Elite Event: New Year, New You @ Ritual Hot Yoga

My feelings on Ritual Hot Yoga:
Looks like Enya.
Sounds like Tyga.
Feels like … Richard Simmons.
You will get your ohm on. You will get your groove on. You will most definitely get your sweat on.
I had a great time, and got an even better workout. I’m so glad this event brought me out of my comfort zone — in terms of neighborhood, gym, and workout. I will definitely return to Ritual, and I can’t wait to bring my friends and introduce them to this fun cross-​breed.
So, why the 4 vs. 5 stars? Maybe I missed something in the set-​up of the event, but like others here, I only read this was «Hot Yoga,» so I was expecting something more slow and stretchy. I was envisioning more Zen and less Missy Elliott. Not that it’s a bad thing, simply that I wasn’t prepared for what I was getting into — up through the meditation, I had no idea. Launching into a fast-​paced, challenging workout in the dark and in close proximity to other people was a bit jarring. Had I had the proper expectations, my journey from bewilderment — acceptance — embracing — enjoyment would have been way faster and more seamless!
Thanks to Unilocal and all the sponsors for the sweet goodie bags that allowed me to take some happiness home. I was also super happy to have Clearly Kombucha as a refreshing way to re-​hydrate post-​class.

This Event was awesome! They had tasty Kombucha, boxed water, alkaline water and sweet treats prior to the Yoga Class. And of course the mini photoshoot they had for LookMazing made you feel super cute in the Lululemon attire.
The actual class itself was very interesting. Ive been a Yogi for a few years now and this was definitely a different take on hot yoga. the way I see it, its like the Soul Cycle of Yoga. Very hip and posh with music just blasting. If your looking for something Serene this is not the place for it. The music will flow, the sweat will flow all in masses. Still an awesome work out but not something you I would do on the regular. I like my Yoga Classes more serene, but I wouldn’t mind don’t this from time to time to switch it up.
They gave a mini shoulder/​head massage after with a damp cold towel with some aromatherapy which was awesome! BUT I have sensetive eyes and so the towel burned my eyes after a while * sweating face emoji

It’s all about the ritual! Many, many thanks to Ritual Hot Yoga for welcoming us Unilocalers to take over their studio and really give us the royal treatment! And thanks to Unilocal of course for being so darn cool and Lookamazing!
The space itself is pretty quaint and cozy (and clean!) I love how the class tied in a personal story to the practice, really putting words to the flow. And the music was pretty cool. I loved doing yoga in the dark. It kind of felt like I was in a spin class, yet with better stretching and an uplifting feeling afterwards.
Likes:
–nicely-​heated room (Note: no corn chip feet smell)
–towel mat clips! Talk about cool!
–love that everything is black (to hide my gobs of sweat pouring out of every orifice
–those dogs are too friggin cute!
Dislikes:
–a bit fast and difficult to hear the transitions, but that could have been due to the accommodation of a pretty big group.

I was excited to attend my first Unilocal Elite event at Ritual Hot Yoga. I have heard so many great things about this place through friends and was stoked to see it was a Unilocal Elite event and I got accepted to join!
The initial process when I got there was a little unorganized and I thought it was way too much to have to check-​in with three different people. And there wasn’t anyone to tell me what was going on with the photos and Lululemon gear and I was unsure where to put my stuff.
When I finally got in there I think I snagged one of the last mats and was surprised how crammed everyone was in that room — and like a few others said I bumped into the chick next to me a few time and wish I had just a little bit of room. Not sure how the regular classes are.
I really enjoyed the class and was happy it was super hot like the last class I took somewhere else — maybe that was Bikram? The reason I removed one star is because I thought the music was WAY too loud and it was hard at times to hear Brittany (the owner) over the mic and I wasn’t sure what poses to do but it was helpful to see the assistant up front.
I am going to come back with my coupon and try it out again and see how a less busy class will feel. I loved that there were crunches and other non-​yoga poses included and the massage and cold eucalyptus towel at the end was delightful! Thanks Unilocal and RHY for having me!

