As a yogi for a decade now, it was my first time taking a class at a studio in at least 7 years so this was nice. My SO and I came together and Lana gave us a friendly welcome and intro to the studio. We did a morning Yoga Belly class and it was very soothing and relaxing. It's very friendly towards beginners and they have nice cork blocks, straps, etc to use. Definitely would come by again! read more

I have been going to Yin Yoga for well over a year, with one break due to injruty. My favorite teacher is Lana. She teaches Yin Yoga and Back Rubs on Friday evenings. Going to her classes is my favorite way to start my weekends. I missed several months due to a hamstring injury and when I came back, not only Lana but several classmates who are regulars greeted me very warmly. It made me feel that us regulars have formed a community and it is more than just exercise to come to Lana's classes. She is a delightful and humble person who imbues her classes with the most positive and relatable vibe. I live within a walking distance from the studio and walking to and from Lana's classes adds a sense of pleasurable rhythm to the whole experience. No need to worry about parking! I am really happy to have such a wonderful studio so close to where I live. read more

Aaron and Will are the best yoga teachers in the entire northern California bay area. They have colleagues literally around the world, their yoga teaching their perfection their technique. The classes are challenging. They are thoughtful. They are beautiful. They are amazing yoga instructors and their teaching staff is top-notch. In addition, Aaron is also a yoga therapist and after working with him, I took Clifton strengths test and it actually showed one of my strengths which is an unusual strength was actually listening to your intuition and following your intuition and a lot of people aren't able to do that, and it can be very powerful if you can tap into it highly recommend The very special package is $250 a month and includes 8 yoga classes and two private sessions. Stealing deal and to note this deal is active as of September 2024 prices are obviously not guaranteed but it's a stealing deal for the amazing work.! read more

Hey, YB. It's been awhile. I remember Yoga Belly was my first ever studio on Classpass when I first started out. Good times. I've been dropping in here and there. I was finally able to make it to their annual Yoga on the Plaza event back in September with a friend. Also love that they support the yoga community as they held a fundraiser this past weekend for a yoga teacher who is battling cancer. Forgot how alive you feel after a heated yoga class. The sweat is real. Got lots of hands-on adjustments that helped me go deeper into the poses. Try them out if you're looking for some non-traditional yoga. read more

Nice boutique studio located in downtown Mountain View. The room itself is pretty spacious with full length mirrors that you can use to correct your poses. It also gets pretty toasty quickly, which is great if you're into hot yoga and want to get a sweat going. Came here yesterday because I had an hour before work to kill, and taking Melinda's class was a great way to start my day. However, I wish they would get a new heating system. The current HVAC they use is extremely noisy when turned on, which completely detracts from the zen experience you should be having when practicing yoga. Besides that though, Yoga Belly is definitely worth checking out. read more

Some of the best teachers I crossed paths with! William & Aaron are thoughtful compassionate teachers. They are also very knowledgeable & cater to the needs of each student. They have a variety of classes, which is nice if you want to switch it up (Power, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, ect.) Highly recommend to go to Yoga Belly for top level instruction. Look forward to practicing at their studio more often! read more

I've been to this studio once a few years ago for a last minute YBX class booking through Zenrez and recently saw the Groupon deal; I purchased a six class package after remembering how challenging and sweaty that class was. They renovated the place since that first time and the classes are now heated so that brings a new challenge to the mix. I've tried a few Yoga Belly and YBX classes by different teachers and everyone has their own style and level of challenge. Because it's heated, you're sure to sweat but the amount is dictated by the teachers themselves. It's more of a workout than regular yoga, but more traditional than what you do at a CorePower class. The Yoga Belly class has a core sequence in the beginning while the YBX has it incorporated into the flow. I want to try the Ballerz class but haven't been able to since it's not offered at convenient times - would love to see more on the schedule! The studio has a lounge check in area, cold water station, small towels, and plenty of cubbies to leave your things. They have keys to use bathrooms located outside of the studio, but no showers so you'll have to go home after to wash off all the sweat. The classes are also available on ClassPass! read more

I had a good experience at Yoga Belly SJ, but I have mixed feelings about Yoga Belly MV. The good: I took the YBX class, which is like vinyasa with lots of focus on strengthening arms and core. My instructor was Jennifer and I thought she was pretty good. I was in the back left but she still made her way over and helped me with my form on a pose which I thought was superb on her end given the class was pretty full. The not so good: there is a phone number for this location but each time I called it went to a message that referred me to go online. That's OK, but not when I am trying to reserve a class that involves a third party paying for me or when I am trying to find your location. It would have helped to have someone to talk to especially if you list a phone number. Isn't that the point of having a phone? Secondly, I love being able to work my core and all while doing yoga but there is something to be said about how some sections aren't being taught or supervised well when it comes to non-traditional poses like right leg lunge with left arm push-ups. I am looking at the people in front of me and their hands are both in different places and their torsos aren't aligned. I would NOT recommend YBX to a beginner. Thirdly, there are no showers here (for a studio with mostly hot classes) and small changing rooms so come prepared. Lastly, it is a bit hard to find. The address is Castro Street but it is on the block opposite Cascal, hidden behind Weebly on Hope St. There will be a big parking lot there (but cross your fingers you get a spot!) read more

