YogaKula

5 stars for Wataya.
Beautiful space! Love the natural light, huge windows, and plentiful plants.
Practiced here in 2012 for one class, after following Wataya from Yoga Tree Hayes.

This was a beautiful studios, but one of my least favorite environments for a host of other reasons that had nothing to do with the space. Lots of unearned ego.

only a few weeks in San Francisco, but I’m already obsessed with the teachers at yogakula. I was an anusara addict in LA, and was hoping to find some equally awesome teachers in SF. the yogakula instructors focus on alignment, strength — the classes are appropriately difficult with none of that fast-​flow-​untilyouhurtyourself yoga. after just a few classes, I can feel the difference in my body — i’m getting more sculpted and toned with every minute of yoga. favorite teachers so far — skeeter and jessica, but I’m only just getting started! I’m still going to check out more studios in the area, but I have a feeling that I’ve already found the best.

I recently started taking classes here and it’s just a 2 minute walk from my house, so there is really no excuse not to go. First of all, the studio is beautiful and filled with natural light during the day and with city lights at night. It’s large and has beautiful bamboo floors, plants on the patio and just a general very nice oasis vibe considering it is in the heart of the 16^th and Mission ‘hood.
So far I have tried 5 teachers and there are 2 that I really love, 2 that are pretty good and one that fully sucked. I’m not deducting any stars for the non-​5-​star teachers though because I know we all have different tastes and levels. My favorite teachers so far are Chad and Siri. Chad pushes me to the limit but in a fun supportive way. It’s ok to grunt and make faces in his class. I like that he doesn’t push me to «turn up the corners of my mouth» all the time. Siri’s class is challenging but fun and she always has something positive to say. Both teachers give plenty of individualized attention. I feel safe in both classes, and modifications are given for beginners or for those extra-​stiff and creaky body-​parts.
For the most part, the studio doesn’t have a «scene» feeling and students are friendly and all shapes and sizes and colors. I love that! The classes are quite affordable with extra discounts for class-​cards making it even more affordable. And sliding scale community classes make yoga accessible to those who can’t afford as much.
They provide free mats to use in class for those who don’t bring a mat, so that is convenient if you don’t feel like schlepping yoga stuff around.
Overall, it’s an oasis of calm in the heart of the Mish! Try a couple of teachers and see who you jive with.
Oh, and «play a harmonium, go to jail, it’s the law». I really wish teachers would keep that stuff confined to Kirtan events and not screw up my Savasana with it. I’d love to deduct a star for that, but I really want this studio to stay open!

Friend: What are you doing this afternoon?
Me: Nothing.
Friend: Want to try a hippie-​dippy hula-​hooping class?
Me: Word.
I was the only guy in the class. What a surprise.
While everyone else was doing fancy tricks, I was grinning and wiggling back and forth with all my might just to keep the hoop twirling. I tried a few tricks. Fail. But life is uninteresting if you insist on only doing things you don’t suck at. Michelle the instructor came around and gave me high-​fives for my sincere effort!
I had a lot of kid-​like fun, but I conclude that the serious hooping is best left to the ladies. Makes sense. They have curves and so do hula hoops.

It’s the best yoga studio in the Mission. A friend invited me years ago and I couldn’t get enough. I love the sliding scale fee and Skeeter is the best instructor. Is she still there?
It’s a beautiful space with big windows and a good group of people.

Yoga Kula is and Amaaaazing Yoga studio.
Backstory: I found them after an injury. Feeling very vulnerable, but healed enough to do some yoga, I had been goinf t oYoga Tree for a VERY long time. I was getting tired of being pushed around by an agressive teacher, and students! And tired of being in a studio that was overcrowded and full of people that seemed that they were only there to get «seen» doing yoga. Not what yoga is about people!
Someone told me about Yoga Kula, taught me a little about the Anusara style of yoga. I went have been hooked ever since! This is a Gem in this city. Check it out!
Not on the best corner, and kind of easy to miss, but once inside, the studio is spacious, absolutely beautiful, great light and views of SF and has great balanced energy –perfect for your practice! Most importantly, the teachers are very conscientious, the class sizes are small –except for some night classes which you should arrive early. AND you don’t have to bring your own mat and be charge a «rent» charge. The prices are the best in town. All around, in my opinion the best yoga studio in the city.
Vinyasa and «Hot» Yogis-​beware. This is NOT Hot yoga. It is a slower paced yoga focusing on each pose and how to get there, to help build strength, and prevent injury. Do a little research on Anusara Yoga before coming.

