I've taken classes here perhaps a dozen times in the past few months, and the instructors are hit or miss. The ones I've liked haven't really wowed me enough to compensate for the several who aren't so good. Still, I was content to rotate Kula among my other studios... until this week. The owners or managers of Yoga Kula decided to run a promotion for the month of December, and made a big deal about advertising it: $10 classes all through December! Wow, great deal! Count me in! I went in yesterday and the receptionist flatly told me that they had "stopped" that promotion. What? Stopped honoring a promotion that they promised their customers to lure them in? There's a name for this: bait and switch. It's not only immoral and insulting, it's illegal. They didn't even send a warning to the folks on their mailing list. I'm going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and tell all my yoga friends to boycott Yoga Kula for this blatant slap in the face to their customers. read more

Great atmosphere, classes generally not too crowded, very knowledgeable instructors who guide you with the names of the poses without the English translations--which lets you learn them much better--and their instruction in the level 1/2 classes is generally more towards 2 which is a great help and welcome challenge for those with a few classes of yoga under their belts looking to learn instead of just relive. It's pricer than some yoga studios around (but this one is less than a block from my house..who can knock that?), though..and I wish I could show up 10 minutes late to skip the inspirational speeches that all the instructors seem to give you before diving in. read more

I decided to try this place out because its really close to my house. I took the Level 1 class. When I arrived it was really crowded in the front room and I wasn't sure what to do or where to go. I found the front desk and told the woman that it was my first time there. She said ok and handed me a form to fill out and asked if I had paid online and that was it. No intro, no welcome, didn't tell me where to go for the class. It felt kind of doctors office ish in that sense. The class itself went well enough. The teacher made effort to know my name as a newcomer and knew the names and progress of the others in the class. Like another review on here stated- there wasn't a good amount of basic instruction for beginners, luckily I knew pretty much what was going on but no basic explanation of what we were doing or introduction of names of poses. The instructor didnt do every pose herself either so I was left to watch my class mates who probably felt weird because I was staring at them. I didnt get any one on one suggestions or hints, so I have to assume I was doing everything right-which I know I wasnt!! During one exercise the guy next to me was doing something that was incorrect and looked painful to his body but the instructor never noticed and he wasnt corrected. I will go back to try again to get a better sense before I really judge. read more

I can't stress enough how important the Teacher Trainings at Yogakula have been to my journey as a teacher, and also as a person committed to deepening my personal practice. The three things that led me to start practicing yoga in the first place-stress, anxiety, and back pain-are just a small part of what inspired me to sign up for the teacher training. My first 200 hr training was challenging, supportive, and healing. The most recent training occurred during the coronavirus pandemic, and somehow Saraswati made the experience both comforting and educational. As a Black woman, I was encouraged to share my experiences, good and bad, as a practitioner and a teacher. Saraswati is extremely skilled at holding space for the unique experiences of all who seek to learn and to be heard, while at the same time, acknowledging that as a community, we can embrace diversity, and honor yoga traditions simultaneously. That validation has led me to be a more confident teacher. Also, the caliber of instructors that we had was amazing! My favorite was Carlos Pomeda, but all of them were very knowledgeable and patient. The trainings on anatomy (particularly the psoas training) were comprehensive, and have completely informed the way that I work with my clients with chronic pain and injuries. The Anusara principles of alignment is the foundation that I lean on as a teacher, and I'm happy to have that knowledge as my teaching style continues to evolve. The best thing I can say about my training at Yogakula is that I'm always excited to learn more! This experience has definitely turned me into a lifelong student of not only yoga asana, but also of yoga philosophy, meditation, and breath work. read more

