I've taken classes with Tony for a little over a year; I attended faithfully for months, but as happens to everyone at some point, life and various traumas intervened and my attendance has become irregular. One of the things that makes Tony such an incredible teacher, however, is his deliberate use of the same voice cues during classes. On posture: "lift your xiphoid process," to focus your breathing: "the inhalation, the retention, the exhalation" and "if you hear the voice [of doubt] inside your head, take a longer exhalation." Often, if I'm having a difficult day, or a tense moment, and I need to try and find center again, it's his familiar words and voice that guide me there. Tony will be the first person to tell you that if you're looking for a guru, he isn't it - "you are your own guru" - but if you're looking for a yoga teacher who is compassionate, will push you to do your best (which is an expression of compassion, I think), and who emphasizes the important things while disregarding the irrelevant, take his class. He's the type of instructor who is fundamentally skilled at teaching (which is far more rare than people realize) in addition to being passionate about yoga. read more

Tony is by far the best yoga instructor I've ever had. His practice is intentional and his focus on the fundamentals of individual poses dramatically elevated my own yoga practice. He cares a lot about his students and I miss his wisdom he'd give at the end of each session. I've since moved to a new city but he's one of the reasons I miss San Francisco. read more

I have been meaning to write a review for Tony for awhile. I have been a Yoga practitioner since I was 15 years old but I have never met someone as caring and as heart forward as Tony. I started going to his classes @Yerba Buena studio in the November 2022. At that point in my life I have been plagued by anxiety and depression going through a really tough time in mental health. Tony taught me how to focus on my breath and how to stay present. I was able to make a connection between the constant chatter in my mind and my breath. His classes kept me grounded and there were many sacred moments when I felt teary eyed as I was slowly coming back to myself and my body. In 2023, I started taking better care of my body but unfortunately pulled my back in the summer. Every class Tony always asks us if we have new challenges and I felt like I was a broken girl, constantly saying "Knee pain", "Tight Hips", "Back Pain", "Rolled Ankle". Tony always adjusted and provided guidance to make sure I always had an opportunity to learn and participate despite the discomfort in my body. A couple of weeks ago, my old back pain came back with a vengeance and after visiting a physicians we put two and two together and were able to identify that the cause is likely sciatica. Once again, I mentioned my ailment to Tony and he readjusted the whole class to accommodate me and provide my IT band and hip flexor with a sense of release that my body really needed. Tony is an excellent yogi, who provides expert guidance when it comes to pain management and recovery. Words can not express the gratitude I feel just having an opportunity to be in his class and learn from his expert guidance. Thanks to him, I was inspired to embark on my own 200 yoga teacher training, to study the practice deeper and understand it better. I know if I have any questions in the future, I can always turn to Tony, who will point in the right direction. read more

Tony has made a huge impact on my life! He helped me learn to relax my face while suffering through many poses...Oklahoma! Most of all I appreciate his dedication to Yoga! I often quote him and one of my favorites is...Do what you can do and be happy with what you can do! read more

Tony is not only very dedicated and passionate as a practitioner and teacher of yoga, he is also a totally delightful, positive and kind-hearted person. It is very obvious that he walks his talk in terms of the utter discipline of his practice, and yet he is not at all intimidating about it, on the contrary, he is completely accepting, encouraging and even celebratory of each student, no matter their level. A class with Tony is a highly educational, interesting and uplifting experience. You will come out feeling invigorated, inspired and in a happy mood. I can't recommend him highly enough! Thank you, Tony, for your wise teachings and generous spirit. read more

Super instructor, wish he could have a yoga class daily in the gym(Crunch fitness). He really challenges you but also tells you to listen to your body. My flexibility has improved immensely and I see a big difference in other workouts I do like strength training and cardio. read more

Tony makes yoga fun while maintaining rigor and inspiring us to become our best selves. This class focuses on alighnment and flexibility, so don't come in expecitng a high intensity workout. Instead, expect to deepen your focus and intensity in a supportive atmosphere while learning some Sanskrit :) I would highly recommend Tony's class for yogis of any level. Don't let the Crunch gym scare you off, this class is legit!! read more

