Yoga Tree Stanyan
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Kids: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Accepts Insurance: No
- By Appointment Only: No
7 reviews
Neighborhood: Parkside
"Over 30 years of experience - one of the first Iyengar places in the US. I'd recommend their 4 week Introductory Course if you're looking…" read more »
41 Reviews for Yoga Tree Stanyan
I went to a reiki/restorative workshop today and it was very disappointing. the instructors were not strong yoga teachers (and it's not hard to get restorative poses right, but they didn't). there was a lack of sincerity. the best part of the class was working with another student for about ten minutes. basically, we did about five or so restorative poses, listed three goals, did a couple of poorly led meditations. JayVee to say the least.
the props and floor at this studio were filthy. person at the front desk was in an argument with someone on the phone. how relaxing. Also a nice touch: the toilet is IN the studio. Nothing like the sound of a babbling brook, I guess.
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I recently attended a Yoga 101 class presented by Elise Lorimer. Elise and her assistant facilitated a great class for me. I've been to at least 15-plus yoga classes already and I am still just a beginner. Elise put everything into perspective, body movement, reason for breathing, and Yoga Tree's process with the full week of free yoga classes right after this one. Yes, you get a full, free week at any Yoga Tree location in the City for any class. That's a great way to gauge what style of yoga you're attracted to, in addition you get to try out a different location and experience the style of a different instructor. Elise is gorgeous...and she presents yoga in a professional, patient, and caring style of instruction.
I took a 101 class at the Valencia location, and took a few classes at this location during my free week of yoga. This, by the way, is an excellent deal and a good way of learning the different styles of yoga and styles of instruction.
The classes I took were all quite different. Three of the four I took were way too over crowded (literally 3 inches between the mats on either side, and about 5 inches away from the person in front of me -- we were all bumping into each other and I couldn't stretch out to the side as directed at all), and the fourth only had 5 people (and because of this was an excellent class and gets one of the above stars). Study of contrasts!
All three classes, despite overcrowding, were taught very well. I particularly loved the (partially) heated class on Sunday evening, which had a great atmosphere and was so relaxing as a result. Of course, it was the most crowded of the entire week! The Iyengar class I took was certainly the most precise, but also the most rewarding physically. Loved the challenge and the instruction was great.
As for this location, it's a bit oddly laid out as the restrooms are in the studio itself. The lobby is very small and gets crowded between classes. The girls at the front desk were friendly, and the place is clean.
Overall, I highly recommend the 101 even if you just want to check out the teachers and classes available here. Just be prepared to have some butts in your face at times. That said, I'll be checking out some other yoga studios in the city to find something less crowded with more individual instruction/assistance.
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Crowded for the popular classes, they might think about expanding if possible. I have tried calling the owner to set up a time to teach kids yoga here for 2 years? I wonder why she has never called me back? Oh well I keep on trying. Families in the area have requested my kids yoga classes. I offer them privately currently and would love a great public space to offer these classes? Any ideas?
Thank you yoga tree for being there for me when I need a good class!
Anusara Yoga with Wataya Roberson:
I had such a great yoga experience the other day when I stepped into yoga tree. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, pure great energy!!
I tried Anusara style yoga, which I found to be tranquil, yet educational. Wataya was the instructor and she focused not only the physical aspects of "feeling" the poses, but also the spiritual side, where things originated from, the beliefs behind them......and the societal misconceptions about yoga in general. I've been doing yoga for several years, but I found that her class helped take me to a whole new level. She was really great in correcting anything that was wrong.
I would recommend this class for beginners also as it is in no way intimidating, just pure relaxing! So much so that the guy next to me fell asleep during the meditation and began to snore! Shows you the power of Anusara yoga!
Umm, best yoga eva' (said in valley accent). Seriously, I have recently regained my devotion to yoga. For me it is all about the teacher and studio. BTW, Wataya rocks the hizzouse! It is serious... fun. In 1.5hrs I chant, meditate, sing, laugh, and oh yeah do asanas. It is like some crazy time warp when you enter that studio. You feel like you have been gone on some exotic trip for days. Just OM it. Peace.