:sigh: I used to love yoga.
However, of all the kinds i have done over the nearly 15 years I have been doing yoga, I have never had anyone hone in on my slightly malformed foot the way the instructor did the other night.
As I was in cobra, she came and pressed down on my heel to flatten my foot, sending me into excruciating pain! As I said «OW! OW! Ow!» She still did not release it, until I finally had to squirm out of her grip, she then continued approaching me and telling me how I could «correct» it. Look, lady, I appreciate your attempt at yoga therapy, but I’ve seen it all, and I have used my weird foot enough for enough years to know what it can and can’t do. I can dance with it, snowboard, rollerblade, hike, even run… but I know that forcing it into some form that is supposed to be «normal» yet will cause me pain does not work!
This experience, along with some of the huge egos in the instructor community really turn me off. I may try it again, but not with this instructor.

I love this studio, but also particularly Skeeter. I attended her community classes for a year or two. She is very welcoming, kind, funny and just makes everyone feel good. The atmosphere was always very positive but still lighthearted. Her classes made me feel very calm and relaxed. The studio is also great. I love the big windows through which you can see the sun setting and the tops of the Mission palm trees. I would recommend YogaKula or Skeeter’s classes to any yoga student, new or not.

This studio is amazing. It is full of warm-​hearted, knowledgeable teachers who gently guide you to doing things you never thought you could do. Skeeter’s community classes are so much fun, full of laughter and a real sense of community. Indie’s Sunday morning class is expansive and fun and both gentle and challenging (I swear, that’s possible). Katchie… Well, she’s just amazing.
I started going to this studio about six years ago when it was still Yoga Sangha. I loved it then and I love it now. I feel warm and welcomed when I come in there. It’s such a surprise to find such a serene place in the middle of the noise and bustle of 16^th and Mission.
I heart this place.

I spent all of January in Yoga. Every day. I went to classes wherever I could fit them in my schedule so I studio hopped.
It was my goal to do 31 days of yoga. All different kinds.
On New Years Day though I wasn’t quite prepared. After returning from the east coast on NYE I hadn’t planned out where my first class would be. Feeling lazy (already, i know!) I tried to sign up for a restorative workshop at Yoga Tree but it was already sold out!
I stumbled upon Yoga Kula by searching for a class I could make and ended up going to Katchie’s 2 hour ‘Power of One’ workshop.
This class awakened the idea of a different kind of practice in me and made me realize what I was really looking for in my 30 days of non-​stop yoga party.
Yoga Kula is a community. People actually talk to people before and after classes. The staff is friendly and kind. This place is a real community. I’ve been practicing for years and it’s taken a long time to get to know some people in some of my classes at other studios but here, from day one I met people who were open to conversation. Sometimes, at other places, i feel like people are reticent to even make eye contact or say hello.
Katchie’s 2 hour class solidified that what I was looking for was a like-​minded community, a place that felt like home.
Yoga Kula is this place.
The studio is super large, gorgeous and clean. There’s ample waiting room if you arrive early. The long hallway with benches is perfect for someone like me who is anal about getting to class early. The teachers I’ve had all bring something different and my favorites have been Katchie, Skeeter and Chad. Chad encouraged me to play around with handstand which I was deathly afraid of and he managed to make it not so scary and explained in great detail what muscles needed to work to keep me up there. I can listen to Katchie and her harmonium for days on end.
And Skeeter, I have a special place in my heart for her classes, which are the perfect balance of playful discovery, mindfulness, work and release.
Yoga Kula feels like the everyman’s yoga studio. There are lululemon clad girls next to larger punk rock girls, next to soccer moms, next to gay men, next to straight men, next to computer programmers, next to married jewish men, next to everyone in between. Next to me. It feels like home.
And If that ain’t special, I don’t know what is.

First, I have to clarify that I live in Portland, OR and, during a visit with family, I went to Yoga Kula to practice with a dear yoga friend and attend Darcy’s Level ²⁄₃ class on Saturday at 8:30am. Though it was my first trip to Yoga Kula, I’ve spent the last 6 mos or so studying with Darcy in Portland and plan additional studies with her over the coming year… so I had an idea what was in store for me with Darcy teaching, but Yoga Kula was all-​new to me.
First, the studio is easy-​ish to miss: tucked between two markets, the front door is grated steel and, really, and doesn’t look like the front of a yoga studio. Once inside and up the staircase, you’re greeted with a long lovely hallway with bike-​racks lining the walls, the front desk is tucked inside where you put your shoes, etc. Stepping into the studio, you’re met with bamboo floors and a full wall of windows — the natural light is warming to the room while the view itself is pretty damn inspiring when you’re practicing.
Even though I was a visitor from out of town, I did feel a sense of welcome — the community itself was friendly and engaging. I was so impressed with the closeness of the kula members; clearly, these people practice together regularly and know one another pretty well. It was beautiful to see and, importantly, not-​the-​least-​bit alienating.
The physical space is lovely, Darcy’s teaching style is deeply inspiring, and the people are warm. If I lived in SF, I know where I’d be practicing.

