followed at home a few times a week. My husband had never taken a yoga class of any kind before, so Ambika carefully crafted a series of poses that would be both helpful to my husband's back issue (a seriously pulled muscle) and somewhat passive, as these would be new positions for his body.
Ambika also included poses that my husband and I could do together so we could both benefit from the pose and spend some time practicing together.
I take Ambika's classes on a regular basis and I find her instruction very solid and carefully planned. She is very dedicated to her own practice and this comes through in the enthusiasm she shows those who practice with her. Ambika is my favorite yoga instructor because she does a great job of "reading the room" and adds fun, challenging, and passive poses as she sees fit.
I am someone who doesn't like a lot of attention in class (I've had instructors blurt across the studio "blue stripe pants, longer stance, please!") and I don't like that at all... it sends me running out of class. But, I do like correction - Ambika gives helpful correction when needed in a subtle way.
I stopped by Soja on a whim last Thursday with my friend who practices Kung Fu there and I am totally hooked! This is a beautiful space and the people have a great vibe. I didn't know anything about martial arts but I didn't feel out of place at all. I really like the communal and meditative aspect of practicing Kung Fu there--which is a great addition to my usual meditation practice and running regimen. It's a place to get a great mind/body workout in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. Wish I had gone the sooner!
Soja has a beautiful studio and very cool community vibe. A fitness place with a martial arts foundation and sensibility seems like a perfect idea to me! Peter was a wonderful, encouraging instructor, and the principles and techniques we went over totally fit with my regular/formal martial arts training. I so enjoyed his class and loved what he said about "getting to know your body's architecture."
I was impressed with the variety and flexibility of their class schedule. In addition to classes, Soja rents the space for rehearsals and other events, as well as holds cool seminars and workshops (Animal Communication, Integral Spirituality, etc.). It may sound cheesy, but I get a very zen/peaceful energy here while also getting an amazing workout, and I've loved every class I've taken here.
Ambika's Tuesday am yoga is AWESOME. She teaches to all levels and has a great attitude.
Soja is a clean, spacious and beautiful martial arts studio in a great location. The trainers are passionate about their practice and have extensive knowledge and experience. I just started a class with Laura who is really down to earth and does a great job of explaining things. Peter is also fantastic and makes the learning process both challenging and fun. I highly recommend them! They also have yoga and Tai Chi classes.
They're offering a free 2-week trial between now and January so check 'em out!
I just started taking classes here and even though I find some of the physical contact intimidating I am hooked....the instructors are so patient and I feel so uncoordinated but i get nothing but support. I have taken Laura's class and she is great and very skilled, Soame (sp?) is so helpful and patient and works with me over and over (!) until I can master a move. Peter, the owner and founder is so passionate and welcoming and provides a very safe place to explore your limits and surpass them~ I feel strong and exhausted after a class-very cool! Thank you Peter and Soja! :)
Soja is not just a martial arts place. It's a collective of philosophers and zeitgeists. It offers a haven for those who seek more substance than this filial world can ever offer. They don't just do "martial arts." They offer pilates and yoga. But what makes this place stand out from the rest of the typical martial arts places are the people. They offer a non-ego cultivating atmosphere that's great for the whole family. Martial arts for kids are such a good extracurricular activity, but not all martial arts places are the same. I think that Soja teaches the original martial arts philosophy that's been lost over the years.
The first thing one notices about Soja is how beautiful the space it! Airy and elegant. And the generous, positive vibe there matches the physical beauty of the place. I particularly recommend yoga with Ambika, whose teaching is also beautiful, generous, positive, and down-to-earth, just like this studio. Send your kids there this summer!
They have brand new hardwood floors and organic cotton curtains that feel healthy. The space is spacious with fresh air. TRance dance has plenty of fresh and clean air. Every last Saturday of the month at 8:30 is TRance dance class, with Tatjana Kaurinovic. Because of her knowledge and degree in expressive art and music, she uses this to powerfully stimulate Gody Movement, which lasts two hours and it will heal your body and let go of things that need to go! It is such a powerful spiritual and physical experience!
I just started training with Peter at Soja and I love it!
It's challenging yet playful and involving.
Strongly recommend if you are looking for a mix of martial arts, physical training and self defense.
The first class is free and no prior martial arts experience is required.
-Fabrizio
OK- So I am new to Martial Arts and have not worked out in years...I am out of shape and getting older by the minute. Then I see Soja - two blocks from my house and hey- it maybe fun. Peter was great, patient and so did I say patient!!! I love it- so I am a little sore but that has to be a good thing, right? Well, I look forward to my next class and I say to all of you - GET INTO SOJA- its clean, bright, fun and for all ages and levels of fitness. Who could not use a little self defense training anyway....THANKS SOJA!!!!!!!!!!!
I studied martial arts for many years, and when my beloved school closed I thought I'd never find a place I liked as much. Over the course of two years I've tried many, many places and finally found my way to Soja. It was worth the long wait! I love this school. I was looking for a place that was friendly, noncompetitve, and welcoming to women, but that also provided a challenging workout where I could learn something new from every class. Soja is the place. The classes are interesting and challenging without being intimidating and you can work out at any level. I'm fairly advanced in some of the classes and a totally klutzy novice in others, and I feel happy either way. Great community, too. If I could give it ten stars, I would.
I love this place. I have a desk job and was experiencing desk job spread! I walked into Soja about 3 months ago and even though I mix and match my classes and don't always make it in every week, I've seen great changes in my physique and have begun to focus on how strong I feel instead of how blah I feel! There are so many different types of classes to explore here. They range from mellow to kick butt. Every time I come it's something new and fun. Often for me, schedule is more important than subject and there's a big range of class times so I'm almost always able to make something. Peter, the owner, is building a strong community and I feel like I am not only getting a great work out and some self defense skills, but like I'm making a whole new group of friends. There is a huge range of ages, body types, fitness levels, and backgrounds in these classes. I felt right at home in my out of shape, chunkier than I should be, kind of creaky, 30-something body! Often I drag in for class and leave feeling on top of the world. I can't recommend Soja highly enough.
I've been taking the Wednesday night class with Laura - it's a great, fun workout and I'm learning new skills. I'm new to martial arts and Laura is a patient teacher, which is great for me! The space is clean and bright and a pleasure to be in. An easy walk from BART, too.
