I was going through a breakup over the summer and what better way to get over a man than to keep myself busy? I did the 2 week intro class pass because it was the same price as a single drop-in. I really took advantage of it because I was taking classes back to back every single day for those two weeks. One Saturday I took all their morning classes. That's like 5 in a row. It was amazing. I had so much fun! There's like a 15 min break in between classes. I love every single class that I took! The only downside to this is I live so far (South Bay) so to beat traffic on weekdays I would come super early (around 2-3pm) and sleep in my car parked at the Trader Joe's parking lot and wait for their 4pm class. I even considered moving to Oakland just so I can start taking their classes again and be in a closer vicinity. I love what they stand for (body positivity). I love the staff. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. If you try one instructor and don't like their vibe or playlist, I encourage you to try another! There's always someone out there for you that fits what you're looking for. I cannot recommend this place enough and wish they had options for day passes. I wish I could come in for one day and take back to back classes again. Hoping they open a studio in the South Bay!! read more

First time dancing (in a studio) post-baby and what a great comeback with Hipline and warm welcome. FYI the entrance to Hipline is not street facing, there is a walkway next to Top Dog if parking on Lakeshore and signage pointing you in the right direction. I took an early morning class (Shimmy Pop, Indoor) with Nadiah. Upon entering there was a sign welcoming the newbies to the studio (including me!). After check-in, I received a newbie studio tour and joined the class shortly after. Absolutely loved the space, what the studio stands for, and the class format. SO fun! Great class and instructor. Would love to explore the other class type/styles, and incorporate into my schedule. To note, there is a newbie pass ($24) for unlimited classes for 2 weeks from start date. Can't wait to come back and explore Hipline more, thank you for the awesome experience! read more

Hipline - Entrance - Dance Studios Near Me - Oakland, California

Great dance studio with friendly people instructors. Music & vibe is cool. The routine is fun & lively. I always come out when visiting the bay area. read more

Hipline - With Evie. She's awesome & fun! - Dance Studios Near Me - Oakland, California

This is an interesting spot. The vibe is warm and welcoming, they are definitely try to create a home away from home feel. Body positive. Not sure if it is a women's only space, but definitely has that feel. There was a spiritual/therapy element to the class I tried that felt jarring to me to be sandwiched between upbeat sexy dancing - I go to a dance class to have fun and work up a sweat, not get a surprise therapy moment in the middle, but ymmv. The style is follow-along, eg you have to watch to know what steps to do, because there is little to no verbal instruction on the steps/dancing. I asked if they had any classes with verbal cueing and they said no, they "encourage movement over perfection." My real complaint though is that they are very big on inclusivity and in a lot of ways walk the walk, but not with their virtual classes. Virtual classes are an accessibility need for folks with various kinds of disabilities, chronic pain or chronic illnesses, who are immunocompromised, who have care-taking obligations and may not be able to leave the home, and more. The virtual offerings are just in-person classes being live-streamed and they don't translate that well. Especially with the lack of verbal cueing, which means you have to stare at the screen the whole time... Which is not a great modus operandi for dancing in general, and really doesn't work with moves that have you move to the side, turn around, etc.! It makes sense that it doesn't translate well because the classes are designed for the in-person experience, not for streaming. Streaming is an afterthought. It is just super disappointing that despite all the focus on inclusivity, they offer zero classes that are designed for a high-quality virtual learning experience. They refunded my membership when I complained about it, which I appreciated and is classy, but I'd love to see the focus on inclusivity actually include sick/disabled people and others who benefit from virtual offerings. read more

I found this space during the pandemic and I LOVE it! The staff and instructors are wonderful, and they really have a passion for dance. It's a very welcoming and inclusive community. And the classes are so fun. I appreciate the live-streaming online option the most. It lets me join on busy days with no commute times. It's really the best way to work up a sweat and have a great time!! If I could give them more stars I would!!! read more

Hipline really is one of the most special spaces in the Bay. It has completely changed my relationship with exercise and is so much more than just a dance studio. On my first day at Hipline, I immediately felt so welcomed by friendly smiles of staff and members going out of their way to say hi and help me feel comfortable in the space. I immediately felt seen and known in this new space which helped me feel like I could fully let loose in the space and dance my heart out. I was so moved by the commitments that Hipline so beautifully embodies - that any movement is exercise and to not punish your body, but enjoy and have gratitude for the opportunity to bask in joyful movement. In every single class, you can feel the love and passion that each instructor has for their job and their genuine love for teaching and connecting with others through dance. Each instructor's style is so uniquely theirs and it's been such a joy learning from such talented experts in their craft. I've really enjoyed the creative pop-ups and community events as well. Dancing at Hipline is an energy exchange and 100% of the time I go, I leave feeling connected and in community with others, my soul + spirit is fed, and my mood is lifted for the rest of the day. After going for almost 1 year now, joining the Hipline community has been one of the best decisions I've ever made and I am so grateful to the Hipline team for creating and curating the culture of this space to be so inclusive, intentional and joyful for all! read more

