Moksha Life Center

Cutest, most zen little yoga studio around. You wouldn’t expect to find such a peaceful environment tucked in the hustle and bustle of the SF financial district, but low and behold… Moksha exists to calm the mind and feed the soul.
The main reason I have become a regular at this studio has to do with Kaitlyn Venezia, who teaches Vinyasa Mondays and Wednesdays @ 6:30pm. She exhibits all of the characteristics you hope to find in a yoga instructor. She is naturally welcoming, warm, and energetic and looks out for the students’ best interests. She is very knowledgeable yet remains grounded and helps us set intentions before each practice. She also plays an amazing, versatile selection of music each class!!! Spot on.

Lovely little yoga studio. I signed up for the Vinyasa class for all levels and it was fantastic. I don’t consider myself a yogi as I don’t have time to practice as much as I like! However, I love putting 1 – 2 classes a week to help me relax and meditate.
Vinyasa is a bit more fast paced class but there is still a meditation segment at the end. To be honest with you, I got a little too comfortable at the end and almost fell asleep… BUT none the less, it was fantastic. The instructors are fabulous– very non judgmental and encouraging. Every class is different. Last time, we focused on a new breathing technique. Sign up now if you want to relax and find a tranquil place in the middle of the city. :)
I always leave this class feeling recharged and relaxed.

The only class I’ve ever attended at Moksha was filled with 25 people and ZERO music. I was perhaps six inches from the individual sitting next to me. Between the buses and cars rushing by outside of the building and the lack of space, I couldn’t concentrate!

One of the best yoga spots in the city. I love that this studio focuses on the basics and getting your yoga foundation right.
I am a fan!

Moksha is a great tranquil space in the Financial District.
I’ve only attended two classes so far — but I was extremely impressed by both instructors.
My class today was mellow, but I appreciated the well chosen music which accompanied it, and I left the class feeling inspired and energized. The instructor was wonderful. He paced the class well and was extremely encouraging and clear with each pose throughout the hour.
His faith and energy in the class really inspired everyone to focus and concentrate on maintaining their poses. I’m already sitting taller in my chair and looking forward to my next class here.
Trust.

This review is for an Entrainment session with Dr. Gwen Jones. I stopped in for an adjustment during lunch. It was so relaxing and I walked away feeling refreshed. I carry a lot of tension in my upper and low back, which she helped to relieve with her very non-​invasive work. No need to change or anything out of your work clothes, so this is the perfect way to spend a lunch break or reward yourself after a long day at work.

Worst yoga class I’ve ever been to. Meghan is seriously a liability to this place. She didn’t ask anyone about injuries and then spent the class FORCING people into positions and «deepening the stretch» much past what is healthy. I was surprised the first time she grabbed me and, when my body wouldn’t go any further, she put her knee into my back and shoved with her entire body weight. I am a very limber person and every yoga teacher I’ve ever encountered has taken one look at my flexibility and told me that I actually need to guard my joints by being careful how far into a stretch I go. Not so with Meghan. It hurt and I asked her to stop, explaining that I was taking my time with the stretch. She said «oh», backed off for moment, and then when I began to get back into the stretch, she pounced on me again! My back is killing me tonight, just hours later. After the first two assaults, I spent the rest of class unable to fully get into my practice because I had to keep an eye out to make sure she didn’t shove my knee too far, since it is recovering from a hyper extension injury. I saved my knee, but sadly wasn’t aware in time for my back. It is completely inflamed.
Besides all this inflicted pain, her material was minimally inspired and the music was so loud that I found myself unable to hear her instructions. One woman got up and simply left halfway through class, and I really wish I’d done the same. I heard at least one other person whimper and say her pushing them into a stretch «hurt a little.»
I had hoped to find a studio near my office, but I am not going back, not even to use the rest of my monthly pass.

Love coming here during my lunch hour for yoga. The instructors are friendly and knowledgeable. I appreciate that they pay attention and correct your form. The space is clean and calming.