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In response to Megan J.It sounds like a horrible experience.It sounds like manipulation and is Unethical Unprofessional Humiliating on the yoga instructors part. I will not go to the Yoga Tree now if these are the kind of instructors they provide. For Megan I suggest you file a complaint to the Better Business Bureau find out about rules set for yoga instructors and the licensing process.Im sorry you experienced being put in a very uncomfortable situation.It sounds like this instructor was on a power trip.
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Yoga Tree is a terrific yoga studio. All of the instructors are great and they really take the time to focus on your form and breath (unless you had a big salami sandwich for lunch!) Pete G. is a very caring and nurturing instructor. He always give students the opportunity to say "No Thanks" if they do not wish to be touched/adjusted, etc. Megan J - take a class from Pete and give Yoga Tree another shot. I've never taken Diego's class so I'm not sure what that's all about but I have taken MANY classes from Pete and he's great. + the owners of the studio work very hard to provide a safe, clean and comfortable place to practice. Namaste'
So, I worked with a couple of twins for a while and used to balance each on either hip. Mostly, I carried the heavier one around, and after doing that for so long, my shoulder, neck, and back just gave up on me as a good person, and they have all ganged up against me even since. I lost the ability to bend my head down to my shoulder. I spent hours of my day trying to hack at this huge mound of pain that developed on my shoulder. In short, I was a mess.
And then, last Friday, I moved. After that, it was a miracle that I could even pick myself up out of bed everyday.
Yelp directed me to Yoga Tree, and their website gave me the chance to sit at home at midnight, in my pjs, and make an afternoon appointment for the next day.
Indra treated me right. She tackled my sore spots. She wanted to get to the root of the problem, an impossible task with all the layers of tension piled up, and up, and up.
After 90 minutes, I opened my eyes, dazed, out of my mind. I had entered another world... a world in which I could touch my ear to my shoulder.
Treat your body right. If you have an ache, get rid of it... don't just sit there. And if you have an ache you've been sitting with, make an appointment with Indra.
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NEVER take a class from DIEGO DEL SOL!! I am soo sad. After struggling for years to get myself back to the yoga studio - I went this morning. The teacher was Diego del Sol for Hatha All Levels class.
At the start he did not ask if there was anyone new or any injuries he should be aware of. Thinking it was odd I tried to follow along as we went through exersizes that were new to me and not explained. Next I observed him talking authoritatively to another woman. I started to think that he did not create the atmosphere where I could focus on my yogic bliss. I altered one strenuous pose to protect previous injuries. Diego came over to me to prop me up in the complete pose. After he mentioned that it seemed I could do it myself. We did the pose again. Again I altered it - again he came over. This time he told me he thought I could do it and started to hold me up again. At the moment I wanted to be left on my own to focus on what I could do so I said, "That's alright." He stopped holding me up and came down to my face where I said I did not want help right now. He told me that if I did not want help then I should leave the class. I said I did not want him touching me. He said that is what class is about - receiving help. After arguing verbally in front of 10 other students about my choice of being touched or leaving I opted to leave. Never in my experience have I encountered an instructor with a attitude of a dictator.
I have had many years in the past of wonderful classes at Yoga Tree. I have always found Yoga Tree to be a sanctuary from the craziness in the world. I do not feel that I came make that assumption any more with teachers like Diego del Sol instructing there.
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My liver has been screaming at me.
"Help, I'm saturated and cannot take it anymore."
"Oh don't be such a wimp!" I yell back. "Where's the Irish in you?"
But I only have one and want to stay on its good side, lest it rebel and stop working. When my body starts to show the better part of its thirtysomething years and needs alignment, I take it to YogaTree.
