If you're looking for a Santa Barbara yoga community, then you need to come to Yoga Soup. I've been practicing with Yoga Soup for several years now, starting with their intro month membership (which has great student and senior rates available too) before transitioning to be part of their work-trade team. What originally brought me to the studio was the undeniable sense of community that exudes from the space. Here, yoga is more than a physical practice on the matt. And honestly for me, it's been a place to explore what it means to be human and how I want to show up for myself, those around me, and more generally, the world. But maybe more importantly, there's truly a class for everyone. Yoga Soup can be your place to find a woman's circle or to get in a sweaty vinyasa flow or shake it out dancing. Whatever it is, what I love is that each class feels like it's part of larger mosaic that reflects a wide diversity of offerings, modalities, perspectives, and styles, all intended to help you find what you need, when you need it. Last year, I completed Yoga Soup's 300 hour advanced yoga teacher training taught by Dora Chan, Jazmin Ment, Cynthia Abulafia, and Luca Cupery. This training went beyond my wildest expectations. The depth of knowledge from the teachers, the support from the studio, and the inclusive, welcoming culture set by the whole community is second to none. If you're interested in deepening your yoga practice (regardless of whether or not you want to teach), I highly highly recommend this program. Or if you're just getting started on your studies, they also offer a 200 hour yoga teacher training - which I am honored to be supporting this year! With so many yoga studio's in California - and Santa Barbara - you truly can't go wrong. But, for me, I am so grateful to have found a home for my practice at Yoga Soup. read more

I've been going to Yoga Soup since I was a kid, there's a reason I keep coming back! The teachers and staff are dedicated, knowledgeable, kind and hardworking. Luca and Eddie (the owners) are loving people and great leaders who are dedicated to their craft. The yoga soup community is special and unlike anything else! read more

eddie the owner whom i've known for 20 + yrs has turned out to be a terrible traitor / liar who assured me 5 yrs ago that he would not longer sell books by infamous sex predator osho after the netflix documentary came out exposing him buttt now has inexplicably changed his teeny tiny mind and claims hes still legitimate somehow wowww mr ellner how the hell is yr studio safe space for young women new to yoga esp ???? tragic and pathetic #beware #yogajournal read more

I tried the membership for 1 month and went to as many classes that I thought would be beneficial to my well-being. Yoga Soup has a plentiful amount of classes throughout the day along with a good variety of different class types. As with other studios, the teachers are usually the same per class type. The studio is clean and friendly and offers many retail items for sale too. When it comes to value, it depends if you like the teacher in terms of class presentation and connection. The more classes you can connect with (teacher and methodology) then the more likely you keep going to the classes. On many occasions, the classes were too full to point of space infringement or too loud from outside street noise. Dora was one of my favorite teachers. read more

Yoga Soup - Yoga Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Not your average yoga studio! Great variety of classes, amazing instructors, beautifully curated retail including books, yoga gear, and unique gifts. Friendly, open community. And soup! read more

Absolutely love this studio. Some studios in Santa Barbara can be over priced or extremely rigid if you have to cancel a class, for example. Yoga soup puts the customer first which is so refreshing these days. Elyse's classes are my go to. You'll come out a new person! read more

I've taken a few classes here now and every time I am completely satisfied with each new experience. Eddie is wonderful and so are the staff. Sound baths have been excellent as well! Love the atmosphere and space offered here to practice. I even ran into someone here the first time I came that I had met in Costa Rica last year! read more

I recently came to Santa Barbara from the east coast where I'd used 2 different yoga practices over the past several years. I was looking for a low-key, accepting place where I can be me, and the past month has been great. I will be continuing with their monthly program. The place is chill and with two studios they have by far 3X as many classes as I had in my east coast studio, so I am trying a range of classes and instructors and it's made my time in SB much more comfortable. Seems like plenty of options based on interests and intensity, and you can always modify, etc. You can purchase clothes, books, and some food. They usually have hot, delicious soup available which I believe is vegetarian and comes from local sources, and its quickly becoming my go to instead of a full meal after yoga. Nice place. read more

I've been to a lot of excellent yoga studios in Los Angeles and practiced with some great teachers, but Yoga Soup is the best overall studio I've ever experienced. I prefer the level 2/3 courses and highly recommend Lauren's, Elyse's, and Linda's classes. read more

