Rusty Wells – Bhakti Urban Flow

Decent flow class, but I found Rusty’s narcissism is hard to swallow. Yelled at me in class for taking the practice at my own pace, telling me to «get with the program.» Never had a yoga teacher berate me in ten years of practice, never went back.

I started taking Rusty’s class back when he was teaching at Yoga Tree many years ago. He had a softness about him back then. I remember how inspired and in awe I was after the class after hearing so many motivational and touching mantras, and hearing him sing beautifully. Back then, he may have even given an adjustment or two. My friend, Jo and I would sit in the back and mock the fact that we couldn’t subscribe to the «cult» following but shortly thereafter, we were there on a weekly basis. We sold out too.
Things changed when he started his own studio. Albeit wonderful that he gained his independence (much deserved) and can do things on his own tab and with his own rules, I noticed change taking place as soon as I took class at Urban Flow. I am sure stress ensues with any large business endeavor so maybe some of this tension was due to the weight of running this new venture, but what I found that day was that there was less tolerance for students and more looseness for the teacher.
Examples: students were being reprimanded in class for leaving early in between shavasana. No one was in trouble for being late which I see as almost if not more disruptive. Rusty would arrive 10−15−20 minutes late to the class where the students (majority of us) would arrive 10−15−20 minutes EARLY to be there to earn a rightful spot on the floor. If you count the math, a student can wait up to 40 minutes even arriving «on time» to start a class with Rusty. I have seen him more than once, address students who leave early in the class. What if someone feels light headed? What if someone has a flight to catch but desperately wanted to have one last vinyasa with their favorite teacher? I guess I just don’t understand the double standard.
His work and his practice is impeccable and he certainly has a gift that (hopefully) no one can take away, but the experience of the «regulations/​rules/​restrictions» seemed to get in the way the last several times I took class, where I found it to be less genuine and less about the essence of Yoga itself.
At this point, I have practiced yoga for 10 years but with the large bold sign in the front of the desk saying «no beginners NO exceptions» for certain classes I want to take, I fear I too, will be ostracized in his class in fault of not being a regular cult practitioner.
I wish we could go back to the way it used to be with his classes when it was not such a competitiive and restrictive setting. Nonetheless, I think it’s a good studio with wonderful teachers practicing along side him. I just doubt I would take his class anytime soon, as I don’t think I would feel accepted and comfortable being where I am at in my yoga right now.

I am writing this review in response to Clemetine D’s review on 6÷28÷2014:
I took the very Yoga class that Clemetine and her red headed dreadlocked companion took. They were about eight rows ahead of me towards the front left (our left) of the class. The young man in question has a quite striking hairdo: a large red dreadlock. I can remember thinking before the class started, «Wow, that guy is not going to be comfortable in this hot room with all that hair.» I was quite right: The moment the class started he began moving out of step with the rest of us. He, I believe, had just become aware of his close proximity to one of the overhead heating vents and began to shake his arms at it. A few minutes later he popped up out of his pose and left the Yoga room. A minute or so later he returned to his mat and rejoined the class. A few minutes after that he popped again, he seemed very agitated, grabbed a towel and threw it at a person near him who was in downward dog. He then startled the entire class by slamming the door behind him. Wow, did that guy slam that door loudly. That is the last we saw of him in the class. I was a bit distracted and confused by the incident. Rusty had apparently followed the young man out into the lobby, Rusty reappeared in the class and said reassuringly, «We do not do these kind of things here.» That is all Rusty said to us. My companion and I just happened to run into Mr. Red Headed Dreadlock Doorslammer on the street In front of Rusty’s Studio. He asked us if we were in the previous class with him which we said yes. He said he needed to let people know how mean Rusty is. I thought but did not tell him, «Dude, You are completely unaware of your disruptive behavior.»

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS GURU PIMPS BUSINESS! Please read:
Let me preface this — I am a yoga instructor and am aware of class conduct and how class disturbances should be managed.
I’ve been going to Urban Flow for 3yrs now. I found Rusty’s strong, almost cultish following a bit disturbing but got enough out of his classes physically to continue going.
When my friend got frustrated with a pose during one of Rusty’s classes, instead of showing compassion like a decent human being (most especially a yoga instructor who preaches about compassion all the time) would do, he publicly humiliated him in front of 100+ people and threatened to call the cops on him of he didn’t leave the class and building. When my friend, in tears, says «rusty, you’re being really mean to me and making me want to cry» he looks him straight in the eye says: «I’m ok with that.» Zero compassion. No refund was given for the class, oh and they kicked me out as well. Just for being his friend.
THIS IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF YOGA — PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE! There are plenty of other amazing studios in the city I’d definitely recommend over urban flow: Aha yoga, laughing lotus, the pad, yoga tree (Shotwell studio has fantastic donation classes) — there is no need to «drink the koolaid» and support this guru pimp’s ego.