Just experienced a fun, sweat-enduring power pop class led by Emma!! A full body workout we used weights, yoga mats, bands, and a whole lot of dance moves. Definitely did not feel like I was working out, no matter how much sweat was produced lol. A perfect full body burn afterwards, now I need to go stretch! Can't wait to come back again and again. Street parking is available around the back of the Trader Joe's parking garage. Just come early if you're here on a weekday...well, probably any day! read more

Hipline - Successful power pop class completed!! - Dance Studios Near Me - Oakland, California

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WOW!!! If I could give 100 stars a would. What a welcoming, clean and FUN environment. I went to my first class recently with 0 experience and will absolutely be back. It's about embracing our bodies and self at Hipline and I'm here for it!!! read more

Signed up for a trial day, scheduled the 10:15 am class, got dressed, dropped off my kid on time at school, hopped on my 9:30am call, was about to cancel my 10:30am call and got a text: the 10:15am class is cancelled. I replied to an email they sent me within the hour to ask if I could use my pass for a video class. No reply. Guess I wouldn't know if I would have liked it. UPDATE: I went to class the next day. So glad I did and wish I started dancing here sooner. Super body positive and inviting atmosphere. I finally got an email a few days later offering me 1 month free of online classes. After 1 free class, I signed up for the $24 2 week unlimited trial. So far so good! read more

I had to sign up for Emma's class. I've been on a real daily work out kick for a while now. I do mainly at home work outs and this was an awesome opportunity to mix up my routine. You can go to the Hipline studios and also do the same classes via video link in the comfort of your own living room. Let me say it was so fun. I'm a busy mom. So this type of work out scenario works perfect for me. You can sign up for lots of classes remotely. I love that! This work out was fantastic. I'm not the greatest dancer but I can make it work when I need to. Yes, my children sat on the couch and watched me work out and made fun of me the whole time. I was shimmying while I lifted weights in front of an iPad and I don't care. I would love to go to the studio but my schedule just wont allow it these days. The remote option is great for when I want to change things up in my work out schedule. Look into it you'll love it and your body will thank you. read more

Wow love this dance studio. Very inclusive and body positive. They got excellent instructors who love to dance and move their body. The studio is inclusive in no phones inside of the dance studio which I love. The staff are very friendly and outgoing. Studio space is clean and sanitary. Everyone wipe their yoga mats, dumbbells, straps, balls after each class. I went to Emma's pop power dance class to try it out as a newbie and totally enjoyed it. I moved a lot and love the instructors energy and music playlist. Happy to say my body was sore the day after in a happy way. I hate going to the gym and I actually sweated a lot at the dance studio than I would have at the gym. I went to another shimmy pop dance class with Lily as the instructor. I'm so impressive how expressive and freestyle the class was. The studio was filled with energized and happy faces, bodies of all sizes at 10am. I felt amazing dancing to some of Lily's choreo, it's my first time n simple to follow through. I quickly signed up for the newbie promo for $24 2 weeks unlimited classes. I'll be trying out multiple classes. read more

I really want to give Hipline a better review. Most of their instructors are excellent, everybody makes effort to be welcoming and inclusive. The place is clean, sanitized, thoughtful and safe. I love that the business is BIPOC female owned. I am grateful that they survived the worst of Covid and offered live stream classes. 5 stars there. I made a concerted effort to support them despite my own financial issues from COVID because I want small businesses to succeed. They try to keep their monthly fee reasonable ($24/ single drop-in or $110/month isn't affordable for many, but I imagine Hipline's lease must be expensive, and I hope they pay their instructors a competitive rate). The frustrating parts I have encountered are: numerous issues with unauthorized credit card charges, not having monthly membership paused despite receiving written confirmation, receiving contradictory information from staff, guest pass snafus, and personnel not being able to navigate MindBody for my account. I've reached many times to alert the owners of the ongoing problems. Two friends of mine are former customers of Hipline & neither is willing to coming back due to their "lost accounts" and vaccine misinformation. Both of these were an embarrassment to me because I was the one who has been raving about Hipline & asked my friends to join me. I want Hiplinr instructors to have a huge following (Nadia, Ariel, Tammy) but because I can't rely on the business management aspect, Hipline is no longer my ideal option. If the instructors held classes elsewhere, I'd happily follow them. read more

