Yoga Source

I have been a yogi for ten years & practiced in four cities. Today’s experience was unusual for me & very poor. As a new client, I was going to try their release & restore class with a friend. The substitute instructor, Sarah Braun first asks students to move away from the wall (they were in poses at the wall) & about the usual class activities as she had never been to this class. Students tell her the regular instructor usually has them at the wall & it is restorative class. Sarah tells them to move from the wall again & she will not be doing that. My friend who has limitations asks her about the class since she is changing it. The instructor is rude & condescending to her. As I am concerned that the instructor does not care about medical conditions & the limitations of her students, we leave. As a devoted yogi, I am ashamed of the instructor’s behavior. Considering the price of the course, I expect a better class of instructors. I asked for a refund of the package as I will not be retiring if that is their caliber of instructor. They refused. Warning to all potential yogis-​be careful about this studio.

Know that the quality of instructors is inconsistent. Some are less trained with little regard for student well-​being. Avoid Sarah Braun altogether. My friend and I left her class (see below) and studio staff was gracious in refunding it. They gave my friend a gift certificate in lieu of refund for her new student package. She would have preferred cash, of course.
Details: As a new student at Yoga Source, I had been impressed with the consistent quality of the instructors. Today I brought a friend, a dedicated yogi, to class to introduce her to the studio.
Unfortunately, our experience was dreadful. She will not return and I may not, either.
Sarah Braun substituted for Beckah in the restorative class. Here is what happened:
Two students had arrived early and settled into restorative postures at the wall, as is customary in Beckah’s class.
Sarah firmly told them to come out of their poses and move to the center of the room. The students were mature and moved slowly. She told them a second time.
She then asked how Beckah led the class — she had never been to Beckah’s class. Several regulars noted that Beckah had us at the wall.
With irritation, she said she was not going to teach Beckah’s way — she was going to teach her way and that we would be be in the center of the room.
Sarah seemed determined to teach the class she wanted to teach, not the class her students wanted and needed.
After hearing this and several other comments, I wondered if she intended a restorative class, as advertised, or a more active class.
I asked: «Will we have a flow class or a restorative class? I have issues and cannot do a flow class.»
She responded sharply that it would a restorative class. Her manner seemed condescending and disdainful. She did not ask about my issues at all. (She never asked about physical limitations at any point.)
After her response, my friend and I were concerned for my well-​being and we, together, decided to leave.
Sarah’s attitude toward her students is unacceptable. Her unconcern for students’ limitations is irresponsible and could cause injury.

Yoga Source declined to refund my friend, which adds insult to injury.

I just love this studio. Not only is it super clean, but the entire staff is friendly and you instantly feel like you’re part of a larger community.
Yoga Source offers a variety of yoga practices and co-​owners Myra and Tia also bring special events to the studio just about every month. For example, this month they invited Lila Rasa Brown to host a three day workshop celebrating the summer solstice– it was fantastic.
If you’re looking to start or advance your practice of yoga, Yoga source offers variety for all levels.

I love Yoga Source! This studio has some of the best instructors around (Ellie, Sonja, Tia… the list goes on!) I love the variety of classes offered and careful attention to safety and proper form emphasized by the instructors. They offer a fun and well rounded practice! Great for beginners and advanced students alike!

I have been practicing here regularly for a few months now and really love it. I appreciate the amount and variety of evening classes offered. The instructors are very knowledgeable and well-​trained, and I love that it’s within walking distance of my home and in lovely Carytown.
My only complaint is that it’s fairly pricey, and the membership option, which is the best deal if you practice 2+ times/​week, requires a one year contract that automatically renews.

Yoga Source is fantastic. I’ve been doing yoga on and off for a few years. This studio focuses on building a strong foundation so you get the most out of every practice. I’ve been to three different classes and learned something new every time. The teachers guide you through a class and encourage feedback.

My favorite studio in Richmond. Sara Fischers’ classes are great, as are all of the other classes I’ve ever been to at Yoga Source.

Yoga Source is my go to yoga studio in Richmond, and I have been to quite a few. The main reason I stick with Yoga Source is their great student discount. But on top of that, the facility is newly renovated and quite beautiful, their instructors are wonderful, and their schedule has so much variety. My favorite instructors are Madeline, Yaco, and Beth.

I just moved to Richmond and was really looking forward to my first class at Yoga Source after a long day. When I tried to enter the yoga studio 15 minutes before class however I was rudely told by the teacher who was herself practicing that I would have to leave the studio room until she was ready. Needless to say I left and will not go back to a yoga studio that does not promote community or my desire to collect myself before class. The only positive thing I can say about the place was the receptionist who was very kind. For $ 15 a class I won’t be coming back to Yoga Source – they obviously don’t care about their students. Glad to know they make enough money to literally turn students away.

Hands-​down the best yoga studio I’ve ever encountered (and I’ve tried upwards of 25). Every teacher is incredibly qualified, thoughtful, and careful about safety, while simultaneously making you sweat/​work your butt off. They offer some $ 10 and/​or donation class and deals for newcomers as well as more affordable class passes, of and monthly free beginners classes. The drop-​in rate of $ 17 seems like a lot for Richmond… but it is in the heart of Carytown. Arrive early so you can find parking! or just ride your bike :)

I just moved to Richmond and went to a beginner class (though I’ve been practicing for almost 2 years now). The instructor, who was also a co-​owner of the studio, was great. She made yoga very accessible while at the same time drawing attention to its meditative aspects. The studio is cozy (but not too crowded) and inviting. The person at the front desk was very welcoming and helped me out by showing me around the studio (which includes a small, but nice lending library of books on yoga). I plan on going back:)