I've tried a lot of yoga studios in Berkeley , Oakland, and SF, and I really like this one. The space is nice and has lots of light, and the instructors are great - very knowledgeable, and I like the way they structure the classes. I've particularly liked classes with Megan and Saraswati, although there are a lot of teachers whose classes I haven't tried and I'm sure they're also very good. The thing I really like about Yoga Kula is that the classes tend to get into the philosophy of yoga and the purpose of having a yoga practice as part of a life of mindfulness and well-being, as opposed to just focusing on the physical or "workout" aspects of yoga, like a lot of studios in our western culture do. I also appreciate that the classes are NOT heated - why is it that almost all yoga studios in the Bay Area seem to think that a class isn't beneficial unless the room is 100 degrees so that you sweat like a pig?!! And when the instructors at Yoga Kula play music during class, it's nice, soft, meditative, "yogic" kind of music that's appropriate to the setting, instead of upbeat, popular music almost bordering on house or techno like some places have (ummm.....it's a YOGA class people, not a nightclub!!!). In short, Yoga Kula is a place that stays true to the roots of yoga while making it applicable to our modern lifestyle, instead of selling a watered-down westernized version that's all about how buff or flexible you are, or how cute your $200 Lululemon outfit is..... Just good, authentic, quality yoga instruction here. read more

The teachers who work for the studio seem to be talented and knowledgeable and offer great classes. Unfortunately, I have had some really negative experiences with the organization, policies, and management of Yoga Kula as a studio. On top of my personal bad experiences and struggles with the studio's policies and communication, I have also seen several other clients struggling to correct issues with payment or classes with the front desk. I would also highly advise against purchasing any bundled classes or any discounted packages. If you have a lot of extra time and money to burn on dealing with the poor management, I would highly recommend Yoga Kula because the teachers are truly good depite all the other issues with the studio. read more

Trying different studios of yoga, In my opinion yoga kula along with all teachers are amazing. Price is really affordable and it has variety of options to pay which make it easier to participate in different classes depends on your situation. The location, windows for ventilation, the designed space, the atmosphere, friendliness of staff all are great. I personally enjoyed and still enjoying a lot coming to this studio. read more

Such a great find while traveling! I ended up at YogaKula when I had a no show teacher at another studio I was trying in Berkeley ... I did some fierce Yelp/schedule searching to find that YogaKula had a 9am I could get to if i could walk about a mile in oh, 10 minutes. Miracle of miracles, I did it, huffing and puffing and borrowing a mat to join Siri's yoga class. I recognize lately that I'm starting to be an Iyengar style yogi through and through. I have very little to no patience for fluffy talk from 22 year olds about my chakras, and zero patience for moving through things quickly with no awareness. However, Siri was amazing. Sounds like she's from the Anusara tradition (and with the name YogaKula, I assume the studio in general is Anusara-y), and while it was fluffy, it was so genuine and so kind. I truly truly enjoyed my class, and even though I was huffin and puffin to get in here, I felt great leaving. As the other reviews say, the view is wunderbar. I also noted that they have a great set of props (chairs! yes!!), so if you're a local, I hope you take advantage of teachers who teach with them. They also have student/non-profit discounts, and the mat rental fee was only $1. The 9am Saturday class was a nice small-medium size, and I feel very lucky to have happened upon Siri's class. Thanks, YogaKula! read more

I really liked the teacher (Chris A.) who taught this evening's class. I am an experienced yogi, although I have not been to many anusara classes, I have been practicing for 7 years. The flow was good and she was down to earth. My biggest complaint was that the floor in the studio was filthy. Like a dead fly was on the floor, super dusty and hairs everywhere. I can't judge the entire studio by one class. But Chris was great, take her class on Sunday nights and you won't be disappointed. read more

I am not new to yoga, but after studying intensively and then teaching I took a long break from practicing asanas and going to class. I started back just a year ago at Abby's Tuesday 8:30 am class. I loved the wisdom Abby threaded throughout the class as well as her depth of knowledge and love of the practice. Although my meditation practice was strong, I hadn't commited to an asana practice because I couldn't find the right style and teacher. I have now happily found Anusara. The combination of alignment oriented and heart centered is perfect for me. I find that I can bring the practice into my studio as a bodyworker and it helps me stay grounded, present and painfree. Now I go to Abby's morning class and one or two evening classes a week. I am excited about becoming part of the yoga kula community. lori read more

