Yoga of Los Altos

I’ve been looking for a good studio in the south bay and this one definitely checks out. Ambience is very welcoming, lot of natural light. The vinyasa classes are great! The instructors are very mindful that you don’t injure yourself and focus on alignment options. Highly recommend this studio!

I’ve only been to Stephanie’s Beginner’s Class, and I love it. Granted, I don’t make it terribly often, but I feel completely comfortable in her class with my can’t-touch-my-feet flexibility and how-about-more-child’s-pose wishes. She makes it entertaining, do-​able, and I love her philosophy. I leave the class feeling relaxed and centered. Really a wonderful experience.
Studio: it’s clean and I’ve never had a problem parking. Having to sign up for the classes online is a pain, but I haven’t had any issues with the balance on my account.

The studio is clean and well kept. The instructors are professional and the lady at the front desk is warm and friendly. I use this studio as my occasional «drop-in“spot, as the studio offers a variety of styles/​times for beginners and intermediate students.
The studio lacks a community feel/​identity (for me). There is a corporate feel that reminds me of a high end gym studio. Not amazing, but gets the job done.

I had some very unpleasant experience dealing with the lady Maria at the front desk, who is cold (unwelcoming) and extremely inflexible about the rules. Signed up the new member deal ($ 40 for 4 classes within a month) on Dec. 3, 2014, and because of the typical traveling season around Christmas time, I returned for my 4^th class Jan. 7, 2015 (3 days after my deal expired). I tried explaining my situation to Maria, but she insisted and made me paid for that class.
I have been to a handful Yoga places in the area but none of them is SO unaccommodating. The owner did offer me a free class in the end but that was after she witnessed everything until I asked for the name of that front desk lady. Not quite an experience you want right before a supposedly calming and peaceful yoga class.

Awesome classes great teachers for all different levels. Packages do not expire which I love! Great communal feel!

This place is a scam! I paid for two classes and the classes were never added to my account. They don’t respond to emails and I finally called this place and the person who answered the phone said I can forward the receipt and they will add it to my account. The second time I called (I had emailed my purchase confirmation and did not get any response back) the person who answered (apparently the manager) refused to honor the purchase because she had bought the studio.
This is in spite of the fact I actually had proof of purchase. Would not be returning here or recommending to anyone since this is obviously a scam with their online class purchases.

I used to go there for prenatal yoga w marti foster, whatever happened she is not working there it seems anymore and it’s a bummer, I would only go there for her classes usually and now I still have few left, no choice will go to other instructor … Despite lack of marti there, this studio has most convenient prenatal yoga schedule, not one of those sign up for 6 wk on Saturday series or Saturdays only or some nonsense which only suits «non shift workers», they have solid 3 times a wk in evening, so at least 1/​wk is possible for me and for that 3 stars. Not cheap place btw but I guess it’s los altos.

I only went to Yoga of Los altos for Marti Foster’s classes and I think it is a major loss to her students and the yoga community to not have her teaching there anymore. Her class was a major highlight to my week. I have little motivation to go back to the studio without her there. The next studio that is blessed by having Marti as a teacher will be a lucky one!

Yoga of Los Altos is a small place but quite charming! There are a lot of sweet personal touches in the back room and bathrooms, like towels, lotion, hair ties and spring water.
On the technological side, the website is well-​updated and it’s easy to register and pay online, which I really appreciate! The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is a couple of small things that I think could be improved. First, the smaller studio where I go to class (see next paragraph for details about that) is really quite crowded and it’s not very comfortable when class is full, as it often is. The other main thing, which is related to that is that the AC doesn’t seem to work very well and it feels like a wind tunnel in there sometimes but while still being too hot. The last small thing is that the door to this studio is glass and right by the parking lot so in winter when it’s dark the bright lights of the cars shine in, which is distracting, and you can also hear the cars loudly through the door.
Now onto the positives-​I have been attending Marti’s prenatal yoga class on Monday nights since early in my pregnancy (almost done now!) and she is fantastic! She is very passionate and knowledgeable about what she does and I love her sense of humor too! Each class we start by introducing ourselves and stating our intentions for that evening, which is great to get us in the moment. The rest is a great mix of bonding with our babies, relaxing and strengthening for labor. We work a lot on breathing deeply throughout class and then the mantras and lullabies we sing help us really to deepen our focus on ourselves, our babies and our intentions. I’m thrilled that she has added a new moms and babies class now and can’t wait to introduce her to my baby boy once he has arrived!