If you want to experience an amazing yoga community then please check out this studio. There are so many great teachers here that cater to all levels, beginners — Level 3. Simply checkout the website to find a class that will be best suited for your desires!
I absolutely adore Rusty’s classes and can’t believe I just discovered him. He’s extremely inspirational, spiritual, knowledgeable and even humorous sometimes! Just at the right moment, when you might start holding back he finds a way to reel you back in to practice the way you intended to. I have only experienced mild chanting before in other studios and was blown away after taking his first class. Love his voice/​music and chanting. He always has a great playlist of up-​beat, current music during your flow.
Brad’s classes are also inspirational with great music!
If you’re ready for a change and want to up-​lift your life then check this place out! I see that people complain about the class size, but what can you expect when you’re practicing with some of the best in our area. I love the cleanliness and the hardwood floors too!

Rusty Wells ROCKS! His classes are AWESOME! And, although I haven’t worked up the courage to attend his Level ²⁄₃ classes as I KNOW I would be in child’s pose the entire class! I do attend his Basics and Beyond class on Sunday’s at 11am. The class WORKS me and I leave feeling refreshed and alive. Rusty has some great words of wisdom he offers during his class. I have attended many other studios for yoga and I always appreciate and get something from each yoga class – but there is something special about Urban Flow and Rusty!

Spacious studio, amazing energy, felt good to be there.

This is the most wonderful yoga experience one can as for in the yoga mecca of the world – San Francisco. The studio is spacious and the vibe is pumped up and buddahfully energizing. Rusty is very supportive and hardcore but still gentle and kind. Possible? Yes. The other teachers @ Urban Flow are also Awesome!
Went there originally for «The San Francisco Treat” – Mr. Tom Lee. Can’t wait till I go back because I leave feeling great and having a Wonderful Practice. And oh, the new Urban Flow tee shirt is amazing.
Run to Urban Flow – don’t walk– You Will Love it!

Rusty Wells in Berlin! — für alle, die schon immer mal nach San Francisco und in Rustys Om Factory gehen wollten: vom 11. — 14. Juni, jeden Abend von 18:30 — 21:30 Uhr im Spirit Yoga Berlin Mitte Studio (Rosenthaler Str. 36) habt ihr die Gelegenheit, super Yogaworkshops mit bei Rusty Wells mitzumachen.
Sich selbst heilen und Gutes tun! Das funktioniert laut Rusty, wenn wir voll bedingungsloser Liebe und Hingabe sind. Diesen Glauben bringt er in seine energetisch-​dynamischen Klassen ein, deren kreativer Fluß aus Musik, manchmal recht schweißtreibenden Sequenzen und dann aber wieder, von Stille und feiner Energie geprägt, das Herz öffnen und ein Gefühl von Glückseligkeit hinterlassen.

alle Details zu den Workshops, Preise etc. unter

Best yoga studio and my favorite teacher in SF for sure. I love that Rusty gives you a lot to think about during his (very) challenging classes. He helps to bridge the gap between your time on the mat and taking that feeling into your real life. I appreciate the unique ways he has of addressing God (yes, he does talk about God in a very approachable and open way.) His brand of yoga is completely his own so don’t expect it to be like any other yoga class except maybe some others at Urban Flow since many of them are his pupils. He chants and sings a lot and has a beautiful voice and that part of the practice is very unifying and grounding in my opinion. Overall, I cannot say enough great things about this class and the people that attend who are very open and friendly. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om.

I’ll revise this review if I decide to give this class another shot. Please note this is not a review of the class itself since I didn’t get a chance to take the class.
I attempted to attend the Sunday morning 9am Rusty Wells class at Urban Flow. I recognize that Rusty already has a following and so does not really need to increase his audience. I arrived several minutes early at a time when probably the front desk should have capped the number of attendees. Nonetheless they took my money and allowed me entrance into the class. The room was already full – each spot I aimed to settle into got taken just before I was able to put my mat down. Space could have been made, but I found that the students would avert their eyes if I tried to make eye contact and ask someone to adjust over. I felt very much unwelcome, which is something that I find diverges from my understanding and experience of yoga as a discipline.
Apparently Rusty does ask people to adjust their spacing when he arrives, but he tends to arrive 10 – 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the class.
Given that the classes here do seem to be so large, I’d recommend that they follow the lead of studios such as Funky Door, which have designated spaces in the classroom. In this way, the front desk can admit the number of people who will fit in the room, and spaces that are available are clearly labeled.

I always wish I go to this class more, but it is far for me to get there. However, every time I do go I feel amazing when I’m done. Rusty is an amazing person and teaches an amazing class. It is worth getting up for on Sunday mornings (when I don’t mind the drive).
The class starts with a bit of chanting, which creates an amazing energy between the students and gets you ready for asana practice. The sequences are incredibly difficult pose wise, but they are challenging and take a lot of strength.
If you go to this class be prepared for lots of people and lots of sweat. Don’t let the amount of people discourage you, I have always received adjustments from Rusty or his wonderful assistants who also teach at the studio.
Make sure you bring a towel and your own water. The studio is eco friendly so you cannot buy bottles of water :).