This space is such a sanctuary. Hipline is an intentional community and a safe place to move, feel, laugh, and feel joy through movement. It's helped me change my relationship with my body, femininity, and feel more rooted in the East Bay community. read more

Took my first hip line class yesterday and I'll definitely be back. I'm not the best dancer in the world nor do I have any choreography experience. But, I was able to follow along pretty well in the shimmy pop class. The instructor urged us to find our own version of her movements and I felt at ease to do as such. Excited to try all the classes they have to offer! read more

Beautiful and wonderful community. Magical. If you love to dance, you like to join a community of women and you like different styles of dance you will love it here. There are many different instructors with different styles so you can find the one you like best. Usually the routines repeat so if you're worried you won't catch on if you keep coming and trying them you'll get them. They also allow fir free style if you'd like to kick it up a notch. It is a very warm and inviting place. I'm so happy that I j Even better during COVID. The online classes are fun inviting and lovely. If you need a space during this hard time this is it! read more

My daughter absolutely loves this place and she just started taking classes on Saturday and wanted me to check it out with her today as the first class is free! I love dancing and toning and this was just the ticket! Samar was very energetic and welcoming! I could see why my daughter loves the class, as Samar makes you feel empowered and energetic. The class was Power Pop and starts with dance moves, with fun cardio and ends with toning moves. Parking is located in the Trader Joe and Walgreen lot off Lakeshore Avenue. The studio is cool and spacious and appears to be just for women. Classes are $18 for a single but the more classes you buy, the less it costs per class. I would recommend it for those who need a motivational boost which is positive and energetic. You leave feeling great and energized. The reason for the 4 star is because one, it is expensive per class unless you plan to take all your classes here. Two, I like my classes to be coed, but that's just me. I belong to three other studios and they are all coed. read more

Hipline - Dance Studios Near Me - Oakland, California

What to do, what to do...This has to be a wakeup call to support all of these great local businesses we have all around us! I discovered Hipline only weeks before went on vacation, and I knew there were good vibes all around!!! Super friendly, super clean, and women-only (sorry guys!). Right now, Hipline is one of those businesses that are stepping it up with online classes, and thank goodness for that! I haven't yet had a chance to try Shimmy Pop, but those classes are supposed to be hella fun. If you're at all interested in Samba, my recommendation is to go for Samba No Pe with Nadia! It is sooooo much fun, and will make you sweat like a beast! Now, when things get back to normal (and I do hope they get back to normal soon!), here are some other things to note about Hipline: 1. The studio is a bit hidden to the left of Trader Joes, and it's upstairs - just a heads up. 2. Shoes are not allowed inside the studio, oh KAY! My kinda place! 3. You'll want to make your reservation online early. Those classes get booked really quickly, and I've been on the waiting list for every class I wanted to attend, when I booked within a few days of the class. 4. Parking can be kinda challenging on the weekend. You can park anywhere in the lot, but just plan to arrive early so you can find a spot. Whether it's online or in the studio (one day..), I hope to see you in class soon!!! read more

I started on 9/3/19, not knowing if I could do these dance classes or not on a trial 3 week period basis. I'm a Convert now. The teachers are so nice, welcoming, and know their stuff! I have been busy raising kids, and didn't even know that exercise class 3X/week was possible until my kids got to college. I have combatted with some lower back pain, through my many years of sitting for my office job. Now, with my core getting strengthened, I've gotten rid of most my pain! I feel so cool, coming to class. Initially, when they answered my inquiry phone call, they described it as "clubbing" without the drinking. That sold me, and into my 2nd month! No going back to just "sitting" on the job. On to better health! Thanks, Hipline for existing, and not to mention how proud I am that you are in my hometown! read more

Literally one of my favorite places in the world, no lie. There is no self-care practice that even remotely comes close to how dancing here makes me feel - sexy, feminine, empowered, embodied, confident (and ya girl practices yoga, strength training and meditation, not to mention has a business around self-help and transformation!). And for real, I was curious about Hipline for awhile before I finally forced myself to go (this was over 4 years ago now!). I always wanted to dance, but felt like it wasn't "for me" because I wasn't coordinated enough, and I had a ridiculous belief that I "couldn't dance" (which is the biggest lie we tell ourselves ever - if you can wiggle your booty you can dance!). Plus, I was afraid I'd look silly next to all these legit dancers who knew what they were doing - super intimidating, I thought! But I finally got myself in the door... and never looked back. The steps are easy to follow, even for a complete beginner, and it gets easier the more you go. I love going to Samar & Nadia's Shimmy Pop classes, and I def feel like new students should try a bunch of classes and see who resonates with them the most (each teacher brings something unique to their classes). Come see for yourself what so many Bay Area women have discovered... Hipline is life-changing! P.S. Don't know what the random negative reviews are about (I think negative/salty people will find negative/salty things to say no matter what type of situation they're in, cause... law of attraction) - but please do yourself a favor and ignore them! It's a super positive, safe space designed for your joy, fun & empowerment, no matter who you are (or how much dance background you have - I legit had none beyond dancing in my room with a hairbrush). read more

