Mysore San Francisco

Pros:
— Experienced Ashtanga Teachers: Magnolia is certified teacher and Kaz is an Authorized 1 from the KPJAYI.
— Parking: if you drive there, there’s lots of space to park around Mysore hours, and if you bike there you can get your bike inside the building and there is not even need to use a lock which is a major Plus.
–There’s a shower and restroom downstairs, so you can go to work or study or whatever from there.
— The people and hence the place is usually very quiet and calm, if you like that environment for your practice, you will like it here, there’s not much light so you are into meditation kind of mood which I think is really nice. There’s mat storage (with a price I think is around $ 10 dollar or so extra monthly).
Cons:
— Magnolia’s approach is the kind where you get to hear «where were you yesterday?» (in a judging tone) if you don’t show up, or «I’m gonna receive a list of who showed up, while I’m away». So if you don’t want to feel in elementary school back again, you do it because you HAVE to, like an obligation, this is not the place for you, I personally like the practice approach of do it because you WANT to. She tends use students as sparring to take out her bad energy (I had been warned about this by other students, but didn’t listen), speaking of energy, the teacher mention once to me that her practice and teaching sometimes would leave her with no energy to do simple things like groceries, so you can realize of the type of approach she has for yoga and if you are like me and feel like saving energy for other things or do a hike, climb, go out at night every now and then or even because you just want to sleep, this is not the place for you.
— It is really hot in there, not only it has a heater but also with all the people there practicing, prepare to feel suffocated if you are not into practicing in such temperature.
— The place sometimes get really crowded, specially around 7:00 am, if you like to have a practice with space enough to move comfortably you should consider this.
— Time: if you are not a morning person, stay away!, if you like to practice in the afternoon or night, bad news, the schedule like many ashtanga places is super early in the morning from 5:00 to 9:00 am.

This studio was a pure and traditional-​style Mysore shala. No frills, no fuss. It may be intimidating to some, because Magnolia teaches a strict Mysore-​style class — even for led. If you’re struggling through a posture, believe that she will stop you dead in your tracks, and send you to finishing. If you like tradition — the way Guruji taught — this is the place for you.

I came from out of town for a visit to SF and based on the instructions on the website (established practice OK for drop in), I showed up at the studio after a 30 minute commute to get there. I rang the bell as instructed several times and waited outside for about 10 minutes before another student arrived who knew the door code and let me in. On arriving one of the teachers asked me who I had practiced with previously and I mentioned the teacher I had studied with. She didn’t recognize his name making some comment about how «people in the ashtanga world know each other.» She then proceeded to tell me that since I didn’t email Magnolia (although on website under Etiquette it does not say that is required if you have an established practice) and that since Tuesday is «not an auspicious day» that I should come back tomorrow. It was insulting and a huge waste of my time. Had I known I would be treated in such a manner I would have chosen one of the other ashtanga studios in SF. I’ve practiced in many different cities worldwide while traveling and never once have I been denied the right to practice nor been treated in such a way.

I love this studio and I love the yoga! My first experience of real Astanga Yoga. This is it! No nonsense yoga! Clean space attended by courteous, conscientious, compassionate teachers. The hands-​on adjustments can be a bit intense, but I’ve learned that this is what REAL yoga is all about when they are done by a competent instructor. Love it! I will be exploring more of Astanga from now on. I highly recommend this studio.

Magnolia may be the best Mysore Ashtanga yoga teacher in the Bay Area. Mysore is the antithesis of the bubblegum-​jabber-​jabber led vinyasa classes that most people understand to be «ashtanga.» Folks, it’s not ashtanga, or even yoga, if the teacher spends half the class waxing long about toxins or expanding your heart-​space while blasting dubstep or bohemian alterna-​tronica. Mysore ashtanga is a hollow bone that teaches you to look deep within yourself and Magnolia is not going to let you hide from your bullshit excuses for avoiding confronting your harsh realities. At the same time you will be supported by an incredible teacher and the incredible community she has built up around the practice. Once I tried ashtanga I knew I could never go back, and I think that’s how it is for most people — so try it and see for yourself.

Beautiful unpretentious space. I love the community here, people are down to earth, friendly and committed to their practice. Mysore style yoga is definitely a «No Bullshit Yoga.» Magnolia is an amazing teacher. I think she has a sixth sense when it comes to teaching students. She knows when to push you, when to pull back and everything in between. On top of it, she is also a sweet lady with a super cute chihuahua, which is by the way the mascot of Mysore SF.
If you are on the fence of trying mysore style yoga, Just Come In. Sit in, see how you feel and you will find your answer.

I’ve been practicing with Mags for three years. The Mysore SF studio is wonderful. It is clean and bright; parking is ample during am Mysore hours.
Commit to practicing Mysore yoga and you will be able to do things you never thought were possible.