Yoga Soup - Yoga Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I have supported Yoga Soup even before it was Yoga Soup in attending the founders classes, and then, participating as it grew into what it has become. I have decided to break up with the community, which is the best, for both of us. For individuals on a healing journey, I have come to the conclusion, while there are many amazing teachers at yoga soup, one bad experience can be a huge learning experience. In the Yoga Soup culture, it is not defined as a place to support healing, and I now see that, which is totally fine, spiritual businesses are gonna be spiritual businesses.. BUT, if you are on a healing path, my experience has taught me that it is not a safe place for those processing historical trauma. I had a very disturbing experience, where I arrived early, for an indigenous cultural practice to prepare for class, and the teacher interrupted the practice to ask what I was doing when arriving at the park. The next class, there was a story told, that, in my experience, was a put down to this culture. There was repeated imagery of someone being thrown into a volcano that was told over and over in the class, which was disturbing imagery in itself. I asked many individuals, if I was off, to experience this as painful, and they agreed, it was culturally insensitive, as well as, culturally ignorant. So, if you are working through indigenous cultural historical wounds, I would not recommend this place, in that, it doesnt seem safe to me. For the historical trauma I am working through, indigenous practices were illegal, and were also shamed and demonized by Christian beliefs. I feel it important to speak out against cultural insults, especially for businesses build on land that once was land that was stewarded by the local indigenous, the Chumash. I imagine a world free from harm, and own, also, that if I am seeing this in another, it must exist in me, and will "tend my pono" with this. If you are caucasian I imagine this is a safe space, so please disregard this. I looked for the mission/vision/value of Yoga Soup, and it wasnt discoverable. Lesson learned! I break up with Yoga Soup, with gratitude for the teaching! read more

Yoga Soup - healing waters, let there come, a movement arts center that is culturally sensitive and supportive of healing - Yoga Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Excellent studio, delightful lobby/community hangout, and wonderful instructors and offerings. Simply the best : )

My favorite yoga place in town! Everyone that works and teaches there seems very helpful and kind. I love how every teacher seems to have a unique style and philosophy, and they all seem very good at focusing on form. I always leave feeling serene and healthy. They also have really good soup! From the Santa Barbara soup kitchen. read more

1. Great variety and offerings of classes. From drum classes and sound healing to ecstatic dance with Melissa and intentional yoga. 2. Delicious soups or oatmeal depending upon the day 3. Kombucha on tap - The guava is delicious 4. Big spacious studios well-maintained 5. A great collection of books and places to sit. 6. Friendly staff and excellent ambience 7. And if their food snacks and drinks are not enough, across the street is juice Ranch and Lilly's tacos. There is a parking lot just a few doors down so parking is easy. The location is excellent. Thank you yoga suit. You are one of our favorites read more

Great space, friendly people, online sign up (super easy), good rates, FABULOUS book selection and after my morning yoga class I came out to find FRESH FRUIT and snacks waiting-amazing. Will definitely return! read more

KiaOra Fox at Yoga Soup for the 5 Rhythms workshop was a powerful transformative experience for me. I left the studio feeling strongly connected to everything around us - all our relations, other people, animals, and trees. This dance workshop stunningly left me more grounded and blissful, without concern for my daily thought chatter. A meditative and explosive exploration of how the body moves in relationship to the exterior world and the inner alchemy of the private self. read more

The sound bath I attended was wonderful, putting me into the state of relaxation I was looking for. The space where it took place was large and comfortable with as many blankets and pillows as you needed. read more

It is with a heavy heart that I write this negative review. I have been attending a variety of events here since it's opening all of them more or less positive, meaning educational, uplifting, and most importantly healing. Starting 8 yrs. ago I began attending the Thursday evening sound baths facilitated by Anahita Holden regularly. As sound baths became more popular during the pandemic and the availability of a vaccine came , more and more different facilitators from far and near offered their take on the ritual. This posting and rating concerns one of them : Shane Chunephisal .He unfortunately and unlike any of the other sound bath facilitors who cap the events at 25-28 people max, having to do with the space available; he dose not have a cap and is fine with packing them in like sardines, creating an unhealthy environment. Upon my early arrival I laid out my mat close to a wall for personal reasons of needing to not be completely closed in by people. He told me I needed to change the position of my mat because he had sold 40 spots and we all needed to line up for the maximal use of space. I tried to reason with him that my mat next to a wall, not interfering with anyone was where I felt comfortable / safe and needed to be. He appeared to not have either listened to anything I had to ask, not understood, nor cared. He was adamant that my mat had to be inline with his instructions. I asked him if he was seriously going to argue with me about the angle of my mat? As he went on to repeat his instructions I realized this was not going to be the healing atmosphere I'd thought I had signed up for when the instructor had so little ability to listen, empathize, and let go of what was from my perspective an unreasonable and asinine demand Then how on earth was he to channel sound healing?? So I left. In my humble opinion Shane Chunephisal does not qualify as a sound bath healer. read more