This place is zen-tastic. Candles, incense, dim lighting, and supportive teachers who warm you up properly before advancing you into more complex poses. They also possess the proper training to suggest modifications. For example, I was still stuffed up from a flu the week before, and the instructor warned me not to hold downward dog too long or I'd get nauseated. She was right. I lay in child's pose, otherwise known as a little slice of heaven, until the class moved onto to another part of the sequence.
Yoga = relaxation + bliss - hangover.
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This place is awesome! I'm really picky when it comes to yoga instructors, but there's something about Catherine Chapman's yoga classes and style of instructing. Her energy is so soothing and you walk out of there feeling at peace and completely recharged. I've been to quite a few places over the years and Yoga Tree on Stanyan is my favorite. Even though the room can get packed at times, the fact that the classes are so fantastic seems to make you forget about the space you are in. I also love that the room is on the warmer side and that they dim the lights. A four for sure!
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I owe Yoga Tree some awesome praise (aka: long ass review) for the past week:
This review is for all the lazy bums (+me) who identify with that one scene in Harold and Kumar where Kumar stares down the hallway only to realize that he has GONE TOO FAR to grab the damn cellphone that he forgot to bring. AND
All the uptight folks (+me) who get all riled up by mundane nonsense like how companies keep manufacturing shit that has text set in STUPID COMIC SANS.
I haven't been to Yoga Tree long enough to say that yoga has done miracles for me, but my yoga practice there this past week has certainly loosened this tense biatch up and helped me step my motivational game up!
I've tried yoga once maybe 3 years ago at a gym on Van Ness. I remember it being a horrible time. I tagged along with a friend. I was wearing the wrong clothes, my boobs were falling out, it was too hot, and the teacher wasn't really patient to advise me on modification to the poses because I had a bad knee. So I spent the next years hatin' on yoga, despite many feel good stories I've heard from friends.
Forward to a month ago, my coworker randomly mentioned that yoga can increase your height by 1".... As a girl who's been the same damn height since 5th grade, I was jumping for joy to hear that. And since I've hit that time in my life where I should go out of my way to prevent further horizontal growth, I decided to try this yoga thing out again.
I've researched a few places. I could join my local Y again, check out this ashtanga studio 3 blocks from my house (but I heard it smells), etc. Finally I decided on Yoga Tree because:
1) I have a terrible time learning to do physical things.
2) I didn't want to just drop in a class and wing it.
3) Yoga Tree has a Yoga 101 workshop where you take the 1st class with a bunch of newbies for $35
4) After that you get a week of unlimited classes.
5) Short term commitment, I can quit if it sucks.
Surprisingly, it was continents away from Blowing Chunks. After my class on Saturday, I signed up for another one the next day. So this past week, I was able to try out a handful of different styles and teachers before I decide what suited me the most. Here's a summary of the classes I dabbled in:
Yoga 101 w/ Elise Lorimer: Part lecture, part practice. Elise is energetic which helps beginners like me gain motivation.
Hatha Flow w/ Elizabeth Rosser: My favorite of the week. This was a slightly more intense workout than I had expected, but it was just the right amount of challenge. Only early portion of the class was heated, and I was sweatin buckets--but well worth it. Not only does Elizabeth speaks loud enough so you can hear no matter which part of the room you are, she also has a wonderful voice! So the chanting/call/response portions were great.
Gentle Flow w/ Catherine: Hence its name, this class was a good follow up to the previous day. Catherine pays a lot of attention each student and help them make any modifications if needed.
Vinyasa w/ Elise again: This class was a bit difficult for me. I was so damn sweaty, I couldn't do half of the poses at the end because I lost traction, and I had to resort to using my bike gloves because this dummy here didn't bring a towel!! Others tried to do their headstands (hellsno) while I just resorted to child's pose.
Gentle/Restorative w// Sylvie (sub): aka NAP TIME!! This was an awweesome class that really made my week relaxing and calmed my mind. Not too many people at this Saturday evening time slot so there was plenty of space to stretch out and roll around.
