Your 1-min-late we-take-your-25-dollars & give-you-sass late policy is wack. But great job epitomizing SF's pretentious bullshit.

Had a good experience doing yoga here, but a word to the wise: be sure that if you need to cancel, you do it yourself and triple check that it's done. I verbally cancelled, and it slipped through the cracks, and I'm not super vigilant about my credit card bill. Turns out, I was charged $120 a month for a year after I had deleted the app and moved out of the city. When I explained the situation by email and on the phone, I was ignored for four days, and finally (after my fourth email) the manager simply said there was no record of my cancellation and stood behind their policy of, you know, screwing people with auto-renewal. They were like, we'll give you two months credit (knowing I had left the city). Between that and the late policy, this place is straight-up namastingy. Do your yoga somewhere that puts customers first and isn't just trying to squeeze every dollar (or in my case, $1,440) out of them. *** ADDENDUM after David's comments (see below): First of all, no reversal of any charges was ever offered to me. Second of all, I (finally) verbally cancelled my membership over the phone three days ago -- there is no policy against verbally cancelling. These are blatant lies and it makes me feel even worse about the people running the show at Yoga Garden. Finally, I will say that yes, I can't be 100 percent sure about how the cancellation went down. It was a mundane interaction that took place over a year ago, and I'm not going to lie and say I specifically remember every detail. Here's what I know: I lived next door to the studio and regularly communicated with them in person. I had 'cancel yoga' on my calendar and my to-do list, and I removed it after cancelling. My boyfriend also cancelled his membership verbally, very likely at the same time I cancelled mine. They can see clearly in their system that I did not attend yoga for a year, but they have no problem keeping $1,440 of my money, with only their predatory policies to back them up. They said there were 'little to no options' as if a business manager or owner is not capable of refunding some money when there's been a mistake. That's some seriously bad karma. read more

Poor customer service. $25 for a class and I was not allowed in because I was late. I was not given a refund because "the spot was held" for me, yet I'm not allowed to walk in and take my spot. I'm told that it detracts from other students if I come in late - well it detracts from my experience if I'm not allowed in at all. I asked if I could switch my spot to the next class, and they said no. Neither class was booked to capacity, so why is this policy so strictly enforced? It's a rule for the sake of having a rule, with no willingness to be flexible. I understand it's not ideal to be late, no one wants to be late for a yoga class, movie, dinner reservation, etc. But it's not nice to be so unwilling to be accommodate. read more

I've only taken one class here but it was fantastic. The service was good; the lady checking people in was nice and helpful once I told her it was my first time at the studio. I got a 5 class pass and will try again to see how I like it overall. Robin Duryea teaches there several days a week... it's worth it to go here even if it's a little far to have Robin teach a class. Cons- The parking they recommend a few blocks away is no longer intuitive (I've parked there before). And, the code they give you requires you to pay in cash (or it did to me).. weird. This place also is a little confusing to navigate (I apparently tried to walk into one of the classrooms). read more

I love Yoga Garden. It's the only studio I've been to in San Francisco where I feel we are all there as a community to practice. It's not about showing up in the right outfit or being the most advanced, but it's about breathing and connecting with our bodies. Favorite instructors: - Vanessa (Va Za) for a great, fun, sweat-inducing Vinyasa class. She changes it up every time, so no two classes are the same, but you'll usually get a good mix of flow, arm balances and inversions. She cares a lot about injuries and really loves working with people who have them, so definitely tell her in advance if you're struggling with something as she'll cue you separately. I've had misaligned hips and a bad SI joint for many years, and through now 1+ year of practice with Vanessa I think she knows my body better than I do! She knows exactly what poses to recommend to me - and which to avoid - and is very attuned to what I personally need (versus what the flow of the class "requires" you to do). - Christie for a vigorous rocket-style Vinyasa, and always inversions! Christie is a self-described inversion fiend, and I have gone from nothing but headstand to forearm stand and a few seconds of handstand with her excellent tips. Christie is great at give you super specific instructions and breaking down a pose. I realized in my first class with Christie that I had been doing Chaturanga wrong for 5 years (!) and she completely changed how I approach this fundamental pose. I also finally have Crow now thanks to a weekly dose of breaking it down from her. She's a natural-born teacher and great for technically improving your practice. - Roy for the workout of a lifetime. I leave Roy's Vinyasa level 2/3 class completely drenched, but oh so happy. He has a great approach to teaching (he's clearly an expert but also doesn't take things too seriously), and it's obvious that he loves what he does. His playlists are on point! His classes are popular for a reason - so get read to cozy up with your neighbors while sweating what seems like gallons for 90 minutes. I've had other instructors there that are more hit or miss. You cannot go wrong with any of these three. read more