The studio is gorgeous, and the roster of teachers is diverse and fun. Doron’s Saturday morning class is amazing and often packed!
It’s just a bit expensive with no unlimited packages available; however, they do have an introductory class pack. Overall, very solid studio with an amazing roster of teachers and solid ownership!

I love this studio. The teachers are kind, caring, and attentive. I was surprised to find that I like the routines that they compose. I tried a different studio today and realized that I loved my studio. The positions are interesting and they vary the routines and the tones that they use are very loving.

I really enjoy coming to Yoga of Los Altos. They have a variety of classes and instructors for all levels and at times that work with my schedule. I commute from SF, so being able to take classes after 7 pm is great. I highly recommend them, especially for someone who wants to get exposure to many different types of Yoga. Additionally, they have workshops that expand your understanding of the practice and are always well worth the time and cost.

I cannot begin to tell you what a difference Yoga has made in my life. I started out as a drop-​in and within two classes had bought the 20-​class package. I’ve been to the beginner’s class with Cheryl who is a gem of a teacher — patient, kind, receptive, funny and precise. Hard to find all these qualities in one person…
But I’ve been most regular with Andi’s Restorative Yoga class on Tuesday afternoons. It’s done wonders for me… I’m not just sleeping better, I’m eating healthier, am not as stressed out as I used to be even 3 weeks ago, and am, in general, beginning to slow down the pace of my life and my living. Andi guides you through all the poses so efficiently and seamlessly. When I practice yoga at home, I hear her calming, reassuring voice telling me to «let go.» Now that’s powerful! Also, it’s very nice not to have to lug all my yoga equipment to the studio — they have everything you could need, from yoga mats and pads to eye bags, sand bags, foam blocks, towels and various types of bolsters.
I’d never done yoga for a single day in my life prior to being introduced to this studio. They’ve certainly made me a believer.

Where to start when reviewing yoga studios? Well, I will preface this review by saying that while I enjoyed the class at Yoga of Los Altos, I still have not found my go to yoga studio. While I was in Miami, I did yoga each day at an absolutely amazing studio and have not found anything comparable in the Bay Area despite the fact that studios are a dime a dozen.
I have taken a couple of classes here and left a bit more relaxed, but no more worked out. Yoga of Los Altos has a much more greater focus on the stretching and mind aspect of yoga. One of the classes I took was Marissa’s Aligned Hatha class on Wednesday night. I actually did end up sore the next day as we held each pose for a while and it was a good stretch. The class got off to a pretty slow start as she talked for a while before we started poses. This studio has plenty of props and is one of the only ones that does not charge extra for a mat. It seems to cater toward the older Los Altos group. The price is pretty much standard for the Bay Area. The class was not too crowded. The class was good, but not great. In order for me to return to a yoga studio, I need to say «wow» after the class. I thought the class was pretty good, but not «wow». I also tried a vinyasa class here and had the same reaction.
In summary, if you need a bit of relaxation and a good stretch, you will like Yoga of Los Altos. If you want a workout or a class that absolutely changes your day, keep searching.

I will preface this by saying that I would consider my yoga «skill» intermediate, and have only been to a few studios in my life.
That said, I just had the best yoga class I’ve ever taken at Yoga of Los Altos. Candlelight yoga with Rebecca Snowball was absolutely magical. The studio is beautiful inside — no mirrors, quiet and not crowded. The temperature was just right, and they had all of the yoga supplies I needed for class (I had only brought my mat with me). The class itself was $ 30, so it’s pretty expensive — but this really was about the experience and not about getting exercise.
I cannot wait to go back.

Pros: many types of yoga to choose from (I did with OSHA which is superb)
Cons: props are in very poor shape: bolsters are either to big or too small, no wooden blocks (!), soft blocks are too soft, blankets are uneven (so much for alignment…), chairs cannot be used to slide on floor and some are covered with tape. More: the studio has overly blinding light from ceiling actually disturbing the eyes, and memorabilia is unnecessary as it takes up space… Real yoga is felt inside, no need for materialistic symbols.
I hope the studio will take these notes in mind.

I have been coming to the prenatal classes for the last for the last 4 months. Hillary is a great teacher and I like that the class is a small size class. Hillary will give attention to each individual mom and listen to their concerns and problems.
I was planning to compare a few more other prenatal yoga classes in the area but after I have taken my first class in Yoga of Los Altos I did not even want to see other places.