Yoga Tree is a pretty small studio that gets a lot of traffic. I've been signing up online, and you can cancel online if needed. Most night classes are pretty packed, but it doesn't ruin the quality of each class. They have these fancy mats for rental for $1. Folks who work there are nice and keep the place extremely clean (e.g. No B.O.)
I love this location because it forces me to bike (usually bike parking outside) to and from my house, since it's kinda a pain to get here from the Inner Rich. While yoga is a pricey activity ($16 for drop in), due to the quality of Yoga Tree, I'll definitely be back weekly for (at least) Hatha Flow. Plus! There's no limit on repeating Yoga 101 so you can get off your bum and make use of this deal.
Seriously, if this McDonalds eatin' chick (aka: me) can do it, you can too!!
5' 5 3/4"... I'm on my way!!!
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I usually only go to places like Yoga Tree to remind myself why I should never attempt to properly exercise. Apparently unlike some assholes, uh, I mean, "people," I don't actually like pain. Nor do I generally consider the soreness associated with an overabundance of lactic acid in my muscles to be life affirming. For that I find that alcohol does the trick just fine.
And yet yesterday I found myself returning to Yoga Tree for the second day in a row. Two straight days of workout! I owe this unusual occurrence to two things:
1. Yoga Tree offers $9 "Community Classes" at unpopular times (times when most assholes, uh, I mean, "people," are at "work."). Even I can afford that.
2. Yoga Tree really isn't THAT bad, considering its a place for people to exercise. All of the instructors I've had (which is about four) have been quite kind, knowledgeable, and reasonable. Upon recognizing that I'm an uncoordinated, inflexible, asthmatic, honorary paraplegic with the shameful burden of having been introduced to Yoga on -- gasp -- the East Coast, they pretend as if it's wonderful that I can bend forward enough to touch my knees. Thanks, guys.
It does get a little overcrowded during popular (after work and weekend) time slots, so I suggest you quit your job and join me at 3pm on Tuesdays -- it will only cost you $9 not having a job shouldn't be an issue.
P.S. Stop farting on the rental mats!! I use them and I'm tired of leaving Yoga Tree with unexplained bumps on my cheeks and forehead
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I am not a yoga person. Really. I thought I would be asked to leave due to my inflexibility. But I did start going to restorative yoga here and it was not what I expected. It is very easy and soothing. There is even a massage therapist or 2 usually on hand during class to come around and give "free samples"!
It doesn't matter if you have limitations, the instructors can modify poses for you. They are very kind and non-judgemental.
I come out of there standing up taller and feeling eerily relaxed.
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Juliann offers THE Best Massage I've experienced. Period.
As background, I have gone to a couple of massage places in the City several times, in particular - Mindful Body and more recently, In-Symmetry. Sometimes, it's for a specific ache or pain. Other times, I just want to give my body a little gift. Most often, I have been totally satisfied with both places. However, last Wednesday, I hit the jackpot. After being a serious Yelp reader, it motivated me to write my very first review.
Last Wednesday, exactly nine days after my wife delivered our first child, I needed a massage. I know, I know, my wife is the one that probably really needs the massage. However, since it was practically around the corner from my place, and we were having a great day with our newborn, she granted me my request.
So, I called the newly discovered (by me, at least) Yoga Tree to see if there was any chance I could get in a last minute hour massage. I perused Yelp to see what people had to say about the place, and as you might guess (with a name like Yoga Tree), the vast majority of reviews were strictly for their yoga classes.
That said, there were a handful of people who raved about the massage that is available there. In fact, the one name that popped up a few times was Juliann. And, as luck would have it, she had the one open appointment available that afternoon. Better yet, she turned out to be the real deal.
There were several things that made Juliann stick out as an excellent massage therapist.
She started by asking the right questions - how often do you get massage and is there a specific area you want me to focus on? In this particular case, I mentioned I was having an issue between my neck and left collar bone as well as a little chronic lower back pain.
