I am deeply disappointed by the complete lack of empathy and rigid corporate attitude at YogaSource. I have been a member, but recently had to request a pause on my account due to a serious medical diagnosis: severe clinical anemia. My doctor strictly prohibited all physical activity because of high risks of fainting (syncope), shortness of breath, and neurological symptoms. This is not a choice; it's a medical necessity. When I reached out to freeze my membership during my recovery, I was told by Bailey from the "YogaSource team" that I would be charged a $25/month pause fee for March and April. They wanted to charge me to NOT use their services while I am physically incapacitated. When I explained that charging a fee under these extreme medical circumstances was unreasonable and asked to simply cancel without a penalty, their response was even more cold. They cited a strict "30-day notice" policy, informed me that I must make one last full membership payment on 3/24, and then offered to turn that final $99 charge into an "account credit" for a future in-studio purchase. YogaSource would rather force a final payment out of a sick member than show a shred of understanding. Forcing a credit I can only use if I return shows they care more about future revenue than a person's current health crisis. If you are looking for a community that values its members' well-being, stay far away from this place. Their policy-over-people approach is predatory and heartless. UPDATE: The owner, Christina, reached out to me personally after seeing my review. She was very empathetic, admitted the situation was mishandled, and clarified that they do not charge fees for medical emergencies. While the initial experience was stressful, I am very impressed with the owner's integrity and her commitment to doing the right thing for her members. I feel much better about returning to this studio once I am recovered. read more

I took many classes here from 2024-25: regular (non-heated) vinyasa, slow flow vinyasa, hot Pilates, and restorative yoga. Overall, my experience has been good and I would recommend the studio. However, a few things you should know before you go: - Classes can get very crowded (I don't believe there's a cap on students) so sometimes there will be very little space for you to put down your mat and stretch. - There are a lot of heated classes here, and if a non-heated class follows a heated class, the studio will still be warm. If you don't mind warm rooms it won't be an issue, but as someone who really can't tolerate exercising in rooms that are not cool/borderline cold, this was a big reason that I eventually stopped coming here. - Parking in downtown Palo Alto is difficult during peak hours (after 5 PM on weekdays and especially on weekends between 10 AM to 7 PM), so you should budget parking time accordingly. With all that said, here are more detailed impressions of each type of class: - Vinyasa: Nice flow sequence. Lots of attention to breath work, mindfulness, form. Plenty of modifications offered. Soothing environment. - Slow flow vinyasa: Same as above, but at a slower pace, with somewhat less challenging movements. - Hot Pilates: This class is incredibly popular and gets very crowded on weekends. It is more of a Pilates-inspired aerobics class than classical slow-flow Pilates: the music is loud and upbeat, there is a lot of squeezing and pulsing done to the beat, cardio (jumps, mountain climbers, etc.), and light resistance work with 1-3 pound weights and resistance bands. The class is too fast-paced for teachers to offer individual corrections, but they do provide modifications. I think the room is heated above 100 degrees but I'm not sure; either way, you will sweat buckets. If you like heated workouts, you will love this, but as someone who struggles even with warm rooms I simply couldn't cope with the heat. To each their own though. - Restorative yoga: The poses are relaxing but the teacher talks a lot for a restorative class. Most of the time, she is giving Buddhist-inflected encouragements to self-reflection, which I think I would appreciate if I was more interested in Buddhism but sometimes I just want to rest. read more

The studio is fantastic-clean, well- equipped, and run an incredible team of instructors. The classes are challenging and fun!

This may have been the worst yoga class I have ever taken. We signed up for the sculpt class which was absolutely not a yoga class but actually a HIIT class which still would have been ok but you could neither hear or see the instructor. She had no microphone and was not visible to demo anything! Everyone in class was doing completely different things! It was a free for all and the studio itself was not very clean! read more

This studio has become a second home, a place where I can find community. It's not a chain or a big-box yoga studio. It's local, woman-owned and operated, and has a wide variety of yoga, plates, and barre classes. Its got an open and welcoming atmosphere where all are welcome regardless of level of proficiency. read more

Only 2 classes in and I'm pretty much sold in this place. Only thing it's missing are showers. as you need them after taking a class, especially hot yoga, I left that class as a sloppy wet rag . Exhausted but in a good way. Last night I took a yin style restorative class for an hour. I'm recovering from a pulled right hip muscle and needed some relief. I had a massage 2 days ago a week after I really tweaked it. And last night's session was just what I needed. As I was getting stiffer over the weekend from just sitting down. Only so much one can do with a pulled muscle. Long story short, I limped into the studio and walked out happy and relaxed. Such a great session! read more

I signed up for a class, then I ended up not being able to attend for specific reasons, so I cancelled it, assuming I would get my $30 refunded...they don't give refunds. I wish I knew, very disappointed. What a waste-I should've never signed up. Update: they refunded me after I posted this review read more