I don’t often go to the city for yoga but when I do, I love to attend the 9 a.m. Rusty Wells Bhakti Flow class.
The first time I went, I wasn’t sure what to expect and by the end of the class, I was addicted.
The class starts out with singing and everyone gets into a wonderful mood and the energy of the class really takes you to another state of mind.
The class is challenging but a lot of fun. There are usually two teaching assistance to help people with form and extension which really helps because the class is always packed and more than one person is needed for adjustments.
The sequences are well thought out and so there are no strange transitions.
My tips are bring a towel because it is a good work out and have an open heart. You’re in for something special.

I started going to Rusty’s classes when they were at the capoeira studio in the Mission…4 years ago? Every time, I felt transformed by the end of the class. It pushed me to my limits in the best possible way. One time, I was so involved in just trying to survive that when he jokingly instructed us to lift the other foot (thereby levitating), I really thought for a moment I could. My favorite part was at the end, imagining that my old body had died and that I was moving to the next moment in a brand new one. I was often moved to tears and really felt lucky to be alive, which is crazy, because I am basically a grump and get real cranky at all this wifty California stuff. After many times, I even joined in with the chanting. Chanting! And I loved it! Bananas!
I wasn’t able to go for a while and was so excited to return recently. And, well… it seemed like something has shifted. Several times, Rusty has repeated the movements on one side, run out of time and then rushed the other side to the end, leaving me lopsided. He has just seemed more sarcastic, less authentically engaged and, I don’t know… it is just not the same. I talked to another longtime student who lamented the same things… suggesting that power always corrupts, even a lovely yogi-​man.
I will go again, but with my fingers crossed.

Rusty is an amazing teacher who has inspired me for almost 10 years. Bhakti Flow style is unique and specific to Rusty and it is his essence that comes through during class. He is very good at sequencing, and the collective energy is awesome.
Things to know:
*Level 2 – 3 is NOT for beginners (Level 1 is better if you’re starting out)
*Prepare to sweat
*Bring a towel
*Prepare to push your boundaries and find your edge
*Sunday morning classes are very inspirational and PACKED
*There is an awesome «Hydration Station» with purified H2O
*Great music, chanting, fun and flowing, all in a spacious studio called the «living room» :)
I highly recommend Rusty and his studio, Urban Flow.

I took Brad’s class and I wish he gave one every day. That wasn’t yoga, that was AWESOME!
This was a fun, energetic class that really was all levels (first timer to the yoga goddess on her head in front of me). But it worked.
Plus I heart late® night options when they pop up in SF. The class starts at 8 so I don’t have to feel like I’m rushing out of work.

Just like the stars express, as good as it gets!
Facility: clean and state of the art
Instructors: passionate and knowledgeable
What else do you need, the Dahlia Lama checking you in at the front???

Big changes are in the wind for Rusty and his faithful students; he will be leaving Yoga Tree and opening his own studio on New Year’s Eve. His new digs, Urban Flow, will be located at 1343 Mission Street at Van Ness, and will be entirely donation based. Watch for
to have the inside scoop.
What will not change is the focus on breath, strength, and finding equanimity in every moment; neither will the hugely packed classes. Share the love.

Rusty Wells is an amazing teacher.
Many people like to call it the cult of Rusty, but why knock it until you try it. His sequencing is incredible. His focus on pranayama and vinyasa are beyond description. He will take you to your threshold.
His classes are crowded, very crowded. So be prepared to share some sweet sweat. Be prepared to chant, WTF? I know, just be open to it.
Open mind, open heart and I assure you, when it’s all said and done, open eye, third eye that is.

Rusty is such an awe-​inspiring teacher. I absolutely love his classes. I’ve finished one of his teacher trainings and am currently in this Spring’s teacher training.
There is something special about his classes that just makes you wanting to come back for more. Combination of the chanting, the asanas, the vibe keeps me hooked. I always leave happy no matter how hard he’s worked us, because in the end, its all just physical, right?
Can’t wait till the next time he pushes me to get my foot behind my head and puts me thru ten hanumanasana’s on each side.

I am in these classes almost every week. In such a crowded space, I feel the need to address *all you yogis out there who are coming/​considering coming to his Yoga Flow class*
Still givin’ up mad props to Rusty, but there’s some «yoga etiquette» that is lacking in his classes.
1. If you’re new, quasi-​new, think you’re new, feeling new, puhleeeeezzzzeee respect your practice and everyone else’s. That means that you DON’T have to do everything. You have NO IDEA how nerve-​racking it is when someone next to you is attempting a headstand or handstand with no foundation that they’re about to fall over on your mat. It is soooooo not peaceful.
That brings me to my next point.
2. PLEASE do your best to stay on your mat. Seriously, we’re all sweatin like whores in church. So there’s no need to be all over the next person’s mat sharing it.
3. Some of you yogis are so aggressive when the door opens and it’s ridonkulous. Seriously, you’re not at Best Buy on the Day After Christmas. You’ll get a space so CHILL OUT!
That’s all I want to say. See you in class!