Absolutely outstanding yoga instructor and friend! Tony is an absolute gem and has profoundly improved my body and spirit. He brings out the best in me and all his students by being the rainbow in everyone's cloud. I leave every class spiritually refreshed and wiser of my body's limits. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a deeply enriching yoga experience. read more

The encyclopedic knowledge of Iyengar yoga traditions and yoga scriptures at large of Tony Eason is humbling. I feel very safe in his class doing both entry level and advanced poses because Tony Eason has extreme attention to details when it comes down to posture and drishti. Some people jokes he has control issues, I call it a kaizen (small incremental improvement at every steps to lead towards a greater good). read more

Tony takes the extra mile to give you the authentic Iyengar yoga culture. Recommend this class while in the area ;)

Tony is such a generous and caring teacher. His sensitivity to the combined energy of the class makes him astute to the care and needs of each individual. I leave his class with renewed energy ready to embrace the world. read more

He's the best yoga teacher I have had. He makes sure you are well aligned and the yoga pose is correct and you are practicing safety to avoid injury. He goes around spotting the students. Love his class. read more

After 1 month of practicing yoga in Tony's classes, my limbs are stronger than ever! Two years ago, I'd had knee surgery and been limping since. Tony gives PERFECTLY CLEAR instructions! He is no nonsense and WILL strengthen your BODY. Specifically: arm adjustments on my downward dog and plank. Pain that I've had in the upper neck and trapezius has dissipated. Anyway, he is a YOGA-DEVA!! read more

I have worked with many Yoga instructors over the almost 10 years that I practice casually Yoga and Tony is one of the best for me. He is a no bullshit strict teacher that will adjust the class and every position to your limits and help you gently to push them to new heights. Best wishes and all the best for the future! read more

Tony has inspired me to return to yoga. His encouragement support and style has me leaving his class wanting more. His no pressure approach is perfect for my level of practice, both mind and body. He's fabulous. read more

Tony Eason is hands down the best yoga instructor on the planet. The few times I've considered moving out of SF, he would be someone I would want to take with me. When I go to his classes I consider it a privilege. He is an integral part of my life and my husband Alex. I did my first head stand after taking his class for six months. He welcomes all levels! read more

I have done Yoga off and on for almost 15 years. I got out of it after injuring my shoulder doing Bikram Yoga and got back in when I kept having nagging cycling injuries. After 35 you better do Yoga, or something like it because I know you're like me and the aches and pains start. I found Tony because he does a lot with cycling and Yoga and he really knows his stuff. He's trained in Iyengar which I have always thought is one of the best styles of Yoga. Its much more about form and doing the postures right than running you through the same series of postures in a set amount of time. Tony is awesome. He really knows his stuff and his classes are difficult and challenging but also fun and not too formal. I think Tony is a true yogi, someone who is into the real spiritual quest of life without being religious or a phony baloney wanna be Hindu. I highly recommend his classes. read more

I had the pleasure of taking a yoga class with Tony the other evening. His classes are on a donation basis, so you're not pressured or sucked in to sign on for a bunch of classes. This isn't that kind of place. If you are a yoga novice and just want to check it out and see if you'd like doing yoga on a more regular basis, Tony is a great teacher. He is funny, compassionate, and believes in pushing people but only to the point of what they can do (don't compare yourself to others, be happy with what you can do). If you have been doing yoga for a while, Tony's classes build up to more complicated positions during each session. When I came in earlier this week, there were a couple total beginners that had never taken a class before, some intermediate or occasional yogis, and a few people that have done some form of yoga for many years. There are only a couple rules in this studio, such as asking questions whenever you feel like asking, answering yes or no questions with yes or no (not some mumbling or sound like uh huh because that could be misinterpreted and one false move and you could snap your neck kind of thing), and if you feel like chatting with your neighbor, you must do so loudly enough that everyone in the class can hear (whispering is often felt as negative even if it's not, but secrets secrets are no fun, so laugh, sing, and be loud if you feel like it). read more