The YBX class with Adam Sewell was one of the most unpleasant yoga classes I have ever been to. The instructor was rude, making fun of traditional yoga positivity talk, making fun of certain poses, refusing to give modifications because "this is an advanced class" and yelling at a student who left their phone on vibrate in the cubby and received a call. I almost picked up my mat and left. I've been practicing yoga for the last 5 years all over California and have never left a class feeling so full of negativity. However, I did try an acro yoga class at this studio about a week ago and that was fun, though slightly disorganized. read more

It's January so there' s a lot of new year, new me vibes going on. One of my things was getting out of my comfort zone to try a yoga class ... and writing more yelp reviews instead of just checking into places. I had been meaning to try yoga since the end of last year since some friends had recommended it for improving my tennis game. I bucked up this past weekend and signed up for a class at Yoga Belly for this week. Yoga Belly was pretty easy to find and there is ample parking as you can approach the entrance from the parking lot. Aaron was the instructor for the class, and he was friendly and approachable. I let him know that it was my first time doing yoga (unless you count wii fit. lol.) He was very helpful and walked me through the process. No shoes in the studio. You could leave your shoes in cubbies outside, but there were also cubbies inside towards the back where you could store your belongings. He helped me find a spot to put my mat. He checked my yoga mat too and gave me a recommendation based off the type of yoga we were doing. We were doing more core stuff so he recommended a thicker mat, but told me to see if my knees hurt on my current mat. He gave clear instructions and adjusted my body posture as needed. I didn't feel uncomfortable. The class itself was somewhat strenuous at some points, but totally doable as a first timer. I personally liked the playlist. I worked up a pretty good sweat and felt good about it at the end. I chatted with Aaron a little after the class ended. Cool guy. He also followed up with a quick email to let him know if I had questions which I found to be a nice gesture. I'll try to update this review as I try different instructors, but I would recommend coming here based of my current experience! read more

Yoga Belly provides a strenuous workout for the body, the mind and the soul. The instructors provide guidance and correction when warranted; the music is always a fabulous mix of genres; and it is an all around welcoming environment for new, as well as established yoga enthusiasts. I have had the pleasure of taking classes with Barbara, Charina, and William (who is the owner of this fine establishment). They are all equally knowledgeable, although each have their own way of executing the delivery of the various moves and positions. Classes vary in skill level, and there are a variety of times throughout the day and evening. I am a loyalist to the Yoga Belly class itself, both heated and non-heated versions! Five million stars for Yoga Belly! I adore you! read more

Yogabelly, a yoga studio and online business I did business with (last pmt in 2016), has added streaming classes as of a few days ago. I decided to go back to try it, after having used other studios the past 3 years. Immediately, negative experience occurred: * 1st, they sent email Mar 31 offering new online services @ $99/mo as a starter price, followed by $189/mo. I stupidly assumed that since I hadn't been a customer in years, and they sent me the offer, I could use it. Nope. They want me to pay nearly $200 for a new service they have yet to iron out and is flawed. * Before they made that clear to me, I had taken 2 classes. At that point, they emailed a bizarre, socially obtuse note saying since I wasn't a new customer, they were refunding my $99 and I had to pay full fare: $20ea or $189/mo. * I went to log into my MindBody account. Turns out, YB had blown it away. I had history in there with other yoga studios from the past several years, but I couldn't log in to make arrangements for the 2 classes. No login existed. And all my data was gone. * I pointed out their interference with MindBody, and they responded that they had "combined" my old and new accts with the old acct login. Upon my saying they had no right to interfere, without any reply at all, they then brought all the data from the older 4+ year acct at MindBody with my new 4yr-current account, losing ALL THE DATA from ANY other studio. Now only Yogabelly data from the last 8y is there. Who are they to get into my acct with a 3rd party? Both times, I was not asked nor did I agree to have them alter my account. It would be like a restaurant calling your bank and saying: our mutual customer paid with 2 different visa cards over 8 years.. but we only want them to have one so could you combine their two accounts? Bonkers. And not legal. Regarding ONLINE NEW classes: * Teachers are well trained in yoga, but not at all aware of how to interact over a live video feed. Each pose, on each side, has to be worked out for how to show it in a 2D environment. It took my online trainer 2 mo to understand video training. I imagine it will take Yoga teachers 2 months minimum to have smooth classes correctly demonstrated for students. * Yogabelly uses Spotify for playlists. I used Spotify both logged in & logged out. Without paid acct, music plays w/ a 15 second ad, about every 2 songs. After 75 min, songs are off by about 4 minutes. Teachers cannot hear the music or follow the experience, as plays only at user's laptop. They periodically say: where are you in the music? Or 'I don't know where you are.' * Classes mean users are responsible for a place to do the class, laptop or device to stream Zoom, Spotify (paid - ideally - so the ads don't play delaying the songs against the class flow), electricity, water, and sound. Yogabelly no longer provides rented space, utilities, heat, ASCAP fees (fees paid for music rights played in-studio), water, a greeter, equipment like blocks & mats, sound systems or heating machine. If you think Yogabelly will still have these expenses you are right, somewhat. However the new federal stimulus package allows them to get a loan for 2.5 times the amount of their past costs to staff / teachers. As long as they pay their yoga teachers, they can use all federal $$$ received on rent, utilities, accounting, as well as labor, and it will be forgiven as a grant. So don't think the $99 or $189 you will pay them will be needed for that.. they are providing a vastly reduced experience, much of which will be subsidized BY US, the tax payers, and the rest which you, the student, has to provide yourself. Charging $189 a month, or $20 for a 60-75 min class, is ridiculous. Esp given their service ISN'T up to speed, and will take them some time to figure out effective classes that begin to match in-studio classes. They should move ALL users down to a reduced price, to compensate for reduced services. And they should NEVER, EVER mess with users' accounts with MindBody -- which they have no business changing or interacting with other than to receive scheduling or payments. read more

