This is honestly one of the best pole studios I've ever been to. I've been to quite a few throughout LA and the Bay Area, and some things I love about the studio itself is: the high ceilings, all the poles can switch between static and spin, yoga mats are provided, several crash pads, you can rent heels, and it's so clean! I appreciate how professional this business is + how kind everyone here is! And how pole + dance offers discounts to extend itself to the community in an effort to be more accessible to folks :) It is a bit pricier than other studios but the quality is amazing. My only "complaint" is that at one of the classes I signed up for, there were more students than there were poles so some of us had to share. I'm not sure if this is typical for auditioning instructor community centric classes, but I found it a little odd as I've never experienced that at any studio class before, and I've specifically taken several of the $10 classes. I'm not sure if it's an over-booking issue, or the intent really is to have people share but I prefer to have my own pole. Perhaps a helpful feature that could be implemented in the app is showing the class capacity that you're signing up for, I.e. "8/10 spots"-- a studio I used to go to had this feature and it greatly helped me decide on classes to sign up for. Overall a beautiful space and I look forward to more classes here! read more

Pole has been on my list for awhile and I finally bit the bullet. The intro classes were a safe and welcoming environment as a brand new student and helped curb any anxiety. I first learned of P+D from Netflix's documentary, "Strip Down, Rise Up". I have since been to all 3 studios in the bay (Oakland, Berkeley and SF). All the instructors bring their own style and personality to pole. The instructors that I returned to were Celia F and Marguerite. Amy has done a great job with her studios. I really admire that they offer scholarships for students and people from disadvantaged backgrounds/going through tough times. Gotta give credit where credit is due! read more

Wow!! What a fun way to connect with my girlies and try something new Angel was our instructor and she is AMAZING to say the least, very thoughtful, knowledgeable & patient with our group. The class was private and they have really great pricing! We went for a bachelorette party and all the gals had a wonderful time! Thank you Angel for being amazing, & thank you Oakland Pole + Dance for having a beautiful space, we will definitely be back read more

Oakland Pole + Dance - Our group after our class ended - Pole Dancing Classes Near Me - Oakland, California

This was actually fun! And everyone is very welcoming. No, I haven't watched Hustlers yet. But have you seen how toned and fit a pole dancer is? Learning the basic moves was way more work than I thought it'd be. But the instructor was very nice and made sure to correct us when our moves were off. Hardest part? Getting up the pole! At least for me. There's some technique involved besides just having upper body strength. Jeez, this could be a good muscle workout. Very grateful for beginner's classes... even the "beginners" who liked showing off lol. One or two ladies actually reached the very top. *slow clap* Glad I dragged along a friend. I got free chocolates and a point out of it! Definitely going to try going again. Pro tip: don't drive here, you will not be as lucky as we were with parking. read more

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Oakland P+D was my intro to pole after challenging myself to do something that was hard, creative, and new. I don't know if I would've kept going had it not been for the support of Fifi, Karina, Autumn and Lucy. Each of these instructors have distinct choreo styles that have helped me explore and improve how I approach this dance form. Even on days when my brain breaks and moves feel hard they are encouraging and break down the moves to insure I get the piece. In terms of skills and conditioning, I have been able to see growth thanks to Fifi. Her teaching approach is funny, accessible, and empowering. She cues in a way that unlocks moves that can seem scary for this invert challenged dancer. read more

I've been going to the Pole + Dance studios since they opened in SF and I love them! Amy has created a beautiful community and gorgeous facilities with some of the kindest and caring instructors I've seen. Of the instructors, I absolutely adore Mae. She is INCREDIBLE at gooey choreo that will get you in your feels and yummy circular movements and illusions. She really watches you and gives such specific feedback so you can find the movement in your body. Not only is she a fantastic instructor, but a 100% kind and genuine human. The best. read more