Last year, a friend of mine (who's a long-time yoga student) was bugging me to get off my ass and join a yoga class. You see, I had made the mistake of expressing a desire to do so, and she had latched on to that. One day, as we were walking by my apartment, we saw a poster offering donation-based yoga on Saturday mornings. This place is literally a few doors down from me. So now I had no excuse to not try it out. Like a cornered pup, I tucked my tail between the legs and promised her that I would go to the class the coming Saturday. Now, I have never done yoga in my life. But a couple of years ago, I had lower back pain and went to physical therapy. The PT suggested some stretches, and as soon as the back pain disappeared, so did my exercise regimen. Coming back to Tony. I went to his class, and was blown away by the accessibility of the teaching. Here I was, with no yoga experience, and I felt perfectly at ease being with people who had been practitioners for a decade! It's a testament to Tony's teaching style that all levels of students feel at home. He pays attention to those who need it. He describes each pose clearly before asking us to attempt it, and demonstrates the pose; and, more importantly, he also shows us the typical mistakes novices make in that pose. He is a very hands-on teacher, which is great for people like me. So now it's been nearly a year, and I've been going to his class on Saturday. I feel great. My practice has improved; and my body feels so much better. And the best part is: those stretches that the PT asked me to do? These yoga poses include those, and then some! I highly recommend Tony. He's a wonderful, wonderful teacher. read more

I can easily say that Tony is the best yoga teacher I have ever had. I always laugh at least once during his class, which is great because I often find myself in challenging new poses. His instruction is clear and consistent, he is incredibly kind and always positive, and he is exceedingly generous by offering donation only yoga classes. My practice has improved incredibly since I started attending his classes. One other fantastic thing about Tony is that he is completely accommodating to my physical challenges, which has renewed my enthusiasm and passion for yoga. Oh, and his toenail polish is always fabulous! read more

I adore Tony's class. I know I should try other Iyengar teachers - after all, it's not like trying a new massage therapist or . . . a new therapist (i.e. not nearly as expensive). But I'm happy with Tony, and I love the deliberate-ness of Iyengar (I find flow to be almost as bad as a step aerobics class at times!). The Duboce Triangle location, the timing of his Saturday class (10:30 - 12) - great way to kick off the weekend. Tony's honest, no bullshit, really wants to help. He challenges but doesn't push. He's humble - could it get annoying that he's always quoting one of his old teachers? Maybe. But he lets you know that he values and respects his teachers, that he values and respects learning. Maybe it's time to really listen to him, what he's really trying to say - break out of the routine and check out a new yoga teacher, change it up a little. Or try Qigong. Tony's not the end-all / be-all, because no yoga instructor is. Nor is yoga. All that said, Tony rocks! and so does his regular student, octogenarian "Trooper" - my inspiration! read more

Tony is not the yoga teacher who will invite you to open your heart chakra, nor will he lead the class in chanting in the spirits of the ancestors. He will, however, be the one to acknowledge that you have a hangover, and then give you a round of applause for your honesty and tell you some different poses to do (I haven't done it yet, but I've seen it happen!) He's the first one to say "I am not your yogi" - and yet, the Saturday morning, pay-what-you-can class has a solid base of regulars, with some new faces continually sprinkled in. Tony is firmly rooted in the Iyengar style - really clear verbal instructions, focus on alignment and poses that relate to one another, and just a little sprinkle of snark (do they teach that at the Iyengar Institute?) Get on in there and get your yoga on! read more