SPA FACTOR: Moderate to High MYSTIC CHANTING FACTOR: Moderate TEACHER QUALITY: Moderate to High SLACKER DEAL: 3 classes for $20 FAIR WARNING: Sooner or later, you will have to endure a sales pitch entreating you to buy into the Anusara Pyramid Scheme First, the bad- It's kinda corporate, in much the same way all yoga studios seem to be. The Anusara Method -which on the website is actually trademarked- has been a tradition since, well, since 1997, and yet the website proudly proclaims that the teachers are "steeped in the spiritual traditions of ancient India' like teabags, I guess. They advertise their line of yogi soap(I'm not kidding), their teacher training- kind of like a pyramid scheme- and their spa services all in the first paragraph on their home page. Plus the founder's name "John Friend" is just a little to new-agey to be real. That said, the teachers are all nice people, even if one or two are a little brittle in their cheerfulness. I always feel properly aligned after I leave class- the bnefits seem immediate. I don't if that has to do with the trademarked "organic energy' ( come ON people, that is SHAMELESS), but I feel good nonetheless. The price is right about average, but the classes are generally pretty small, so you can get some personalized attention. read more

Friendly service and community classes ($5) Tu-Fri at 430 for one hour. My patience runs out for those 90 min yoga classes so 60 is just perfect. Love Siri, and I used to love Ai Kubo when she was here (she moved to Yoga Tree). Totally approachable, relaxing, practical, and not too-overly-anything environment with friendly clientele. Easy street parking in my opinion. Nice hardwood 2nd-floor space; bathroom and changing area available; nice bolsters, straps, blocks, natural light, blankets, and ample storage space for shoes and valuables. I look forward to every class. read more

I've been to a couple of the free Tuesday/Thursday classes, and have always felt awesome afterwards. The instructor was sweet, calm. and helpful, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Can't wait to start taking regular lessons. read more

Yay for Yoga Kula. Like the San Francisco location, the Berkeley version of Yoga Kula is fabulous. Everyone is ultra-nice; welcoming, unpretentious, friendly and helpful. I immediately feel more relaxed walking in. I don't come as often as I'd like, since it's sort of far for me. But I love Anusara yoga and the pilates classes here. I love that they have group pilates reformer classes. Sarah in particular is really wonderful. And like the San Francisco studio, Yoga Kula has obviously put in a lot of time and energy to make the space beautiful and conducive to a great yoga practice. Keep up the great work! read more

I've been attending classes for about a month. I've been very impressed with the dedication, knowledge and experience of all the instructors. Every one of them made it a point to notice I was new and introduce themselves to me before the class, and check with me about any injuries I might have. The fact that they remembered my name thereafter goes a long way with me. This has been my first foray into yoga, and I'm glad I chose this place. The studio is lovely and every person I've spoken with at the front desk has been friendly and helpful. After taking classes for about a week, I sent them an email asking if they would consider adding some later classes, or early morning, pre-commute classes. They wrote me back right away, saying they were looking into it. Three weeks later, they have implemented both. This is a well run, professional studio, but still feels small and intimate enough to provide personal, attentive service. I can't ask for more than that. Special kudos to Siri and Meghan, both wonderful instructors! read more

At Yoga Kula, I am rebuilding lost strength and welcoming 'the return' of comfort and ease after a severe sciatica attack causing difficulty walking. Enough to need to use a walker. Once I was able to walk on my own, I discovered Yoga Kula. The caring instructors provide personal attention and have been lovingly crucial in my recovery. The studio is a place of lightness and depth all at the same time. The instructors are committed and well schooled. Grateful for Yoga Kula. read more

I've been coming to Yoga Kula for a year and half on the unlimited plan, about 4 times a week and have never felt better in my life. All the instructors are great here, each with their unique styles and approaches, but I especially look forward to Julia's class on Thursday nights. I like the way in which she interweaves the philosophical aspects of yoga within her every word. She guides us through a flow of postures like it's part of a poem. She's very tuned into everyone in the class both individually and as a whole and it's what makes each class so unique and real. She does it with an interesting mixture of discipline and humor that allows her to say what needs to be said to help you get deeper. Her attentive hands on technical alignments will put you where you need to be, to help you feel it all, "if you're listening..." "Meditation in Motion" to put it in her words. Definitely a unique yoga class. read more