Had a great time and felt super comfortable for my first real pole class. Loved super friendly Cess who checked us in & our instructor Ali as well. Ali was so patient with her teaching and is a natural at it and very encouraging. We will definitely be coming back. read more

Oakland Pole + Dance - Pole Dancing Classes Near Me - Oakland, California

I absolutely love this studio. I've tried out four different studios in the East bay and this my favorite. The instructors break things down so well, they have an easy website to navigate and good availability on different classes. The pricing is around what you would find generally in this area. The starter pack is very fairly priced and having it on a month limit really pushes you to engage with pole on a good schedule. You might end up sharing a pole in foundation classes, but I haven't found that to be a problem as most people follow splitting etiquette. They've had some flooding challenges with the rain and were always good about communicating and adapting to them. My favorite instructor is Autumn, she's so encouraging and gives great advice on how to overcome different barriers in a pole journey. She is great at helping us clean up form in a very respectful and constructive way. I feel so in community with other people in her classes because that's just the environment she creates. I also love Andria at the front: really helped me get acquainted with the space and checked in swiftly. Overall I've had a great time taking pole classes here and am so glad I have this community with which to advance in my pole journey. read more

What an amazing environment! So many talented teachers and an inviting and supportive community. Highly recommend.

Before Oakland Pole + Dance, I took one intro class at Atomic Allure (also in Oakland) and had a horrible experience (the teacher didn't explain things well, wasn't helpful when I asked questions, and laughed while saying, "Great job today," on my way out!). Oakland Pole + Dance is extremely inclusive and welcoming! There are so many wonderful instructors who know how to explain things, break concepts down, and work with people at their own pace, while being very knowledgeable and talented at the same time. I would highly recommend! It's a great space all around. read more

Came back to say that I just took a class with Amelia and it was one of my favorite classes ever. She helped me unlock several tricks I've been working on for the longest time! I hope she comes back to teach L3 regularly!! The teachers here are all so great!! read more

Came here for pole!!! Stayed for the wonderful community of people who build you up and help you bring out your inner fire. Started out at the Berkeley location. Now I do go to both BKPD and OPD. It's really nice that you can use your class pass at all the studios and for any class! ...So because of that I started AERIAL SILKS!! And I don't know why I never did it before! It's always been a dream of mine and I'm so happy when I'm tangled up hanging upside down. OPD has helped me fly to new heights with their aerial program. I've also been able to try Lyra (aerial hoop)! Soo many great teachers! Linh and Nico for aerial. All my pole/heels teachers that I've had have been amazing! Btw. They have a First Time Package deal of 3 classes for the price of 2! Bring a friend! Try it all! read more

Oakland Pole + Dance - Aerial silks (4 months) - Pole Dancing Classes Near Me - Oakland, California

I love this studio! It is so much fun!! I took a pole dancing class as well as a Lyra class and really enjoyed the classes very much. Sadie was the Lyra instructor and she was great. (Unfortunately I won't be able to go back because even though the studio was amazing, the few times that I've gone I Was Catcalled by different men and this made me extremely uncomfortable.) Also parking is really sketchy, I don't personally feel comfortable leaving my car there -I have a brand new Audi A5- there is no specific parking lot) and walking to my car in the dark is a no for me. If the studio was in a location that made me feel safe, I would go often. read more

Oakland Pole + Dance - Lyra class - Pole Dancing Classes Near Me - Oakland, California

Love, love, love this studio! I found my way back into pole this year and could not be happier that I did. It is the most challenging yet rewarding activity that brings me so much joy and confidence. The classes are incredible, and the instructors and community are even better. The people are so kind, supportive, and welcoming - more so than a church group (lol). Huge shout out to some of my favorite instructors! Karina - thank you for bringing so much positive energy and laughter to each class. I've taken your L2 classes (where folks are just starting to move past the beginner level and everything feels impossible) and your kind nature and supportive comments are so noticed and appreciated. Thank you for investing in each one of your students and inspiring us each week! Angel - thank you for kicking my ass week after week. I feel so much growth with every class I take with you. The 70 minutes flies by because each class is packed and we cover so much ground. It challenges me to be stronger in the best way possible. read more