For about 9 months, I have been taking the class Tony teaches in Oakland on Wednesdays. More than any other teacher, he is the one who has inspired me to work at yoga on my own. When he says "do this for homework", I do it. Tony has an exceptional blend of professionalism, compassion, humor, and discipline. Simply put, if you attend his class, you will enjoy yourself, you will feel welcome, you will learn, and you will improve. Even if Iyengar is "not your thing", and you love doing Vinyasa classes, you will benefit from going to Tony's class. He will make sure you have proper form when you do asanas. Beyond that - what you learn about yoga will spill over into other parts of your life. He has these little sayings that he utters during class, and I find myself hearing his voice in my head as I am going about my day. Here is just a sample: 1) lift the xiphoid process, 2) Do what you can do and be happy with what you can do, 3) face soft, jaw relaxed, 4) don't forget to breathe, 5) create more space between the eyebrows, 6) if the little man begins to speak, blow air out your mouth, 7) and the most mysterious - spread your nipples wide ! So, because of him, I walk through life with a relaxed jaw, an uplifted xiphoid process and I do what I can do and am happy with that. I feel very fortunate to have Tony as a teacher. read more

Tony is tough, rigorous, and one of the better instructors I have had in my life. I highly recommend him no matter what your skill level is. Tony will get your form corrected and ensure you reach your goals. read more

This is a great class for those new to yoga or for those who have practiced for years. Tony is an Iyengar teacher, which stresses proper alignment and holding poses for longer durations. His classes, Saturdays 10:30 - 12:00 noon in the Duboce park area and Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 at Yoga Tree Shotwell are donation based and vary well from week to week. There is always method to the pose progressions and Tony helps students one and one to improve from whatever level you are working from. I really like Tony's classes because they are a good medium between the phoofy (none of the 'stretch your arms up toward Shiva' business or chanting or anything) and the military boot camp classes (Tony reminds you that yoga is ultimately about calming and stilling the mind, not twisting your body into a pretzel). Go to his website at www.ynottony.com for his class schedule, studio address and much more. There is a reason why he has a gazillion 5-star reviews! read more

"No whispering!!..." Haaahaaa, I've never had so much fun, at a free class no less, given by the one and only Tony yogi... OK, I think he's right I don't want him for a guru, but I like his stress on some fundamentals: breathing, posture, and focus. Sure I'd go back again... and for free at Sports Basement? OK twist my arm, I mean... my navel :) Re: http://ynottony.com/ read more

Tony is hands down the best yoga teacher I have ever been to. Classes are always a challenge and his sense of humor is infectious! Rest assured that after a class with Tony, you'll feel realigned, focused and leave with a smile on your face. read more

I was lucky enough to begin my Iyengar yoga practice learning from the ever-talented Tony Eason. Toni is hands-down, the best yoga instructor I have ever taken a class from. THE BEST. My yoga practice began with vinyasa style yoga a few years ago, but when I joined Crunch Gym, I decided to try out an Iyengar class, and I fell in love with this style. I loved every single aspect of these classes with Tony: the welcoming atmosphere, the therapeutic benefits, the challenging yet rewarding poses. I had not realized how many of my poses I was doing "incorrectly" until I took a class with Tony and he was correcting my every move...and for this, I will be forever grateful to him. He will not let you have poor alignment or practice bad form. He will PUSH you to be the very best version of yourself. And just when you are getting comfortable with a pose, he will push you to the next level. I LOVE this about Tony. He genuinely cares about making sure you keep a healthy practice and will bend over backwards in order to help you improve. I remember when I was trying my first shoulder-stand, I was too scared of falling and breaking my neck to attempt the pose. But Toni encouraged me to not let fear get in my way. He lifted me up into a beginner-shoulder-stand pose and stood there while I experienced my first full inversion. He coached me to hold good form, all while staying by me to ease my trepidation. And as soon as I had enough, he pushed me to stay up a little while longer, and then he brought me back down. Toni will modify poses to make you feel comfortable enough to conquer your fears and tackle your obstacles. His commitment to his students is truly unique and makes for a beautifully instructive and conductive environment. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to learn and practice Iyengar yoga from Toni for the past year. If I hadn't moved to Michigan, I would have continued going to ALL of his classes. He is inspiring and witty, making these classes SO MUCH FUN! Moral of the story: Toni is AMAZING. Do you and your body a favor and learn from his expertise. read more