Without needing more information, she got right to work on the shoulders - not just the left, but both, which provided great balance all around.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that she did a great job deal of combining finding the right pressure points with kneading out the pain directly. Also, she contorted my body in ways I cannot recall being done when I've had previous massages, and I could really feel the benefit of those positions as she would put or pull me into them.
Most of all, however, the thing that put this massage over-the-top is the energy she creates in the room. As she goes through her routine, she literally guided me to feel her effort and energy radiate though me with each area upon which she focused. THAT made it the massage I want to come back to.
As a result, I intend to finally keep a promise I made to myself long ago, and actually treat myself on a monthly basis. Thank you, Juliann!
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After a year in the city, I've packed on 15 lbs. This is even more rediculous considered when you take into account I manage a gym. 9 or more hours a day at work and I want to get the heck outta there, focusing on exercise is difficult to do.
I decided to take yoga 101 after learning some of the instructors at my gym teach there. Yoga classes are always packed and it seems to be the trendy thing to do. Aside from that it seemed to be a way to start to commit myself to a healthier, less-stress lifestyle.
I was terrified to take the plunge but am glad I did. I plunked down my mat next to a little biddha statue and was ready to go. Elise Lorimer was a terriffic instructor. Everyone I encountered radiated alot of positive energy and I totally look forward to returning when I'm back after the holiday. If you're curious at all, I say go for it!
Also, 5 stars for that adorable really fat chow next door. I wanted to steal him.
The Yoga classes here have been fabulous. The instructors are really awesome and knowledgeable, and they love what they do, which makes the classes even better. I like the way their class hours and variety of classes taught- it makes it easy for people to choose a class.
The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is because of the shape/size of the studio. It is long and narrow, and during popular times and/or popular instructors it gets really full in the studio.
The location is very convenient for me, location trumps size, so 4.5 stars!
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I'm kind of a wimp. I have a pretty low pain threshold, so while I love massage, I freak out when the massage therapist goes too deep.
Juliann is great - she definitely specializes in deep tissue massage, but she was respectful of my boundaries in that sense. She definitely pushed me, and I feel better for it today - but it wasn't all-out torture as I've had with other deep tissue massage therapists.
My leg and hip have been killing me for months now - bad chair at work, stress, etc. Finally, after really stepping up my yoga practice and after getting some incredible adjustments and deep tissue massage there, I feel better!
I highly recommend Juliann - a 60 minute massage per Yoga Tree's current prices (May 2007) is $70 and a 90-minute massage is $95. However, they are running a spring promotion right now until May 31st for $99, which gets you 5 yoga classes and a 60-minute massage - essentially a 60-minute massage for $24.
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I don't do yoga. In fact, I don't do much. Plus, there is something about Yoga that makes me want to punch someone. Not sure what it is--some of my favorite people in the world love Yoga. However, some of the most douche-ridden humans I know love Yoga. Not sure where I am going with this.
BUT, my wife goes here and loves it. And I think my wife is pretty hot and I think that the Yoga helps keep her sane and hot (nice things for a wife to be). So I guess that is pretty great. Maybe even 5 stars great. Yup, 5 stars great. And one of my favorite bars (Kezar Pub) is next door, so there is some locational love for you. Man, that was a worthless review.
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Five stars specifically for my instructor, S.
I don't want to let the cat out of the bag, but she's my favorite :)
I fell in love with Anusara Yoga about a year ago, I've practiced Iyengar for some time (also love) and I found the heart-centered approach the perfect balance of focus on alignment & soulfulness.
The studio offers many vinyasa classes, if that's your bag.
It seems to me that many yoga practitioners start off coming for exercise but it can be SO much more if you let it.
All of the physical Yoga Tree locations are OK, in my book.
Its really all about the teacher you trust & enjoy practicing with.
For students new to the studio, $20 gets you 3 classes to be used in 2 weeks. Prices are reasonable, buy in bulk.