I have been coming to this studio for a long time but somehow, due to all sorts of schedule conflicts, didn’t «discover» Doron’s Saturday morning class until recently. Darn. Once I went in, I was hooked. He is an exceptional teacher! Expect strong, but steady practice in which you exercise the right effort by engaging the right muscles while intensely focusing on the right breathing and the right drishti (concentrated gazing point) at all times. Expect a strong class spirit. People seem to know each other here, know the end-​of-​class chant (which is beautiful, by the way), and everyone likes Doron (duh). But there’s no creepy, uncomfortable «cult» feeling that I once got from another teacher’s class. That was blind worshiping of a handsome male (false) guru, by all these wealthy Los Altos housewives. This, is not. We actually learn some things here. You’d learn things, work your body and mind (ashtanga-​based), and 90 minutes later, walk out of the studio in a cloud of bliss. Go ahead and read more about his teaching style in my reviews on the Unilocal page of Avalon Yoga and Peacebank Yoga. Doron does not hesitate to correct your posture when you do it wrong and he is generous with praise when you do things right. I’m gonna be super generous, too, whenever I come across a superb, terrific yoga teacher. Some top-​notch teachers are egomaniacs but he is not. He is humble, warm, and friendly, which is all the more inspiring. I highly recommend his Saturday all-​level Strong Vinyasa class to everybody. Too bad I’m moving out of the Bay Area. If not, I’d attend his classes and even his teacher training just to learn more, from the right person.
Speaking of teacher training, Yoga of Los Altos is one of the locations of the high quality YogaWorks Teacher Training (founded by Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty) — something I have seriously considered but fear that I’m not advanced enough for. Maybe in future. But I did take the intro session with Hillary Skibell who is one of the most wonderful and technically well-​versed teachers ever. Again I highly recommend the training to all serious yogis out there who want to really learn, and deepen the practice. (I would, if I could. I probably will. Some day. When I’m ready.)
Since this is an update to my old review, I’m going to mention another cool teacher, Marti, who has the most soothing and hypnotizing voice I have ever heard. I wonder if she studied hypnosis, or is a practicing hypnotist. She said she has a background in yoga therapy. But her class is more than therapeutic, it literally puts me to sound sleep, the most peaceful savasana, every time I go. Once I went in with sore back, tense neck, anxiety-​ridden mind, having been stuck in a snail-​speed traffic for hours. After 90 minutes of her slow vinyasa class, I came out feeling more relaxed and peaceful than I had ever felt the whole week. She’s got an interesting sense of humor though. If you have insomnia, try her Wednesday night class. It’s very healing, relaxing, and sleep-​inducing (in a good way).
I love this studio. This is a lovely, quiet neighborhood yoga studio and most teachers are good. Shatri is always good — strong and intense. Birgit is a great Iyengar teacher. I like her better than Tom even though she doesn’t seem to have as big the fan club. If you have back pain, try Amy, a physical therapist and great Anusara teacher. Cheryl is perfect for beginners. Except for Shastri’s (and perhaps Doron?), most classes here are very slowwww and beginner-​friendly. A good place to start or go back to basics.

I’ve been coming to Yoga of Los Altos on and off for a while. Being an intermediate /​advanced yogi, I can say that this place is decent.
I recommend Andi Bruno who gave a great intermediate class. Anirudh Shastri gives a solid Dynamic Vinyasa Flow class. Great calming environment thats usually not too crowded.
My biggest complaint is that Yoga Los Altos attracts a lot of older people who are at a lower level. If you attend an intermediate class and there are several of beginners who show up, the teacher will adjust the level to accomodate them. Basically, if a bunch of old people show up they will make the class easier for them. Not cool.
My other complaint is the pricing. Being in Los Altos they get away with high prices. $ 17 /​walk-​in.
Peak hours are weekend mornings, so nights and afternoons are the best time to go.

Since moving to the Bay, Yoga of Los Altos has become of one my favorite places to practice.
The yoga studio is very clean and beautiful. No matter who is working the front desk, the check in person is always friendly and remembers my name. The owners are helpful and caring and the instructors and sub-​instructors are amazing.
My favorite classes are the 7 p.m. Tuesday class and the Sunday 5 p.m. class. I find the classes challenging and helps build up a lot of my strength.
The classes start out with a modified C sun salutation then takes you into a regular C sun salutation. It helps generate heat in a safe way and helps build up your core strength with all the planks.
The class walks you through asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation. I think they are very well rounded classes and make yoga enjoyable.
The classes are non competitive and the students are very nice. They all seem to know each other’s faces and so there is a lot of smiling and good energy before, during and after each class.
The instructor, Shastri, helps each student according to their abilities and is very compassionate.
When Shastri is not teaching the class, wonderful subs come in such as Courtney Ronca or Peter Kasson who are extremely well trained and have similar teaching styles to Shastri. I love that I don’t feel like the class will be compromised with a different instructor. I always feel like I got my money’s worth.