Greenleaf Yoga Studio

After about a year of increasingly severe lower back pain, on a friend’s recommendation I started coming to Greenleaf Yoga. I’ve been going for about six months, and have tried just about every style/​class with several instructors, but have practiced most often with Sergio for core and hatha. Each instructor has a different personality, of course, but I’ve found them all to be very open, helpful, funny, caring, and compassionate, gentle when they need to be and encouraging when a little push is required. I’m grateful for the ways in which they connect the spiritual/​mindfulness aspects of yoga with the bodily/​fitness aspects, and their willingness to answer questions — if you have any (or any concerns), just talk to them before class! In short, Greenleaf Yoga is an intimate studio with great teachers and practitioners of all ages and levels. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran you’ll find a place here! I’m still one of the former, but am glad to say that my back pain is all but gone!

I can’t believe the unprofessional attitude of this place! So I have this postcard/​flyer for this particular yoga location, which has NO EXPIRATION DATE ON IT, yet the gentlemen who kept playing phone tag (I literally had to call like 4 times AND leave voicemails just to get a hold of someone here) informed me they WILL NOT GRANT the flyer because it was a promotion ran with a printing company. It still doesn’t make sense because at the end of the day, the printing company isn’t responsible for this business. There is literally no date on this flyer, and that wasn’t cool at all to use the printing company as an excuse, they have nothing to do with the Yoga studio promotion other then they printed your flyers! THIS FLYER STATES YOU RECIEVE A FREE YOGA CLASS WITH THIS CARD FOR NEW STUDENTS ONLY. I had to give them 1 star to post this, but I literally cannot believe what type of business they are running here! Sad this employee wasn’t smart enough to make the exception, to GAIN my business. I was looking to sign up for a couple weeks and try it out, the lack of management education at this place is beyond disruptive!

I have been coming to yoga classes here since 2009. There’s classes for everyone. I appreciate the locked door when class starts to avoid the rude interruptions of late birds. Sergio’s classes are awesome! He learns to know your practice and encourages you to develop it. All of the instructors are wonderful. I highly recommend Greenleaf Yoga.

Greenleaf has been the best experience for me. Sergio and Franks classes have done so many amazing things for me. When i go to other studios, i always find myself coming back to greenleaf as it provides a comfort level that have with the classes. I forsee yoga always being constant in my life, i truely have greenleaf to thank for it.

Greenleaf Yoga is my home away from home. I’ve been practicing yoga there for 2 ½ years, and I absolutely love it. Sergio and Stephanie are my favorite teachers because they both offer challenging poses that have helped me become more flexible than I’ve ever been. I typically go 5 to 7 days a week, and it has become my main source of exercise and relaxation. I would recommend this studio, specifically Sergio and Stephanie, to anyone who wants to improve their flexibility and become stronger.
I’d like to respond to the post from Kimberly H. from August 21, just to clarify a few things to anyone who finds her comments concerning. First, if you show up to a class and find a sub there, you’re absolutely free to leave. Nobody is forcing anyone to stay; the door is locked to keep people out once class has begun, not keep them in. It’s a simple deadbolt that a child could open. Second, partner poses are also legitimate yoga poses, and I’ve seen him offer them multiple times as part of a regular class, so he wasn’t «experimenting» on her for the sake of the evening class that day. Finally, publicly bashing a person just because you didn’t have a good time in his yoga class is inane, immature, and just plain mean. Kimberly’s tone and comments are childish and sound like a kid throwing a tantrum. I hope that people can see beyond her rant and realize that everyone has personal preferences, but not all of us broadcast them to the world.