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When I got rid of my c-a-r, one thing I missed was driving over the 17th Street hill from Stanyan and then hitting Yoga Tree Castro studio for some Vinyansa. I felt relaxed and light as a leaf after my sweat sessions.
But I must say that the Stanyan studio, a 15 minute walk vs. 15 minutre drive to the Castro, is just as great and the instructors are fantastic too. I've been going weekly the past several months and I find a regular Hatha class is just as rigorous, yet enjoyable, as the other classes I attended at YTC.
The space is narrow, yet long, and gets packed. Although it's not uncommon to be just inches next a person on your left and right and your face gets nearly wedged into their bum during certain poses, any anxiety of space vanishes as you are fixated on the practice itself, as the experienced instructors and their assitants explicitly guide you through the flow.
I must say, I haven't slept sooooooooooo well in years since going to classes at Yoga Tree Stanyan. My schedule and work can be quite hectic and it's pure joy to know I can look forward to a Zen-filled sweatfest followed by a night of blissful zzzzzz's.
This is my go-to yoga studio. It's close to my home, offers a nice variety of classes and great teachers - with a spiritual vibe, but not too much. I especially appreciate that they don't treat the class like bootcamp (hello Bikram!). Anyhoo...this review is specifically about a massage that I got just last night from Juliann.
It was incredible.
I think it might have been my first "real" massage. It was strong and powerful. I felt that she really listened to me and my body and adapted her techniques to suit what I REALLY needed. She actually commented on imbalances in my neck and legs (that I already knew about, but that no other massage therapist has noticed/mentioned). I was relaxed, invigorated and mentally improved. And the price was great too!
Thanks Juliann!
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I have been going to Yoga tree for about three months and the place is fantastic! What I like most about the place is they don't get all up in your grill about doing yoga their way. If you ask for advice you get it, otherwise you can just take things at your own pace and they make you feel quite comfortable. What a relief because I've taken yoga classes elsewhere and had yoga instructors get all nuts about doing things "right." I mean please, I'm a guy and I can hardly touch my freakin' toes! I will never be able to put my ankles behind my head and I'll never become a pretzel. I highly recommend taking a class with Elizabeth Rosser. This chick is amazing! I mean, her class is like a yoga rock concert! She sings and plays the tambourine and flute! Wow! Tiring, yet also fun and relaxing!
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This place is great, I like to buy my classes in bulk and hop classes in all four locations around the city. Yoga tree is the place to be, hands down! Namaste
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i'm picky as all get out about yoga but this place is fabulous. yes, the studio is an odd size/layout and takes some getting used to (and, let's be honest, is a nightmare when it's crowded). but the classes more than make up for it. i'm a big, big fan of anything catherine chapman teaches: she's fun and hilarious and gives the best cues ever. lauren's classes are more challenging but also fantastic though they remind me of why i was never a ballerina.
for fun, poke your head in the cleaners next door and take a gander at the biggest, cutest chow you've ever seen. he's like a sleeping, furry statue.
And for my 200th review...I do it for Yoga Tree. (I personally can't believe I haven't reviewed this studio yet.) I love it. I've been going here for the last 3 yrs because it's in my hood. Everyone is really friendly. The space is great and calming. For all the newbies, this is a great one to start with.
I also go to Yoga Flow in Castro. They're all in the same family of yoga studios. Your class passes will work at all studios.
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Massage Magician ... at the ripe old age of 44 I've been receiving professional massage since I was a young guy at the bratty age of 25 - so suffice to say I've seen the gambit of morons who couldn't find my aches to save their lives, to amazing professionals - who seemed more like massage robots then an aware, awake, and caring massage professional ... GO to Yoga Tree and ASK for Joe ... he's kind, professional and has something like 15 years of experience. In this day and age of new-age lack-of-boundaries I've found Joe to be caring, hard working, skillful, helpful, and highly professional - plus he's a nice guy and cute ;-)
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Have to agree with one of the reviewers praising the restorative yoga. why bother working muscles so hard that you may risk pulling 'em when you can just stretch in varying positions and lose just about the same amount of calories? it's completely relaxing, requires a bit of stretching yet you feel invigorated in the end. so invigorated perhaps, that afterward, you can walk right next door to the Kezar pub and grab a pint or two and gain 'em right back. all that yoga does make you thirsty.