Unique, meditative and challenging practice. Staff are thoughtful, welcoming and kind. Highly recommend for yoga in SB area read more

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Yay! I'm finally on my way to becoming a Yogi, thanks to Yoga Soup! I've always been a little intimidated by Yoga, but at the same time I aspire to *eventually* do acro (just look at the cool stuff they do, who wouldn't want to twist their body like that?!). I took the plunge and began my month membership with Yoga Soup last night with an all level class with the owner, Eddie. It was amazing, and I can't wait to go back tonight! Plus - there's soup afterwards! read more

Best Yoga place in town. I ve tried multiple types of yoga classes, and they are my favorite place.

I have been coming to Yoga Soup for 13 years. Eddie Ellner taught me my first Yoga Class called Yoga Soup, and so began my lifelong relationship with yoga practice and spirituality. Since then I have never left a class at Yoga Soup regretting having spent the time there. Over the Years, many of Yoga Soup's teachers, have left a positive impression on me. I still love Yoga Soup (the class) in weekend mornings, which is still taught by Eddie, and in the past Bret Land (miss you!). For me, this class feels like a metaphysical tune-up as well as a spiritual and meditative practice... The fact that Yoga Soup offers late-night (past 8 pm) classes is awesome and really nice for relaxation and I find, improves the quality of my sleep immensely. I also love Active Stretch with Lucca, and Strong Flow 2/3 in the am, for a nice muscle stimulating flow. Another thing I appreciate about Yoga Soup is the diversity in what is offered. I like to go to Late-Night Draw and practice a different type of Yoga, appreciate the soup donation program because sometimes I need it and am lucky to find nourishment there! I'd also like to go to a french conversation one day! I recommend Yoga Soup to all who practice yoga and hope to be a lifelong member of this community. read more

I've just finished my Yoga Soup intro special and I can tell you every positive review you've read on Yelp is 100% true. Personally, I've have been much happier and confident in myself as a direct result of joining this studio. Yoga Soup hosts some of the most impressive and fun instructors I've ever met. (Seriously just read the instructor's bio on their website.) Its apparent that compassion is a focus and priority at Yoga Soup. You can see it in the way the staff interacts with each other and with the students. The scheduling is also dynamic and always reliable. There isn't a day that goes by where Yoga Soup doesn't have multiple classes I'm interested in. If you're looking for a yoga studio and a new community to join; i implore you to consider this one. I do want to share a personal example of the compassion I experienced here. As a Type 1 Diabetic sometimes my blood sugar drops and I need some immediate sugar. One day I walked out of my yoga class to try and find some food and I asked the staff where the nearest gas station/fast food location was. I expected I would have to miss the rest of the class. However, the Yoga Soup team went above and beyond and offered me some of their food and assistance. I was amazed by their understanding and their willingness to help me. After a short break I was able to return to my class. I truly believe I am in good hands with the skilled, experienced, and kind people at Yoga Soup. Big shoutout to some of my favorite teachers Al Silva, Jazmin Ment, and Luca Cupery. As soon as I return home I'm going to sign up for a membership. I know as long as I live in Santa Barbara I'll be a student at Yoga Soup! read more

Absolutely exquisite -- best yoga studio in Santa Barbara. Eddy is a great owner and Terra and Kelly's classes are just divine.

I was only in the area for a couple of days, but managed two classes here. You must take Eddie's class. I am fortunate to have had many good yoga instructors. One great one is the basis of how I practice, but Eddie reminded me of why I practice. His class is impossible to define, but you try for something that pushes you mentally, emotionally or physically and sometimes you get a combination or all three. In his class I found all three. I laughed, I cried, and I was physically challenged. Such an amazingly positive experience and the entire studio and store is wonderful with fruit and books and a great selection of items related to your practice. The strong flow class was also very challenging and well guided. read more