I'm in the process of trying to find a yoga home. I tried the Yoga Belly less heat class because it said that it would be good for beginners. Maybe I'm just too much a beginner... but as someone who doesn't know the difference between warrior and mountain poses (is there a mountain pose?) I think I'm looking for something that moves slower and has more instruction. Everything else was great. The woman at the front desk was lovely. The registration was easy. It was easy to drop in as a beginner. I am, however, going to keep looking for a yoga class with less heat and more guidance read more

Yoga Belly is a really fun studio to go to. It's different from the studios that I usually go to in that they are a lot more silly, fun, crazy and energetic. The teachers there really focus on making yoga fun and creating a "you can do it" atmosphere while also creating a "if you can't- it's no big deal" fun zone. Two of my favorite teachers are Edna B. and Courtney R. Both teachers play really great music, wear fun clothes and will kick your butt while making you smile. If you are in the Mountain View area, this is a great studio to go to. I often go out of my way to take the classes here. read more

After a fairly long Yoga hiatus (2 months is long considering I was doing Yoga every day!), I had a sudden Yoga craving and decided to head over to Yoga Belly for another try. I say another try because I previously took one of Yoga Belly's classes and wasn't completely a fan. I usually enjoy the calming effects of yoga as a person who is frequently stressed and multi-tasking. Yoga Belly does not exactly cater toward this type of practice with more pop music and a bit more vigorous movement. However, despite the fact that it was the same instructor as the previous time, I did enjoy this class more than the last. Cost: Yoga is expensive. The irony! Yoga Belly is about along the outrageous Bay Area going rate of $18. Practice: It is nice that they do provide towels. Be prepared to get SWEATY. But, it is good sweaty. I felt super refreshed afterward. In terms of the practice, we did many chaturangas (yes I did have to check how to spell this), transitioned with chair pose many times, and did a couple of exercises with the blocks. It really was not poses I am used to in a traditional practice. Ultimately, Yoga Belly does not provide the traditional practice. But, it may grow on you as the people are friendly and you feel refreshed afterward. While you may not feel the typical post-yoga calm, I did feel more relaxed after this practice. I would be willing to try other teachers, but this is a yoga studio that will receive very subjective reviews. read more

Great experience with teachers William and Aaron. Hadn't been to a yoga class in years and they were both so helpful and patient teachers. Definitely a fun and challenging experience. read more

Yoga belly has been my home for the last 4 yrs. I've been practicing yoga for 15 yrs and very few studios having the warm, loving, community aspect that Aaron and Will bring. All of the instructors are fantastic, each bringing their own variety and flavor. I love that it's a sanctuary I come to after work where I'm welcomed and cared about as a person. Yay yoga belly! read more

Gym yoga. Dhanurasana (with no preparation) within the first five minutes of class felt unsafe. Throughout the class, I was discouraged from making safe modifications to poses. I felt dismissed by the owner as soon as I walked in the [wrong] door. Not a great first impression. I definitely won't go back. read more