Will never be going to this studio again. I got there at 7:31 for a 7:30 class and the woman at the front didn't let me in. She DID let a man ahead of me in class even though he was a minute late as well. The woman at the front was unbelievably condescending about the policy and refused to give me a refund. So they took my money and refused to let me in -- for being a single minute late. An unbelievably shitty and unforgiving policy and a good way to alienate current and future customers. I'll be telling all my friends to avoid this location. read more

I gave up on yoga 3 years ago. It just wasn't for me. Ever since moving to SF, I've recognized its mass popularity here and, while I've been hesitant to try it again, when I came across the location, I had to check it out. I took a barre class and it was the first yoga-related class I've ever actually enjoyed! I've been doing Core40 for a year now and this kicked my ass on the same level, but was also therapeutic. Magali, the instructor, was super easy to follow and put together a great class. The entrance and studios are wonderful. It feels way more personable and homey than a more corporate studio. I felt a newfound sense of peace entering and leaving the building. My only qualm with the building (thus far) is the lack of waiting space between classes and maneuvering the small staircase to the second floor. It's a bit tight and crowded, but it's only something you have tolerate for a minute or so. Can't wait to take more classes here! read more

Today I took their 2x/month free Intro to Yoga Basics class with Meredith. I thought it was great! Meredith was very sweet and calming, and opened up the space nicely so that beginners there for different reasons (e.g. recovering from an injury, first time practicing, looking to correct form, etc.) could ask questions and get comfortable with some basic forms and flows. No questions were too basic, and she really walked through everything that we wanted to know more in-depth. Also, the studio is amazing - cute garden-like feel, and the room I took the class in was light, airy, breezy, and beautiful. What a wonderful space for yoga. I bought the intro month of unlimited classes (discounted if you go to their free intro class) and I'm looking forward to taking more! Fingers crossed that the non-super-intro course instructors are just as friendly and flexible. read more

Another ClassPass favorite of mine. This was one of the first studios I visited when I first arrived in San Francisco, it was close to home. I've since moved farther away but still come here because I really like the studio. It's a bit quirky, you kind of feel like you are walking through a garden or treehouse (it's really a converted Victorian) but I think that adds to its charm. Plus once inside you completely forget you are right off busy Divis. This studio has three main rooms (air, water, and I can't remember the third, earth maybe) so sometimes the lobby can feel crowded if you've arrived right as another class is leaving. The front staff is friendly, there is an iPad to check in on, and cubbies for your shoes. The only thing I would add is that I wish the rooms themselves had more space for your personal belongings. Sometimes it can feel a little cramped. I love their selection of yoga apparel and accessories. One of the things that makes this studio unique is the point system. You'll earn points for things like coming to class and checking in on social media. These points can then be used for discounts on yoga items or classes. Because this is a converted old Victorian it can sometimes be drafty so I definitely recommend bringing socks and a sweater in the cooler months. Having three rooms for classes this studio has a lot of availability to choose from. I never have a challenge finding a class to suit my needs (or time) and they seem to have classes later which I appreciate. read more

I LOVE Yoga Garden. The space is homey and comfortable (although I wish that they would open the windows a little more- it can get really hot), and the people that work there are very nice and know what they're doing. Stacy's Vinyasa class is relaxing, you'll get a great stretch afterwards, and she is great about giving alternative suggestions to poses. Michelle's aromatherapy flow class is fantastic. There is a nighttime Vinyasa class (I forget the instructor's name) that is an incredible workout, she plays live music which is awesome, but I get this weird feeling that this is some sort of cultural appropriation when she (a white woman) leads the class (full of white people) to sing an Indian song/chant. Most of those people have no idea what they're singing...it just seems weird and maybe problematic to me. This chant in a presumably Indian language goes on for at least 10 minutes by the way. There is no context to the song. Then the instructor tells a story of a demon with "black skin" and "fangs." read more