Love this pole and dance studio. I have been going for a year now and my confidence has grown beyond what I ever dreamed. I feel so inspired by every class. Karina transformed my dance life in her choreo classes, I really could not dance at allll before her help. Every instructor I have had has been truly amazing. Highly recommend going! read more

Normally I don't write reviews but pole fitness class was something I thought a lot about before the pandemic and never found the courage or time to sign up for classes. Oct 2022 I finally signed up for my very first class and everyone in class was friendly, welcoming and supportive and it helped me feel less awkward while learning something brand new. I'm not athletic at all my entire life and also don't work out - so classes are very hard but I feel encouraged and inspired by my instructors. What I love about this studio is that it's a safe and inclusive environment and while I still tend to compare myself to near impossible standards I set for myself, I'm constantly reminded by my instructors to take a breath, stop comparing and just enjoy my unique journey. My most favorite instructor is Fifi Bamboo- in addition to being a beautiful pole artist, she is super down to earth, kind, hands on, attentive and no nonsense... with an uncanny way of explaining movements that help me understand and execute on my own. I don't wake up early on weekend to attend anyone else's class but hers! I also really enjoyed Karina's choreo classes - she made all the movements so fun and approachable for a beginner like me while being encouraging. Last shoutout goes to Maggie Morgan - Maggie is strong and technical with all the tricks - I'm always in awe after her classes and have lots of things to keep working on. I look forward each class to learn something new from Maggie. All in all, if you have thought about Pole classes, this is an amazing studio with solid curriculum and many great instructors to check out. read more

Started my pole journey at OPD in 2021 and still come back from SF for classes because its just that great. The teachers are top notch (shouts out to Fifi, Autumn and Janet) and the community is super supportive, kind and welcoming. I love coming to class and connecting with my pole friends, learning new moves and getting stronger than I thought possible. read more

I have been attending Oakland Pole and Dance for a few weeks now and have really enjoyed the classes there. I've been taking Lyra L1 class with Sam who is a super friendly and supportive instructor. I also very much enjoyed Luiza's Aerial Hammock class. She really paces things out and explained things super well. He had extra few leg stretches after we had gone through the sequence, which allowed a minor break for our grip but also really helped with those final run throughs of the sequence! I had never seen that in a class, and the difference it made surprised me. TL;DR Great studio with a friendly atmosphere and great instructors. Highly recommend. read more

Took a starting class from Ray and totally loved it. Very chill, low pressure, and the most intense core workout ever. Definitely will keep going!! read more

Mondaze with @maesweetmae are top tier! I took my first heels choreography class with MaeMae and she's excellent! She's very inviting when it comes to breaking the choreo down and asking questions, she even breaks down the body mechanics when it comes to things like edgework or certain dance moves. Can't wait to take more classes with MaeMae- it's definitely worth making a trip to the SF location or waiting on her East Bay pop up classes! read more

Beginner pole dancing - it's good for your body and great for your soul!! I cannot say enough good things about OP&D. I had never taken a pole dancing class before, and at age 50 it's a bit of a stretch for me to start now, but I absolutely LOVED my experience. The instructor (I think her name is Mei Mei - she was a sub) made us all feel confident at whatever skill and fitness level we brought to the class. To be clear, pole dancing is HARD. I'm bruised and sore, but I will be back for more because even at my level I was able to learn a few basic moves that I could execute well - and safely - after just an hour of good instruction and encouragement. The women in the class were of all different sizes, ages, fitness levels, and cultures, but we literally all applauded and cheered each other when someone nailed a trick, we laughed together at our efforts, and we all shared in the body-positive, sex-positive vibe. It's of course a killer and and butt workout, but it's also just SO MUCH FUN! read more

Definitely coming back! I'm new to aerial and they made it so fun and easy to learn new tricks!