MysoreSf is the creation of not only Magnolia but rather a commitment to the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga practice, Mysore style as taught by the ancients, teachers & Gurus. Common names in this worldwide community are the big sages & Gurus from India Vamana Rishi, Krisnamacharya, K. Pattabi Jois & grandson Sherath. Magnolia has taken the tradition of Ashtanga Mysore practice (easily as old as India itself) & share w every student powerfully. Magnolia leaves enough space for you to create your own practice & when is rightly necessary she comes & supports you, gives you more poses, adjusts, sits w you thru the moment, etc. Magnolia has created a very sacred space where we can come & practice our own yoga practice. being in the unconfort zone is where we succeed.
the studio is also maintain clean & odor free, the building itself is very centric & accessible in all ways, parking is easy & there is space for your bicycle inside & outside too. the practice times are perfect for starting the day too. the design of this practice leaves little room for mistake but mainly teaches you how to own your practice.
come & do it!

You’ll find MysoreSF in a warm sunlit studio on the second floor of the City Dance Annex on Harrison. It’s the building across from Costco covered by a cool black and white mural. There is plenty of free street parking til 9 a.m., or room for your bike inside or it’s about a 6 block walk from Civic Center BART. If you’ve never been here before just ring the doorbell on the left side of the door jamb (it’s easily overlooked because it’s painted black now). Someone from this great community of practitioners will open the door for you.
If you are ready to embark on this practice in a steadfast, traditional manner, Magnolia is the teacher for you. If you already practice and are looking to deepen your experience, then this is the place to be. Magnolia has a profound understanding of the «correct method» honoring the lineage from which she has received the blessing to teach directly from both Pattabhi Jois and Sharath in Mysore India. It is the traditional form of Ashtanga Vinyasa where you are led individually through the sequences to build flexibility and strength appropriately for your own body and mind. Through her teaching, Magnolia provides personal attention, adjustments and assistance in understanding the practice on many different levels. In addition to the Mon-​Fri Mysore classes, she has Led classes every other Sunday to experience the true rhythm of the Primary Series and she holds the occasional workshop on related topics like Sanskrit and Ayurveda.
If you’ve ever wanted to try meditation but couldn’t sit still long enough, try this practice — it’s a moving meditation — really. Every day you start with the first breath and it takes you to places you never thought you could go or imagined you would even want to go (…and you’ll be surprised how happy you are to get there.) It’s a daily discovery that transforms you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and Magnolia is supportive every step of the way. So … you come. Take practice! (… and, oh, by the way, there is a shower available so you can wash up before you take on the rest of your day ;-))

magnolia is the real deal, and we’re lucky to have her teaching in sf. she teaches no-​nonsense traditional mysore ashtanga yoga according to teachings of kp jois/​sharath, and is one among a very selected few authorized level 2 teachers in the bay.
the mysore method is transformative (physically and emotionally), and i strongly recommend magnolia as the teacher to guide you through this personal journey wherein each student is given a series of postures that is systematically sequenced and gradually (and safely) built up over time. whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, she religiously keeps track of student progress during and after each practice session. she gives very precise verbal and hands-​on adjustments, and her many years of dedicated practice/​teaching truly shine. if you’re interested in other aspects of the practice, she is very accessible in regards to ayurveda as she is a walking wikipedia on that subject.

If you are looking for a Mysore studio in San Francisco I highly recommend MysoreSF. I have been Magnolia Zuniga’s student for over two years. Magnolia’s understanding and ability to transfer the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga is extraordinary. The practice itself has been one of transformation and Magnolia has been a guiding light. The practice will test your limits. At times it can be grueling or painful and at times it is full of the greatest joy. Another plus about Mysore SF is that Magnolia brings in guest teachers such as senior teacher Dominic Corigliano. MysoreSF is really a nice community of people dedicated to growth and well-​being. Whether you are new to Yoga or have been practicing Mysore-​style for a decade MysoreSF will meet your needs.

Let me say right off that if you’re into the kind of yoga where you sit still for 20 minute intervals and ponder the glittering gifts of Ganesh, this place isn’t for you. Mysore-​style Ashtanga is a rigorous, physical practice that requires lots of dedication and sweat. Each student is taken individually starting from the same place and progresses forward depending on capabilities. Nestled in a dance studio in SOMA, Mysore SF is led by Authorized Teacher Magnolia Zuniga, who has taught Mysore all over the world, and is incredibly attentive and encouraging, even when testing your limitations. She’s been my teacher for over two years now and knows exactly how much and how hard to push me to do my best. The space is on the small side, but it’s light, clean, and warm (the room is kept at 84 degrees). And even though it’s a kind of self-​practice, the community at Mysore SF is really amazing and inspiring. I would recommend this studio to those looking for a no-​nonsense yoga routine. You won’t find any heart opening chakra talk here or what I like to call «slowga.»