I started going to the Yoga Garden when I became pregnant and quickly discovered Alexandra Rossi's amazing Wednesday evening yoga classes. Alexandra is a true gem, and her prenatal classes are the perfect blend of light physical activity (appropriate for pregnancy), combined with anecdotes about labor and delivery, good humor, and a delightful French accent. As a doula herself, she has so much wisdom to offer and I found myself becoming a regular even though I had to leave work a bit early on Wednesdays to make it. I truly think my regular attendance and her imparted wisdom and tips and tricks for managing pregnancy were big contributors to my relatively smooth labor, which lasted only 14 hours even though it was my first child. (I've heard the first often takes the longest.) She also has wonderful tidbits of wisdom to pass on, for everything from pregnancy teas and advice on acupuncture to poses to try at home when various body parts (back, shoulders, glutes, etc) flare up as is common during pregnancy. I had a lot of small aches and pains throughout pregnancy and she had good tips for managing nearly all of them! I also really valued the sense of community that came from being surrounded by others going through pregnancy. In sum, I would highly recommend classes with Alexandra to anyone who is pregnant and considering yoga! read more

What a magic studio! I was looking for this place for my soul and heart for a long time. This studio is so welcoming and has its own atmosphere. The instructors do all their best for my relaxation. I love Yoga Garden for a variety of classes and workshops. I'm so happy to come here. Join us and do yoga. read more

I've come to the prenatal and mama+baby yoga class a few times and received mixed recommendations on bringing my 18 mo little one. Last time though, the regular teacher (forgot her name, she was a French woman) brought up a valid concern about my toddler being around newborns and "spreading her germs". I understood her and other mother's concerns but the way she and the receptionist handled the situation was rude, whispering with me and my daughter just a few feet from them. And then throughout the class not only did my daughter and I feel isolated but was pandered to many times about how "good" my kid was. But also mentioned how judgmental she was. Never have I felt so singled out and unwanted in a yoga class. I made a little bubble for me and my girl and tried to breathe through it. Other than that, as a WOC with a non-traditional yoga body, the space doesn't feel all that welcoming. I don't want to let this be the lasting experience I have with Yoga Garden. I'll be trying other classes in my unlimited month but these past experiences do not bode well. read more

I've taken a couple classes here through ClassPass - super friendly staff and variety of classes! Excited to come more often.

Dropped in for a class with Sara on my weekend in SF. All I can say is wow. That was equally a good workout and a time for self reflection. As an anxious religious woman, I feel reconnected and at peace in a way I haven't in a long time. I wish I lived closer! Add this place to your San Francisco stay read more

I usually would not go to a studio where I need to change buses to get there, but in this case, I'm glad I did. Tucked away behind a picturesque building in Haight, Yoga Garden is a quaint and cozy studio. There have a lot to provisions that one can purchase from them. Mats can be rented at $2 in case one drops in without their own. The instructor, Meridith Holt, was attentive, spoke to us clearly about our issues and intentions and really made the whole experience enjoyable and rejuvenating. The level of the class was mixed with the yoga poses starting simple and then building up. In fact we did some exercises that I had never done in other classes before! Loved that part :) I left the class with the intention of being back for sure! read more

My take: Yoga is like being in the 60's with a bunch of baked hippies. This place is the time machine to get you there. Here's my detailed take: +Many different practices/styles: this is a plus because some styles of teaching Yoga I love, and some I think are ridiculous. I'm more into taking classes that are like a flow/routine and have an aspect of meditation which they have plenty of. But they also have other styles of teaching (like some where you just jump around between a bunch of fun poses all the time with little or no meditation). Oh, they also have different types of Yoga, such as Vinyassa, Mysore, Ashtanga, Hatha, Pregnant, etc. +TONS of classes offered: I work a lot, and I've still been able to make it to Yoga about 3-4 times a week because they offer so many classes +GREAT teachers: ok, so should caveat this by saying I'm still a little new, and have only had about 7-8 different teachers so far (out of ~20), but all have been extremely knowledgable. Of course I liked some more than others, but its just cause I like they're style of teaching more, not that the others were bad in any way. +Easy to use website: you wanna track how many times you've yoga'd this week? go to the website. You wanna schedule a classs a few days from now? go to the website. Wanna schedule a class 20 mins from now? go to the website...you get the idea +Ambiance and décor. check. +BROGA: yes, there are mostly girls here (as in any yoga studio), but as a straight guy, its nice that there are usually at least 1-2 other straight guys in each class I go to. Nothing against women/gay guys, but its nice not to feel out of place like in some other yoga studios I've gone to where they may say some stuff like "now look down at your pedicured toes and pretend you're a butterfly". (garbage, I'm still waiting for someone to say something like "now look down at your hairy feet and pretend your donkey kong from N64) FYI: I suck at yoga, but have been going on and off for about 2 years. Not a newbie, but definitely not anywhere close to advanced, and definitely not flexible, so take this with a grain of salt. or a beer. preferably a big beer. read more