Five stars for Hesham for his amazinggg yoga sculpt classes! I've tried a few yoga sculpt classes and his is by far the best. I am an avid runner who logs 40 miles a week and I can honestly say the class is a great cardio workout (and strength one too, in my opinion). Hesham's interpersonal skills are amazing; his sense of humor is only rivaled by his sincere care for each yogi in the class. 10/10 recommend Hesham's yoga sculpt class! Also, Yoga Source is great! I love how they have little hair tyes available when you walk in. Also love the 10 minute grace policy for late arrival since parking in downtown P.A. can be stressful. read more

I had a disastrous experience with one Restorative class. I was looking for a replacement studio to take Restorative at after Avalon shut down and California Yoga Studio did not return its Restorative class to in-studio but continues on ZOOM as if the pandemic went on. I tried it on ZOOM once and it was not my thing, even though I have props at home; I need the real group experience and the presence of a teacher. So I was searching for a local studio that offers Restorative and was ready to rejoice when I happened on Yogasource. I was in for a huge disappointment. There were no restorative poses during class but instead the teacher kept talking about some Buddhist stuff and kept repeating her "offerings" of various essential oils. I could not believe it. Why did other students in the class tolerate such behavior? Why did they come, and they did not seem to be a novice? I did not see any point in the class and felt that it was a case of false advertising because, again, there was nothing Restorative about this class with a never ending monologue by the teacher. At the end she made an "offering" of ylang ylang essential oil saying that it is the essential oil of our inner child. I thought that my inner child had grown up in the Soviet Union where we had not heard a thing about ylang ylang. The teacher also appeared full of herself. I was glad that I had only purchased one class. read more

Still loving Yoga Source - what I wanted to say was that if you like Power Yoga classes you should check out the classes that Mike Graglia teaches on Monday and Wednesday evening. He has you do a really interesting variety of challenging poses - check it out! In general all the classes are great. read more

Nothing exciting from the outside; but all the classes I've been to are superb! I really like how the instructors wander through the class. There is great energy here:). I don't think they have a shower there is the only detraction honestly. read more

I have been going to many different yoga studios, and frankly this one the best so far. Absolutely love my group and teacher. They have great hours to choose and honestly every teacher is simply awesome. Highly recommend. read more

I am new to the area and quickly learned that this is one of the premier spots to practice yoga. The staff were welcoming. The main studio (there are two) is larger than I expected from talking to people. It is longer than it is wide with plenty of space to accommodate large classes. There is also a Buddha statue centrally located in the room. It's presence is unmistakable. I attended the restorative yoga class. It seems to be a very popular option and fulfills a very specific niche in the PA yoga community. It was heavily story based with a lot of essential oil mists. All good smells, it's just a lot to take in in one class. I would attend again but also looking forward to exploring some of the other classes offered here. A drop in fee of $25 is on the high end but the one month unlimited pass looks like a great way to take a variety of classes for first timers at Yoga Source. It's definitely a commitment but if that's what you're looking for then give it a try! No matter what you decide, remember that your practice is your own and there is always something to learn from each class and each other. Namaste fellow yogis read more

Hot pilates?! Thought I would hate it since it was at 5:45am, but definitely can't wait to come back. Took Maria Aldeguer's class -- such a good work out even if the room wasn't hot. Not all this froofy breathing and crazy yoga position names that I don't even remember -- had a great leg workout (think squats, lunges, etc.) and ab workout (so many reps! so many different exercises). Great music, not some hippy dippy out there music. Sorta dubby/house-ish, so you can workout to the beat as you sweat and get your ass kicked. $18 for drop-in. New student special: $40 /30 days of classes. read more

Yoga Source is awesome with their 6 am heated Pilates: Keirstin, Marie and Conor are all excellent teachers, creative poses, different every time, different music, sense of humor, great work out. Masks on and clean beautiful floors. read more

I am an avid yoga practitioner and I love the Saturday 12 p.m. vinyasa class with the teacher Shastri. (Five Stars for the class, three stars for the business) The class is very dynamic and fun. The class will teach you many asana that you don't usually get exposed to. I feel like my practice has really grown because of this class and his other classes. (Try Avalon Yoga or Yoga of Los Altos) If you are looking to build a lot of muscle, this is a great class because there are a lot of sun salutation and strength building asanas in each practice. Here are some tips though: 1. Come early... the class gets packed fast and if you want a good space then you need to throw down your mat early. 2. Bring lots of water... the class follows a hot yoga class so the room is really warm. 3. Bring your own towels... the towels they provide smell terrible. I love that they use organic detergent but the towels never smell clean. 4. Watch where you step... the hot yoga students don't seem to always wipe their area down as much as one would like and the floors can be slippery. (yuck) (The staff doesn't clean the floors before the next class) 5. Always bring your own mat. (Sweaty mats are gross) read more