This place is great! Fun workout, supportive community and AWESOME instructors. Overall these classes have made an impact on both my physical and mental health. The pandemic did a number on me and OP&D has given me the motivation I needed to get back into shape, and has also helped in helping me slowly gain my self confidence back. I'm pretty shy when it comes to working out/dancing in front of other people and to be honest I still am, but OP&D has really helped in making me more comfortable in these situations. Most of the classes I've been taking have been with Alexis, Karina and Anne and they're all different but GREAT and so supportive. Everybody has their own teaching style/approach so I recommend you trying different classes with different instructors to get a well rounded experience. Most recently I tried their L1.5 class with Alexis which has been a perfect step between their L1 and L2 classes. I personally think there's a huge jump between L1 and L2 (though I'm sure if you maintain consistency it'll pay off), so I totally recommend the L1.5 class for those who are ready to move on from L1, but find L2 a bit too challenging. The L1.5 class is only available for a limited time though, but I'm hoping they consider making it a permanent class (which is partly why I'm writing this review)! If you're looking to try a new workout / want to get out of your comfort zone / just want something good for the soul, I totally recommend trying out a couple different class at OP&D! read more

I really liked this place's "open-pole" hours and ability to play one's own music. They also have "stripper heels" available for rent. The poles spin and the mirror is big. Everything is pretty clean. read more

Oakland Pole + Dance - Me in "stripper heels" at Oakland Pole and Dance. - Pole Dancing Classes Near Me - Oakland, California

I had a great time at the pole foundations class with Rodney. It was fun, challenging, and 100% kicked my ass- will be back to finish up my new student 3-class discounted package. The only bummer was that they wanted to post a video of our end of class routine to Instagram - when my friends said we didn't want to be in the video, staff replied that it was all for fun and we should just do it. Staff were overall courteous but this put a bad taste in my mouth because they asked for consent but then didn't accept a "no" response, which wasn't cool. My friend asked them to take the post down, which they did, but it would have been easy to avoid if they just filmed other participants who wanted to be on social media ‍ Other than that, would definitely recommend this studio, and am looking forward to going back. read more

Pole + Dance is such a welcoming and supportive environment! I took an intro class with Ray and they are totally awesome. Even as a complete beginner, they had me doing some very fun moves by the end of the class. It is a serious workout but really enjoyable with great music and flow. Ray is great about demoing moves and coming over to check on people too. Thanks so much, Ray! read more

I am LOVING Oakland Pole and Dance! I've taken two classes so far and both have been amazing, here's why: 1. You're getting a great workout. I'm a regular at my gym but these classes have introduced me to muscles I have never used before. 2. Both instructors that I've taken classes from (Amy and Karrie) have been kind, patient, helpful. I am a total beginner when it comes to pole but by the end of both classes I was able to walk away with a better understanding of the foundations and a couple of 8 counts which loved! 3. It's a safe space to explore. You get to be free to express yourself in a judgement free zone. And to top it off the classes are easy going and fun and inclusive. Needless to say I will definitely be returning. Quick update: I took Rodney's chores class on Thursday and LOVED it. The choreo was catered to our skill set, fun and sensual. I loved having the freedom to play with the movement to make it our own. Rodney was also a fabulous instructor. He encouraged us to push our limits while guiding us along the way. Needless to say the booty poppin was in full effect. I highly recommend! read more

Oakland Pole is awesome! I had a Lyra Hoop class today with instructor Linh, and we had a great time. I am generally a clumsy person who doesn't have good flexibility, but this class totally blown me away! Linh is very patient and her instruction style is extraordinary. For an absolute beginner like me, Linh knows how to guide me through different moves and she also taught me some great skills in improving my overall flexibility. I am very impressed with the class and the workout is challenging yet manageable. I certainly never thought that I could come out of the class knowing how to do a complete combination of moves. The studio is clean, welcoming, and very accessible by public transportation. I enjoyed walking around the area after my class. I look forward to taking more classes with Oakland Pole! read more