Teachers: Out of the three yoga classes I took, the teachers were all very much focused on alignment with elements of spaciousness and relaxation. All three classes left me more relaxed then when I started. Advanced was (otherwise known as Level 2/3) was actually advanced! Class with Brooke Stokes was super refreshing. It's like we were in no hurry, just mindfully moving through some thoughtful yoga poses. We did some fun arm balances and intelligent flows in Nick's class too. Ray Baxter's Hatha Align is the most stress free start to your Saturday night you can find 6pm-7:30pm, I would highly recommend this as well. You may not sweat, but you will be sore later... (at least that was the case with me)... Perks: Introductory Special: One Month Unlimited Yoga Classes $65 They have a lot of yoga swag= clothing, books, mats, Mala beads and lots of other things complimentary to yoga. I could have gotten lost in their boutique area, but never had enough time per visit. Parking: It is San Francisco... No fancy garage, only street parking, but of the two times I drove, early evening time, I found close spots in a reasonable amount of time. Space: This entire studio is an old three story Victorian House (with a garden as you walk in through the wooden gates in the front). The top floor is the biggest space (the "air" studio) and the 2nd floor studio, "water" is cozy. Both teachers closed the curtains but one entire wall faces Divisdero and is all windows and glass French doors. This studio has plenty of props= blankets, straps & blocks. Not your standard blocks though... One edge of the block is a curve, so bring your own if you are attached to flat blocks. Would I return to this studio? Absolutely! The space is wonderful and the teachers are friendly, caring and talented. read more

Stacey Swan is the best! I was never into yoga, maybe never found the right teacher, but she is amazing. I wish she taught more classes throughout the week. read more

Loved this little oasis in the hustling and bustling of Divis! I came to try the class here using Classpass and absolutely loved the Yoga Sculpt class. It's great for when you're feeling like a more intense workout than regular vinyasa, as it incorporates weights and the pace is on the faster side. The location is really nice, tucked into a little garden, although the classroom can be crowded sometimes. read more

Well I came here stoned so I knew I would have a good time whatever ended up happening. I purchased a class pass online for 20 bucks for a Sunday morning class with Robin. There were a lot of hot girls of course. So what man don't be so damn thirsty. Okay they even had a mat for me. Actually that's not a big deal. I pick a spot in the front. This class got crowded, which is cool because then it gets sweatier and there's more energy. The class itself wasn't bad. They offered arm balances, a few stretches, etc. I think I got too high but it's cool. It happens. I didn't really fuck with the whole Eastern religion chanting shit though. I'm not sure why white people love that shit so much. I'd rather listen to someone preaching about gratefulness or about how abundant our lives are or just some relaxing idea/thought for the day. Instead I got to listen to white people shouting some incoherent rumble from the Costa Rican jungle, some stupid American-manufactured idea of what northern India is actually like. read more

Boy, has this place changed. It's more a business/ circus than a yoga oasis. I've had some mediocre instructors over the years, but I had a terrible experience in the prenatal class with Marissa. I found her a bit high strung and the class was more stress than comfort/ relaxation. When I told her I was unable to lift my leg as high as she wanted (I know my limitations), she would not take my word for it and ended up forcing my leg into a very uncomfortable joint over-extension. She also tried to pressure me into a headstand when I mentioned that I had existing neck problems that it gives me a bad headache. I flat out refused. I also did not like a prenatal class with the students physically supporting each other which is annoying at best, but painful at worst. It was intrusive and I prefer my space. Marissa also did not respect personal boundaries and painfully adjusted me without asking or warning. I had a 10 class pass that I let expire because I am DONE with this studio. read more

Wow. I want to preface by saying that I know that yoga is an extremely personal and subjective experience. Now that I got that out of the way, I have to comment on the terrible experience I had at this studio. I was in Marissa's prenatal yoga class. There were way too many people, making it difficult to move adroitly or feel centered--I was forced to be very aware of other people so as not to intrude on their space. The class is an hour and a half, yet aside from a few stretches at the beginning, the entire class consisted of 3 poses. 3 poses? Way too much focus on getting and returning props and not enough on actually doing yoga. Added to that was the grating, high strung nature of the instructor. She put her hands on me without asking (a total faux pas, in my opinion). She corrected people in a rude and condescending way. She stressed me out. All of this made me want to crawl out of my skin, which is exactly the opposite of what I am looking for in a prenatal yoga class. Thanks but no thanks--I'll stick to the Mindful Body instead. read more