Definitely a «This is what I’ve been missing???» moment after the event! I love practicing yoga, but I’ve never tried hot yoga, bikram, heated, etc. I’ve only ever done normal-​environment classes. After what I can say was probably the sweatiest I have ever been, and it was a sweatiness where I felt complete abandon and carefree, I felt energized, cleansed, and ready to go again! The atmosphere was dark and exciting, the music was thumping and hyphy, and the pace was rhythmic. All things you do NOT expect from a typical yoga class, but guess what? It worked! It’s definitely a way different flow, but I can definitely appreciate its unique perspective, and I can’t wait to try it again! Thanks again!

Firstly, big thanks to the Unilocal Elite team. This was a FANTASTIC event.
Secondly, a disclaimer: I am not a yoga chick. Thus take all that follows with a healthy tablespoon of salt:
I have always gotten hugely bored in yoga classes, unable to clear my mind, impatient with the dragging pace, and annoyed with instructors’ breathy kumbaya routine. I usually leave to go to a kickboxing or zumba class, where I can massacre calories in buckets of sweat and nobody tells me to «feeeel my soooooul in my tooooooes.»
But Ritual Hot Yoga was different. They, Lookmazing, and the Kombucha people did an awesome job of making me feel welcome and pampered at a really fun event, and I do believe they succeeded in getting me on the Yoga Train. I’m in the caboose, sorta swinging from the rail, but I’m on.
That’s because it’s wasn’t a typical yoga class: it was fast-​paced, with great, loud, get-​you-​in-​the-​rhythm music, all within a space lit with candles and scented with delicious incense. I sweated more than I thought was humanly possible, and actually got a real work-​out – complete with a calm, soothing cool-​down with a mini-​massage and a cold, wet, scented towel over my eyes. Somehow, though, even the work-​out was relaxing. It was like being at a Gym-​Spa. I enjoyed myself tremendously.
Reason for 4 stars? Because, while this is in fact an awesome place, I can’t go back. Because it’s suuuuper expensive. I don’t think I could de-​stress or «make my life a sacred ritual» or «find my center» if the whole time I was thinking «oh god, it’s Day 25 of Trader Joe’s spaghetti-​os for dinner, the only thing I can afford after having dropped my monthly grocery $ on a yoga membership.» Sadly, I am but a lowly high-​school teacher, and cannot «clear my mind» without «clearing my wallet.» However, the day I win the lottery I’m coming back here. Meanwhile, the Yoga Train is indefinitely delayed.

Thanks, Unilocal,for my first Elite event!
I absolutely love Ritual Hot Yoga so I was really excited to see this event. However, I had to knock down a star because the room was incredibly crowded. I couldn’t move fully because I was running into the wall :(Bummer! Also, the music was a little loud for my taste. Usually there is the perfect balance of music and being able to hear the instructor at Ritual. I totally get it that the event was popular!
With all that being said — it was a great workout and I loved the kombucha. This was the perfect event to kick off my first year being elite and 2016 mantra of self improvement :)

Wow! I had heard great things about Ritual from a couple of my colleagues at a fitness studio up the road, but this exceeded expectations!
I have a bit of yoga experience, but have always been afraid to try «hot yoga.» This place proves me wrong. No gross carpets like bikram, a fabulous candlelit dark room to practice in, and an incredible state of the art facility with all props provided in tip top shape.
The class was absolutely amazing, with guided meditation, corrections, inspirational word, and upbeat, hip music.
The LookMazing, Lululemon, and Kombucha staff were all sweet, but I must give a giant thanks to the wonderful folks of Ritual for hosting! They were incredibly welcoming and sweet, and their little puppies were adorable!
Thanks Ritual for the free class for me + a friend, I’m still deciding if I’m going to bring one of my yogi friends, or drag my boyfriend to this sweat embracing, therapeutic place!
Can’t wait to return on a more regular basis and open up my body’s tightness in this practice. See you soon!