Positive safe environment for practicing yoga. I am a beginner and I felt like Saraswati went at good pace and was very nonjudgemental and positive. The energy was calming and more of a flow with focus on breath and transitions were nicely explained. The space feels airy and bright. We all wore masks and vaccination is a requirement so indoor classes are safer. I really appreciated the chance to practice in person with a teacher. They also have outdoor classes if that's what feels safer to you. read more

I'm so happy to have received a massage with Damiana! You'll love it! She's super intuitive, creative, and deeply nurturing. read more

I love this sweet studio. The teachers with their deep experience and diverse yoga backgrounds bring so much to the ambiance, which the gracious, fun and deeply creative owner, Saraswati Clere has cultivated for the last 15 years. The offerings of Friday night restorative yoga with Katherine and yoga with live music on Wednesday nights with Laura and Bone are delicious! It feels like true yoga - mind, body and spirit at Yoga Kula. read more

Kathryn Robinson is the most phenomenal yoga teacher I've ever had, and her classes are just as good over Zoom! I highly recommend you check out her Tuesdays 12-1 class or her delicious Restorative class on Fridays from 6-7:30. read more

Deane Juhan's teachings are so rich and I find the associations truly bring more understandings and new ways to help my clients.

I'm not interested in their Yoga classes, but I do take Pilates classes here...Sarah is my very favorite not only because she is a very good technical instructor but because she has an easy going and fun personality that motivates. You definitely get a work out in the group classes. Private sessions too. She's tough but w/o the ego. I am stronger and leaner b/c of these classes and hope to continue...forever. Joanna, Bonnie and Abby rock too but my schedules often conflicts with theirs. On the flip side, I've had some pretty negative experiences with other instructors, and the front end of this business but manage to avoid both. I think part of the problem, at least from my perspective, is that Pilates classes, instructors, equipment, the room etc etc. aren't given the same kind of attention (respect?) as their yoga classes...which is a shame. And that's why they get 3 stars. But that's just my two cents. read more

I visited Yoga Kula today for my first time. For over twelve years, I have had a disciplined yoga practice. In an effort of not getting stuck in any routine, I have been on a mission lately to try out all the yoga studios near by me that I have never been to before. I have a pretty athletic background, so I feel confident walking into any yoga class and adapting fairly easily. What works for me is a class that can challenge me, comfort me, and is led by a friendly & knowledgeable instructor. Having said that, I arrived today with an open mind and an eager body. The "check in" area at Yoga Kula is very small, so for first timers or people planning on purchasing classes, I suggest arriving early. There were two people at the desk that seemed to get flustered as many students started to arrive, needing to check in + pay for classes. There are no shower facilities here and only two small kinda private dressing rooms (lines quickly form for them). It is probably best to arrive in your yoga / workout clothes! Bathrooms are down the hall & are shared with the other businesses in the building. The studio is clean and street parking is decent-ish. My all-levels class was led by Kimber Simpkins. My rating is based solely on my experience with this class. Ms. Simpkins did great at setting up the poses and guiding us through our asanas with loving language ("If its available to you, put your arm up to ceiling..."). She led us through several vinyasas & anusara poses, however, she simply never stopped talking the entire class. I found this a distraction and had to work hard to not walk out of the class. My yoga practice is my sanctuary, and I need and look forward to those quiet moments on my mat that come in between the hard work that I am doing. I've just never experienced a Yoga teacher talk as much as she did and it really surprised me. She basically weaved in a 90 minute monologue about "being fat" and her myth busting ideas around dieting. I don't have personal experience with being overweight and have never dieted, but I found her rant to be insensitive, and in the end, self-promoting, as she tied it all together by plugging her new book that is now for sale. I wished she could have taken some of the energy that she put into talking about "people being fat" and perhaps helped the students with necessary adjustments in poses. I was looking forward to the final resting pose, as I was certain there would be silence for a few minutes but Ms. Simpkins broke out her accordion and sang to us the entire time. At least we know her throat chakra is warmed up. : ) read more