I have zero experience in yoga and honestly was not a big fan of yoga at all, but yoga belly changed my mind. I took advantage of its 2-week visitor program, and tried different instructors. Here are some highlights- Melinda Wong-My all-time favorite. Her class is relaxing with a little challenge each time to carry the best of yourself. A good command of pace and flow of the whole class, alongside her efforts in the tone of her narrative and the adjustment of music make her stand out among others. A stunning spiritual sensation after her class. Barbara West-She is popular, so her class is usually packed. I would suggest that she is probably your best choice for those that want to have an athletic or sort of boot-camp yoga experience. Barbara pays close attention to your posture and always correct you until you get it right. Sarah Brown- No Doubt that Sarah herself is very experienced in yoga. The intensity of her class is medium ( between Melinda and Barbara), making you sweat while leaving a refreshing and strong feeling. Her class is the best for before-brunch workout IMO. read more

I've been holding off on writing this review because I've had such a mixed experience but after today I just can't bite my tongue any longer. There are good parts of YogaBelly and bad parts, unfortunately the bad heavily outweighs the good. I have two more classes of a 10 class pass to use up and then I won't be back. It's almost always a good workout, they certainly deliver on that promise. BUT the sequencing is haphazard and the instructors jump right into really advanced poses without teaching them so there's just no way for people who don't know the pose to be successful. I've experienced this a lot with several different teachers so it seems to kind of be a "thing" there. It's more like watching the instructor show off than actually taking a class. I'm all about inspiring teachers who do things you never thought possible, but who actually teach you how you too might be able to do it. I have yet to find this at Yoga Belly. My second giant irritation happened in a class I took there this morning. I brought my mother-in-law to their Yoga Belly class which promises to be "great for beginners". It was not. at. all. The instructor literally did not teach a SINGLE pose. She didn't ask if anyone was new to yoga, she just launched into a pretty advanced practice. She barely did a single adjustment even when it was clear that some people didn't know the pose. We did get a great workout, but it was very disappointing to bring someone to their first yoga class and have it be so inaccessible. To top it off, she announced at the beginning of the class that this was her third class this morning and it was clear that she did not want to be there. There are pros to Yoga Belly. Like I said, you can count on some serious sweating but the instructors are so inconsistent that you never know what you are signing up for. Everyone is very friendly, it's clean, it's a nice space, their website is good....I just wish it was better. read more

I purchased a month long voucher but only used it for about a week after a couple of bad/varying experiences. I'm by all means not the most knowledgeable about yoga but, I do know that everyone moves at their own pace. While I did enjoy William's class, what made me stop coming were a couple of other instructors who I felt couldn't instruct a class with a wide ranging level of skill AND: Barbara. Her aggressive/bootcamp mentality had me excited at first because she was ready to put us to work but, I felt that she consistently takes it too far and pushes individuals beyond what they're capable of, much less what's safe. My last class at Yoga Belly was with Barbara and we were doing a shoulder opening pose. My shoulders are incredibly tight so I was doing the best I could and she came over and literally grabbed my arm (without asking) and pulled in back causing a huge strain. I was mortified that she thought it was appropriate to put her hands on someone without asking, especially without inquiring if I had previous injuries. Safe to say, I left her class early and that was the last time I attended. read more

Yoga Belly is a great studio. Until they opened, I was lamenting that there wasn't a good Power Yoga studio up this way. I live in Los Altos and used to practice at YogaSource in Los Gatos (still do from time to time). But the drive down there was getting to be too much, especially during rush hour. YogaSource has a Palo Alto studio (different ownership, but similar style) but it takes almost as long to get there as to get to the one in Los Gatos. And then Will opened Yoga Belly and all of a sudden there was a place nearby! Yoga Belly offers primarily vigorous vinyasa-flow yoga in a heated room that Baron Baptiste coined "Power Yoga." Many of the instructors at Yoga Belly hail from the YogaSource "school" of yoga. Linda McGrath at YogaSource Los Gatos has turned out a lot of local instructors and the style tends to be faster-paced flow which is her hallmark. Yoga Belly has a lot of instructors who've trained with her -- in full disclosure, I should add that I took the 200 hour training there as well -- and I think it shows in the types of classes you find. The heating at Yoga Belly is not nearly as intense as the system that YogaSource uses but YS also offers Bikram which gets up to 105 degrees. Yoga Belly doesn't offer Bikram but you can find it at Bikram Mountain View a few blocks north on El Camino. I love Bikram but find it gets boring when you do the same 26 poses over and over. Which is why I love Yoga Belly. The classes are always different and evolving. Bikram is, I like to say, the gateway drug to Power Yoga. It's how many folks got hooked. For folks who want to take it slower, I suggest Yoga Belly classes which focus on core. Jeff Lang also teaches a Yoga Tune Up class on Sunday AM which uses various props to do soft tissue work before launching into an abbreviated yoga class. He knows anatomy really, really well. Adam Sewell's classes are just the right pace (not too fast-paced overall) and in the ones I've taken he focuses a lot on alignment. He has a dry sense of humor. I could go on and on about the instructors - they are all good. That's the most important thing about any studio - the quality of the instructors. Will has taken the time to find folks who are solid and experienced. You get a really good workout here. It's interesting how some folks who've commented here note that the classes aren't very spiritual and some commented that the classes are too fast paced. Having practiced at lot of studios and with a lot of different instructors, I think it's easier for students to bring their own spirituality to their practice rather than try to peel away an instructor's over-exuberant or oppressive sense of spirituality from the class. Some people get really freaked if the instructor chants or starts talking about chakras. I haven't found much of that here but if you want it, I'm sure the instructors would be happy to offer it. My sense is that they just want to create the most welcoming and accepting place for people of all levels and interests. And as for difficulty, I find the classes at Yoga Belly are strenuous but not like some of the 90 minute sweat-fests I've had at YS where the room is wall-to-wall beautiful people on $120 mats with the next lady's Lululemon's pressed up against your face in prasarita or when a whole row goes down when someone's tripod goes awry. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE those classes but Yoga Belly has more of a real world vibe. It's less intimidating for the beginner I think. So that's my pitch. I love this place and I really like the folks there. read more