Went here for the first time on Monday and had class with Ariel. She was so much fun and made everyone feel her welcoming energy. She had a great sense of humor and kept us pumping the entire time. Definitely a great first experience. Will be bringing a friend here with me next time! read more

Hipline - Cute sign infront of the studio - Dance Studios Near Me - Oakland, California

Last night was my first visit to Hipline and I had an awesome time at Roryography. It was freeing, fun, and a great workout. Being able to let loose and dance to catchy music with movements I can follow in a non-judgmental space means a lot to this uncoordinated introvert. I really hope they can bring Rory in regularly - I would come back again in a heartbeat. read more

I'm tired of living in a world where we as women have to humble ourselves for safety in interacting with another person or group so I'm just going to come out and say it... I have a perfect body. I do and I know it and there's not a damn thing anyone else can tell me or show me to make me think otherwise (not even you, evil Nordstrom dressing room mirrors). That's the thing I love about Hipline, a women's dance-focused fitness studio. It's not so much about working out to get a better body (and to be honest it's not a very intense work out to make a dent in that aspect)- it's about learning to love the body you have and feeling comfortable having fun with it. It's an incredible #BodyPositive experience that I can't recommend enough. They provide a safe space for women of every shape, size, color, style, etc to own that they also have a perfect body and that they should relish in being exactly the person they are. There's no judgments and everyone is a babe in their own way. YAS. QUEEN. Every teacher has a different style but my favorites are the teachers that make it feel like I'm in a class taught by Abbi & Ilana from Broad City. The energy in the room is high and the workout can truly be tailored to anyone. You don't need to be a good dancer because it's really about your own moves and just having fun and the playlists are killer. My favorite song is one that's actually in Turkish and none of us have idea what the dude is saying but at the chorus he makes these lip pucker sounds and we do this move that's basically a thrust where you tighten your butthole on the pucker sound and let me tell you, puckering my butthole has never given me more joy. I've only taken the Power Pop classes where weights are incorporated into the workout for an extra boost but it's nothing crazy and you can pick small weights to fit your level of comfort. My friend has taken the Shimmy Pop classes and that more straight dance oriented but I feel like after having taken a couple Power Pop classes that I really only want to do it with weights. At the end of every class you lay on your mat and they dedicate a few minutes to vagina exercise and it's incredible. Kegels? I slay those all day now. Your first class is free so there's really no risk. After that they have an offer where you can do a 30-day unlimited pass for $60... which is incredible. If I lived in the East Bay I'd be here all the time. Oh yeah- and they have parking- shared with Trader Joe's and Walgreens so it's def a little treacherous but it is there and I appreciate it. Oh, and they have childcare available during classes if you got kids and stuff. Now if only they'd open a studio across the Bay on the Peninsula. Hint, hint... read more

Girl power! Hipline empowers women by creating a space where young or old, in shape or not, to move freely, feel good and get down. I'm into it. They seem to offer mainly two classes: power pop and shimmy. Power involves weights, while shimmy doesn't. Both classes are focused around a dance routine. The instructors are all high energy, and as with all gyms - I connect more with some than others. Although, I come to Hipline more to feel good, get my energy up as part of Classpass, I don't necessarily get the best workout, or should I say get the workout I'm looking for. Although, I do have to admit, after this past Power Pop, my quads were feelin' it. Pro-tip: You will most likely look like a jack ass, unless you happen to be Bey or have a ton of dance lessons under your belt. It's ok. Honestly, everyone looks like a jack ass, it's all good. Don't take yourself too seriously and have fun with it; let loose, girl! They recently started after class smoothie service for $8. Pro-tip: unless you like really small smoothies, I would forgo. Definitely didn't feel that I got my money's worth on that one, although it was tasty. Hipline is all about creating a community and I'm pumped to be part of it, at least three times a month. I tend to leave class with a huge smile on my face, and with some feelings of world domination... definitely a win for me! read more