The +++++! 1. Hardwood floors: I do Bikram and have done it on carpets. It's gross but not here. 2. Freebies: Cold water dispenser, mats, and hand towels 3. Bikram Yoga: Johnny is a great teacher 4. Different types of yoga classes such as Bikram, Power, Vinyasa, etc. 5. Great location: In heart of downtown Palo Alto 6. Price: it's competitive. Students pay 10 classes for $125 The - - - - - - ! 1. Wish there were showers 2. Gets packed in some classes read more

Giselle's adding a 430pm class on TUES. I luv Giselle and cut-and-pasted her material for my book, http://www.whattheydontteachyouatstanfordbusinessschool.com/ Also for me fellow yogi's I am hosting something aug7 two blocks away http://www.whattheydontteachyouatstanfordbusinessschool.com/sake read more

Yoga Source - Yoga Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I researched a number of studios in the area while here on business and decided to give this a try as it seems to be a favorite. I am a hot yoga instructor with a love for many styles of fitness so typically look for something fairly challenging. That being the case, I decided to try the Hot Pilates class with Maria and OH MY GOD was it hard. She did a great job encouraging the class and had good instruction. I felt very challenged and liked the balance of toning/strength building and cardio. Great full body workout. The downside for me was the heat. Even for a hot yoga instructor, I thought the room temperature was too hot for that style of class (thermometer read 104). It became a bit of a distraction and kept me from pushing myself to the full extent because I felt dizzy from the heat and actually had to leave class for a bit at one point. In speaking with a regular, the heat was a bit higher than it typically is and the heating system in the building is on the older side so is more difficult to control (especially on a hot day). So it's possible that this isn't always the case... I would just say be prepared with water and a towel and don't feel bad taking breaks when needed. read more

Diane's Bikram class was awesome. It was my first time doing Bikram, so I'm not sure whether it's a traditional class (I hear Bikram follows the same 26 poses? But how do I know, I'm a bikram newbie) but it felt more like a long session of different stretches than actual traditional yoga. She's a great instructor. But be warned, you'll be pouring buckets (BUCKETS) of sweat. The studio is clean. The folks are friendly. The backroom is nice and has a water cooler and plenty of storage space. I'd love to come back for another try. UPDATE: Went to Maralle's Power Yoga on Wed night. Loved it. I'm a huge fan of this studio. It's expensive (eek, especially for a student!) but I do think it's the best one around. The classes are great. The teachers make sure to go around correcting you, especially in smaller classes. The place is clean and spacious. They have hair bands in the front if you need them and towels for you. read more

I've enjoyed almost all the classes here. The rooms are a bit too small for the 6 pm class. Instructors are fun, personal and experienced. Although Yogatta reduce the price, $175/month is like you either be healthy or poor... read more

Best vibes, best instructors! Hot Pilates and Hot 26 are my favorites. The studio is always clean.

