I finally signed up for a membership and it's been some years since I've been here. I recently had…read morefoot surgery so I definitely wanted to get back on track with healing and doing it in the most optimal way. What better way than to get a lymphatic massage for my lower body. I also booked for red light therapy on a mat. I ended up booking a sample package and my first stop was the lymph with neuro. I got into a bodysuit that would put pressure on my lower extremities intermittently. I liked it but I started to feel uncomfortable on my foot where I had surgery, so I asked to stop and do it next time. Then I was led to the hydrotherapy- waterbed with nice jets underneath. That was a very relaxing massage that I dozed off to. When the 15 minute timer went off on that, I then was whisked off to the large fascia roller. Super interesting. It's a large roller where you lean any body part against to get the circulation going. Pretty cool. After that- I was then led to dry salt therapy where I sat in a booth, inhaled deeply with my nose and supposedly all these benefits come with doing so. I left feeling pretty good overall and I would choose this multi- diverse spa session over any bougie OK spa session because this actually works your body!

This review is long overdue with the amazing experience I had here. The space is tranquil and…read morewelcoming, I felt calmer the moment I walked in. The staff are kind and knowledgeable. It was my first time ever at a spa and I'm so happy that I chose the Brain Spa with their touchless services. I learned about neurofeedback here, which has been life changing for my mental health. Thankful for the empowering women who make the space what it is

If you're looking for a diverse, welcoming and inclusive healing space to practice, this is it…read more For days when you're feeling too tired to work out, but I still feel the need to center yourself and move the days events out of your body and mind try the Gentle Yoga class. By the end of class I'm feeling more myself, more grounded and nourished and better equipped to show up for myself and my community. In times like these, this is the perfect place to hold space for yourself, but not by yourself. Arrive early to secure metered street parking.

I joined this organization first as a member and later became a work-trade member, hoping to find a…read moresafe, joyful, and supportive community of BiPOC women. I came here with excitement and a desire to contribute, grow, and connect--but my experience has left me deeply hurt. Without any warning or explanation, I was told by Sataya that I was no longer part of the work-trade community because her and Cleopatra don't feel comfortable. To be removed so quickly and abruptly from a space that is meant to uplift BiPOC women is devastating and confusing. I feel excluded, unheard, and deeply disappointed by how this was handled. I hope the organization takes a hard look at how they treat community members and work-trade contributors. Transparency, care, and genuine inclusivity are essential--especially in spaces designed to support marginalized BLACK women in a society that is already unjust.

In an email one year ago she briefly mentioned that her husband has crazy work hours and said it…read morewouldn't be fair to take on new clients. Then I kind of forgot about this. I reached back a year later to fix a session. She didn't mention it again on the phone or explicit stated there is a high chance that she might have to cancel last minute to prepare me. She fixed a date then cancelled the day before and then I fixed another date a month later then she cancelled again the day before. This gave me feelings of being dismissed, not valued, not taken seriously, not considered important. All the things I am trying to get help with from a reiki practioner and life coach. I also had to have my husband take care of my child to do this with her. I also had to take time off work to be there during work hours. These things matter to me too. I didn't think this was a professional thing to do. And more importantly she never said I might have to cancel due to my husband's work hours or made that very clear. I don't recommend this service because of last minute cancellations.

I spent over three years searching for a therapist, not realizing what I truly needed was a more…read morespiritual approach to healing. A close friend recommended Holomua, and I recently had my first session with Britt. She is the real deal--intuitive, grounded, and deeply supportive. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking Reiki, life coaching, or simply a more soulful path to personal growth. What stood out most was how natural and comfortable it felt--like talking story with a long-time friend or family member. Britt holds space with such compassion and clarity, and she equips you with tools and "homework" to help you uncover your own answers. I left the session feeling seen, empowered, and aligned.

I booked a private session for my bestie and I after she was going through a rough break up. Tine…read morecame with all the calming vibes, cacao, and more. We were both super impressed with how accurate Tine's oracle card reading was, and how in touch it made us feel with our dearly departed beings. The Reiki was also quite life changing and the south bath was so soothing, setting us up to breathe well, let go of things not serving us, and be set up to be our best selves going forward! Highly HIGHLY recommend booking with Tine - she's the real deal and absolutely wonderful!