After googling and researching possible Soca/Caribbean dance classes in the Bay Area; I stumbled upon Hipline Dance Studios. I noticed that in one of their descriptions on the website - it mentioned African/Caribbean dance options. I became very excited and had 2 of my friends sign up for the warm welcome promotion (first class is on the house). Finding the studio wasn't so easy for us. It is in the Trader Joe's parking lot, towards the back of the lot. As you walk towards the parking structure/garage you will see a NEON PINK light/sign. So basically do not venture onto the main road or sidewalks...the dance studio entrance is at the back...like a back entrance. Since it took us an extra 10 minutes to find the location, we were late to our 10 am class and had to reschedule for Sunday. All of the intro. classes were full so we signed up for Shimmy Pop. We were told that shoes and socks are a 'no - no' for the dance studio. Yet there were numerous women in the class who had both socks and shoes on (confusing and upsetting). Glitter was also shared to add flare to the session. The music was great and the instructor did her best to make everyone feel comfortable. I must say, It was hard to keep up with the routine our instructor was leading. It was kind of all over the place and switched up unexpectedly at multiple points. I personally don't think me or my friend are terrible dancers - yet we left feeling horrible about our form and technique. Perhaps new people should ONLY be allowed into the intro classes first. Or perhaps Hipline just isn't for us. The entire Hipline team and class/members were welcoming. I can't say that I would actually pay to attend their classes. I commuted from Pittsburg to Oakland in hopes of finding African/Caribbean vibes. I definitely recognized some moves and steps in the class, it just wasn't enough to satisfy my cravings. Soca classes are abundant on the east coast. Unfortunately my search for one in the West continues. read more

Disclaimer: I hate exercise. More specifically, I hate going to the gym. Thanks to Hipline, I look forward to working out. I've taken classes from Alicia, Laila, Samar and Gabriela. Alicia is my favorite instructor because she's funny and super energetic. She definitely is passionate about what she does. The women who work at the front desk are nice and even make the effort to learn my name. Finally, they offer classes at different times of day to fit a variety of schedules So why four stars? A few small complaints. 1) no showers 2) As others have mentioned, sometimes the music is the same. There's a "request board" which I've written songs down but never heard them played Oh, and make sure to come early because parking can be a challenge. read more

After putting it off for a few weeks, I finally made it to a class here with my cousin. She has been coming since last year and likes it a lot, so I was interested in checking it out. Plus, the first class is free which definitely helped to get me in. I don't generally do pop classes, so it was nice to know there's a no-risk way to try it out :) It's a bit tricky to find if you don't know it's there, but an easy walk from Lakeshore near the Trader Joe's plaza, and up the stairs. The studio has a quirky feel to it, and I definitely liked it. It feels spacious and comfortable. I think my cousin mentioned it's female-only. The hallways are wide and there are separate stretching corners, and the classrooms are spacey as well. They have lockers that are available for free use to lock up your phone and wallet and other valuables if you have any, just need to trade in your car keys for a locker key. There's also childcare, I saw on the website, but I don't know anything else about that. The class was fab! I did Shimmy Pop with Giti (Sunday mornings). I thought it would be really confusing to follow the choreography, but she did a great job. She walked around before the class started to meet the people she didn't know yet (like me - I definitely liked this personal touch). And did previous of steps (either before the song or before the next sequence). It also helped that the same movements were repeated, so even if you don't get it the first couple of times, you'll probably figure it out by the end. That being said, I noticed a lot of women just kinda doing their own thing - it's a fun, comfortable environment, and you're certainly not pressured to do the moves like everyone else - just keep on movin' ;) The only thing for me is that it's a bit far from where I live (in SF) so it's a bit of a trek, but I definitely want to return. read more

I've been doing Hipline for 2 months now, and it's the best thing ever! If you want to start or end your day right, this is the place to do it. You will become: Stronger More coordinated Happier This is working out while having tons of fun! It's worth every penny and I would totally recommend it everyone! read more

I really enjoyed the Shimmy Pop classes here! I started with a 3-class deal from Amazon Local. What a fun way for us ladies to get our bodies moving. It's kind of like Zumba, but instead of a majority-Latin-music theme, it's like breaking it down at the club with your girlfriends - the majority of the songs are mainstream - some are from years ago, some are current top 40 hits. I've tried 4 different instructors and have LOVED it! Every instructor has a different style & different songs, but I left every class sweaty & in a great mood. My favorite has been the evening class with Nicky. That girl has so much energy - it's infectious. The lights got turned down low, and out came the disco ball & colored lights. SO fun. The classes with Gabriela and Carina have been great too! The parking situation is often pretty hairy - free parking in the lot and garage that're shared with Trader Joe's & the rest of this shopping center... but it seems it's usually hard to find a spot. Leave yourself extra time if you need to park your car! Why only 4 stars? 2 reasons - it's a bit pricey, and the special wood floors that they have in the studio mean that you have to dance barefoot or in special dance shoes. As someone with problematic feet, barefoot exercise doesn't work for me... and it was hard to find approved shoes that would work with my picky, hard-to-work-with feet. read more