I would recommend Tony to anyone. I first met him when I worked with him and that is how I was introduced to his classes at the James Howell Studio. I had never done yoga before and was having issues with my back, legs, knees, et al. Sitting at a desk all day at work was making everything tight and painful in my upper back. After I got into a routine of 2 days a week for a while things were getting better. Tony's teaching style is good for beginners as well as veterans of yoga. It's Iyengar, so he really emphasizes the correctness of the pose and isn't afraid to help you get it right. Best part is that it is donation based. No membership fees, no commitments, nothing. Give it a try! You'll be glad you did. You may even turn into a regular. Don't say I didn't warn you! Correct me here Tony: "As long as you walk with good intentions, do not be worried with the outcomes of your actions ...." read more

I can't speak highly enough of Tony Eason. He's part of the reason I took yoga teacher training myself. He exudes enthusiasm for yoga, inspires you to *safely* challenge yourself, and offers excellent technical instruction in case you have no idea what to do in a pose (as I did many times) and to deepen your interest in a pose once you think you know it (which you never really do). I took Iyengar yoga classes from Tony pretty regularly at Club One Yerba Buena, and he completely dispelled the notion that "gym yoga" is a lesser life form than "yoga studio yoga." He brings the same attitude and instruction to both places, though studios will have more props than the gym sometimes. You'll have fun and you'll learn a lot from Tony. read more

I started going to one of Tony's classes at the gym across the street from my office. I was pointed towards yoga after throwing my back out. I also have many other sports injuries I've picked up over the years. I've tried Bikram yoga, and didn't dislike it, but didn't feel any "real" benefits. Never truly understood (and still don't) all the differences in styles and method. Thankfully, someone pointed me in the direction of Hatha Yoga. After my first class with Tony, I truly did feel a difference. My spine felt lengthened. I felt taller. I felt lighter. I felt GOOD. To be specific, my lower 3 lumbars were impacted and my nerve windows were closing down. Tony does an amazing job of helping someone like me (who tends to think of challenge in a more "traditional" sports way) understand what you're working to achieve with each pose. What to focus on, and how each pose can benefit you. Make no mistake, each class is certainly a physical challenge! But only if you choose for it to be. The perfect amount of challenge, education, and spirituality. At first I thought, yoga's not for me.... Tony has shown me that not only is it for me, but truly for everyone! THANK YOU TONY! read more

We live in the land of Yoga, at least in the US. Tony is tied for first as the best yoga teacher I have had, and he is up against some great teachers. I have been attending his classes at several different studios for almost a year now. He is fun, creative, and challenges you - while remaining safe. He is, as an Iyengar trained instructor, knowledgeable and precise. He teaches you to be your own yogini...And he is funny, kind and interesting. His latest visualization technique is to draw the attention to the xiphoid process as a means to hold your ribcage up properly. I find myself correcting my posture everywhere - It is becoming a habit. When I saw my Mom - also a yoga fan, hunching over *horrors* like an ole lady, I told her about Tony's xiphoid process trick. She is doing it now too. Tony is a wonderful yoga teacher, and I recommend him to anyone who will listen. read more

So many 5 star reviews! Tony is an incredible instructor so it doesn't surprise me at all :) I have been doing yoga for years but since seeing Tony weekly for the last couple months it's incredible to find out how much I have been doing wrong Like so many other reviews have mentioned Tonys voice will stay with you in your life. My favorite part of class is when he brings us to a pose, with shoulders back, elbows pulled down, perfect posture and alignment and then tells us this is the chest we have to bring to the world. Incredibly beneficial for me. He showed me a pose to help align my top 7 vertebrae, niralamba sirsasana with the help of two chairs and my neck has never felt better. read more

Tony's Iyengar classes have been a favorite of mine for years but I'm writing this because of his prize-winning use of Zoom. His careful monitoring of light, sound and camera angle make such a difference. He brings the same curiosity and perseverance to the mat and to this new challenge. Thanks! read more