Yoga Belly rocks. Here's why: 1 - Convenient: Sign up online, or through their app. Friendly folks in the lobby to check you in. Clear descriptions of the classes and instructors. 2 - Temperature: Hot, but not too hot. The room is generally between 80-90 degrees. I've taken classes at 99 at other studios and it made me hate everyone and everything. At YB I'm definitely sweating buckets, but am not in agony. 3 - Teachers: Literally every single instructor I've had has been great (for different reasons). This is never true for me -- usually there are some great teachers and some duds. But I've sincerely liked every instructor at YB, whether it's for YBX, YB, or Tune-Up, heated or non-heated. They're all great! Regarding some of the complaints in the reviews below -- I will agree that not all instructors demo all of the poses, so if you've never taken a yoga class before it might be challenging from that perspective. But, unlike other studios I've been to, YB is a low-pressure and non-judgmental environment. You can totally just copy your neighbors until you pick up the names and moves over time. Also, I've never been touched by an instructor without them asking for permission first, so perhaps they have become more mindful of this over time. The deal for new students can't be beat ($40 for unlimited 30 days -- holy cannoli that is an awesome deal). At that price there's practically no reason to not at least give it a try :) read more

Here is my long overdue review for Yoga Belly!! In April of this year I decided to explore all of the yoga studios in my neighborhood. My ultimate goal was to sign up for class pass and purchase a package. Yoga Belly (YB) changed that plan!! After taking my very first class, I knew there was something special about YB. My plan was a total fail and I decided to go all in and sign up for a monthly membership. It's not your traditional yoga studio by any means. They have an eclectic group of instructors and each class flows to a unique playlist. Yes, music while practicing yoga. Every instructor has their own style, which I really appreciate because every class is different. I'vetried all of the classes that they offer: Yoga Belly, YBX and Ballrz. I found each class to be challenging and fun!! Some of my fave instructors are: Will, Aaron, Mark B., Mark Q., Andrew, Barbara, Jake and Chris. Note: I practice In the evenings and a weekend here and there. I'm sure everyone is awesome. If you're reading this review, stop what you're doing and take a class at YB. read more

Definitely always a solid workout. I took classes from about 4 different teachers here , and didn't hate it, but it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. The power classes are definitely VIGOROUS. I always leave feeling like I got an amazing workout (and sweated out about a gallon of water). I've never tried any of the Yoga Belly classes or anything else, so I can't speak for those. This review doesn't apply 100% for all the classes/teachers I attended, but more the overall vibe I got from the majority of classes/studio in general. I think it may be the vibe that the studio is going for, but I always just felt that the focus was more on getting a workout and less about the spiritual side of yoga. I'm not one for the uber-spiritual, but I like classes that combine a tough flow with a little bit of zen--enough to keep me feeling centered and not just plain out frustrated when my hamstrings are giving out in standing splits. I would agree with many others that compared to many PA studios, the teachers are more personable and often greet new members, etc. However, in the process of the class I felt like the focus was more on getting done what the teacher wanted, not really reading the room about what the class was feeling. This often leaves me feeling a bit defeated, instead of inspired. I will probably be back on occasion to try out more teachers or attend workshops, but since I don't live super close, it won't become my regular studio. read more