***4.75 stars*** in my quest to find a new yoga studio, this place was next on the list, and very highly recommended by a friend of mine. i was happy to see many familiar instructors on the schedule, those whom i'd had the pleasure of practising with at my former yoga studio. i took advantage of their new student special for $49, which allowed one month of unlimited classes. the studio has 2 practice rooms: a larger room which can accommodate both heated and non-heated classes (hot pilates, yoga sculpt, power, vinyasa) and a smaller room which only has non-heated classes (vinyasa, barre, non-heated pilates), but includes a ballet bar for barre classes. my favourite teachers: +ngugi: learning the correct pronunciation of his name was the hardest part! i was told it is "GOO-gi" pretty easy to remember. he teaches vinyasa classes several times a week, changing up the sequence each time, so i was never bored. his class was one of the very few 90min classes i could attend without getting bored, and that's saying a lot since i'm usually good after just 60min! amazing instructor with great passion for the practise. +amber: i knew her from a previous studio and love her vinyasa classes. she is like a cross between a big sister and mom and favourite teacher, with the smiles and laughter and patience, but also with a bit of push and encouragement, for those of us wanting, but hesitate to reach the next level in our practise (think: headstands and handstands!) . classes always ended up with a nice, juicy savasana, so i would leave her class and the studio refreshed and recharged. +hesham: i only took his class once but omg he was an amazing yoga sculpt instructor! wish i'd caught more of his classes at the beginning of my trial. somehow he already knew my name, and apparently, also knew my birthday was the same week...eery? but he really kicked my butt and made me sweat in his class! great sequence, great music, great workout! definitely more of a bootcamp vs pure flow class. +lindsey: i started becoming a regular in her friday morning classes b/c she led a challenging yoga sculpt class, which always started with some vinyasa flow, gradually moving into the strength movements, and adding in bursts of cardio with high-energy music. after the hard work and sweat, she always ended with a few minutes of slow flow, followed by stretching and savasana. while these 4 were my favourites, i don't think there was a class that i didn't like b/c i learned something new in each class i attended, and really enjoyed the variety of classes here; not sure if i've ever been to a studio with such a variety of yoga, barre, and x-training classes. there's a waiting area when you enter the studio (facing hamilton), with just a few benches to sit and remove your shoes. underneath the benches are cubbies where you can store your belongings. there's also some cubbies along the wall, in between the 2 practise rooms. the retail section is very small, just a few things on display next to the check-in desk (to check-in for your classes or make a purchase). there are a couple of changing rooms (3 walls + curtain) next to the smaller studio. the 3 gender neutral restrooms are in the rear of the building, behind the 2 practise rooms, easily accessible to students who are in either room. there is also a water fountain with an eco-friendly water bottle refill station. i also saw a few more changing areas and a few cubbies back here, but would not recommend leaving belongings in the back b/c the back door is sometimes propped open (for airflow) and anyone could inadvertently walk in...i didn't have a problem, but i could see this potentially becoming an issue. since there is no dedicated parking, you need to park on the street. i generally had no issues finding parking within a block, on either emerson or hamilton...sometimes, if i took an early morning class, i'd score a spot right in front of the studio! for evening classes, it was more challenging, since classes tended to be quite full and folks are in downtown grabbing drinks and dinner, so sometimes i had to park 2-3 blocks away, but i always found a spot. bear in mind that downtown palo alto limits parking to 2 hrs mon-fri, 8.00-17.00. 3 hrs if you park in one of the city parking structures. the fee for monthly membership is $175, which allows you to have unlimited classes. if you commit to 3 months, it would be $150/month. this is a bit on the high side for me, so i'm continuing to try out other yoga studios and see what options are available to me. but so far, this has been my favourite yoga studio, so who knows, i may end up joining after i finish my research! stay tuned! read more

Great place! My first time at this studio. I used to live in this area for over ten years. Passed by but back then I wasn't doing yoga. I'm so glad that I did a drop in class! Whenever I travel I love to check out local yoga studios. I've been doing hot yoga Sculpt, Pilates and bikram now for over ten years and so I know what I'm doing. I did the 8:30 am Vinyasa class. Johnny was very welcoming! The studio is clean and bright. Cubbies for shoes,clothes and changing rooms. It smells nice! Calming atmosphere. Good Bathrooms. No showers but that's ok since I didn't need it. Johnny was wonderful! I've done many of the poses in my practice and I like his style. His add-ons to the basic poses were excellent and so I got a great workout for my core. I will be back when I am visiting. Thank you Johnny! read more

This studio is my other home. Yogasource is a community of yogis, more so than a business. I have been a part of this community for 4 years. I love the teachers and the people I have met at the studio. We have lots of camaraderie here. The teachers are also the best in the Bay Area. Many of us have health issues and injuries from other sports. We are guided as to how to amend poises so we aid our body and not injure ourselves. I have asthma and find taking the classes here are instrumental for my breathing which is enhanced from the deep breathing, especially when my breathing is challenged and something like running or swimming would be out of the question. I love this studio and highly recommend. read more

I LOVE Yoga Source Palo Alto. It has been about ten years since I tried my first yoga class at Yoga Source on the new client special and I've been hooked ever since. All of the instructors are wonderful and bring their own personality, creativity and passion to the classes. I love the variety of classes from hot yoga, to vinyasa to power yoga to barre to HIIT Pilates. Shout out to some of my favorite instructors: Hillary A., Amber, Kristine, Kiersten, Alison B, Mariya, Ali D., Emerson, Ngugi, and last but not least Johnny! Thank you Yoga Source for keeping me fit and sane during these crazy times! read more

I have been a student at Yoga Source for more than 15 years. The classes are varied and the teachers are exceptional. The front desk staff is personable and friendly as well. There is something for everyone (barre, vinyasa yoga, hot (HIIT) pilates, restorative yoga, power yoga and more) and a wonderful community setting. Yoga Source quickly pivoted to offering online classes at the start of the pandemic and has made efforts to maintain a strong schedule of classes. My one complaint is that personal schedules can be unpredictable at these times, especially with families sharing space and internet access for school, work and fitness and it would be helpful if on demand classes were included with pre-paid unlimited subscriptions rather than introducing them on a separate platform and charging separately for the same classes at a more convenient time. I understand that small businesses are struggling, but individuals and families are also struggling. I believe that a better balance could be found. read more