Love this studio, the teachers are amazing. It's a beautiful space but feels very unpretentious. Because I am a student, I could not afford to go there if not for the donation based yoga nights on Tuesday (4:30pm 1hr class) and Thursday (4:30pm 1hr class AND 6pm 1hr 1/2 class!) I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to be in this space AND get practice yoga by an incredible teacher, Ai Kubo (google, she is awesome!), who teachings the donation based classes. I don't think the word is out yet, so let your friends know and come to some donation based yoga Tuesday and Thursday!! read more

This studio exudes unprofessionalism, as a beginner to yoga, and I mean beginner, they do not make it easy to learn yoga, at all. I started taking their level one class which I liked for the most part, but the teachers are really flaky, one weekend, the teacher didn't even bother to show up! They merged us with the more difficult class that was taking place next door, it ended up being over crowded and extremely difficult to keep up as someone who is new to the practice. I suppose if you are more experienced, this may be a good place but I would not bother with it if you're just starting out. read more

This is one of those cases where the Yelp's star rating system is too coarse and inaccurate to be useful. Here is what I would say about this place: Pilates: FIVE STARS FOR JOANNA ARHON (CLINTON). Joanna is just a fantastic Pilates teacher. She knows so much about the body and the discipline and combines that knowledge with serenity and good cheer. Her Reformer classes are just wonderful - helpful for those wanting to recover from injury or just to get a workout. The HUGE downside is that Yoga Kula seems to do little to nothing to support the Pilates side of its business and I fear people will wander away if Joanna and the other teachers cannot get enough promotional help to grow their own classes. Yoga Kula does little to help maintain the Pilates room or equipment and that is endlessly frustrating for those of us that would like to see more and more advanced classes offered and filled at the studio. I know the studio is capable of promotion since they do it with the yoga side of the business. Yoga: I can't speak to the yoga classed here as I take yoga elsewhere - Anusara yoga is not my yoga flavor of choice. Staff: The staff is friendly enough. Studio: Again, I can't speak to the yoga rooms. The Pilates room is nice and cheery but they could put more effort into cleaning and maintaining it. All in all, if you are looking for a Pilates teacher, Joanna's classes are more than worth the hassles and neglect by the studio and they do run periodic specials that make reformer classes more affordable. read more

I went to a few classes with different teachers and actually felt that some of it was dangerous. I've been studying yoga for some time, so am not a beginner. Despite the fact that one of the teachers told us that our bodies were our best teachers, he tried to get me to do something that was hurting my back and insisted I was doing the pose incorrectly. I had to remind him about my body being my best teacher!!! In another class, billed as appropriate for beginners to intermediate, the teacher had us doing a very advanced pose, one that she actually couldn't get into! I actually thought it was a joke until I looked around and saw that the rest of the group was actually trying to do it (with not a lot of success.) YIKES. I know people love this studio and its beautiful to look at but I'm sticking to teachers who really mean it when they say we should listen to our bodies. read more

i went here for three classes and if it weren't a) so darn expensive and b) much further from my house than other excellent yoga studios, i would go back. anusara rocks- i happened upon it two years ago and won't go back to ashtanga/power yoga/ crazy pose competition classes again. yoga is not about being competitive with your impossibly bendy neighbor. sorry, off my high horse now. this studio is lovely and big and bright. it has a wonderful energy to it, exactly what you want in a yoga studio. there is a challenge: it sits across from a bakery and above thai and indian restaurants, so all while you're balancing in virabhadrasana 2 and taking deep yogic breaths, the sweet scents of delicious baked goods enter... allowing your mind to wander to what you'll eat after yoga... clearly defeating the purpose. try it if you don't believe me! final note is that my favorite teacher of the three i tried was abby. she was excellent- supportive and good at balancing the different experience levels in the room. read more