I tried out Greenleaf Yoga Studio about 4 years ago after trying classes at the gym. I knew there was more to yoga than I was getting at the gym and wanted to see what I was missing. The first class I took with Sergio on a Sunday morning got me hooked, I cancelled my gym membership and have been going to Greenleaf Yoga ever since, about 3 – 4 times a week.
I have practiced with most of the teachers at the studio, and appreciate what each one gives to my practice. They are all wonderful and well versed in their teachings. I am a regular in Sergio’s classes, he challenges you physically and mentally in your practice with emphasis on holding back when your body is speaking to you. I appreciate the variety he brings to my practice, and a lot of sweat (lol). Stephanie is great, she holds poses for quite a bit, my thighs could not stand her at first (lol) but now after time I have gained strength thanks to those poses. I especially love her shavasana massage at the end of the practice, if she has time. Frank, some may think he comes off strong, but he only wants to challenge you in safe way to not only do better yoga in class but in life. He always compares standing and sitting at work and home (improper) vs. how we are once we are in class (proper), lol so true. James also has great classes, he is very encouraging and has such a positive vibe when he teaches, you can help but be motivated to challenge yourself.
I have tried a couple of other studios when traveling, and they were nice but there is nothing like my home at Greenleaf Yoga. My yoga has been growing and blossoming with each teacher, even when I had a knee injury that prevented me from practicing for over 3 months. It has taken time for my knee to heal and I still have problems in some poses, but as the teachers always reminds us, modify and hold back when your body is not agreeing with your pose, «don’t let your ego get the best of you» (Sergio’s famous line).

Sergio is the best most inspiring yoga teacher one could have. I have learned so much and he as challenged me to do poses I never thought possible. His classes also have a deep spiritual connection. I cannot wait to go back.
All of the teachers are great, Sergio and Stephanie are my favorites. Between the two of them I learned to do headstands and handstands. I never ever thought that was possible for me. Thank you!

Let’s see, where do I begin??? I have been to several of Stephanie’s 6:30pm Level 1 Vinyasa classes, which have always been so pleasant and peaceful.
However, this morning I decided to take a friend to her first yoga class. She was only available to go in the morning, so I thought trying Lisa’s Level 1 Vinyasa Class at 9:00am (Friday) was a good idea. Well, it turned out that Lisa was not able to make it to the class today, so SERGIO filled in and gave his All Levels Vinyasa class… the WORST experience, ever!
There was nothing peaceful, pleasant, or fulfilling about Sergio’s class. First of all, if he was filling-​in for a Level 1 Vinyasa Class, then that’s what he should have taught. Additionally, he had the music so loud that I had to strain my ears to hear his instructions. It was also hard to understand his instructions, because his method of communicating them were very vague. He walked around the class the entire time giving verbal instructions while turning on lamps or just watching us, rarely joining us in the practice, which was very distracting. It made it difficult to clear my mind and focus on my yoga practice, especially since I’m Level 1 and not completely familiar with the poses or how to do them yet.
The most disturbing part of Sergio’s class was when he announced during the middle of the class that he wanted to «try-​out» some partner poses, because he wanted to see how they worked out for a Partners Class he was going to give later in the day… is that even on the class schedule??? SERIOUSLY, I was there to enjoy a Level 1 Vinyasa Yoga Class… I wasn’t there for Sergio’s convenience to experiment and try out his partner poses!!! It was so rude and unprofessional of him! What he should have done before the class started, was ask if anyone was willing to stay after the Vinyasa Class to tryout the partner poses, instead of forcing people to do them while taking away from the class they were actually there for. He asked people to partner-​up with someone they didn’t know, which I ignored. Thank god my friend was there with me, because those poses were too «intimate» to be doing with a stranger. If I wanted to rub my booty on someone else’s, then I would have attended a partners class. My yoga practice for the day was over at that point… so disappointing and such a waste of my time. I wanted it to be over… I wanted to leave, but I couldn’t. The door was locked and I was stuck in the class until it was over!
I will NEVER attend any of SERGIO’S classes again!
If you’re looking for a wonderful yoga experience, then go to one of Stephanie’s classes, especially if you’re a beginner. She’s awesome!
Please note, my 1 Star rating is based on my experience in Sergio’s class today.

My mother-​in-​law was visiting from out-​of-​state this weekend and she decided to head over to Greenleaf Yoga Studio to check out their Vinyasa level 2 class on Saturday morning. She was so happy with the class and with the instructor (Frank) and she said that she had never been so motivated by her current studio (she lives in Philadelphia). Greenleaf Yoga has even inspired her to look for a better studio when she goes back home because she said she needs a better instructor that can push her to improve just like Frank did. Anyway, thank you Frank and thank you Greenleaf Yoga for helping her have a nice yoga experience so far away from home!