I had a private Reiki session with Tine that was incredible. She transformed a small room in my…read morehome into a meditative oasis. We started with intentions and then moved to breathing exercises and then reiki using her sound bowls. As someone who is a Type A, analytical thinker...it was amazing to me how she was able to guide me out of mind and into a state of consciousness (something that's typically super hard for me to do). I left the session feeling warmth, clarity, and peace. Thank you, Tine!

Nicole Stone is a fantastic teacher! I have never practiced yoga before but now I can't wait for…read moreher classes each week.

After 9 years of consistent practice, this is still my favorite studio and is even better now that…read moreone of the two rooms (there are two large lovely rooms) has been remodeled and "rope walls" added. Workshops and teacher training are outstanding. If you're frustrated by the "yoga industrial complex" and sad capitalist decline of informed, skilled teaching, note that this school/studio is not suffering such a fate. You need to pay the teacher directly; none of your fee is wasted on reception, "groupon" marketing, or shareholders. Try all the teachers who teach at times you are available. Each is wonderful in different ways.

This studio is pretty small and tight if the class is full. Its a thing to get there early. For the…read moremost part everyone was really rude.... I'm glad I didn't commit to the actual program and took heed of their micro aggressive behavior. Not the best yoga studio namaste

The coolest Yoga Studio in The Bay Area! Usually the teachers are experts at everything. Located…read morenear Emeryville and some other interesting places. They sell clothes and other stuff. Started taking classes here in 2018!

I honestly didn't really know what I was signing up for. My wife wanted to go, and it seemed…read moreinteresting, so I tagged along. From the moment I got there and handed over my phone, everything started to make sense. Being unplugged for the whole weekend was exactly what I didn't know I needed. I was able to slow down, focus, and get a clearer perspective on life. I picked up so many little things that have made a big difference in my daily routine. I feel more focused, more grounded, and just overall better since going. Camp Hard Reset was such a great experience -- definitely something I'd recommend to anyone who needs a real mental reset.

just now New Sheel…read moredid an incredible job putting this all together! besides the amazing food, games, and gorgeous location - she delivered on her promise to have us create a micro goal for ourselves. Due to this, my husband and I have been more present with each other, talking more, and having more time off our phones. I've also been trying to increase my step counts! It was amazing to figure out my top values - and even more awesome that I coincidentally matched my husband exactly (these are not shared with anyone unless you want to share). This is great for anyone who needs to make goals, digital detox, and come away with some great friends!