I recently revisited the studio after recommendations. While my current experience is much better than the first time around, there are still a lot of points that make it hard for me to fully embrace the studio... * The class schedule changes all the time. They're constantly changing the times of classes and just plain cancelling classes without announcement. As someone who bought a 6-month membership because I like a certain number of instructors, it's very anxiety-inducing to see their classes disappearing from the schedule. * Why is it so freakin' hot? When you walk by the studio, all you see is condensation on the windows. Even when the class isn't labelled as "heated". I can't explain it to you, but be warned! * The studio and props smell/ drip with mysterious water. This is probably related to the fact that it's so incredibly hot... But it just doesn't seem like anything is cleaned ever. I've also walked into so many mysterious puddles that I hope are water spills (but let's be real with ourselves, it's sweat -.-). It's not like a Corepower, which is also ridiculously hot but immaculate in terms of cleanliness. * The smaller studio room is a weird shape and the studio tries to cram way too many people into it. * There are no perks to membership. A lot of studios allow 1 or 2 free guest passes per month, discounts on merchandise, discounts on workshops, etc. The only perk is that you are saving money (if you practice enough). Overall, I feel like this studio is greedy for money instead of spreading/ sharing the joy of yoga. With that said, I do like the following... * The instructors are really good here. Each instructor leads such great classes with such diverse + creative flows. Every one has such depth of knowledge and gives great cues. I've learned so much just from my one month back at the studio. * Classes in the annoyingly small studio while packed are still small, which create a more intimate environment for practice. Instructors are able to give better adjustments and really focus on the practice of each student. * Because there are two rooms, it allows for a great diversity of classes and times. You will definitely be able to find a class at the time you want. The teachers make this studio for me. Once I'm practicing, I can ignore all the weird smells and heavy doses of sweat pooling up. Just be warned, if you are sensitive to heat and cleanliness, this studio might not be for you. read more

I'm a yoga teacher and I tried out this studio to see if I wanted to join, but unfortunately I don't. I read a lot of hype about the hot classes so I tried it and not only was it not enjoyable, the practice was unsafe and the teacher did not once correct or adjust anyone's asana. The music was loud and the opposite of relaxing . The only reason I'm leaving any stars at all are for the two wonderful ladies who teach the Tuesday and Thursday yin classes with essential oils. They are awesome and kind, and really understand the meaning of yoga as well as respecting the body . read more

Solid yoga studio with many options and a sense of caring and friendly staff. Various modalities too like yoga sculpt and barre'.

It's been a number of years since I've taken the Bikram yoga classes at Yoga Source & I was eager to jump back in, given that Yoga Source is perfectly located 10 seconds from my office & since I'm already parked it's logistically a fantastic option. Unfortunately, this was a whole new type of yoga. I took the 430pm class with Johnny as my instructor. His teachings are very different from what I am used to & I left that class, feeling a bit angry & unsettled. 1. Never have I ever had a yoga instructor pull my bun to assist me into my position 2. Never have I ever had a yoga instructor flick my butt telling me to put my butt higher to get into the correct position (I must have been really far off) 3. Never have I ever had a yoga instructor yell to get everyone into their positions 4. Never have I ever had a yoga instructor play the banjo dueling scene out of deliverance. He tried to say it was a deleted scene out of the Sound of Music 0_0 5. Never have I ever had a yoga instructor walk around & rub rancid oil onto my feet & then later my arms. I could see the feet of the woman in front of me & there was nothing on the bottoms of her feet that I wanted to share, so this was just thoroughly disgusting to me, but the fact that the oils he used had gone bad & he didn't seem to notice this was just doubly f'd up. Overall, the facility is nice although crowded, which is expected given the location. The class itself was fantastic & challenging. I loved the hot yoga and will definitely try this again.....with another instructor. read more

Jennifer's 5pm yin class on Saturdays has become the most relaxing part of my week! I work in the alcohol industry, which means long crazy hours and typically burning the candle at both ends. It's not too often that I make the time to relax, restore and reset! The class is candle lit and the essential oils Jennifer offers are so unique...wild orange, peppermint, frankincense. If you need some time to stretch out your muscles and relax your mind after a busy work week, this is the place! read more