I've been taking Hipline classes for years now and had taken a little hiatus prior to Covid as life got in the way! Then the virus hit and the pause button was pressed. I'm thankful to have Hipline during these shelter in place days as an outlet to dance, self express, exercise and re-energize myself after long work from home days. The classes have been so fun and just the perfect way to wind down the day. I've been taking Hanas classes and they have been so empowering and fun! The energy from the other Hipliners and crew is great and there have been little to no technical issues during the classes I've taken. It's an hour I look forward to and is very well spent rocking out to Ariana grande, Beyoncé , Selena or Whitney! Thanks Hana for your choreography, positivity, grounding and energy during this time. Your classes have brought me so much joy during this time. Looking forward to dancing in person once things are safe again! Stay safe all! read more

How great must a business be to have 5 stars on Yelp? You can take lessons from Hipline to find out. I had to miss my classes today because of an illness so you can imagine how much I was craving my Shimmy and Power Pop classes all day while sick at home. Let me first tell you- you'll feel strange at first stepping into an all-women dance studio where all the happy women in the East Bay go to work out. And really, it doesn't even feel like a work out! I've been going to Hipline classes for the past two months and I already feel and look better. After a long day at work, I can rush into a Power Pop class with Christina, Heather or Taylor and feel empowered for the rest of the day! I love the instructors' energy and confidence that exude and flow into all the students! After class, I feel ten times happier and stronger and I'm not even exaggerating! I've met beautiful and confident women in my classes (shout out to Sandra and Karen!) and hope to make more friends as comfortable in their skin as they are. And oh my gosh, the instructors! THEY'RE MORE THAN AMAZING/BEAUTIFUL. I WANNA BE JUST LIKE THEM!!!!! But really.. My favorite instructors are Christina, Heather, Taylor and Nicky (I guess all the ones I've learned from...) Christina has a more gentle energy that I really appreciate after a long day's work. I think her Power Pop classes are always so challenging yet so well-paced and rewarding. Oh and Heather, I love how open she is with her students. One time, she told us about her personal story and that she may have lower than usual energy. I too had a pretty bad day and could totally relate to her. I love how encouraging she is in and out of class. I always appreciate her honesty and super woman power! TAYLOR- she's the funniest and the most lovable person EVER! I think I get a work out in her class because she makes me smile and laugh so much during classes. Her Power Pop classes kick my butt (oh that bicycle song...) and her taste in music is ON POINT. I love her R&B and rap music SO MUCH and I just want to hug her every time I see her! And oh Nicky, I think she's the one who sealed the deal for me at Hipline. She's beautiful both inside and out and has this mysterious and beautiful air about her. I also LOVE Nicky's songs and equally love her way of teaching step by step during the song. I think I get the most "in my zone" during Nicky's classes as I love her variety in music- Sexy Shakira to Bubbly Beyonce. I do wish that the canceling fee is on the lower side because sometimes I feel too sick last minute or have an emergency/traffic situation happen. But I think the ladies at Hipline really try hard to make things work for you and do their best to remember you by your first name, which I always appreciate. I can go on and on about this place and wish I could dance here for many many more years to come. Thank you for teaching me to be less awkward and reminding me to embrace my body/sexiness everyday! read more

Hipline - Beautiful interiors and vibrant atmosphere! - Dance Studios Near Me - Oakland, California

I don't live in Oakland but my best friend does. I've gone with her to Hipline a few times and love every moment during the class and feel so powerful after. The teachers are such strong, inspiring people... the others in the class are embracing and full of joy. I appreciate that each class is different. The studio is beautiful and clean. The front desk staff is friendly and helpful. In the last class we had, she played "Three Little Birds" and many in the class softly started singing along. That moment was celebrated by the teacher. My best friend and I were moved to tears. So it was certainly a physical and emotional release! read more

This place is always a good time. Sure it's a little expensive and ya the classes can be packed but the feeling you get after leaving it all on the dance floor makes it 1000x worth it. They offer 2 classes a month for $24 which is perfect for me. It's affordable and I get my Hipline fix in. I love Samar, Gabriela and Giti for Shimmy Pop and Ariel for Power Pop. read more