Love coming here! I've taken their aerial introduction class, and the level 1 aerial, lyra and flexibility class. I've worked with Sable, Nate, Amica, and Amy. I enjoy it so much I bought the 12 class a month pass. Definitely use it all up. The environment is very body diverse and inclusive. All instructors are amazing teachers and make me feel welcome and safe. All the pole and choreography classes look super fun, haven't gone but would like to! read more

I've been to several Intro to Pole classes at studios in the bay, including at Oakland Pole and Dance, and Alexandria is by far my favorite instructor. Not only does she make class an inclusive and safe space for all identities and bodies, but she also makes it fun and somehow not intimidating. :) Alexandria also obviously has a deep understanding of the body and how it moves. She gives specific, clear feedback that really helps and structures class in a way that makes you feel like a sexy goddess. read more

Oakland Pole and Dance is a great space with lovely instructors (so far taken classes from Karri Mae, Amy, Angel, and Elizabeth). Good vibes, good workout, no judgment. Experience levels range from total beginner to jaw droppingly good. I'm bad at any form of dance, so it's very satisfying to work and improve at pole dance, you can feel your body getting stronger and your brain making the connection through muscle memory and repetition. So happy this is in the neighborhood read more

I've been to a few pole classes here both before the pandemic shutdown and since reopening. Today was by far my favorite! Caitlin is amazing at teaching the pole foundations class. We had first timers and people who have been to the class multiple times. She made it fun, challenging, but also doable for all of us. She broke the steps down and kept us engaged throughout the whole class. We learned and practiced lots of different moves, climbing, spinning, shaking our hips, and more. To round out the class we all did a fun routine that incorporated all we learned. Highly recommend classes with Caitlin and this location! read more

LISTEN UP!! This place is worth more than 5 stars. You want a welcoming, non judgmental, encouraging, supportive, and of course fun place to learn pole ? COME HERE RIGHT NOW! I'm all about environment and energy. Oakland Pole and Dance is very VERY clean, which speaks volumes especially since you'll be walking around in socks or barefoot most of the time. Bathrooms are stocked with woman necessities just in case you forget something. Also, everyone comes in all shapes and sizes! So don't feel intimidated by the stigma of a pole dancer. You are not alone All instructors are knowledgable and will base their classes off skill level. If you have a class that can do more they will do more! They go off the vibe of the class. If you need more help, they literally come over and put your body in the right positions versus just shouting what to do from their pole! I've only done pole classes here but I did purchase the unlimited membership so I'll definitely be doing other classes shortly. Alexandria ( LOVE HER ) she's great at free styling and getting you to be in tune with your body. To really feel the dance and be sexy!!! Because YOU ARE! I love her style and as a beginner, slower moves help me learn better . Karri ( ANOTHER FAV ) is my girl !!! She just gets at it and is full of energy and I personally love her hip hop music choices and her classes ALWAYS get me hype !!!! Amy ( you guessed it.. ANOTHER FAV ) is so encouraging. The fact that I know I sucked ass in her class and she made me feel like I was the best one in there literally had my confidence go from "this isn't for you..." to "Bring out your wallets boys, I'm here to put on a show!" Haha Max ( yet again.... FAV !! ) She pushes your ass because she's a bad ass herself and knows all you women are bad asses as well! Her glow and style is flawless. She's not scared to try new shit and get a couple bruises along the way. You wana push yourself ? A challenge ? Take her classes!!! Guys ...... girls ...... unicorns ...... 2x4's...... stallions ..... bumble bees.... sign up and get your body moving! You will NOT regret it here. You're welcome in advance read more