When I tried yoga for the first time years ago and fell into a deep slumber in a packed class I quickly left the class in embarrassment and figured it just wasn’t my thing. -.-” So, I stuck with the cardio routine. I’m a ball of energy who’s constantly on the go and can’t quite keep still, and Cardio helps me release all that energy, and perhaps ironically, keeps me calm.
But, I decided to try yoga again when a coworker recommended this place. I must admit, though, the Groupon deal definitely was a huge incentive! I’ve heard that Vinyasa is a power yoga with a faster pace, but I set my expectations low. Though Vinyasa may be more fast-​paced, there is a meditation session at the end where I could make a fool out of myself (again)…in front of my fellow yogi’s. O. O
As I walked through the narrow entrance and into a small building, my first thought was how out of placed this yoga studio felt. I was used to yoga/​Pilates studios with a large, welcoming entrance and lots of bright, natural lights. But, here I was, entering the building with a tiny and somewhat shady-​looking entrance… the kind of place that would appear in CSI as a crime scene. AND, as if to add some comedic relief, the cramped, old-​fashioned elevator is rickety and reeks of fried chicken each and every time you get into it.
It’s hard enough to motivate myself to find time to exercise, but to add a smell like that, especially right before an exercise session?! How do you expect anyone to have enough discipline to not just skip the yoga class and go straight for the food? O. o
But, once you get through those obstacles, you’ll enter a room that appears more in line with a yoga studio (but not quite one of those elegantly designed ones). There’s more of a simplistic feel to this studio. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the classes! So much so that I would look forward to it each day after work.
From the outside looking in, this place appears to be a hole-​in-​a-​wall kind of place. But, if you just look past that and give it a try, you’ll discover that it’s truly a hidden gem! After a long day of work, this place is my refuge… a place where I can relax, recharge, and release any negative energy I may have pent up from that day or week.
My favorite instructor is Angela because, even when you’re having an off day and just feel like lying there, she’ll still shower you with reassuring words/​words of encouragement! And she’s always so happy that you just can’t help but turn that frown upside down. She also has great taste in music and definitely know how to compile a playlist that’ll help you get into the rhythm of her class.
Typically, I bring my own mat to these kinds of places. But, since I don’t want to lug my yoga mat from home to work and then to here, I just use their mats. Although they’re somewhat thin and doesn’t give me as much support as my mat, you can always double it up to make it more comfortable. There are also blocks for you to use, if you need support during class. Just don’t forget to wipe down the mats… no one wants to be contaminated with a sweaty, un-​sanitized mat. |:
Depending on when you come, some classes may seem fuller than others. I noticed that the best time to come is during the afternoon towards the end of the week because there are way less people. AND if it’s near the holidays, there are even less people. Lunchtime tends to get really crowded, especially during the middle of the week, so I try to avoid them. Classes are also crowded right after the holidays! As they say: timing is everything! So, go online and check out their class schedule to see what works best for you.
One last thing to note: the restroom doorknob is a little funky, so beware that you may be locked in at times. I know I was a little freaked out when that happened. But, if you gently twist the doorknob back and forth, you should be able to get yourself out of there. If not… someone usually hears you wrestling with the doorknob and those familiar with that doorknob will realize what’s happening and will come to your rescue!
Namaste. (:
Tip: Get the Groupon deal! I bought the one month, unlimited classes deal. But, I wished I had bought the two months pass instead! Definitely a better deal and so worth it!

I’ve been going to yoga at Moksha, off and on, for the past 2 years and I’m so happy that I found such a wonderful place close to my office!
The space is calm and comfortable with a few areas to change and store your bags while in class. They provide mats (recently bought new ones) that are free to use, along with blocks, straps and blankets.
The absolute best part of Moksha is Angela’s Vinyasa class! I frequently attend her Tuesday and Thursday 5:30pm classes and look forward to them each week. She is such a sweet and positive person. When I first went to Moksha, I was nervous since I hadn’t been to yoga in a couple of years. Angela made me feel very comfortable with her non-​judgemental and encouraging disposition. She has such a genuine interest in those who take her class. Her classes are challenging, but balanced and I always leave feeling great!

The business doesn’t seem to have it together. Maybe 2 stars is overly grumpy due to my being in pain at the moment and needing chiropractic help and their being unhelpful, but there is it. I can’t honestly claim anything about their services (only the customer service on the phone) and I could not rate it «OK.» It was «Meh.»
I called to make a chiropractic appointment and when I asked if this particular Doctor worked there the staff DID NOT KNOW and had no way to make an appointment for me.
Actually the first time I called and said I wanted to make an appointment with Dr. Jones, they put me on hold for 6 minutes until their system hung up on me.
They took my number the second time around and made a vague promise of passing it on and that I would probably get a call back. Not so far.
I have no idea how to reach this doctor, she has no email I can find to tell her the center staff is doing her a disservice, only the phone number at this place. I assume she practices out of there but didn’t find a way to make an appointment online — that system seems to be only for classes like yoga.
Finally gave up and found another place to take me