Ok, this review is a long time coming. I've been thinking about what to write for over 2 years now, because I thought that if I wrote a review full of superlatives, it would sound not too believable. But anyway, here it goes... The primary motivation for me to go to this studio was a friend of mine said, "you must check out this new yoga studio in mountain view, they have a ton of HOT teachers." (thanks Mary!) And indeed , the rumor was TRUE! OMG! (My first class was with Matt) BUT...here's the best part, they are also the BEST yoga teachers in the bay area!!! They are all very caring, helpful and inspiring. I started in December of 2010 and since then, I have gone 421 times (yes I checked my attendance record). There were months were I was there every day (yes, 7 days a week). Last year, I moved further north and thought I would have to find another studio so I stopped my monthly membership. And guess what? I still drive to mountain view to get my dose of that very special yoga belly yoga. Yoga has become a part of my life now and more importantly Yoga Belly teachers and practitioners have become a part of my family. You come to class, the teachers all say hi, give you a hug and a kiss and you lay on your mat, chat with your neighbors and get ready to sweat, laugh, find your dristi, and be transported to your own little yoga world. I have tried many yoga studios, and continue to be open to finding new teachers and new studios but I keep coming back here because of the amazing teachers and the yoga belly community. It feels like home (you know, like Cheers). The physical space is not the most luxurious, but it's very clean ( my feet don't turn black after walking barefoot). I know a lot of people complain about the music, the purportedly "lack of spirituality." Seriously folks??? you need to find that within yourself - no studio will give that to you. btw, I LOVE the heat, the music and the dialogue that goes on at every yoga class here. Thank you Yoga Belly, or this little place of heaven on earth. I love you. read more

Yoga Belly has taken my practice up to a 10/10. The instructors are attentive, never pushy, and very inspirational. If you're looking for a great workout, a great vibe, and awesome people, this place is the absolute best. read more

This place is really special. It's more than a Yoga studio, it's a family. Whether it's your first class or you've been there since the day they've opened you're part of a family when you're there. I moved to Mountain View stressed-out, out-of-shape and knew nothing about Yoga. I made the mistake of stepping into a heated 90 minute Power class for the first time recently recovering from a horribly broken ankle (not wise, I was sore for days ;-). However, it was addictive. I couldn't get enough. I found my place and practice in their Yoga Belly class, it is wonderful for a variety of skill levels from beginner to the very experienced. The teachers go out of their way to always encourage students to try for deeper stretches if you are capable but also make an effort for the newbies (such as myself) to adjust poses to individual levels of comfort. When you go to Yoga Belly, you are taught from the very beginning that the reason you are there is for YOU. The reason the teachers get up at the crack of dawn and bust their butts on a regular basis is to help you. You're not there for others, you're not there to critique instructors, you are there to work on your practice. The music is always fun and has lots of variety. The teachers keep the class engaged while still making the experience fun by cracking a joke or two. But, still somehow through all the fun, you do what you're there to do. You go through a transformation. It's real, it's wonderful. read more

This studio is on fi-yah!!! YB is THE place to go for crazy awesome power yoga. The best thing about this studio is that despite only having two different "types" of classes, Power and Yoga Belly, each instructor has such a diverse style that every class is unpredictable and challenging. I love Matt's classes as they focus a lot on breathing and are slower paced but still push you to your limit. Edna's classes are very different from any other yoga class I've been to, super energetic, lots of fluid range of motion, more like a powerful yogic dance than just moving through poses. I also really enjoy Barbara and William's Yoga Belly classes. Amazing core workouts followed by a great flow - don't let the "beginner friendly" label fool you, any of these classes will leave you drenched and feeling blissed out. It's incredible. Everyone here is friendly and the studio itself is clean and well-run. The community seems really enthusiastic and involved - there are always a ton of interesting workshops and events every month as well. I'm so glad I've found a home yoga studio here! Time to kick some asana! read more

After years of feeling like yoga was not really a "good workout"; wimpy and really just meditative, a few instructors from 24 hour fitness started kicking my ass that I wanted to take my practice even further. After exploring some other studios in the past, the price was the biggest deterrent for me- yes real yoga classes are expensive. So when I came upon the truebate offer for $15/ 15 classes ( do the $40 advertised here) I jumped at the chance to see if the official "Power Yoga" classes would give me enough of a challenge to substitute for my regular cardio classes. Be prepared to sweat so hard you rain. Well perhaps I just glow a lot...that's a nice way of putting it. The studio is beautiful, owned by Will and his partner- and all of the instructors are top notch. The vibe here is fun, inspiring, and challenging. I don't know of any other yoga studios that have playlists for the Killers and Kesha...I love it. They turn the heat up and do Vinyasa flow, so its like the Bikram without the regimented poses, and you really strengthen every part of your body. I can't say enough about how wonderful the community is here, and how great I feel after every class. It's a meditative, rejuvenating, and seriously will seriously kick your ass- as well as your mind. And if you're looking to budget like me, the work exchange program is a perfect solution. Overall an excellent new addition to downtown Mountain View. read more

I've been practicing yoga here for eight months now and have fallen in love with this studio! I've taken classes from five teachers (Edna, Will, Barbara, Fiona, and Matt) here and all of them are wonderful. You can tell they love what they do and they always take time to personally help people during class. The studio is big and clean with high-quality flooring, and full of mirrors. It's also well-stocked with towels, blocks, and straps. Bathrooms are a bit far, however, so it's best to take care of business before you show up. As other posters have noted, there really is a sense of community without the pretentious atmosphere you find at other studios. Give it a try if you're up for a good workout! read more