I first came to Greenleaf yoga with a gift certificate. I had no idea how this would change my life for the better! I quickly became a regular because I loved it here so much! The instructors are all unique & always keep it challenging while giving options for newbies. They have a full schedule which helps you keep your daily yoga work out. Try out different classes to find out which class works best for your needs. You will absolutely love the energy here! The more you go, the better you will feel! You’ll be amazed at what they can make your body do! There is no better place than Greenleaf Yoga!!!

Have been to the studio several times and have taken different classes taught by different teachers. I have enjoyed all the classes especially Vinyasa Flow. It really makes me sweat and is great workout. Cool little studio. Way better than the yoga classes at big chain gyms

I have attended Vinyasa all levels pretty often. The first time I attended Frank told everyone that this was a rigorous practice. Mid way through, apparently not happy with the way we were responding he said please look at the schedule before you come to class and if you see my name on the schedule do not come, go to anyone else. I was a little stunned. Nevertheless I didn’t think my practice was terrible. I had been to yoga several yrs ago and returned to restorative then decided to give vinyasa a try. I still continued to go to vinyasa all levels and I thought I was doing fine.
Today Frank said mid pose «see how she’s doing it, don’t do it like that.» I said «wait, what am I doing wrong»?, he didn’t respond. I thought this was in poor taste and very rude. He could’ve of either answered my question or alined me properly as he would occasionally do to others in the class. I will now look for another studio that doesn’t call for everyone’s attention to a person doing something wrong and not help do it right. I was embarrassed and upset.
Years ago Frank was very patient and helpful now he seems bored and only enthusiastic with those who have the flexibility of rubber.

I attended Restorative Yoga today and I am very satisfied with the class. I brought my daughter with me and they even have yoga mats that can be used without renting them, The instructor was very intuitive on our needs – very good in guiding us. My daughter was also very pleased and said — I never knew how much stress I am carrying… I will be back…

Been attending classes here for over a year and it’s been amazing — outstanding teachers– great classes!
Sat Nam
Terry

I’ve been to Greenleaf Yoga several times. I started with their 2 week membership and then did a weekly program via Whittier community center (with classes held here by GY instructors). I then attended classes off/​on for about 6 months.
I never found the instructors genuinely welcoming, but I put up with this in order to further my practice, until I could no longer tolerate the rude behavior and decided this was not the place for me. On one particular occasion, I was called out several times during class for not keeping up with the pace. I was told (not asked) to move to the front of the class so I could keep up. A week later (against my better judgment) I returned but this time I decided to be upfront with the instructor and inform him that I was dealing with some medical issues, so I would do what I could and opt out of certain poses/​exercises that were too painful. Clearly, my words were completely dismissed. During class I was told something along the lines of «you in the back… we’re here to get a good workout, not just lie on the floor» (this was during a yoga-​core class when I couldn’t keep up with the core exercises). I was completely embarrassed! I should mention that I only ever participated in «All levels» classes, so my inability to work at the pace of the more seasoned or healthier participants should not have mattered. Frankly, I found the instructor’s attitude unkind and grossly inappropriate and I will not be returning to this studio.

I am so happy to have stumbled upon this studio. This is the perfect place to connect to your true self. With so many styles of yoga to practice, there is a class for everyone! The teachers are there to truly help and encourage your practice. I can’t wait for my next class! Namaste

This little community of mantra loving, downward dog enthusiasts, and hard core spiritual energists is officially deemed Whittier’s hidden gem for all yogis! This claim, however, is totally stated by my own body, mind, and spirit. Nonetheless, I’m just merely saying what everyone else is thinking. With a selection of various styles of yoga offered throughout the day, seven days a week, it’s no wonder people keep coming back for more. The instructors put care and time into the well being of your life, which shows their passion and mission to spread the knowledge of yoga. With all the meditation, pose holding, core strengthening, and sporadic stand up comedy, it’s never a dull moment at Greenleaf Yoga Studio!