I first fell in love with aerial silks and Lyra a year and a half ago, and when moving to the bay area knew I needed to find the right studio to continue. In that search, Oakland Pole and dance, and in particular classes with Sable has become part of my regular routine. With strong knowledge of anatomy, Sable is great at ensuring you are using the right muscles to build strength, and help avoid injuries. But perhaps my favorite part of classes with them, is that they mirror my excitement when i *finally* do the thing. As an enthusiastic, but historically unathletic individual, it is great to have someone acknowledge these sometimes small accomplishments. read more

I returned to the Bay Area in search of a high quality pole studio this summer after training in NY, and found a home at Oakland Pole & Dance. Amy has built an incredible welcoming, professional, and growth-oriented pole atmosphere. Interested in learning how to move your body with power, love and fluidity? Check out Caitlin's Freestyle classes. She will help you leave behind your mind and lean into your body's intuition as you dance. Want to develop your technique and choreography with an instructor that is incredible skilled, knows how to coach based on individual needs, and will have you laughing for days with her beautiful humor? Check out FiFi for Levels classes or Heels Choreo. Working on flexibility and twirls? MaeMae's flexibility class will open you in ways you did not realize were possible and then you can work out those spins and twirls in Heels Choreo. These ladies are amazing. read more

What a great studio this is! I took my first classes there yesterday with Elizabeth (who kicked my a$$ making me work my both sides ) and I'm coming back. Wish I could be there all the time but I live a little too far away... Amy created a welcoming environment for everyone. I was greeted by a friendly staff, they showed me around, explained how everything worked. It's pretty straight forward but it's always nice to have someone show you around. The studio itself is nice and clean, friendly people all over (students are very supportive and very, very helpful). Overall, I can't wait to get to train there again! read more

Shiki's Active Flexibility class is fantastic. You will come out of class feeling like a flexible noodle (and also a strong noodle). She's great about pushing you and simultaneously checking in on how you're feeling at each stage. I'm definitely coming back to her next class! read more

This was my second pole dance class and I had the most amazing time! Amy was my instructor and she made me feel comfortable and confident the entire class. She was very patient with me and extremely motivating. I truly loved the energy of the entire class. I took the tricks class which is available for all levels. I was able to pick up a few new fun moves that I can't wait to practice again! read more

I absolutely love this place. I started coming here about a month ago and I have been coming here as often as I can. I really love the whole vibe of this studio; once you enter the space all your troubles from work and home disappear and it's YOU time. So far, I've taken the flexibility class, pole intros, and a choreo class and workshop. The instructors in those classes were so kind and they're extremely supportive even for a beginner like me. I highly recommend Nate's flexibility classes if your looking to heighten your range of motion or if you're looking to enhance your dance routines. If you try the pole foundation classes you have to try Nanie's class! She's fantastic! She's a really energetic and hilarious teacher, she really gets you to step outside your comfort zone and be your best self in class. I've taken her intro and her pole choreography class and let me tell you I felt nervous as F*ck for the choreo class and she totally made it an awesome experience- I can't dance but she helped me nail all the pole tricks so that was pretty amazing for me! read more

Took a pole dancing class with some friends as a low-key bachelorette party. We had a class with Max and she was an awesome instructor. We had a party of 8 and ended up paying $35 each. I also bought some knee pads while there for $20 because my poor old knees needed some support (so glad they had them available, since that was something I hadn't thought of at all). It was so much fun. Max is a great instructor. She had to slow it down at some points but did a great job of explaining and making sure that everyone knew what they were doing. The class she taught before ours went a bit longer and into our start time, so she gave us an extra 15 minutes of class time to make up for it. Total class time ~1.5 hours (including photos). The first ~10 minutes of class were for photos (she knew we'd want some) but after that we jumped right in. We were able to use the heels that were already there to dance in, which are surprisingly really comfy. We did some floor work and some pole work and then it all came together as a solid routine. One day later and my entire body is sore. As expected, it's a great full body workout. I definitely want to look into buying some classes for myself. read more