Though practiced since ancient times, in the modern day, the practice of yoga can often seem and feel too contrived, too full of our own ego for practicing...this is not how the yogis meant for us to decipher this ancient science that simultaneously aligns, re-aligns and re-sets us in our totality. The practice of yoga on the mat is all the practice of yoga in our every footstep and breath when we are off the mat. The practice of yoga is about the desire to practice and the discipline to take action upon that desire and not about how much you have in your pocketbook...enter Tony Eason, Iyengar Student and Teacher, and what an example he is of everything that yoga is meant to be about. Not only is Tony fastidious about the integrity of the pose, he brings to the yoga studio FREE/DONATION classes...Tony does not care how much you have in your wallet (though he will be the first to admit of course he needs to pay rent) but your willingness and desire to practice is what motivates Tony to spread the word and opens up his classes to those feeling financially challenged...he is a true bodhisattva...take his class and get out your rut and onto your mat...you deserve it read more

I've been a regular at Tony's Saturday morning class (10:30-12, at 66 Sanchez) for over a year now. Along with Tony's excellent technical abilities as a teacher (and he leads a very rigorous class with a little bit of a tough love manner that is irresistibly cute), Tony really understands his class as a community. We know each other by name, we know what each of us does professionally or as an avocation, because Tony makes sure that happens. I know NO other yoga teacher anywhere who values and supports the concept of community to the degree that Tony does. And yes, let me reiterate, it's a rigorous class, but taught with clarity. Tony reminds everyone they needn't do everything, to be mindful of their well-being. AND he roams the room constantly, sees everyone, and is speedy to bring props or to suggest alternatives. He's very caring and knows his stuff. So glad to be part of it all. read more

Having moved to San Francisco I was looking for Iyengar yoga classes that would help me get back to my regular yoga practice routine. I have practiced yoga for over 6 years now and I still find home practice relatively difficult. I needed support of a competent teacher. A few months ago, I found Tony, a teacher with 20 years of experience in Iyengar yoga method! I keep attending his donation-based classes at Yoga Tree Mission every Monday and Wednesday ever since. Tony's teaching is very consistent and well-thought-out. The asana sequences are designed in a way that makes all-level students take up the challenge. Tony is a truly down to earth person. Not only will he present a pose, refine your alignment, and motivate you, but he will also share some background on postures/yoga philosophy. He will show you a simple and effective technique to still your mind. He will encourage you to practice basic poses at home instead of merely relying on a teacher. That is indeed what I sought. If you want to develop a regular practice of standing poses, headstand and other inversions, you should check out Tony's classes. If you want to try basic breathing excercises (pranayama), this is a class for you. If you have just begun your yoga journey, Tony will always welcome you warmly and show you appropriate modifications to build alignment into the more advanced postures. I will always want to take his class. read more

Continually reaching improved levels in Yoga poses, for me, is amazing. Thanks to Tony's teaching, he has helped me for many years with his excellent teaching skills and style. Each class builds upon previous classes and I can swear to that statement as I can see the difference in my ability in different poses. Today, I noticed specific improvements that I felt were a direct relation to his class, 2 days ago. I was surprised and pleased with the experience of improvement in some poses that have always been difficult for me. I feel stronger, more flexible and overall feel better, the longer I have been in Tony's classes. No matter how tired I may be at the beginning of class, I always feel energized and better at the end of class! Thanks, Tony for being in my life! read more

Tony was my go-to #1 yoga guru before I left SF. He understood my triathlon stretching needs and my type-A personality needs to master things and push past fear boundaries in order to be happy student. Tony was suitably hard-core endurance sports himself to be ideal for me and for other demanding triathletes and runners. read more

Tony is an incredible person and a wonderful teacher. I've been learning a lot and he is helping me with my challenges and my shoulder injury. I'm not an active person and he is one of the few people who makes me do some exercise and stretch. Someone u can really trust! read more