I knocked so many firsts off my 2016 bucket list that night:
— First hot yoga class AND first flow class — the cold wet towel on my forehead at the end and 3-​second massage was on POINT. Such a cute studio, beautiful bathrooms and showers.
— First time drinking Kombucha I actually liked — thank you Clearly Kombucha! It tasted like sparkling juice — yum!
— First time «modeling» (and I use that term very loosely) — Thank you LookMazing!
I have been gushing to everyone I know about the class and am so excited to bring a friend with me next time! And lastly, thank you Unilocal for putting on this awesome event and helping me get a head start on 2016!

Thanks Unilocal,Ritual, Lookmazing, and all for allowing me to have a fun-​filled, calorie-​burning, relaxing experience all jammed pack in 2 hours! We started off with a lululemon photoshoot and snacks (box water and KIND bars). Then we moved onto the yoga. This was my first hot yoga experience and I’ve checked that off the bucket list. The folks at ritual are very friendly and create an environment that was comfortable for a beginner. Here’s a list of all my hot yoga fears and how they fixed it!
1) Smelling sweaty people — Yes, we are all sweaty together, but still. — Fix: Incense! Not too cloying of a smell and rather calming. It also absorbed/​masked any unfriendly odors
2) Seeing sweaty people — Or for me, being seen… Yes I’m a bit self conscious and a compulsive sweater even when I’m not doing upward dog, downward dog, warrior 1, 2, triangle — Fix: They turn off the lights and only the edges of the room are lit by candles. No need to really see the instructor as the instructions are fairly clear if you’ve done a basic yoga class before.
3) Stretching all over a once sweaty mat — Everyone can keep their sweat to themselves? — Fix: They provide a large body towel which is clipped securely to the yoga mat. You also get a face towel so you can wipe as needed.
It was a little tough half way through (think yoga but faster and all of sudden at one point you’re doing bicycle crunches). But at the end it was pretty relaxing (spoiler: you lay down and they order you to relax). It’s great that it takes you away from the loud, busy city-​life and into a warm room (an absolute retreat from the chilly SF air).

It was such a fun event! This is my second elite event– and it was packed (good thing I’m sure!). The selection of clothes to try on were pretty slim though, but the studio was really clean and beautiful and the people in the studio were extremely warm and welcoming. They offered registration at the door, signing a waiver, kombucha, and boxed water.
It was a bit crowded, but such are quaint yoga studios, especially in the city so i didnt see that as a negative.
Definitely made me enjoy this event and made me want to attend more elite events! I got great parking too since they put it at the 6 o clock hour where parking becomes free in the city (away from AT&T park).
Thanks for another great event! and the goodie bag at the end was great! Included a complementary class for a friend and i!

I have been wanting to get into hot yoga for a while now, but I always put it off and give myself an excuse not to do it. When I saw that Unilocal was having an Elite event at Ritual Hot Yoga, I was beyond excited and knew this event would make me want to start practicing Hot Yoga and I left the event feeling very much satisfied.
I enjoyed how LookMazing and Lululemon partnered with this event that allowed us Elites to do a photoshoot with their clothing.
The studio itself was very comforting. All the lights were off except the light from the candles. My first time doing hot yoga and it was honestly such a great experience! Before the yoga sessions started, I was a little nervous that I would get tired quickly. The session passed by quickly and I didn’t even realize an hour had already been passed! I like how there is a mixture of mainstream music along with traditional yoga music. The instructor and the assistants were helpful by straightening up my poses and the wet towel along with the massage at the end was beyond amazing!
Everyone was fun and friendly and thank you Unilocal for an incredible event!