$ 8 daytime summer yoga classes!?? Where are you going to find a better deal?
The studio is beautiful, airy, and filled with light. (You just have to let go of the occasional siren – I mean this is 16^th and Mission.) Jana, Darcy and Samantha rock and are really fantastic, caring, and innovative teachers. I always feel challenged, supported and totally awesome after a class there.
Have had experiences with condescending or judgy teachers at other studios. None of that attitude here. Feels like doing yoga with a good friend who makes you push yourself. Cannot recommend this place highly enough.

This is a beautiful, serene studio with large windows to view the city while doing yoga.
The classes are challenging for all levels, and they provide mats, blocks and blankets for anyone who needs them.
They also have changing rooms, which is great.
Right now, all weekday classes in April are only $ 8! Yay!

I’ve only been to their community class which is $ 8 (woohoo!)… the space is long and lined with windows. i felt like it was a bit stuffy and by the end of the day, as i was taking an evening class, was a bit too filled with b.o.
iche s. is right, very diverse clientele… definitely not the fit yoga bodies, including the instructor… very accepting type of space: some of the other students did their own thing, stayed in childs pose for ten minutes, truly no judgment and being where you are. i felt that the community class was a bit too easy for me so perhaps i’ll try another class… on the other hand, if you are a beginner it can be very hard to find a level one class that is actually level one so that is a positive!

Yogakula is a very interesting place. Diverse clientele, all shapes and sizes. Its a very down-​to-​earth and «real» place to practice yoga. I dont like the location but studio itself is really nice.
I’ve tried both katchie and skeeter classes. Out of the two, Katchie is more challenging, skeeter is really good for that night classes where you just go to bed afterwards.
Finding a yoga studio that speaks to you is a process. I say just sample as much as you can and when you find that teacher that resonates with you, stick with them. Trust your intuition. Not the hype.

I really liked this place. The only other place I’ve been to in the mission is Yoga tree, which I also loved, though it was very crowded and pricey.
This place is the perfect sanctuary –I went last Thursday eve and there were only five of us in the class– the space is very relaxing with windows and an outside deck. Cannot beat eight dollars.

The most amazing, deep yoga flow!
I was running rather late, and it was my first time there, yet the woman at check-​in was serenely pleasant and kind. They have community classes for a greatly reduced rate and a lovely well-​kept space.
Skeeter was a great teacher, so kind! Skeeter has a knack for relaying deep insight in a conversational way that stimulates the mind, but keeps one present in her or his physical flow.
No overly ego-​centric yoga-​divas here.
Respect is in the air!

For years I wanted to get into yoga, but was always intimidated by classes at the gym. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing except for me. Furthermore, I am not naturally bendy. Nor do I speak Sanskrit. Needless to say, yoga can be overwhelming.
Then I discovered YogaKula, a lovely studio that offers classes for all levels. This studio teaches Anusara yoga, a style that puts much emphasis on perfecting alignment, listening to your body, and working within your means as you learn and challenge yourself on your own pace.
The studio space is clean, spacious, and surprisingly peaceful, considering it’s located at 16^th and Mission. They provide mats, blankets, blocks — everything you might need — and plenty of room to store your things. Most classes are small, and the instructors do a great job of talking you through poses and providing individual attention. One thing I find really special is how sensitive they are to beginners — they don’t single them out, and treat them with great empathy.
It’s important to note that if you’re primarily looking to get buff arms and aren’t interested in chanting, this studio may not be for you. However, if you turn to yoga as a means of meditation, self-​discipline, or as a spiritual path, I haven’t found an environment better than YogaKula.
The online payment & reservation system is simple and easy to use, too — it takes just seconds to plan your classes for the week.
YogaKula has created such a good learning experience for me, I went from someone who jittered during meditation to a student set on perfecting a handstand this year. Though if you see me next to you in class, you might want to give me a little extra room for your safety, just in case.

This is by far my favorite yoga studio in SF! (It was previously Yoga Sangha but just changed owners and is now called Yoga Kula).
Skeeter Barker’s classes by donation are a special place where you can work on yourself without feeling any social pressures. It is a healing, healthy feeling that touches an innermost being (I know, cheesey and new agey but oh so true) — I find that feeling is hard to come by. I also enjoy Richelle Donigan’s classes. I have yet to explore any other teachers because I have been satisfied.
I used to go to YogaTree but the classes were more impersonal, overly crowded and overly priced focusing more on aerobics and body image and less on yoga/​personal growth.