Yoga Soup - Yoga Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I have participated in a fair share of yoga studios, and Yoga Soup is by far my favorite. Yoga is a practice of body AND mind, and yoga soup thoroughly embodies this philosophy. It is authentic, intentional, and spiritually nourishing. For those questioning the low reviews, my best advice is to go to the website ahead of time and look up the instructors, as they are all very diverse and have very different teaching styles and skills to offer. If you are still hesitant, the people at front desk can give you a better idea of what each class is like, based on what you are looking for. Love this place. Eddie is my soul's yogi. Yoga soup is my medicine. Cannot recommend this place enough. read more

Yoga soup New to SB, trying out every yoga studio in the city. 1 mo for 45 doll hairs?! Why not & take 2 classes a day. Wow what a community! Yogis: Eddie -Man uncovering, discovering then discarding your truth!! Whoa, 1.45 min Sunday class was like going to therapy. Eddie is totally self actualized. A must take class in my opinion.Ashtanga yoga: YS offered... Sarah, has a sense of calm, love and nurturing style of teaching. She helps in finding your core strength Madelyn , Jenn and Skyler were quite exceptional experiences for sure... I'm definitely coming back to this safe haven after my tour. Loves read more

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The first thing you'll notice is that the calm within this wonderful place will pull you right through the front door! The selection of yoga, meditation & reflective reads are extensive without the feeling that they are trying to sell you something. The energy is just such that you'll find what you are there to find :) A great selection of yoga shirts, mats and such. The staff was also incredibly nice. read more

Yoga Soup - Yoga Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I love this place ! Everyone Is so friendly and welcoming. They have all types of classes and seem to be a mix of yoga , Meditation, Ecstatic dancing , sound bowls , etc mixed . And they have a cute little check in area with lots of books, superfoods and they always seem to have really good snacks. I love love the Thursday morning Bliss class with Marie she is one of my favorite teachers. Sean Haleens Saturday class I super fun and Al Silva. I tend to do more slow flow and Long holding poses but love these. They are good mix between workout and slow. read more

My favorite place to come and roll out my yoga mat. Their restorative classes are truly divine. Everton is so peaceful, kind and present. I really enjoy coming here. read more

Great studio, I highly recommend it! Stopped by for a morning yoga class with Linda while on vacation. Excellent class--her energy was very grounded and she did a good job warming us up. She offered lots of options for beginners as well as those who might to take their poses deeper. The right balance of repetition and variety throughout class. Too, the studio has a lovely bookshop attached and they offer some home cooked food options on a donation basis. And, they comped my rental mat when they found out I walked (instead of driving or ubering) to the studio, which is a lovely incentive for people. read more

I'll consider this studio my home away from home. Eddie's class was challenging and inspirational. The studio is welcoming, the staff friendly and helpful. read more

For those like me who initially thought it was a restaurant, it's not but they really do have food for sale but not the hot food (which by the way at least when I was there was completely vegan, cream of broccoli that was made with coconut mile, great for a lactose intolerant person like me) which is rice and soup by DONATION only (unless you are a REAL schnorrer/cheapskate I would leave at least a dollar) but they have other food (like no sugar vegan cupcakes etc) for sale. They are also very trusting because the donations are left in an open container, in churches I see only locked boxes, maybe they figure that someone stealing money for donations for food, must really be desperate and need it. I was taking a train out, and wanted to find something on State St. nearby that was cheap, there wasn't anything, went to the Acai place and the smoothies were almost nine dollars, price of lamb meatballs in a nearby restaurant and stumbled over this place (it's not actually on State but on an alley near the shopping center on there.) Nice, quiet place to meditate and I got something cheap without going to a fast food place!! read more

Best yoga studio in Santa Barbara, and maybe California. Not only a wonderful place to just spend the morning and wander around amongst books, musical instruments, and Knick knacks, but also filled with quality people. Never short on smiles, good advice, and new direction. They offer oatmeal bars with the BEST stewed prunes, and have absolutely magical sweet potatoes on Sundays. And of course, I couldn't recommend the smorgasbord of teachers more- try eddies class once... twice if you like it :) read more

Yoga Soup is an awesome place full of a great staff and wonderful volunteers & teachers. Kindness abounds! And the quaint store makes it a joy to browse while waiting for one of their excellent classes. read more