I have always wanted to visit Ritual Hot Yoga (after hearing a friend gush about it) but the location always kept me from doing so. When I read that Unilocal was conducting an event there, the offer was simply too good to refuse. Check-​ins at the door and happy, shiny people handling registrations welcomed us along with Kombucha, Kind Bars and LookAmazing with a rack of Lulu Lemon outfits. You could try outfits, have a professional click a pic and stand to win a workout top.
The yoga room itself was well laid out with candles, mats, towels and a block. The workout was great and invigorating. The assistants did a great job supporting the instructor by correcting postures and laying out a cold towel while in shavasana (which was the cherry on the cake).
The space itself felt positive and welcoming. I will be sure to head back to Ritual for many sweaty sessions, friends in tow!

Enjoyed the mixer of yoga and Unilocal combined!
It was surely heated and by just sitting there on the mat, I was already perspiring a bit.
I definitely broke a sweat and adored the assistance of the yogi instructors in between the yoga session.
The release of tension was especially recognized near the end when I was lying on the mat. I loved the scented, wet face towel that they placed over my eyes. It helped with my meditation. One of the instructors admirably eased my shoulder tension and massaged my head as well. Alleluia. I needed that.
The efforts and energy of this Unilocal event, is well appreciated!
Namaste.

What a great elite event. It’s been harder and harder to get into events now but I was so happy to get into this one!
I love yoga but have never been a fan of bikram or hot yoga but this place was great, mostly because of the music! It was pumping and made you forget how hot it was. The co-​founder taught the class and she was great. Only thing was it was a little hard to understand her on her mic but very minor.
It was great that they had everything you need set up and ready to go and after class they said to leave everything. Not sure if it’s like that in regular sessions but the only other place that does that is Studiomix on Van ness.
I had a great time and wish it was closer to me but I will definitely be back!

What a fun event! I arrived a little late so didn’t get a chance to check out the photography session they had going on, but it looked like other people enjoyed that part (trying on Lululemon clothing and getting photographed). They had kombucha and some light snacks for you to much on before the yoga session.
The yoga room is very spacious and Ritual provides the towels, yoga mats, and anything else you might need for the class, which is super nice! The class is held in the dark and in candlelight, which really helps in setting the calm mood.
Onto the class itself — WOW I have never done hot yoga so I didn’t really know what to expect. This was a workout! I was dripping in sweat afterwards (sorry … maybe TMI for some people). The instructor uses a microphone to call out the poses and breaths, and they had one of the staff in the front for us to follow in case you didn’t know how to do the poses. They also had another instructor walk around and she would lightly correct your pose, which was super nice! It’s a pretty upbeat pace, I have never done yoga that intense before.
At the end of the class, they place a cool mint-​y towel on your face to help you cool off. I’m not sure if they do this every class, but they also massaged your head which felt amazing. I felt refreshed and energized afterwards!
Thanks for holding such an awesome event!

New Year, New You! That’s been my mantra this year… oh Unilocal,you know me so well!
I’ve never been to a hot yoga class, so I’m glad I got to go to this event. I had no idea what to expect! I thought it was going to be a slow class, focusing on poses and breathing. It was a full on workout! I was sweating buckets afterwards. The best part: the cool mint towel and massage at the end of class!
We also got goodie bags on the way out, as well as other drinks to take home, including boxed water!
Ritual Yoga is a great place to go if you’re more into an active practice. Sixth street can be a bit dodgy, but I’m willing to come back or check out the FiDi location.
Thanks to Unilocal and Ritual for hosting a fun event!