I tried this place for mat pilates classes using a groupon or LS deal (Can't remember which). The pilates mat classes are only offered twice a week at a certain time in the evening, which I didn't realize until after purchasing. Fortunately, the timing wasn't a problem. The instructor is fine, and the classes are very small, but they are all identical, with no variation, kinda boring and not especially challenging since it caters to a class ranging from young to old with varying experience. Once my deal was done, I was done. I wouldn't pay for this class. read more

YogaKula has improved their customer service at the check-in desk. Josh and Sarah were very kind and inviting. I will definitely return to the studio. Siri is no longer teaching, but the other yoga instructors are very good. read more

I do the All Levels class here with my wife on Thursday nights, taught by Andrea Weber. She has a really great style, I definitely feel like she is one of the few who really makes sure that everyone is included in flow of the class and doing the poses correctly, while keeping it fresh and moving. The atmosphere is very cooperative and doesn't feel like a competition like a couple other places have. The price is right, and while there is a chant at the beginning, just roll with it, it won't bite. read more

I've been practicing yoga here since 2012. Out of all the teachers I've tried here, Sarawasti, the founder, and Siri are my favorite teachers; sometimes I'd skip class if they have subs. I like their slower-paced classes as I tend to injure myself in flow classes at other studios. I also like that classes usually begin and end with OM. Classes here are not only a good workout but also meditative, allowing me to destress. After an injury at another studio, I usually come back here, and Sarawasti, in particular, is good at giving me adjustments or stretches to release the sore area. I also like how some of Sarawasti's classes end with restorative poses using the props. While my schedule hasn't allowed me to take a class with Siri in a while, I recall that she gave great adjustments or mini-massages in savasana. The space is beautiful with a lot of natural light. They also host a number of community events, and have weekday donation classes. A number of the staff at the front desk are volunteers who work in exchange for free classes so some are more knowledgeable than others, and all have been friendly. read more

I have been going to this studio for a number of years and completed a teacher training with an amazing instructor: Sianna Sherman here. There are some really great regular teachers at the Berkeley location: Chrissy, Abby, and Tim are some of my favorites. Anusara does a great job of combining vinasa flow with alignment principals. Really high quality yoga here...if only yoga classes weren't so darn expensive. read more

My other favorite yoga studio. Love the energy. Highly recommend Chrissy's class on Sunday 11am and Simmin on Thurs @ 6pm.

Good teachers are here. Antonia Fokken, Richelle Donigan, Nicole Becker. Restorative class is definitely worth attending. Good location right above a Thai restaurant, lol. read more

The rating isn't so much for the studio as for the pilates instructor Jenna. I've tried every bloomspot/groupon/living social deal in the east bay for pilates and she is the one instructor I am actually contemplating paying the obscene amount of money it costs to do it regularly. She is a stickler for form and the class is incredibly challenging. I leave feeling more flexible, nimble and with fewer aches and pains. 3 classes and it's always different. As long as they have her on staff, this is a top notch place to do pilates. read more

Anusara yoga and specifically Yoga Kula have inspired me to reintegrate yoga into my spiritual practice. I love the attention to body alignment and the philosophical teachings sprinkled in with the practice. It's all about opening up--in the body and the heart! There is much attention paid to people's differing abilities and needs for injuries. All the instructors are competent and friendly, but my favorite instructors are Kenny, Chrissy and Kimber. They also offer community classes on a sliding scale and a work-trade program. read more

I love Yoga Kula! I've been going consistently for 2 years and feel like my yoga practice has improved exponentially both in physical technique and in spirituality. The teachers are really dedicated and love teaching. The space is lovely, very sunny and warm and always clean! Also unlike some yoga studios which cater to a more hipster vibe, Yoga Kula has a variety of ages and types of people. read more

Very unprofessional with a largely volunteer staff. The owner would like to have all services for free, including meals delivered to her by people volunteering at the front desk. The dynamics are similar to those found among high school students. One star, since there are some good instructors. read more