Went to Adeline for the first time last weekend, and due to the open house, got to meet Heather, and other members of the community. The biggest thing I feel Adeline provides is something many bigger studios actually seem to lack- community. It's not that studios need to be small, or not so money focused; it's just that their community/sangha has been necessary for them to really thrive. An example of this is that the open house was set up/broken down by student volunteers. So this sense of community is very palpable and I think very special. I got to speak with Heather quite a bit, and also really liked her vision of the evolving community and studio. And then of course is their focus on Iyengar-based yoga, which again sets them apart. I will return here to deepen my understanding of Iyengar-based yoga, and for the sense of community I sometimes miss at other studios. Thanks guys! read more

Chris Williams teaches yoga well. The postures are fully explained, classes are well paced. This is not an "exercise class with music and yoga postures" . It's YOGA. read more

I've been going to Adeline for almost a year and it is amazing. The Sunday evening class with Jaysi is unique in that in addition to a fantastic yoga instructor she is an inspiring yoga philosophy teacher. After a 5 minute meditation she begins class with a 20 minute discussion on a particular aspect of yoga. The discussions stretch your mind to think about how to remain calm and balanced and how we can use yoga to learn and grow mentally. I consistently find myself reflecting on the class over the course of the week. Following the discussion we move into yoga, where Jaysi provides great instruction. The class has truly helped me personally and my Sunday schedule revolves around being able to attend it. I have taken class from Heather and Anneka as well. They too are top notch instructors and I can't recommend them highly enough. read more

I can't say enough positive about Melinda Morey's skills as an instructor. No matter what my issue, ailment or desire, Melinda always gave me clear instructions, and followed up. She set me up with the tools I needed to live my life with less pain, less stress and lots more joy. read more

I have been going to the Yogic Path class on Sundays from 5:30-7:30 for about a year and half now. This class is different from most yoga classes in a very amazing way. Before we begin practicing asanas, we discuss in detail a selected part of the eight-fold path codified by Patanjali. I don't think I can properly describe how much of a benefit these discussions have been on my life and my practice. It's wonderful to hear and share thoughts, to break down complex concepts (i.e. non-violence), and directly apply the fruit of our conversation to asana practice. Jaysi is a wonderful teacher and discussion facilitator! Her insights are so valuable, I feel they travel with me everyday. I encourage everyone to check out this class (Again, Sundays @ 5:30). It is truly unique! read more

I second mahi m. about the cute outfits - this place is all substance, no flash. I've been taking Erin Collom's Monday and Friday noon classes and they keep me sane and strong during the week. Erin is funny and down-to-earth with a diligent eye for form. She'll keep you on track and give you a safe place to land mentally and physically. I always leave feeling aligned and balanced. I had another teacher as a sub here once (can't remember his name) and I liked him, too. The other thing I love about AYS is the cost. I bought a package of ten classes and can use those at my pace - they don't expire. I think they also offer the second class for free. Parking is never a problem, either. read more

Clean studio, Jessie is a great teacher and the staff is friendly.

I've taken three classes at this studio so far, and I couldn't be more happy with the instructors and overall vibe. The focus is on alignment and awareness and the environment is supportive, friendly, and unpretentious. There's a diverse array of people who attend the classes. I just bought a class pass and will definitely continue attending these classes as long as I can afford to, and live in the area. Expanded schedule and a bunch of improvements coming in 2013 :) read more

Melinda Morey is a fantastic Yoga instructor! She has helped me grow both in my yoga practice and as a person. Her direct perceptions and her ability to convey what she perceives, have helped to take my practice to a new level. Not to mention her fun and quick witted sense of humor, that keeps even the most difficult asana pleasureful. I highly recommend any and all to experience Melinda's gifts. read more

The yoga class on Sunday nights with Jaysi is wonderful. She provides a nice blend of Dhamma teaching and Iyengar yoga. She creates a sense of community in the class. It is also a sliding scale "community' class so it's affordable for all! Jaysi is dedicated to teaching and when she is not teaching yoga she is working as a MD in community health centers. read more

Morning Yoga with Shari is the best wake up. She gets right to it, and has a knack for getting us to do things we thought were impossible. Combine that with her uncanny ability to tell exactly what needs work and I highly recommend this class. You should know, however, that this is not a slow, meditative yoga class - it is quite active! read more