I went to Yoga Soup based on the several favorable Yelp reviews. The instructor I had originally hoped to take a class from was out of town so after reading all the glowing reviews about Eddie, I thought this would be a wise choice. The décor, energy and people of Yoga Soup are warm and genuine. The Yoga Soup class I took was.....odd and unsatisfying. I do want to insert a brief disclaimer that I prefer my physical practice to have an organic flow, something challenging enough I can just lose my thoughts in because I am so intimately focused on breath and movement. We didn't actually get onto our feet until 25 mins. into the class, which kind of felt like a waste of time. Eddie went into numerous, and I mean NUMEROUS stories - all of a very esoteric and nonsensical nature. Look, I totally get a narrative to start a class to draw a theme or focus for a deeper connection to the practice but after 10+ stories, I just found myself more irritated than inspired in any way. I do want to admit that I teach as well, so as an instructor I might be slightly more observant than others when it comes to sequencing. We only flowed through a handful of postures and my pet peeve is when an instructor forgets a very integral pose. The kind that when they forget my body literally feels crooked. If you can't remember your sequence of 10 poses - maybe less stories. I also prefer to have a balanced practice. Standing poses, twists, backbends, hip openers and maybe an inversion if possible. In a 90 min. class I got the first two. While I respectably offer that Eddie's style may appeal to a certain type of student, I know that is not me. I used to think that all yoga is good yoga, and it is very, very rare that I leave a class feeling worse than when I stepped onto my mat.....I guess there is a first time for everything. read more

wow. Eddie was a great instructor. This class was pretty intense and enlightening. If your new to yoga this might be a little tough as the class will make you sweat like you never thought you could. The best part of this is that atmosphere is calm, Eddie guides you with a genuine and sincere philosophy on mind body and just life in general. great experience. Should you live in the area this is a great little spot, unfortunantly I do not. read more

I'm a yoga snob and I LOVED this studio - I have tried yoga studios in a number of cities around the U.S. and this is hands down my favorite (other than my home studio, Tranquil Space, Arlington of course)! My best friend and I were in Santa Barbara for a girls' getaway weekend over Labor Day and practically the only thing we researched was where to stay, and where we would do yoga. The studio is very clean and open - you remove your shoes at the door, and can help yourself to donation-based tea, water, or watermelon (out on the table!). They also had a legit boutique selling yoga clothes, mats and accessories, books, CDs, jewelry, hair ties/hair bands, etc, as well as snacks (ranch flavored kale chips!) and beverages like coconut water. There were also helpful handouts and flyers available. There is only one unisex bathroom, which was very clean but you often had to wait. We did a 5:30pm Vinyasa Flow Level 2/3 level class on that Sunday. We are both serious yogis and this class kicked our butts. I would say the class was closer to a level 3.5 in that modifications weren't offered at all (I don't think) so you really had to know your stuff. The only weird thing was that the class all faced in (there was no "front" of the studio) so she sort of demonstrated in the very middle of the room. There were ample opportunities for inversions, bakasana, handstands, etc. I liked how she guided us through the flow classes. I was sore and ended up hanging out in childs' pose quite a bit, but overall I thought it was great and I would definitely go back!! read more

I didn't think I would enjoy Yoga this much. I took the Yoga basics classes, and I really have a better understanding of my body and how yoga can help me. The instructor knew his stuff, and was willing to take the extra time to make sure I was getting into the positions correctly. He even asked me about my injuries (from auto accident) and recommended alternatives during the class. Yoga Soup's basic classes go at the perfect pace and the atmosphere is welcoming. read more

I love this studio. Not only is their retail section filled with everything a Yogi could love, but they let you do "donations" for classes. I couldn't believe that a place like SB would have a donation yoga place..thats so SF of them :) But seriously, their range of classes is perfect for any person interested or currently practicing yoga. They also offer a lot of "side" classes per say which are different from the normal schedule. I have yet to try one, but they look incredibly interesting (ie; meditation, bollywood dancing, etc). FYI There is a reason why Eddie's Yoga Soup and Deb's Dynamic Flow are so packed...LOVE THEM! read more

Yoga Soup is the kind of yoga studio that reminds you of the possibilities of an authentic yoga practice. The teachers really do teach, not just stand in front of the class and "do" poses. Their cues are nuanced and clear. They are prepared to teach. I loved this studio--I was visiting Santa Barbara and went to 2 classes a day--I had 4 instructors, all different, all good. The "lobby" is welcoming, encouraging and inspiring. (That said, I didn't get the coffin and I didn't want to. I am sure there is an explanation--I just wanted to ignore it.) Easy to ignore. The rest of my experience there was lovely. I will return to Santa Barbara and to Yoga Soup. read more