I've just moved to the Bay area and I'm looking for a yoga studio. This was my first stop mostly due to the yelp reviews I read about it. Before I go into my review, I should say that my expectations of a studio are pretty high considering the quality of studio I left back in Chicago (Om On The Range. TEN stars). So basically, I'm a bit picky. I went with the $40 new student special and I've done two classes so far and I'm one week into the 30 day unlimited trial. I'm not sure I'm going to go back for a third class. I went to the Restore and Tune Up class and a Yin Yoga class. I was really disappointed in the Restore class that wasn't actually yoga at all. It was rolling out body parts with a rubber ball and that's pretty much it. I didn't consider that consistent with the description of the class. The Yin class was okay. At least it was the yoga I was expecting. My problems with the studio start with an unfriendly front desk. Perhaps it was just the one girl I had contact with but it didn't start my experience off right. I also had a bit of an issue with the instructors not introducing themselves or giving any sort of introduction to the class at all. I'm not new to yoga but I remember when I was and an attentive/informative instructor was always appreciated. Then there's the studio. It doesn't seem particularly well kept and in my first class (which was unheated), I had to dodge puddles from the previously hot class, which was kind of gross. The blocks are kept in the studio which makes them also very wet and gross to work with if not using them in a heated class. Studio etiquette seems lacking as well. Studios I have practiced at in the past consider the studio itself a place of quiet and calm but not so here. There were ladies talking and laughing in the studio without regard for the rest of us who were trying to relax and prepare for class. This was very off-putting to me. Lastly, there isn't any secure area of the studio to leave your things. There's a front area and a back area and both are left open during class. When I inquired about having to drag all my stuff in the studio (I rode my bike and had a bag, helmet, and change of clothes) during a hot class or a crowded class, the girl at the front desk just said "I don't take the hot classes". Anyway, there isn't anything overwhelmingly horrible about the studio. It's just not the place for me, that's all. read more

To practice bikram (pronounced "beek-rum") yoga in good health is one of life's blessings. To practice at this lovely studio is a treat. The yoga studio is spacious and well-ventilated. Yoga Source makes the meditative experience as delightful as 105 degree heated yoga practice can possibly be. The natural skylight windows and high ceilings provide a calming end to 90 minutes of hard work. Although the body rejects it at first, the HEAT is the catalyst that drives one's concentration and focus. Bikram yoga is certainly physically challenging, but the experience more importantly requires mental discipline. Achieving awareness and clarity of the mind is difficult when one's heart is racing as fast as running on 8 speed with an incline. I would liken the experience to a feeling of being on a "runner's high", where your mind takes over and pushes the body to its limits. If you lose your focus, that high quickly turns into a "wanderer-lost-in-a- desert" state of mind. Not good. Johnny was my first (and favorite) instructor at Yoga Source. He has excellent, honest timing between each posture, and offers great flow throughout the entire class. Since bikram yoga involves the same 26 poses in the same order, no matter where you practice in the world, a whole lot depends upon the direction of the instructor. Some instructors fluctuate in their speech- high/low volumes in voice, etc.. Others talk too much. The instructors at Yoga Source are friendly, devoted to the practice, and very willing to help students improve. My only gripe would be the pricing- monthly dues are a bit steep :p For first-time students, I would suggest trying out the studio for $40/month (unlimited) before fully commiting. Bikram yoga is a must try for anyone who wishes to improve their overall health + energy +stamina. It is for anyone with muscle pains, problems sleeping, or fatigue, just to name a few of the chronic conditions that the bikram practice might help alleviate. The poses are not difficult to learn, but hard to master. It is an experience that should be had by all new- and old- yogis. Namaste :o) Did You Know That HEAT: * Enhances vasodilation so more blood is carried to muscles. With increased blood is increased oxygen, which helps in the removal of waste products. * Allows oxygen in blood to detach from hemoglobin more easily. * Speeds up breakdown of glucose and fatty acids. * Makes muscles more elastic, and therefore less susceptible to injury. * Reduces heart irregularities associated with sudden exercise. * Improves function of nervous system; messages are carried more rapidly through the spinal cord. read more