I have only tried one class here but it was a total no-go for me. Lucky for the nice owner who offers a complimentary free class, that very unskilled teacher has taken off to India and no other people will be tortured by her poor teaching skills. She began a restorative class by having people hang on the walls in ropes and have to climb up a wall in a very difficult manner that I was unable to do since I came there to RESTORE after an injury. Do we really need to climb the walls and hang like creepy bats in an S and M torture devices to get a good inversion? Since they used false advertising, saying the class was conducted by candlelight, which it was not, they get 2 stars. The teacher was harsh, more like a bossy gym teacher than a relaxing, supportive restorative instructor. She seemed flustered and unprepared, certainly not a grounding energy to lead a yoga class. I hope the owner found a better replacement. I did not like dodging cars and bums at night on Divisidero Street either, but the garden area was nice to walk in on. There are many classes offered here and I am sure I just had a bad apple on her way out. I really like the free class offer because I did not feel like I was ripped off, other than my time. I also prefer small classes with people who use deodorant. Chanting is also not my style, but thats ok for people who do. I was expecting a great unique candlelight experience but was very disappointed. read more

Lovely little yoga place. Just from walking in the entrance, this place radiates with warmth and positive energy. You enter through a little path and the studio feels very homey. The class I took was a power flow and really nice. The teacher (Brooke) was great. I had anticipated more power than flow before I came but was nicely surprised with something a little more low key (but still challenging!). The studio space, at least the upstairs room that I was in, was small but I prefer that to a massive space. Overall, a very nice experience for one class. read more

My limited previous experiences with yoga have been nothing but negative. I had found yoga to be super boring with teachers who didn't respect that I was a beginner and not so great at yoga. As a cyclist, I have made a commitment to strengthening my core. I've had a hard time doing this at the gym, and a friend suggested that I give yoga another try. A few weeks ago, after a long and ridiculous day at work, I did a Google search for neighborhood yoga studios, as my body was desperately begging me to do something good for it. Yoga Garden had a class that day that fit perfectly into my schedule, so I decided to go for it. Entering a proper yoga studio for the first time in my life was terrifying (all of my previous yoga classes had taken place at work or at a gym). But Kerri was really friendly, helpful, and told me to tell the instructor that I was a beginner. The instructor was Dustin, and immediately I felt at ease. I explained to him what my goals were and that I am really a total beginner (I think I mentioned that I "suck at yoga."). Dustin assured me that his class would be suitable for me, and reminded me that I did not have to do anything that I couldn't yet. The 90 minutes flew by. Not only did I feel as if I was working my muscles in ways they needed to be worked, but the class was also quiet and relaxing. Slowly the thoughts of my horrible workday drifted away and were replaced by me focusing on how to make my body stronger and healthier. Days after my first class, I still felt the work I did in class. I bought the newbie (yay, that's me!) month pass, and have since taken several of Dustin's classes. Although I still suck at yoga, the pay offs have been amazing. After just a few classes, I started to notice a difference in my cycling. But equally as important, giving my mind the time to relax and disconnect has just put me in a better mood. I found a yoga studio where I feel comfortable and a teacher who challenges me, yet completely respects that I can not do a handstand, and I am sticking with it. read more

I have a feeling I'll be upgrading this to five stars soon--took a Yin yoga class with Michelle--and it was just what I needed. I do plenty of very active sports so I'm not interested in paying more money to do active yoga (but if I didn't already do these sports, active yoga is great and I'd do it again) but what I really need, especially on a Sunday night (6-7:30 p.m., a perfect time) are the deep stretches and some peace and quiet. Class was not crowded, everyone was totally nice and peaceful without trying to be an uber-hippy. I've tried a few yoga studios in SF, and fresh from my first time there, definitely like this place the best. I also like the reservation system b/c at some other places in SF I felt too crowded. A kind word to the folks who do the site: I've hesitated coming for a long time because I got the impression relative newcomers like me would feel a bit out of place. I can't point to anything in particular, but I remember there being a lot of mid-level and advanced classes. I tried Yin b/c the little poster at The Grind welcomed all levels. Not a criticism, I just want to give you a little feedback so that you can keep going strong! read more