I've been out of Yoga for about 5 years and am just getting back into it, and am amazed and saddened by how far my body has slackened and stiffened in all the wrong spots! I was a yoga regular for 8 years, volunteered at 7th Heaven for a while, and thought about becoming a teacher and then dropped it like a bad habit(ironic yes) I have only gone to 2 classes here on Wed. nights so bear that in mind. I see Val L.s point in that the studio is nothing fancy and the foot traffic/basketball bouncing is definitely heard in the room, and I think I was the annoying person last week commenting on everything (sorry class, sometimes I'm just yappy and can't control it) but I *just* started so apparently it is a common problem. I have been on the other end of that and know how it can be :( However, I'm not looking for twangy sitar music and choreographed super structured yoga- I'm jaded and over that so massive places like Yogaworks make me uncomfortable- call me weird, I have yoga rebound issues!! :) Chris does use blocks, straps and blankets so while this is a good stretching workout, it won't make you skinny, if that is what you are looking for. He has a great focus and I have learned new things about muscular training from him already. I'll keep going, and keep quieter :) read more

Really wonderful studio. Great teachers, nice space (recent renovation), and lots of good energy. Pricing is great and you really feel welcome. I'm taking the fundamentals class with Anneke and love it. Heather is the owner and a teacher and rocks at both roles. Teacher Allan will challenge you and is hilarious. Get to it yogis! read more

My all time favorite yoga studio. I have only tried 3 different studios in the bay area, but this is by far the best in my experience. Their beginner 10 week class is what got me started and hooked :) The classes started to get really filled as the popularity of this course increased, but they began offering more beginner sessions, which also allowed for more flexibility in timing your classes. The studio provides yoga mats, blankets, and props for free to all their students. This was helpful to me, when I wasn't quite sure yoga was for me yet. Afterwards I was able to make an informed decision about buying my own materials. The winning aspect of this little studio is the excellent quality of instructors. Anneke was my first instructor, who is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and quick to help and adjust to each student's needs. I would highly recommend her for beginners, because she uses exact language and phrasing to guide students in a safe but rigorous practice. She is also hands-on, which I appreciated on account of the fact that I was simply unaware of my own body's tendencies and how to fix them. If that's not for you, she is also very good at demonstrating on herself what she observes in other students. Once I advanced from beginner level classes (aka comfortable with all beginner poses), I started attending Zain's level 1 classes. Zain is another excellent instructor who stood out in his commitment to each student's individual needs. One student had just returned from a multiple hour plane trip, and he changed the lesson to focus on how to take care of your back, restorative poses, and carefully tailored strengthening poses. It was a long process, but I finally learned how to successfully do a supported headstand, thanks to a lot of patience and suggestions from Zain. I had an one on one session with Zain that allowed me to continue my yoga practice in Denmark with guidance and individualized feedback. If you have the opportunity to see one of the instructors regularly, I would definitely recommend a 1:1 session for your own improvement. Heather is the owner and an excellent instructor. I took a couple of her level 1 and 2 classes, and of all the instructors, her classes were probably the most demanding physically. I can see how some might find her 'mean' but I think that's a matter of personal preference. Her guidance is succinct and immediate, in that when she sees something that is incorrect or could be improved, she quickly says so. I appreciate this, because I want to improve my yoga practice, and be safe. My experience with the other instructors is not as expansive, but I have had very rewarding classes with them. I would say each has their own strengths and specialty, so try a few different classes to get a sense of who might best suit you. I was sad to leave this wonderful yoga studio, but I will definitely drop in when I visit Berkeley again :) read more

I love the teachers, their insight, knowledge and humor. Love the beautiful space, love that its clean and so organized. Love the fact that there is plenty of parking, and love the 5$ community classes for those of us who would like to pay more but just can't at this time. What a great service you provide for the community. read more

Finished class 6/10 tonight and still feeling great! Plus, I can really feel myself getting stronger!! I like it even more than I did the first day. So awesome. read more