I love yogasource palo alto but I have only gone to Johnny's bikram class and this review is to tell the world that Johnny is the best bikram instructor there is, and if you disagree then I am sorry but you are wrong. I didn't realize my life was so good until I had other instructors, which is my primary motivation for completing this review. First off, some background: the studio is really nice: hardwood floors, warm lighting, clean bathrooms & changing area, NICE COLD water dispenser, complimentary hand towels, and best of all, no smell (but mostly because Johnny wipes the floors down after every class). It is pricey, but it's yoga and I choose quality over quantity any day. Now on to the good stuff: Johnny is... (1) beginner-friendly -- from what I've seen, he'll give you a little tutorial/intro if you're new, but he won't do it in a way that makes you feel like there's a spotlight on you, like omg you're a noob, which I have definitely felt from other instructors. (2) very chill and flexible -- if you're already a yoga guru (or not) and you want to take your poses a step further or whatever, go ahead! do your thing! I've seen some really cool stretches and splits from the more experienced attendees. Johnny will never tell his class "everybody do the exact same thing or else" but he will correct your pose if it's incorrect usually if you're a beginner. (3) very pleasant to listen to -- when you go to a yoga class, it means you're listening to your instructor constantly talk for 90 minutes, and for Johnny's class, I've always found it to be much easier to enter and maintain a peaceful state, but also empowered to try really hard for each pose. My conclusion is he must emit alpha waves, or something. (4) knows how to regulate temperature -- this is probably the most important, at least to me. As you may know, bikram yoga is performed in a heated room, maybe around 100 deg I don't know exactly, which is one aspect of bikram that I LOVE. If you have a health condition, be sure to inform Johnny, as he will definitely accommodate you. Also, if you feel dehydrated/dizzy, we are all chill with you stepping out and getting a drink of water, no big deal, as I feel it should be (not the case with some instructors apparently you are not supposed to drink water after a certain point.....umm no ty). Anyway, Johnny will open the doors occasionally to lower the heat, but I always always feel so great at the end of class after 90 min of hard concentration and sweating all the day's worries/stresses/angers out. (5) BONUSES -- he plays music (umm YES) and I know it seems like a tiny detail, but hey, details make all the difference, plus the quiet is too quiet for me and I prefer my mind to be blank. He will sometimes give you a foot massage using chamomile oil and it is very relaxing. If you don't like people touching your feet, just say so. Johnny is respectful. He also used to crack people's backs, but he doesn't do it anymore (sad). At the end of class, he'll also give you a head massage if you stay long enough. Lastly, he will occasionally throw out some witty puns/jokes/questions. That is all. Thanks for reading, and thank you Johnny for your lovely classes. I will continue to be a loyal customer. read more

Overall, this place gets a 3.5 average rating and this is largely dependent on which class that you attend. A major drawback of this establishment is that there are no formal reservations for the class, meaning that you show up and hope that you get a good spot. Hot Pilates - 2.5 to 3 stars This class is very popular. The establishment appears to have the intention of squishing as many people in here as possible. At the 5pm class, all the yoga mats were literally an inch apart from one another. The room was heated to 95 degrees, but given all the participants in the room, it was much hotter than that. I am a fairly fit individual, and even at times, the heat was so bad, that I and other individuals had to go into the cooling room because of the dizziness that we had felt from the heat. The room is so cramped that there is no space for the instructor to perform the pilates moves herself and there are so many individuals in the room that there is no chance for the instructor to correct individuals' forms, etc. I would say for the most of the class, the forms that we did, were done largely on the instructors descriptions and looking at the people closest to me. Most of the time, I was not even sure if I was doing the moves correctly. Bikam (hot yoga)- 3.5 to 4 stars Although this class was heated to 110 degrees, this class was not as packed as the hot pilates class mentioned above. The workout consists of 26 different yoga stances that are held in two intervals, one for a 1 minute interval, and the second for a 30 second interval. All stances were able to be completed despite the heat of the room without any issues. The instructor, Johnny, was attentive and made corrections on participants' forms as needed which was very helpful. Note: For the heated classes, it is very helpful to bring a large towel to cover up your yoga mat, and a smaller towel to wipe your face off with. read more

I did the new client special about 2 months after having a baby and tried almost every style. I was pretty flexible and had done a few years of yoga before getting pregnant, but all of this went out the window with the pregnancy. Pros: Hardwood floors, free hand towels, great for bikram and vinyasa styles. Cons: Can be crowded, heat control is sometimes too dry (dries your eyes out) Bikram: Johnny is awesome, but his classes are really really full. So you will literally be butt-to-cheek with your neighbors, some of whom will smell. I actually prefer Brian's Bikram class because it's less popular, and he reminds you to open your jaw, deepen your stretch, etc. These classes were great for losing some baby pounds and building some core strength again. My only real negative here isn't the heat (it was hot, but that helps me focus) -- but that the style is boring! You do the same poses, in the same order, every class. Yin Yang: I've fallen asleep in this class several times. It's extremely meditative and you hold the stretches for at least a minute. Yes, I can collapse over my leg and fall asleep, this is what baby does to you! Restore & Tune-Up: I am not a fan of this class. You get some pinkie balls (pink, high bounce playground balls) and put them under your shoulder and back and roll around. It hurts like heck, and I'm not sure if I'm any looser afterward. Vinyasa: The Vinyasa instructors here are awesome. I would buy a class pack just to be able to come back for the Saturday Vinyasa noontime class. Good flow, different focus in each class, challenging for all levels, and the instructors keep it interesting -- five stars! Hot Pilates: I hated this class (but went like 10 times because it fit my schedule). It wasn't that it was hard, but it was boring. Mara has you in bridge pose for at least half the class, doing pelvic tilts over and over and over again. The best Hot Pilates class was when Mara had a sub who was a regular Pilates fitness instructor. I am just not a fan, but the class is super popular (It's in good time slots). Power Yoga: Advertised as a blend of Bikram and Vinyasa -- it is literally half Bikram and half Vinyasa, no blending of the styles. If you want to do Vinyasa in a heated room, this is one way to do that. Happy to say that at the end of my month, I was no longer waddling and felt a lot stronger! I would definitely recommend their Vinyasa classes, and an occasional Bikram class. The other styles, meh. read more