Yoga Garden is trying to do things right. They offer a lot of different classes, several times a day. Most of them seem accessible for entry-level students, without being boring to people with a regular yoga practice. They have mats to use for free which I really like. Most studios charge you a dollar or two to use a mat that cost at most 30 bucks, and could have been acquired for free (left behind by a distracted yogi who never returned). So an extra point for that. All of the teachers I had were what a yoga teacher should be like - welcoming, relaxing, and interested in spreading yoga. I am particularly picky when it comes to the types of classes I like (I like moving and sweating and flowing as opposed to taking minutes with props to get into a specific pose and staying in that same pose for a long time), so not every class was my style, but none of my teachers did anything that rubbed me the wrong way or turned me off. That being said, I found most of the Vinyasa classes I took (with the exception of Roy's) to be a little too mellow for me, or too choppy (as in, let's all stop what we are doing to watch the teacher walk us through the next couple things we're doing). Again, I am picky, that's just me. I was surprised that I enjoyed the Hatha Flow classes as much as I did since I like being pushed so much, but I think I can chalk that up to experienced teachers. The one Hatha Align class I took was really boring so I didn't return to any of those. The fact that they have a very reasonably priced intro month, as well as "learn yoga" monthly curriculum speaks to the fact that they really want to meet everyone's needs, build community, and make yoga accessible. As you might notice from these reviews, there are also a LOT of prenatal/baby-orientated yoga classes here. That's not a bad thing, but the emphasis on motherhood is a little overwhelming when going through the schedule. But I get it, moms need yoga (and people w. the cash flow to reproduce in this city are definitely a good target audience for a yoga studio). Now that I'm back to paying full price, I don't think I'll be renewing a membership, since it's not exactly convenient for me (the location is central and accessible, but it takes me about a half hour to get there and another to get home), and there were only a few classes that I really really liked (the rest being more like "fine" or "ok" instead of "great"). I think their drop-in rate and other class cards are a touch on the pricey side, but at least they don't hit you up for another 2 dollars to use a mat. If you're going to go 3+ times a week, a monthly membership is a good deal tho. If they had some more Ashtanga classes I might be likely to try and come more regularly, but when they had weekday Ashtanga classes (other than Mysore) they took place at 7 am. Now they only have Mysore, and Primary on Sundays at 8 am. So I think I need to find a studio that is a little more consistently my style. read more

I have bittersweet feelings about writing this review. Why? I want to keep Yoga Garden the hidden gem that it is. Yet, Buddha states the root of all suffering is attachment. So if I want to become the enlightened yogini I strive for, I shall embrace the change of growth. It is inevitable that Yoga Garden will grow. My first class was yesterday and since I have received three emails asking how I perceived the class, tips on choosing the right yoga studio for me, and deals for new students. The teachers are progressive, caring, and wise beyond their years. Enough said. It won me over. Now shhh... let's keep it our little secret garden. read more

HORRIBLE!!! I have been doing Yoga for years and the owner/instructor was more of a cruel drill sergeant than a calming centered teacher that you would expect from a "yogi". I have practiced and frequented many yoga classes and styles and hers was beyond words... awful. I tried to practice patience ; I figured she must be going through her own personal turmoil, everyone has a bad day right? But not only did she literally scream at me that I was the worse person in her class etc.. She physically HIT my friend (whom btw has had countless back surgeries in the past) right across her back! Seriously?! Do yourself a favor and go to a real yoga studio which practices and understands the true definition of Yoga: To yolk mind body and spirit. Example: YOGA TREE. read more

Ok - since my last review, I have been attending Sonya Genel's 12-1 Vinyasa class almost every day, and I have this to say about her and her classes: I LOVE them! This is why. 1. Sonya is ALWAYS clear, concise, eloquent, and specific with her instructions. 2. Sonya's teaching and practice focuses on alignment, both physical and mental/spiritual, which is an incredible foundation for everything else we do in class. 3. She never rushes through poses, but doesn't go at a snail's pace either - classes are always perfectly balanced between challenging, energetic, peaceful, and thought-provoking. 4. She is just a total gem of a person and is so obviously dedicated to her practice, the class, her students, and making this world a better and more mindful place! 5. Sonya's dedication and unique, giving spirit create a safe space in every class she teaches for all students, of all levels and backgrounds. As I mentioned in my first review, I am a teacher myself and therefore I come into any class with a heightened awareness of pedagogy and teaching practice. Sonya's thoughtfulness, dedication, individual accommodations, preparedness and level of professionalism can set an example for any teacher of any discipline. She facilitates my own progress, as a physical and spiritual being, by helping me tune into my own teacher inside myself, which is the greatest gift any teacher could ever give me. I HIGHLY recommend Sonya as a yoga teacher to anyone who loves yoga - or even to anyone who doesn't YET know that they could love it! read more