I took my first class at Adeline Yoga this weekend with Leah Flaks (the class I took was "Iyengar Yoga - Level I). Her instructions were clear and her teaching was inclusive. The poses she taught were comprehensive, including a range of movement. I can highly recommend Leah as an Iyengar yoga instructor. read more

The teachers here are knowledgeable as heck. No, not a cardio workout (that's not Iyengar), but for anyone with body issues -- structural and/or injuries, -- Iyengar is by far the most supportive, and this place is no exception. The environment is simple, low-key, with friendly teachers and fellow students. read more

From the first day I found Adeline Yoga Studio I have been a devoted fan. I have been a student of teachers of Chris and Heather for many years, and because of them, I remain flexible and strong although I am almost 70 years old. Because of my yoga practice, I have been able to fully resolve a painful frozen shoulder. The restorative classes have been especially appreciated. I recently helped out at the Wanderlust Yoga festival and have done a lot of yoga in Bali. Most places offer famous teachers, but I find my teachers at the Adeline Studio are equal to any. They are skilled, down to earth, caring and funny. read more

Heather is a warm, relaxed knowledgable teacher. Also, the location is very convenient.

Great space, and great teaching. I was greeted with warmth. Plenty of room. The teacher was as expert as any yoga teacher I have ever experienced, and I have attended a lot of yoga classes. These folks manages to generate a great sense of connection in a short period of time. I highly recommend this studio. read more

I practice yoga at Adeline Yoga Studio and I love the place! As Miel H. says, "the only reason you should go to a yoga studio is for the TEACHERS" and I agree. I take classes with Chris, Melinda, Heather and Erin who are fantastic. Their knowledge of Iyengar yoga is extraordinary. They can be demanding but they are good judges of our limits and don't let us get hurt. They pay attention to each student and they go the extra mile to make accomodation for special needs. I am so fortunate to live in the East Bay and have access to the best Iyenga teachers at Adeline Yoga! It's a great place to be! read more

Adeline Yoga is now owned and run by Heather Haxo Phillips. The teacher line up has changed a lot, and there is great mix of new workshops as well (yoga for bicylists, yoga for neck and shoulder issue etc.) The best thing about the studio is the number of teachers with an Iyengar certification - 8 of them at last count- probably the highest in the East Bay. This certification process is pretty darn grueling, (not your usual 200 hours of practice/teaching and you are good to go spread wisdom to the masses). Read more about it here: http://www.bksiyengar.com/modules/Teacher/certeach.htm and http://www.adelineyoga.com/about/yoga/certified-teachers/ What does this mean for students? This depth of knowledge and training means that you don't confront the superficiality and "scratch the surface and there is nothing underneath" experience which is common in the overcrowded Bay Area yoga studio scene. You also don't get pushed to do asanas that are beyond your body's capability that day - so no injuries, no soreness. Make sure to show up early and talk to your teacher about any physical issues you may have - you'll see how they respond and switch things up for you individually throughout class. I highly recommend the 10-week beginner's series to anyone who wants to start doing yoga or is returning to yoga. It is the best fundamentals series ever and the best way to get started at the studio. read more

I have chronic neck and shoulder pain and Adeline Yoga Studio and specifically Heather Haxo Phillips have helped me so much to manage this pain and strengthen my body. I will never do any other kind of yoga -- Iyengar is amazing because it is extremely precise and useful especially for folks with injuries. I have been going to Heather's Sunday class for about two years -- I always come out of the class feeling like I got a full body massage and I'm usually sore the next day because I've worked so hard! Heather is incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated to the Iyengar tradition and works so hard to meet everyone's specific needs in the class. I can't recommend it more!! read more

Just wanted to write a review to say thank you to Instructor Melinda Morey. She has gone to live in Kauai and start a yoga studio there which I will most surely visit. Melinda brings a lightness of spirit, humor, and compassion to the discipline of Iyengar Yoga. In my opinion, a really good yoga instructor not only is a great teacher of the poses and the body (and she definitely is) but also creates natural, unforced community with their attitude, presence, and interactions. I will definitely miss her, but now I have a yoga retreat to look forward to in Kauai. read more