At first I thought of yoga as something women do to stretch and be flexible. I wouldn't consider it a workout at all. A friend convinced me to try yoga and it's help nurse a sports injury I had. I've been going since it opened last year I think around July. Yes, I think I am more flexible but the type of yoga that takes place here is a workout. I wasn't seeking a sanctuary to chant and meditate although that does happen too. I like the music and I've tried two instructors - Will and Matt. Will is progressive and I enjoy the Wednesday classes and it makes Yoga fun and I guess to others different. I've done the Rainbow Flow which includes the disco ball and club music. I like it the clever way to encourage. I've taken more of Matt's classes which I thoroughly enjoy. It's more of my pace and sweat pours like rain in the Brazilian Rain Forest. Each class is challenging and I don't get frustrated (just my competitive nature in trying a pose). Instructions are clear and well paced (voice is soothing and not cliche). Music choices are good too. I'd recommend this place if you want something different from yoga (again I've only been to two other places) which in my mind is a workout and a community (I've met a bunch of really great people there). Yes, you might not get the ultra chants, deep meditation and the guru-like scary cult following so this place isn't for you BUT if you want a fun workout that really works then I say check this place out. read more

I am very inexperienced with yoga, and quite frankly I'm not very good at it. So attending yoga classes has always been intimidating to me. In previous classes I've taken, the students were very serious, and the yogis were either detached or would focus on the highly advanced students. It wasn't until I took Keshia's class at Yoga Belly that I finally felt comfortable with my own practice. Yoga Belly's motto is "Light on tradition but heavy on the workout." Taking Keshia's class was the first time I actually enjoyed a yoga class, and it has everything to do with being light on the tradition. She played a mix of feel good hip hop, which totally surprised me! Have you ever done a vinyasa to A Tribe Called Quest's - Help Me Find My Way? Now I can say I have. She totally puts a lot of love into her playlists, because they're different every week and usually have some type of theme. Her 90s playlist was amazing, for example. Keshia's class is definitely quite the workout though! Even for being a beginner level class, the poses gradually get challenging right to the end. I really like the format of the class. Keshia starts with setting an intention, core work, flows, cool down, and then a brief meditation. Lastly, I really like how Keshia walks around the class and engages with the students. She helps correct my posture during poses, which I really appreciate, because it not only ensures I don't injure myself from doing them incorrectly but also helps me improve on my practice. read more

i really like this studio. the staff is always so friendly, and i LOVE william. he is just so charismatic and energetic, and i also love his funny jokes. he really brings something special to the yoga studio, which is probably why his classes are always packed. besides getting a great workout, my other reasons for liking this studio: 1. convenient downtown mountain view location. 2. there is a parking area in the back (enter on blossom lane), which is nice so you don't have to scramble for street parking. 3. the entrance/foyer and studio areas are kept very clean. 4. all props are provided and organized neatly inside the studio. 5. every practise i've had here has been very challenging, but has left me feeling stronger when i left. 6. room is heated, but only to about 85/86 degrees, and since the room is quite large, i don't ever feel that i'm overheating. 7. staff is very friendly and helpful on the downside: 1. the bathrooms are outside of the studio, and they're locked, so you have to grab a key and leave the studio to use the restrooms. 2. depending on the day or hour, the classes can become very full, which leaves you with less personal space to maneuver. overall, a great studio with great instructors who will give you a great practise. read more

Love, Love, Love this place. Stumbled upon a groupon and now am a customer for life. This studio has many yoga instructors as well as various yoga classes. The lot has plenty of parking (depending on the time you go). The Studio, is clean and doesn't have a left over stench like some heated studios. The two instructors that I encounter were amazing and do help you if your new and show you the proper form/pose, etc. Yes the bathroom is outside, but they have one to use. The changing area is small, but they do have that. I'm a person who is kinda OCD about cleanliness so, this place fits for bill for me. Thank you Yoga Belly! read more

This is a great studio if you're looking for an intense yoga workout in an unpretentious, friendly environment. I bought the month long beginners pass because it was one of the best deals I could find for yoga in the Silicon Valley. I'm rebuilding my endurance after an illness so these classes are pretty tough for me but I enjoy the challenge. After a month of attending as often as possible, my flexibility has improved, I'm sleeping better, and I feel myself getting stronger. My favorite teachers are Barbara (who is tough but I find it motivating), Summer (also tough, but smiley), Andrew and Loran. The only instructor's style that I found too aggressive was Courtney, who got frustrated with a somewhat inflexible student and said "you're not listening to me!" I'm not going back to her classes and she's the reason I docked a star. That said, as soon as my 30 days ended I bought a giant class pack bc I love this place. I normally go to more traditional yoga studios with the sitar and the chanting and I was a little weary of doing yoga to my favorite hip hop and top 40 tunes. But I gotta say - it works for me! And there's something that feels more authentic about doing it like this anyway. I love the challenge that this studio provides and I think as long as you read the descriptions and know what you're in for - you will really enjoy and benefit from your experience here. read more