I got a Groupon for a month of yoga for $ 39. I really want to like this yoga studio because the teachers are super nice and friendly, but everyone looks for different things in yoga and these classes just aren’t doing it for me.
I’ve tried a few different classes here:
–Vinyasa/​Yoga Sculpt with Brittany — Brittany is such a sweet soul. She’s super bubbly and cheerful, and a really encouraging teacher. Her vinyasa classes generally follow the same flow through basic poses. Nothing particularly advanced — no inversions, no backbends, but sometimes we’ll do easier arm balances like crow. Her yoga sculpt classes are more «gym-​like» and a little more challenging because of the weights, and she’s constantly encouraging and motivating the class.
–Vinyasa with Angela — I’m not a huge fan of Angela’s classes. The flows don’t really transition well from pose to pose, and the classes are rather unstructured and haphazard. She tends to talk really fast, resulting in a pretty sloppy flow, and sometimes she’ll forget to do the same poses on both sides to balance out the body.
–Jiva Mukti with Meghan — I’ve never taken jiva mukti yoga classes before, so I don’t really have a basis for comparison. Meghan’s classes involve a LOT of holding stretches and twists to a count of 5 or 10 breaths, so it’s a pretty slow, relaxing class, though after some initial stretches, there is a quick flow of warrior poses that are oddly fast-​paced in comparison to the rest o class. Meghan will go around the class, adjusting and deepening people’s stretches and twists, which I like. I always appreciate teachers that provide adjustments.
Overall, the classes are very gentle yoga classes with basic poses and a slow flow that barely warms up my body. I’m no expert at yoga but I prefer rigorous classes that push you in new or challenging poses. No, I don’t like gym or hot yoga, but I do like yoga where I’m working so hard, I walk out of class drenched in sweat.
I would still recommend this studio (particularly Brittany’s classes) for beginners though or anyone looking for a very gentle practice. The teachers are really friendly and give adjustments, and the classes are very small (only a handful of people) so the teachers give you more personalized attention.
There aren’t many class offerings though, and there are no classes on the weekends. But the studio does have mats for free use so you don’t have to lug yours around. They aren’t great quality mats, but they work.

Love the yoga classes! The location is great and makes it easy for anyone who works downtown.

I’ve always looked to NSA chiropractic to help me along the way with life’s stresses. I’m glad to have found Dr. Gwen. She’s a lifesaver. After being adjusted I always feel like I have super powers and am ready to deal with what life throws at me. I’m not one to use words like bliss and joy, but MAN I leave there in this blissful, joyful state. I have a huge smile on my face and all is content with the world. I stumble the street high on life and nothing can touch me. It’s truly amazing, especially since I’m usually a complete cynical jerk :)
Whether I’m recovering from an injury, cold or other ailment, I know that making a trip to Dr. Gwen is part of the process to make me heal in the most efficient way. Even when Im not under much stress, sickness or pressure, I know that going in for an adjustment two or three times a month keeps me operating at my best. I highly recommend this to anyone who’s looking for the tools to battle stress of any kind.
Go.
Here.
Now.
Ka-​pow!

I’m hesitant to post a review because I don’t really want the secret to get out, but Roy deserves the praise! The M/​W lunchtime yoga instructor, Roy, has a true gift. I’m so grateful that he shares it at Moksha, which is super convenient to my office downtown.
While it says all levels, it would be challenging to keep up for someone who is truly brand new to yoga. But if you are a beginner or out of practice, you’ll be fine, as long as you are familiar with the basic poses and syntax.
Thank you, Roy!

I took a lunchtime vinyasa class with Allegra and it was amazing. She is everything a yoga instructor should be and more. I mean, she sang at the end of class… and she was good! I thought it was the stereo.
Highly recommended

I *heart* this cute little studio tucked in FiDi. I thoroughly appreciate the fact that I don’t have to lug my mat all the way down there every time I take a class (and they give me two, so I don’t end up with bruised knees at the end of the hour). The studio itself is incredibly relaxing, the classes are fairly small, and the location über convenient for FiDi workers (alas, not me).
The only bummer is I wish they offered a slightly later class, as I typically miss their sessions.

I had taken a really long hiatus from yoga. We’re talking years, and I was never really that routine with it anyway. I attempted my first class in oh, 3 years one night at Moksha. The Thursday night alignment class was a bit much for me, as I was technically a beginner again. Since they have a great location near my office, I had the opportunity to try out classes during lunch too, which I did.
I found myself really enjoying the Forrest yoga class with Sandy. It’s not for beginner’s per se, but catered enough depending on who is in class to push you just enough so that you are willing to keep going and come back next week ;)
It’s a great studio, located in the hustle and bustle of the Financial District (albeit not the most quiet studio, but such is life in the city) and perfect for getting your serenity now in the middle of the work week. They also offer body work and massage there, which I’m totally going to look into.

Very Good Chiropractic Services Here!
Dr. Gwen Jones is very good at her work!
Nicest people you ever met too!
Great Yoga Teachers.
Highly Recomend this place.
Thanks Moksha Life center,
Louis

Perfect small studio in the middle of financial district. It’s the only place to get your om on in the middle of the workday, probably when you need it most.
I find myself running to class and sauntering back to the office a completely different person. The teachers all offer something different to the practice and the ones I’ve experienced were all pretty amazing in their own right. Angela’s class on Tuesdays at 12 is my favorite, it’s the right balance of work and ease.
I’m so glad Moksha exists.