YogaKula San Francisco
3030A 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 934-0000
- Good for Kids: 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 »
17 Reviews for YogaKula San Francisco
This is by far my favorite yoga studio in SF! (It was previously Yoga Sangha but just changed owners and is now called Yoga Kula).
Skeeter Barker's classes by donation are a special place where you can work on yourself without feeling any social pressures. It is a healing, healthy feeling that touches an innermost being (I know, cheesey and new agey but oh so true) - I find that feeling is hard to come by. I also enjoy Richelle Donigan's classes. I have yet to explore any other teachers because I have been satisfied.
I used to go to YogaTree but the classes were more impersonal, overly crowded and overly priced focusing more on aerobics and body image and less on yoga/personal growth.
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I'm a believer.
Though I've been doing yoga for years (on and off), I've never really been a yoga-nut. This may be the place to finally make me one. I ran into an old friend before class the other night and she said, "This class will change your life!" Okay, so my life looks pretty much the same as it did before the class. Except that I'm going to be spending a lot more time with my mat from here on out.
I wish my apartment were even 1/3 as beautifully done as this studio. The bamboo floors, the plants, the light, the view, the soothing/energizing colors. It looks good enough to eat. It's an oasis that lends itself so well to yoga practice (instead of being a space where yoga just so happens to take place.)
I've only had class with Katchie, but it was amazing. I didn't feel exhausted or drained afterwards, but energetic and happy. I have lots to work on, but this is the place to do it. There's a real community-vibe, not a competitive one. And there's focus on personal development, instead of just out-doing your neighbor with crazy poses. The 1.5 hours went really quickly.
Plus it's close to BART and has sliding-scale classes.
I'll be updating more as I start practicing here more. I'm so grateful to have found Yoga Kula.
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This review is geared toward beginners new to yoga, like moi.
So, the first yoga class I ever went to was in Virginia about 5 years ago and...I had one of my "sitcom moments".
It was a "flow" class, I guess...sun salutations, etc. Quite fast and complicated for the beginner and I was very confused. Then, I was overwhelmed with everyone whoooooooshing with their breath, and there were so many booties in the air....Oh I just couldn't take it! It was *hilarious* to me!
I very nearly laughed out loud, and I left halfway through, cracking up all the way home, thinking yoga was ridiculous and NOT for me.
That is not what it is like at yogakula. My opinion is that this Anusara yoga is very good for beginners and appropriate for those accustomed to saluting the sun as well. And the teacher I have enountered there, Chad, is great.
All-levels class with Chad on Fridays at 4:30 begins with a mini-talk about something one may reflect on (or not) followed by chanting (it's okay to just hum along -- I do) and then we begin movement through a series of postures at a slow pace, working on each one closely and thoroughly. Chad's really great about giving feedback and individual posture modification to each person during class.
I always leave feeling challenged yet very capable, and very stretched and very relaxed. Okay I have only been 3 times, but I'm loving it and I hope to start every weekend this way.
Other class members are great as well! Studio is welcoming, clean and bright. Mats available for use. $16 for a single class, which is pretty much what most other studios advertise as well.
So yogakula revealed that yoga *is* for me.
Yoga Sangha, Yoga Kula, whatever.
Skeeter's class rocks the hizouse. Yeah, I said "hizouse." It's that good.
My chest opens, I breathe, I cry. Every time. I don't sob like a maniac or anything, but there's a little release, every time.
Skeeter and the whole vibe of her class are extraordinary.
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This is a source of healing and energy for mind, body, and soul. The space is gorgeous, the teachers patient, knowledgeable and communicative, and the atmosphere is conducive to growth at individual pace.
I have recently checked out classes at a few different yoga studios around town and I have to say that the Anusara Yoga offered at Yoga Kula is so good that I crave it!
They have a special rate for folks who work at non-profits, as well.
Namaste!
This place is by far my favorite studio, so much so that I have no hesitation to bike across town for a class - and pass quite a few closer studios on the way. My favorite classes are the 'donation' classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings, sliding scale.
I find the classes here have the perfect balance of physical workout and mental rejuvenation, working the muscles and relaxing the mind. Nice mix of students of various levels of practice.
I frequent Skeeter's classes, but Kaatchie is also amazing - and the studio's dedication to the community has always impressed me. As others have stated, this place is real and oh so down to earth!