Well damn! I didn’t know if I was supposed to dance or stretch. Missy Elliot and 50 Cent were not what I had in mind when I considered heated Yoga. I’d taken a Bikram Yoga class before so that was along the lines of what I was expecting. Isn’t Yoga meant to encompass meditation, relaxation, and mind focus?
The music was so loud I could not hear the instructor. Her voice was competing with Missy’s and you know who won. At first my impression of RHY was not the best. Upon arrival at 6:30pm (yes, I was a bit on the later side) before the class began, the hosts were hesitant about allowing myself and 2 other ladies in. The class was full is what we were initially told. When I asked, so did you guys not accommodate for the number of guests, orrrr what happened? The response was something to the effect of we had more RSVP’s than expected. How is that possible? If you have space for only 50, shouldn’t there be a cap at… ohh I don’t know 50?! Because look here girlfriend, I just paid $ 90.00 for some Lululemon yoga pants and Imma get my monies worth. You betta open that door! That would be the Lion coming out, though I didn’t actually say that, I patiently waited a moment.
The class began while myself and 2 other ladies eagerly awaited entry. One of the pretty hosts promptly made 3 mats for us with towels in the back row and we were in! Hip Hop beats pumping, my body must have released at least a pint of water through sweat. It was as if I was standing in the rain and water was rolling off of me. If felt amazing! If only I could hear the instructors next move and keep up. At a few moments during the class, I noticed I wasn’t the only one trying to maintain speed. Too fast for my taste. Each pose was less than a few seconds. And did I mention how loud it was. You ever been to a club where the bass speaker has blasted and the music is distorted? Like that. I would recommend a good sound engineer if you plan to play your music at such levels.
Truth be told the most enjoyable part of the experience was when I was laying down. Stretching, relaxing and focusing on my breathing. Mmmhhmm… Then came the cool, damp towel infused with what smelled like eucalyptus or tea tree. It was heavenly. That was followed by a mini shoulder massage and head rub. What a finish! If only the beginning were as divine. Probably not the worst Yoga experience I’ve ever had, but I don’t think speed hip hop yoga is what I am after. If that’s your jam, check it out.
The location is also on the outskirts of SOMA near the freeway. So unless you Über/​Lyft/​taxi you probably do not want to walk down 6^th street to get to the location. There are some unsavory people along the way. My mistake.
With that said, I will say thank you to Unilocal SF and Ritual for allowing me to experience this new genre of Yoga. It certainly kick started my 2016 work out program!

I wasn’t sure what to expect after reading some of the reviews on their main page other than the music was hip and it’s a cool first experience for hot yoga.
As an ex-​bikramer I’m not sure if I like or don’t like the yoga that Ritual Yoga provides. That’s because I feel like Ritual Yoga’s method of going over yoga is to make it more hip for young people. As my friend describes it, I pretty much felt like I was doing yoga at a club, lol. Literally the lights are off and there are only candles as a source of light and the music is pretty mainstream and upbeat but not like at hyper-​speed but more of a consistent tempo that you are suppose to follow your breathe to…
Why I give this place –1 star is because it’s extremely difficult (for me — and I could just be the odd one out here) to listen to the music to follow the breathing pattern AND the instructor (shout out to Brittney — super awesome and friendly!!!) at the same time. But good thing there were guides in the room to help remind me what each position looks like (downward dog, runner’s pose, etc;). I could only imagine how lost I would be if I was trying yoga for the first time and being a bit confused. But then again of course you can’t master it all the first time around!
I’m not sure if the class we had is like the same time length as a class Ritual Yoga provides, but I felt like it went by too fast! But I’m probably just comparing it to a bikram class which is 90 minutes and that can be a bit intense. The studio is a bit small… Kind of unfortunate that the class isn’t lit up so you can’t really see if you’re doing your poses correctly in the mirror but I guess that’s what the assistants for the class are there for. I would come try it out again if it was a bit more convenience. Kind of a trek to get here if you’re coming from Bart. Overall this was actually one of my favorite events! Something different besides just food :) haha.

Oh man. Talk about sweating it out! This event combined my two favorite things: Unilocal + fitness!
I needed this after having a rough day at work, and nothing gets me into a better mood than fitness and sweat! I was literally sweating my entire ecosystem. Prior to getting our sweat on, there was some fabulous Lululemon girls who were letting us try on some of their new arrival gear and a couple of nice girls taking photos of us in our swag.
Having done regular yoga before, this was my first hot yoga class and I’m glad I tried it! Ritual has a great thing going on, so brave the walk on Brannan and 6^th to get there. I definitely had a fabulous time meeting some fellow Unilocalers who love fitness as much as food, this was absolutely a great way to start off 2016! Hooray for Unilocal Elite & Fitness!