Basing this review solely on one class, Yoga Tune Up, and I can tell from just 90 minutes that these folks know what's going on. Took a class with Louis and right away got the feeling I had made the right choice. The class was a great mixture of anatomy instruction, mobility and range of motion focus, stability and connectivity testing, and application to a handful of postures to assess improvements and impingement. All throughout Louis kept and eye and guiding hand on the clientele and made corrections that were logical and sensible. The heat (maybe 90 degrees) was perfect and made movement safe and comfortable, while letting people challenge themselves. If you train in other domains (swimming, BJJ, crossfit, etc) and are looking for a class that will allow you to get into details of movement and tune your body awareness, this is a great place and class to take. I am looking forward to more classes there. read more

I was torn between giving this place 4 and 5 stars. Since I was a member for a month with a special, at the price I paid it's a solid 5 stars. That said, I'm reviewing them in the context of their actual monthly rates ($140/month) which are comparable to other hot yoga studios in the area. My only other experience with hot yoga was at Cindy's down the street, which turned out to be with a teacher that also teaches at yoga belly, so I don't really have that much to compare this to. I've taken other non-heated yoga classes before, so there's that... I tried to go to a variety of instructors here to get a feel for the place. The instructors are all passionate in their own ways. While class is hot (and makes me lightheaded every once in a while) they respect that you can rest if you need to and take things at your own pace. Some instructors are very boot camp like while others feel more trained in yoga and help with yoga postures (though none are focused too much on the actual poses - apparently that's not their thing.) There are definitely a number of regulars who come here so that's a good sign! The classes get really crowded and the room is rather small. If this was my first yoga class ever I probably would have felt entirely overwhelmed. As others have shared even in the beginner classes they don't teach the poses and move very fast. This is good for the workout but it's easy to accidentally hurt yourself if you don't know what you're doing. Also there are a few instructors who will "touch" you without asking, pushing you deeper into stretches in ways that your body doesn't want to go. Some instructors do ask, and I appreciate always when they do (ie the ones who say "I will come around to help you and touch throughout the class, let me know if you're not ok with it." It's pretty important to say that every single class in a beginner class where there is constantly new people. The negative one star though is for the lack of variety in the classes. There are basically two types of classes -- yoga belly (beginner friendly) and power yoga (hahahahahaha I'm not going to take that for many years if ever.) With a full work schedule getting to the yoga belly classes is challenging, though their tues/thurs schedule in MV is pretty good. I wish there was a wider range of classes -- it's just hard to justify spending $140 a month on a yoga studio where I could get a gym membership with variety for less than that or sign up for a different yoga studio that also offers more variety. Perhaps yoga isn't supposed to be about variety, but it's nice to have a range of options in a monthly membership. More important, though, is the class availability. The studio is definitely more geared towards advanced students, so generally those classes are offered at the better time slots. One thing I really like about this studio is how friendly it is. I've been to yoga studios where people seem uppidty and that's not how it is here at all. Wish they had bigger changing rooms and wish they had showers on site (though few yoga studios do, but it would be nice before work.) Still not sure if I'm going back, though I probably will at least for one more month. read more

I`m really conflicted on whether I should give a 3 or 4. Are the people there nice? Absolutely. Are the instructors accommodating to the various levels of people there? Yup. There are lots of great things about Yoga Belly. They have an easy-to-use website where you can sign up and pay for classes. There are rentals for different accessories. And they clean the floors pretty often. So why did I deduct 2 stars? I just feel really conflicted about heated yoga. When I think about yoga, one of the things that comes to mind is nature, and it seems rather hypocritical to be so destructive to nature/the environment by blasting the heater constantly, in order to keep the room at over 90 degrees. Obviously, this is far from the only studio that does this, but it does seem kind of dumb to me. Anyhow, it can get super crowded during the night classes, after people get off work. But if you can go to the morning ones, you should, because they`re usually fairly empty. read more

I've only tried Yoga Belly once - through my FitMob trial, but I have to say, their evening YB heated class with Barbara was one of the best ones I've taken. The studio is nicely constucted behind the Castro Street restaurant madness. It's designed well and peacefully and the front desk staff is SO SO SO friendly and help answer any questions you may have about the intensity and instructors of the classes. Barbara was the best. She walks you through the positions and of course does them herself. The routine had me smiling as I walked away but sore in the tri's a few days later. Great class! Great work out! Would definitley come back. Beware though as their evening classes do get packed. Go a little earlier to set up your mat and reserve your spot for this amazing class. read more