I'm a long-term meditator and yoga practitioner and I came here for a personal retreat. Tibetan…read moreBuddhism has been close to my heart since college for personal reasons and I love supporting local non-profit organizations in general. My room cost (with fees) was approximately $2,800/month. Positives - The meditation classes with Mark Henderson (6:45am-7:30am M-F "The way of the Bodhisattva") and Hugh Joswick (Intermediate meditation) were worth the trip themselves.The morning class is definitely one of the most challenging meditation practices I have encountered, which is exactly what enabled me to learn more about my own personal meditation practice obstacles. The reminder of the Six Paramitas was both timely and deeply appreciated. - Eddie deserves honorary membership in the Department of Knowing Things. Whether I needed information, directions, or help figuring something out, he was consistently helpful and funny at the same time. - Beautiful hillside location with trees, birds and wildlife. - Quiet environment well-suited for meditation and personal retreat - Convenient access to classes and programs - Short walk (~20 mins at my walking pace) to downtown Berkeley (BART etc.) Accommodation & Facility Issues - The room contains a twin-size innerspring (spring coil) mattress. I found it uncomfortable for a month-long stay and would have appreciated more detailed information about the bed in the listing - The room carpet appears not to have been deep-cleaned for an extended period (dust, extensive stains) - whether you stay for a single week or a month, laundry detergent is not provided. Laundry fees still apply. Dish detergent, sponges, hand soap, toilet paper and towels are provided. I believe that guests are expected to buy laundry detergent and wash the towels themselves. - Room vacuum cleaning and dusting is not included, even for longer stays; guests are expected to clean their own room with their own cleaning supplies. - The balcony door is my room repeatedly opened on its own during the night despite being closed before bed. This allowed for cold air into the room. There may be an issue with a stroke plate and the latch. - Information provided to guests (i.e. both AirbnB app and the room printed materials) is inaccurate. - I was shown a pantry containing shared spices but it was not clear what was free to use (e.g. cinnamon yes, oil no?) All guests are provided two boxes (1 for their dry food, 1 for refrigerated food) - coffee beans and tea are provided, coffee cream, milk etc are not - I couldn't find a tea strainer for loose tea in the kitchen; it was handed to me that day and it disappeared again. I am now only using tea bags provided by the institute. - I wasn't able to find cookware compatible with the guest kitchen induction stove one morning. All pots were located in the staff kitchen guests do not have access to that day. - I received 7-8 AirBnB messages containing photos of dirty dishes left in the shared areas though it was not clear who was responsible. As a guest, I found this approach very uncomfortable and impersonal. Overall: This may be a peaceful retreat if you are looking for unanticipated daily challenges to get in the way of your practice. The Four Noble truths still stand in 2026. There is suffering (no laundry detergent on a Sunday evening before a busy Monday) and a way out of suffering. The path sometimes requires a pilgrimage and the return carrying a full-sized jug of laundry detergent up the steep Berkeley hills.

Great Tibetan Buddhist place to relax meditate and find yourself…read more Excellent teachers.

A warm, welcoming, and inclusive community, ever-evolving while offering refreshing teachings and…read moreopportunities to reflectively cultivate engaged practice as applied to daily life. An oasis.

In 2007 I had the good fortune to attend a Qigong workship at the Berkeley Shambhala Center led by…read moreEva Wong. I was somewhat apprehensive about the physical demands of such a practice since I was 60 years old, overweight, and not in good physical condition. I found that the qigong was taught in a gentle way with great sensitivity to participants' physical infirmities. I was quite surprised to find that I felt better after six hours of Qigong than I did before I started and that I was not sore at all the next day. I was even more surprised to find that the second day of instruction was also invigorating and pain free. I have continued to practice this Qigong and have taken additional classes from Eva. My wife and I both have found that this Qigong practice has made us stronger, healthier, and more flexible. It has truly improved our lives at a time when we needed it. Why am I telling you about this old news? Because Eva Wong is returning to teach again at the Berkeley Shambhala Center on December 5-6, 2009. I hope that others can learn to improve their lives as my wife and I were able to.

Why choose Rachel?…read more Massage therapy should be a holistic experience that benefits both the mind and body. While massage helps promote relaxation and the release of endorphins, that experience can be diminished if the therapist appears disengaged or unhappy in their work. Whether you prefer conversation or silence, feeling comfortable and cared for is essential. Rachel consistently provides that experience through her warm personality, professionalism, intelligence, and genuine care for her clients. I specifically asked her to address my chronic shoulder pain, and she was able to identify and work on the muscles that were triggering my symptoms. The treatment was targeted, effective, and left me feeling significantly better. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I understand the importance of patient experience and quality care. It's easy to see why people appreciate Rachel's work ethic and the positive environment she creates. Good vibes overall. Thank you, Rachel!

Long story short, Rachel is a great massage therapist. She creates a relaxing space just by her way…read moreand aura alone, and is attentive to client details. After a single visit, on coming back a month later, she somehow remembered a lot about me - that I practice brazilian jiujitsu, do regular soft tissue work at home, that I have family and business in Orange County. We chatted for at most 10 total minutes during my first visit. It's exactly this type of continuity that I was looking for in finding a massage therapist to go to more regularly. Berkeley has a few great Thai massage places but therapists rarely speak English and they never seem to honor the specific therapist you book. I was looking for someone who will retain information on what I like and what my muscles need, and Rachel is exactly that kind of massage therapist.