Love-Love this place. The teachers are fantastic and really care. Front desk is friendly and helpful. The women who attend this studio are nice and inclusionary. I have attended all types of classes here and have enjoyed them all. I could not think of a better way to work out. It is like being in a club with all your friends, disco ball and some glitter. My only recent complaint is ... some of the classes get overbooked and very crowded and weekends have become really busy. It impacts the amount of space you have. read more

Nightmare. Not for new students. I hate writing negative reviews, especially about small places in my neighborhood, but I am having PTSD after my experience. I am especially conflicted, because a friend highly recommended Hipline to me. Over an hour before the class, I tried to create an online account and sign up for childcare. No matter how scrupulously I followed the online instructions (adding my kid as a family member, etc) the online system kept telling me that I had not satisfied the "prerequisites" for childcare. I copied and pasted the prerequisite notes into a separate window, so that I could follow them to the letter. No dice. Maybe my kid needed to take algebra? So after spending around 30 mins trying to figure out their sign up system, I call. Old school, I know. The person on the phone assures me that it will be no problem for the 10am class and childcare if I just show up a little early and take care of everything in person. There is plenty of room, she assures me. So I take the time to get my kid ready and to change and coax kid into the car. I circle the TJ parking lot. I go up around 15 minutes before the class. I am filling out the paperwork, and the front desk person tells me that, oh, actually the class is completely full. But two people may not show up. Given the time and energy I've already put in, I wait. They had me stand around and gave me a "tour." Then they tell me I can join the class. But wait, I need to fill out yet more paperwork for the tiny childcare "room" before I can go in. And the childcare person is dealing with an unhappy child who is screaming nonstop, and it takes time to even get the paperwork. My kid is not excited to be stuck in the small room with the screaming child and stranger. So I have to go into the class late. I wait outside the closed door, as instructed by a sign outside the door. Then I go in. The room is like spandex-clad sardines in a can. There is a tiny space by the door. I am standing there uncertainly and a person nearby screams at me over the loud music "THAT IS NOT A SPOT!! THAT! IS! NOT! A SPOT!" So I look around, and a person waves me to the very back of the room. I go to the back of the room, and the person next to the waving person yells at me that I can't stand there. There is no place for me, and people are yelling at me in between swinging their arms. So I end up running out of the room trying to dodge elbows. And when I get home after wasting *hours* of my morning on this nonsense, I check my email. I now have multiple emoji subject line emails for the hipline "reservation system." Looks like I am signed up for their email list. They also emailed me the receipt for my first class. Let me review my "horrible experience" checklist: yep, check, check, check, check, check. read more

OH MY GOD. This was so fun. I read the reviews on Yelp and went in...admittedly suspicious. But I haven't been dancing in a while, and I needed to get off my butt, and the Hipline reviews were incredible. So I booked a class online, and I went too a Shimmy Pop class with Heather. When I arrived, I could tell that everyone was excited for the class to begin. Like seriously...there was an excited anticipation in the room. I, cautiously, found a space toward the back of the room. The music was already blasting. As a non-blaster, I took a deep breath and managed to not run out of the room. Heather came in and started yelling and singing and grooving and though I was super-intimidated by the noise and crowded room, before I knew it, I was booty popping, punching, swinging, dropping it low, shimmying, shaking it...you name it, I shimmied it or popped it 'till it hurt so good. It. Was. So. Fun. And other than hiking, I hate exercise. Passionately. So I'm super-amazed that I had this much fun. Hipline deserves their 5-star rating for sure. UPDATE: 14 months later, I'm now going to Hipline six days a week. And given my previous couch-potatoness, that's completely bananas. My week is only complete when I groove with Nicki on Wednesdays and shimmy it out with Heather on Sundays. I also love shimmying it with Samar, Taylor, Iris and Giti. So, so fun! And dang, I love the bodacious women in my classes, too. From tatted to tame, slim to shapely, babes to hot mommas...this studio is a magnet for awesomeness. XOXOXO I am so grateful to have Hipline in my life. read more