I cannot say enough good things about this studio. My favorites: the genuine care and effort put into sustainability, the local community, and my personal practice. Yoga Garden has wonderful staff, teachers, and owners who run the studio thoughtfully. The space is laid back and beautiful; a really positive atmosphere. If something goes wrong on their part they are quick to apologize and professionally rectify the situation. They donate to the local arts, host benefit classes and free workshops; all with zero pretension. I've taken classes with many of the teachers, and while each one has a distinct teaching style (some are more meditative, some are more hands-on etc.), I have enjoyed all of them, plus I appreciate the variety. I take Rebecca's class most frequently and she is fantastic. I am so happy to have this studio in my neighborhood. read more

I recently signed up for the New Student Special at Yoga Garden and have only positive things to say about this place!! All of the teachers I tried were wonderful but I especially loved Sonya Genel's Hatha Flow classes! She encouraged a perfect blend of heat and attention to alignment in the postures and I always left feeling rejuvenated. In seven years of yoga I can honestly say that Sonya's class is the only one I have taken where I felt 100% present and happy to be practicing throughout the whole 90 minutes! I'm very sad to be going back to my home in Boston for the school year and leaving Yoga Garden behind... I will definitely be back next summer! read more

My favorite Yoga place in town! If you are serious about Iyengar you have to at least try one class out - you will never want to go anywhere else again!! Everybody is so knowledgeable, nice and compassionate about Yoga. And the classes are held in a smaller, personal studio which I especially loved. I went to David Nelson and Brian Hogencamps classes and I can't say anything but good things about these teachers! It is an inspiring place to be! read more

Though I'm a writer and a frequent passer-onner-of-good-stuff, I've heretofore shied away from making my faves known on Yelp. But having visited the Yoga Garden for the first time this afternoon, I felt compelled to emerge from my shyness and say, this place is fantastic! Go to Yoga Garden! It'll bring out the great in you! Having searched on Google for a good yoga studio in my new neighborhood (I just moved to Hayes Valley from Philly), I found the Yoga Garden, choosing it over the nearby Yoga Loft because 1) its 5-star review narrowly beat out YL's 4.5-star review, and 2) because today's class offerings fit my schedule better. I arrived to find - what else? - an actual garden leading me to the studio. The staff there are nicer than nice, welcoming me to the community and generally having that "we're happy because we do yoga" softness in their eyes. Note - they have lots of yoga-centric books, mats and clothing for sale. The class itself was in the 2nd of 3 (3!) studios, aka the Water studio. Small in the intimate way, the studio was bright and comfortable. Susan (who also just moved here, from NYC) was our instructor, and she provided the right combo of gentleness and guidance to both sooth my not-so-in-shape nerves and help me go deeper into the poses (and get my money's worth). So, it's a great place. At $19 for a drop-in session, it's a little steep. But you can get bundles for about $150 for 10 classes (I'd consult the website and not me on this one), or maybe save the Garden for special occasion days when you really want to treat yourself right. I'm thinking next week may be just such an occasion. read more

I have ClassPass so definitely go to my fair share of studios and I LOVE Yoga Garden. Brooke's Hatha Align class is my favorite but all of the instructors I have encountered have very welcoming. Namaste. read more

This is my first review - I've never felt compelled enough to take it here. And I'm saddened to write it - some of my favorite and most transformative classes took place here. Sorry in advance for the novella but please indulge me for a sec here: Long story short, Yoga Garden has fine print that says your class pack auto renews. I got charged $75 for 5 classes and was never notified. I didn't find out until about a year later when I moved back to the neighborhood and wanted to return to Yoga Garden and was checking out my account. The 5 classes had expired by then so I wrote in asking if I could use them given the misunderstanding. I wasn't asking for a refund - I just wanted to use the classes I had paid for and didn't know I had. $75 isn't trivial. Yoga Garden refused to budge. Their language and policy is literally harsher than a commercial gym. For a yoga studio whose motto is "the only thing more important than yoga is YOU", these practices feel... icky? unsettling? coming from a yoga studio - it feels like they are using their community members as nothing more than a means to make a profit. The worst part is that their reasoning is extremely silly and doesn't actually make any logical sense.... copying and pasting their email: "Teachers are paid based on attendance. If clients are not responsible about managing their attendance, the space is unoccupied, and the teacher is not paid as much. The entire community suffers, because other members could not attend, the studio loses contribution to overhead, and the teacher loses direct income." If teachers are paid based on attendance, then I can understand why there is a strict cancellation policy once a class is booked. I didn't book any classes (as I was completely unaware I had them), so I'm having trouble understanding how I prevented other community members from occupying the space? I've worked in customer service since I was 16 and sales since I was an adult - I know what it's like when customers are unreasonable and demanding, and I've vowed to never be that girl. I also know when it makes sense for a business to compromise. Not sure what's not clicking here with Yoga Garden, but it's very disheartening to see an outward facade of a yoga sanctuary, when in reality the operation mimics something like Soul Cycle... blergh. As I mentioned, this makes me sad more than anything else... I used to love Yoga Garden. I'm also saddened to see these sentiments echoed in other reviews - seems like more and more folks are having similar experiences and catching unsettling vibes inside the studio. I've also noticed that some of my favorite teachers (that taught the most popular and overbooked classes) are no longer working there even though they continue to teach in SF. If you're looking for a new studio, I highly recommend Yoga Tree. There's multiple locations (all beautiful) and there's one not far from Yoga Garden on Stanyan. Amazing teachers, genuine vibe, and mutual respect between the business and their customers. Also, can we take a moment to lol at David's responses to all the negative reviews? Being passive aggressive online is almost always a terrible look... and why be so defensive if there's nothing to defend? read more