Great teachers and nice clean studio. My favorite classes are the Hot Power Yoga classes, as they focus more on strength. The Bikram classes are good too, but watch out, they can get crowded. Be sure to come here 15 min early. If you don't, and you try to visit during the peak time... 4:30, 5, 6:30, you'll have to bump and squeeze into a spot. And when i say squeeze, I mean packed like sardines. Studio: - Clean, pergo floors, and 2 walls with large mirrors. - Plenty of changing rooms available - nice cool water available in the back room too... just remember your water bottle Dislikes: - Can get too crowded. It makes it difficult to focus on your pose, when you're simply trying to avoid touching someone elses' butt with your head. - Parking can be a challenge. Again, get here early, and that'll give you extra time to find a spot. - Inconsistent schedule. You have to consistently check when classes are occurring and who's teaching. 7am Hot Power Yoga classes are great if you can wake up early enough... I highly encourage it. read more

Yoga Source definitely receives a 5 for intensity of workout, but perhaps a 3-4 for "zen-ness" as I've seen others call it. This was the first yoga studio I ever went to, and I started with a great groupon deal. After my first Bikram class with Johnny, I was hooked. I'm already an exercise junkie, as a former collegiate athlete, but the intensity of Bikram and Johnny's semi-drill sergeant-esque style was ideal for me as I was completely new to Yoga and had never experienced anything else. I took perhaps about 10 Bikram classes total. When I began to transition into to the Power and Vinyasa classes, I realized that were a lot more up my alley. When I tried to return to a Bikram class, I absolutely hated it--I was way too hot and we didn't do a lot of the poses I love. All in all, Johnny is a GREAT Bikram instructor, and if Bikram is for you, I'd highly recommend it. For me, I prefer to feel like I'm seriously going to pass out when running 9 miles, as opposed doing Bow Pose. :) I took Power classes from several teachers. Rebecca is fantastic. Always different, always DIFFICULT, but you always leave feeling amazing. Heated but not suffocating, and her style is demanding but very friendly. She tends to have different focuses of each class--I once went to a class focused on opening up our shoulders in all sorts of positions. I really enjoyed that and think if I attended more regularly I would see a pattern emerge in the body parts she focuses on from class to class. I discovered my all-time favorite teacher here, Maralle. Her Wednesday night class is amazing. Usually not too crowded, and she even has everyone face each other in the room to create more of a community. It's a totally different feel than any other class I've taken at Yoga Source (she's trained in Baptiste yoga), so if you're looking for that, I'd highly suggest it. She is also a life coach and although I have never had any interaction with her in that respect, you can tell she just knows how to encourage and inspire people in a way that is gentle and yet still makes you want to keep going. I've taken Vinyasa and Heated Vinyasa classes with a multitude of teachers, none of which particularly stood out in my mind (it was a month or so ago). I believe I took 2 classes with Kristine and I remember really enjoying them. I also took a class with Susan Fox once, which led me to take a workshop with her at another location. Her classes are a little less intense and more "zen" and she seems like a great teacher as well. Never had a BAD experience at Yoga Source (aside from my brief return to Bikram during which I thought I may die...haha), but the classes are generally a lot less "omm-ing" and a lot more heat and intensity than some other studios. Overall, anyone could find a class they love here, I'm sure. I continue to explore the yoga studios of the Palo Alto area, but will likely return to YS for some of my old favorites sometime soon. read more

This is my so long, farewell, thank you note to Yoga Source. During the 5 years I practiced there regularly, I went from a total yoga newbie to total devotee and witnessed the studio evolve. Through several remodels, they've made the most out of the space. And with a weekly schedule packed with tons of class options (even on the weekends), teachers like Mara and Johnny always kicked my butt and set high standards for form/technique. Johnny is probably the teacher that I'll compare all others against. No matter how many students in class, he always manages to keep tabs on everyone - safety for some, challenge for others - and reward your savasana with a neck or foot rub. Classes can get packed like sardines - which speaks to how popular they are if not conducive to those with personal space issues. Another drawback is the limited parking - the stress I'd get from circling and circling while watching the clock tick closer to class start time! Now that I've moved away, I'll miss my Yoga Source fix, but will leave my recipe for a blissful start to the weekend: Go for a Saturday morning Bikram class with Johnny to detox from the night or week before. Parking is much more reasonable in the morning. Leave the studio feeling like a wrung-out ragdoll and head to the Whole Foods 4 blocks away for a healthy breakfast (or those sinful biscuits). And wonder how you ever survived a workweek without that yoga high. read more