I've been going there for years, and the Studio just keeps getting better and better. It's great to have qualified Iyengar teachers at a convenient East Bay location with parking. Friendly, real people -- both teachers and students -- who are into the practice and not into showy attitude. Lots of class choices (I think they recently added a number of classes, and they're always evolving the schedule to better serve students, so it's clear they care about student feedback). Good pricing options, too, from 5- or 10-class passes to monthly unlimited class memberships. It's a very solid one-room Iyengar school house. I'm hooked. read more

Discovering this studio, and the deep and rigorous instruction of Heather Haxo Phillips, have made me a committed Iyengar practitioner - I love the intensity, the balance of practice and philosophy of yoga, and the vibrancy of this studio. I echo some of the comments of others who speak w/ passion about this studio. read more

Melinda is a great teacher. It's obvious that she's very well trained, but she also is able to convey her knowledge in an easy-to-understand manner. She's affable and kind, as well. read more

I've been going to the Restorative Yoga class with Sarah on Mondays at 4:30 - 6:00. Fabulous! This class definitely aligns my body and significantly changes my mental state always for the better. A great way to move through stress and find deep relaxation. The Friday class, same time, trims up my week. I've done Hatha Yoga and lots of physical therapy, acupressure, Chi Quong and find this one of the most beneficial. read more

I absolutely love Adeline Yoga. Chris and Heather are my favorite teachers in the East Bay. They are caring, considerate and very motivating. I look forward to my classes each week. On Tuesday I cannot wait for 5:45 and on Wed. I cannot wait for noon to arrive. I am learning yoga beyond anything I could ever dream of. If you want a treat come and see these wonderful teachers in action. It is an honor working with them. faye f. read more

Been to Iyengar studios in a couple cities and Adeline is my favorite for sure.

The classes here are amazing. The instruction is right on. If you have ever had an injury, have soarness in your body, or feel hurt when you come out of a yoga class this is the place for you! The instruction is for EVERYbody and focuses on correct alignment. I promise you will leave feeling amazing. Check out Heather's class! read more

Have been practicing at Adeline Yoga Studio since it opened and with Chris Williams since his first class. I also take classes from other teachers (Healther Phillips and Vince) both of whom I learn a lot from even after 15 plus years of doing yoga. I love the eclectic mix of fellow practioners. There are plenty of props and, better yet, plenty of parking although it's BART accessible (Ashby stop). All the teachers can be strenuous, but they are also all willing to accommodate injuries and special needs (including pregnancy!) The bath room is not a problem and dealing with the realities of the street is all part of yoga from my perspective. Prices are fair and first time deals are avaialable. The Friday community calss is pay what you can or $5 and is wonderful. I go to yoga where ever I am but Adeline Studio is home! read more

I first tried another Yoga studio -- and was completely turned off by the off-handed and unhelpful way the class was conducted. Unfortunately, that was my introduction to Yoga, so I figured it just wasn't for me. Then I found Adeline Yoga with Alan and Erin's noon classes, and I fell in love with both of them. I've attended classes for three years, and am continually grateful to and awed by these wonderful teachers and human beings. read more

A community-minded yoga studio, for all ages/shapes/sizes/levels. Friendly, dedicated and firm teachers. Lovely atmosphere: Relaxed yet with great intention. A gem. read more

I could not recommend this place more than I already do. I send people here constantly (friends, my own patients, anyone wanting to heal his or her body through movement as a life practice and not just a temporary venture). It's a welcoming place for all levels or experience and a safe space for practice. In short - it's the real deal. read more

Adeline Yoga is an incredible studio - and Heather Haxo Phillips and Melissa Morey are both world class instructors. Each empowers you with greater self-knowledge, and are both rigorous, exciting, gracious and supportive instructors, helping you push yourself and know yourself better without a sense of competitiveness. Each has a different access to the relationship between yogic philosophy and the practice of Iyengar yoga - and under Heather's leadership the studio has a strong sense of community, and is aesthetically pleasing without being overly precious. The studio's location is one of its assets - near Sweet Adeline bakery and coffee shop, Ashby BART, and storefront African American churches, and various hipsters, artists, and working class communities. It's not unusual to hear a snippet of a 'random' conversation (think novelistic dialogue) as you are trying to 'go inward' and honor life. This nicely counters the rarified or corporate atmosphere of some yoga classes. You feel that your growth in yoga participates in broader trends in the human condition. read more