The best version of myself shows up to Hipline -- a little bit of sassy four year old me with lace gloves, dancing in the living room to Madonna's "True Blue" while my dad's trying to watch the football game, a little of fourteen year old me body rolling and crawling on the ground in my best friend's bedroom to Deftones, and mostly dirty thirty bohemian me who has no shame to let it ALL (every beautiful ounce of jelly) shake n shimmy. And the instructors make it so easy to be the best version of yourself with their insistence for everyone to "let it go, LET IT GO, Let.it.go..." and "if you're different, this is your opportunity to love yourself MORE." Each one is like your best friend, your mentor, or your older sister who taught you how to put on lipstick for the first time in mom's old powder compact. I've actually been taking Zumba and UJam classes all around the Bay Area for the last three years and yes, Hipline has a similar format in their choreography and sequences (easy to follow for the most part), but Hipline instructors are actual legit dancers, most of them dancing since they were very young. They just bring something more to the table than a person who got a certificate after an 8 hour long workshop two Sundays ago. It keeps me engaged and always trying to improve with higher kicks or deeper hip dips. This place also trumps your average dance class at a gym in that they promote wellbeing and happiness in a way that I haven't seen before, and really the secret to consistency with working out is to find a place that challenges you emotionally and physically in the most fun atmosphere of all time. Sure, sometimes making heart shapes with your hands while dancing to Whitney Houston, drawing on the wall with colored chalk and scream-singing "love is a battlefield" while jumping and wildly whipping your hair around is borderline cheesy teenage summer camp, but it feels so fucking good. So, douse yourself in gold glitter, kick off your shoes, and get ready for the best endorphins of your life. And yeah, you might get blisters the first few times, but don't worry, your bare soles will eventually be the best dance shoes you ever wore. Bottom line: 1. Absolutely take advantage of their 2 weeks for $25 for new members. 2. The parking lot gets a little stuffy and congested, but it's parking - woohoo! 3. They're located behind Top Dog; follow the pink railing. 4. This place is worth every last penny. I give you immediate permission to break Fred, your loyal piggy bank. 5. Hope to see you there! read more

First, I love to dance. Any studio that has competent, talented teachers, great music, and good organization is good! i love the aesthetically friendly vibe, the colors, and the chalk everywhere. i also seriously admire, love, and respect some incredible dancers that teach at this studio, namely Laila, Heather, and Giti. I am docking two stars for two reasons: 1) the classes are TOO packed! it isn't fun to try to dance, fully and energetically, when there is someone twelve inches from you that you might hit. the flavor gets lost, and instead of focusing on the incredible, talented teachers and the great music, the energy is instead focused on not running into the people next to me. and it creates a competitive vibe related to space (not talent), which doesn't feel very good either, particularly at the pricey cost of classes. 2) please, please, please become conscious of use of heteronormative language! i don't assume all the people in the space are straight, nor gender conforming. it doesn't feel good to be complicit in the blanketing of our experience as "women." we don't all want to do men, or feel similarly about our gender identities. that's my 2c. at the end of the day, it's a sweet space that i enjoy, and i think it has some work to do. (don't we all?) read more

2015 was a crazy year for me. Moved to Oakland from Chicago, had several people close to me pass away, and I lost touch with how important my health is. Hipline has helped me reconnect with my body in a way that no other form of exercise has been able to recently. Thank you mamas! read more

My friend SKL and I signed up for a class for our GNO to work off some calories before dinner. She ran late and I ventured into the class alone, slightly hesistant. Where is my security blanket friend? Help! No fear, the staff was uber friendly and Rozz, our instructor, was full of energy and fabulous. I felt like I was working out but also having fun, dancing and shaking it with the rest of the ladies in the room. I wasn't sure what to expect but what had happened was an hour full of sweaty goodness and hip swags, core exercises paired with freestyle dance moves. What more can you ask for? You won't be disappointed if you give it a try! read more

LOVE!!! My workout routine throughout the week consists mainly of elliptical, various forms of yoga, and barre. None of these compare to how FUN hipline classes are. I got a deal for 5 classes on a whim and have done 3 so far (all shimmy pop, although I'd love to try the toning one) and I'm hooked. I wanted to try it because I really miss going out dancing (which, for so many reasons just doesn't happen anymore) and thought this would be a fun way to do it AND get a workout in. So perfect! The studio is a little far for me (the rockridge location closed) but parking is free in the lot behind so that's super convenient. It is awesome inside, and the decor is really cute and girly and it feels like a close-knit community. The locker area has changing rooms and I think they offer babysitting for some of their classes too. My first class was with Samar on a Saturday morning and it was great - Samar's so sweet and fun and ALL the girls there are SO welcoming, not competitive or full of 'tude at all, which is really nice. It doesn't feel like a place where anyone judges. And there are dancers of all abilities and talents. It wasn't until I did the evening class with Nicki that I fell in love with hipline though - she's awesome and her music is awesome. They turn off the lights in the room for the evening class and put on strobe/disco lights, etc. The choreography is unique to each instructor so I think you kinda gotta figure out your style after trying a few. And it's easy to follow so you learn quickly, and then you can make it what you want (turning it up a notch or just doing the basic moves, etc.) The vibe is so amazing in the room every time- everyone's so friendly and fun, and just really chill which is the best part. Highly recommend this place! read more