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INCREDIBLE space and incredible teachers (I've been to four and even if I started with doubts, I left unbelievably happy) make for an incredible practice.
Yoga Sangha (which will be changing hands shortly, but whose teacher line-up will remain the same) offers a blend of physical, mental and spiritual in a workout that will make even the biggest skeptics yoga converts.
Just thinking about Yoga Sangha makes me smile--and wish I had more time for my mat.
Yoga Sangha is my new favorite neighborhood yoga studio.
Top 5 reasons why I love it:
1. Kaatchie Ananda (the owner and a teacher there) keeps it real
2. Kaatchie's class is just the right amount of intensity; you push yourself to the edge but not over the cliff
3. The space is a lovely oasis in the midst of the chaos of 16th St... bamboo floors, windows on both sides
4. The location is perfect - right at Mission and Valencia, across the street from BART
5. It's a yoga community, but it's not "scene-y"
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Absolutely beautiful studio. I have been used to Power Yoga so this class seems a bit slower but what I like about it is that anyone can feel comfortable. I love the instructors because they're very helpful and pay attention to details to help you better your practice.
I've been to a lot of yoga studios and this is by far the best of the best. It's location is a little tough, but once you get inside the dwelling your mind quickly forgets it's gritty roots. Situated inside an old wooden building, you climb to the top of the sets of stairs to a beautiful, large, sunny studio.
A different style of yoga is taught here by very patient, involved, down to earth teachers called anusara. Similar to vinyasa style yoga, anusara is slower and requires more attention to poses and a deeper sense of physical awareness. I received tons of personal attention and felt very welcomed and encouraged in this strong community environment. Through the instructors careful, practiced and detailed direction, I was even able to do poses I could never do!
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The best yoga studio in San Francisco.
Beautiful oasis.
Right near BART.
Cheapest yoga classes around.
Katchie Ananda, the owner, is the best yoga teacher in the bay area, hands down.
Other great teachers like Skeeter Barker.
The scene is very real, down to earth, not pretentious, community oriented.
It is an eco friendly yoga studio, yay!
In my opinion Yoga Sangha is the best yoga School in San Francisco. The teachers are great and i have mety several new friends here. Also, I love the studio.
Don't let the location dissuade you, this is a freakin' glorious yoga studio. The windows are studded with succulents, opening upon a vista of the entire city, and on sunny days (which are many, due to the Sunbelt location) the lambent hues of the glory of the sun cast their honeyed array through the entire studio. And I'm a Katchi fan. I'm almost always there on Saturdays at 11am. Katchi's a gifted, sweet, present, no-nonsense anusara teacher. However, the studio is so beautiful, that it doesn't matter who teaches the classes. I always get a lot out of them. And they've got a nice beginners package: 3 classes for like $20-some-odd. Drop-ins are $14.
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Hooray for co-owner Katchie Ananda for bringing her wisdom and compassionate practice to her own center! This place has been around about two years and thank Shiva! If you just want a good butt and aren't concerned about the metaphysical aspects of yoga, I don't recommend going here. But if you'd really like to delve deeper into your yoga practice in way that doesn't destroy your body (errr, ashtanga or Bikram Yoga, IMO) then bring your mat down to Yoga Sangha and say "om!".
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I've been here twice so far, and I'm a yoga beginner, so take it for what it's worth, but I really enjoy classes here so far. My classes have been taught by one of the newer instructors. She's been helpful and understanding. The studio itself is beautiful and very calming. The classes feel like a nice escape.
I have been going to Yoga Sanga for almost a year. Katchie is great, she is very real, smart and beautiful yoga goddess! I hesitated to take classes from other teachers because I loved Katchie's so much, but when I finally did, there was no regret! Each instructor has their own style and personality, and I ended up learning something new that I can incorporate into my practice from each one of them.
All the teachers make it a point to focus on your alighnment so your poses are graceful and you don't end up hurting yourself.
The studio is beautiful, very peaceful, its a great destresser after a hard day.
If I wasn't a professional intern, I would frequent Katchie's yoga classes. But, alas, classes are on the expensive side, and I only manage to take a class when I am in great need of some respite from the chaos of city living. The studio has a fabulous "lofty" urban ambiance. It's nothing fancy, but its no frills decor lacks nothing and the few classes I've attended certainly added a dose of much needed contemplation, movement, and simple philosophy into my life.
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