This yoga studio is the first place I ever did yoga, so naturally it holds a special place in my heart. I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the time, but it definitely left me wanting more. Initially I was a little one-loved out, but I totally have come to appreciate the process of becoming centered, practicing compassion and getting my om on all while taking myself to new physical levels.
I took a Yoga 101 class with Darren Main here that introduced me to the basics of poses and breathing and I've been getting my yoga groove on ever since.
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The staff here are always friendly, helpful and very Yogi. I wasn't taking advantage of my free week after Yoga 101 because...well, just cause. They offered to extend it for free! (until the Hayes Street one took it away). So, my love will always reside at this studio and this is the only one I would go to.
This past Saturday, my boyfriend and I went to a 2-hour-long Yoga 101 class here. The teacher, Elise Lorimer, was most enjoyable and knowledgeable. I have taken yoga before many times, but it had been over 3 years since doing so. I'm very happy to be back into it and going to Yoga Tree only excited my interested in it all the more. My boyfriend had never done yoga before and he took to it quite well, thanks to this class. This place is close to a bus line as well, which is wonderful. The only downside that I found was the classroom is pretty small - or at least it seemed so from the many folks that were in there.
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Haven't tried the yoga, but just had an INCREDIBLE massage w/ Mark. A++, will defenitely do again. Trust me on this one.
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Downward dog, Tree pose, Namaste...what does this all mean. Well if you haven't been to Yoga Tree on Stanyan street then you are missing out on one of the best ways to center your mind, body and soul. A nice and friendly atmosphere and supportive instructors are all found at this great yoga studio. If you've always wanted to try, but were afraid to try...they offer a good introductory course for beginners! So what are you waiting for...treat yourself and your body!
Namaste (I see the greatness in you)
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I have been an active Yogi since the age of 23 and I have to say these instuctors at this studio are the BEST I've ever been to. Christopher Love, Rusty, Darren, Kai - and the list goes on. You will get grounded, sweaty and feel life on a deeper level with this group of amazing instuctors.
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pretty much the Best yoga in SF
Upon arrival in San Francisco, I set about trying to find a yoga studio. I made a circuit of introductory specials, trying about 4 different spaces: Yoga Tree, One taste, Some iyengar studio on Taraval, and Satori. Being unemployed aided my desire to be selective, so that I could stretch my instructor per dollar time as far as possible.
Elise at Yoga Tree was the undoubtable winner. Her ashtanga vinyasa classes are soulful yet physically active and engaging. You will sweat, but you might also be able to go inside yourself to experience something more enriching than just a physical workout. I have on several occasions shed a few tears in her classes. She is able to offer inspiring words without being pushy or overtly sentimental or cliche. She is good about offering modifications, but is sensitive to personal space issues using a light touch, if any at all.
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I love this place! They offer a wide range of classes and I haven't taken one I didn't like. All the teachers are wonderful and have a unique vision to share. I've had a few massages at Yoga Tree too and they were excellent.
I tried restorative yoga here. It's like meditating while relaxing your body in an unusual position that you haven't ever thought about being in before. Yes, meditating. All stretches and relaxation and even a scalp massage thrown in. I left feeling GREAT.
the Yoga Tree chain is a really good set of studios. the staff are personable and make an effort to remember names/faces. the instructors are all top-notch and they have beginner-oriented classes for newbies. the Stanyan location is comfortably large, but not cavernous, and there's cheap parking in the Kezar Stadium lot across the street for when you're running late.