I am not, by any means, what anyone would call "flexible" or an expert at Yoga. There have maybe been 5 times in my whole life when I've been able to touch my toes. However, as someone who gets pretty stressed out, has had trouble with shin splints and extra tight muscles, and has had the recent fun of tension headaches, I appreciate the benefits of a good yoga class. I've tried several yoga studios in SF, many of which were good, but none were as awesome as Yoga Garden. They've got a great mix of classes and it seems like a wonderful place to go if you're expecting your own prospective yogi - can't speak from personal experience here, but they've got quite a lot of prenatal stuff. Every single teacher I've had has been great, though Rebecca Rogers is my favorite. I love Vinyasa and she always manages to mix things up just enough every few weeks so I never get tired of doing the same thing. She also takes requests at the beginning of every class, which is great if you're feeling extra stiff in certain areas or are craving some extra ab work (yes, some twisted people actually request extra ab work). I just tried my first restorative yoga class to help with my tension headaches and it was great. It's sort of like extended nap time while you hug a gigantic bolster. The only downside is that someone wakes you up and asks you to shift before you have the chance to actually fall asleep. I'll definitely be back, especially during the upcoming law school exam season. I haven't tried any of their workshops but have had a couple of massages, which were all fantastic. Please, don't buy a crappy Groupon massage, just come here. You'll thank yourself later. One negative - I agree with an earlier poster who mentioned that they should offer some additional pricing plans or at least give you a bit of extra time to use a multi-session pack. As a busy law school student, I can sometimes come in once or twice a week, but I often have to skip here and there because of conflicts. That makes it especially tricky to use up 5-10 session passes that expire within a couple months. They do have great customer service though, so they were able to help me out the one time I got really stuck trying to make it to all the sessions in my pack. P.S. With the trendification of the neighborhood, classes seem to be becoming more and more popular so book ahead and show up early! Also, if you book online, you can earn reward points which will eventually lead to some small discounts. read more

Iyengar Yoga is my favorite style of yoga. Each teacher that I have had here has been very good in the way that they all communicate their instructions and give adjustments to the poses. The space is bright and the props that they provide are clean. Everytime I enter the wooden gate and step into the front garden, I get terribly happy that I am going to learn about my body. The fact that they offer passes is great, because I can choose to go to one teacher repeatedly or go to various teachers as my schedule permits. I highly recommend Brian Hogencamp, Dana Hale, Octavia Morgan and David Nelson. They each have their own personalities but are true to the Iyengar method of teaching. I can hear my first teacher's voice in theirs sometimes. ps- They have alot of support for mommies and mommies to be in the form of pre&post natal yoga, as well as parenting-related classes. I think it's great that this part of yogagarden exists, I really admire the owner's commitment to their family and the community. read more

I've been an on and off yoga practitioner for years, never quite finding a teacher or flow that I really was inspired by, until now. I've been going to David Jones "Intro to Ashtanga" for a few weeks and WOW. I love this class. David is stern yet gentle in his instruction, concentrating on the breath but not annoying about it. (Thank you!) The flow is constant even when holding the poses, its the perfect mix of mindfulness meditation and a good ole fashioned ass kick! David's subtle adjustments make a huge difference in the postures too. Thank you Yoga Garden for getting me up and into class at 7am. I finally 'get it'! Also, big Shout Out to Sonya for being so understanding and helpful with my membership options! read more