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June 2018 by Mary B.
Had an intense yoga experience. Instructor was encouraging. My first in studio workout. I will take advantage of the free yoga classes for a week to find the right fit for me. Clean studio with everything one needs. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. I feel limber but no pain!
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March 2018 by Tracy P.
You and the Mat has excellent teachers and staff, as well as a beautiful space that is very inclusive. I went to over 20 classes in a month and without a doubt every single class and teacher had something unique to offer. Sarah Moody's class on Friday (Yoga for Flexibility) is wonderful, she is extremely calm and it's a great way to start the day. Richard Rosen's classes are Iyengar based, so that means it will be different than a flow-based class, but there is so much to learn from his experience and the class is very engaging and I always feel great after. Margi's yoga for flexibility on Mondays is also one of my favorites. She always has many options for people of the different levels, and I always leave with a smile on my face. In total, I recommend You and the Mat to everyone, and I look forward to every class I take.
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December 2017 by M.j. W.
the studios are lovely, filled with natural light & wood. they offer tea in lobby & a great groupon multi-class pass FOR FIRST TIME USERS ONLY. parking may be difficult, it's fancy-pants piedmont shopping district, arrive early. i have enjoyed happy hour yoga here, simple beginners/intermediate, good time- not too late after work around 5:30. once though, there was an instructor who wanted us to find a partner for stretching.... I DO NOT WANT A PARTNER IN YOGA CLASS. I WANT ME TIME. ME ON THE MAT, WORKING OUT MY DEMONS... i haven't been back because i can't remember the instructors name & i don't want her class to kill my vibe... when i received an email notice recently of a new series for dharma talks i was thrilled. i'm needing sangha & lessons, as well as more group meditation sits . THIS WAS NOT A DHARMA TALK. this was a talk ABOUT a dharma talk.... smh... a white man attempting to explain to a majority privileged upper middle-class yuppies (approx 3 POC!) what east indian culture (caste system = karma??) & dharma were but missing the mark because the room had so many uninformed people without grasp of basic concepts... i don't understand what this man was trying to do in one hour by having this talk. ego? how relieved i was when one woman (possibly south asian decent) spoke up regarding this white man's language & how he was speaking a narrow truth, representing "western" as "white", not acknowledging the importance of self-awareness in his speech on cultural differences / social dominance (white is right?) , impact versus intent , & historical knowledge. she also spoke on the history of oppression by british rule which reinforced caste system- it was not strictly "black karma". this man was in over his head here. it's possible 50-60 people showed up for r.rosen discussion- his concept of what dharma & kharma are. but why? why was his interpretation so important to these starry eyed, glowing pilates princesses? never before have i felt the presence of a cult leader. it was a strange gathering... and never before have i heard dharma discussed without a spiritual practice or with such disregard for knowledge of buddhism. i say stick to your day job (yoga instructor). :)
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November 2017 by A E.
I want to love You & the Mat because it's super close to my house, but unfortunately I've tried several different levels and teachers over the past two years, and I have mostly had a series of uninspiring experiences. (Also, the classes are a bit more expensive than the other local yoga studios that I frequent, but I normally use ClassPass so that helps.) People love Richard Rosen, but I found him to be pretentious and unwelcoming. Thankfully they just hired Neil Wadhawan whose classes are incredible! They are very challenging, mindful, and a lot of fun. Neil drums during class which is amazing and I find it super useful for coordinating breath and movement.
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November 2017 by Janet N.
The unlimited monthly membership works very well for me. The TEACHERS are absolutely amazing -- and so many that I have not done classes with all of them. Just to mention the teachers who are most familiar to me and who conduct very beautiful, inspiring classes: Yoko, Richard Rosen, Vickie R. Bell, Jenna, Leslie H., Jody. This is a wonderful studio -- with two spacious, private and quiet studios.
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October 2017 by Fiona F.
Twice I came in slightly and was told there were classes at the time I came... rather than tell me They had a strict policy, they just dismissed me so I didn't know, wasted money on parking again and rushing in the morning to make class... the classes in the morning are small and relatively empty which I like! The instructors are kind. I came on the weekend and it was too full... I wasted money on parking two many times to want to come back now.
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October 2017 by Melissa A.
New to yoga. Always been a runner (I'm 32, 5'9 130 lbs) , but needed something to help strengthen my body. As a 3rd grade teacher, I'm realistic and knew it would take some time for me to get correct form and really understand the poses, movements and everything that comes with yoga. My first two yoga classes (in my life)were two candlelight classes that I enjoyed very much. The instructors were helpful and corrected me professionally, in a way that didn't seem abrupt. They also didn't spend the whole time focusing their attention on me. My third yoga class was completely different. I went to happy hour yoga with Jody Hahn and had a horrible experience. I left 20 minutes into the class after what felt like an eternity of her nit picking every little thing I was doing. Again, this is something I am completely new at. I am a teacher, and believe me, if I used her practices in my classroom, not only would my students never learn, but I would lose my job. I'm sure she's great when you know what you're doing. I am a quick learner, a visual learner, but it is extremely hard to focus and learn something new when you're being humiliated in front of a room full of strangers. Went to yoga to feel better, strengthen my body, and ease my mind. Left in tears and feel completely defeated.
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October 2017 by Chieh W.
All of the staff and instructors are friendly and welcoming. The instructors are great at modifications to poses to accommodate all levels of practice. The studio rooms are always neat and props organized. I appreciate the lounge space where I can enjoy a cup of tea after class.
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October 2017 by Mailisha C.
I love this place! From the moment I walk in it is peaceful and calm and the people are friendly and helpful. The 2 studios are both wonderful, as are the instructors. I'm especially fond of Yoko and Jenna. I tend to be a very picky person, so my high marks for this place say a lot! I'd hate for the classes to become too crowded here for me to continue attending (always a risk when you recommend a place, right?), but I will go ahead say it anyway: COME HERE FOR YOUR YOGA.
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September 2017 by Zen R.
Restorative with Sarah Moody was wonderful. I love the roomy, spacious feel of the studio!
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August 2017 by Tiffany W.
Took more classes. The studio could be really awesome if they could implement a few things. Sanitizing -they should make & put (green and natural) spray bottles and put them in rooms for students to spray down the props (blocks, straps, mats, etc). Many studios do this and by providing the bottles in the classrooms, students can do that easily. today there were some props being used and i could smell someone's sweat/body odor on some eye pillows, ew! -mats-same thing goes for the mats. i kept forgetting to bring mine a couple of times and had to use theirs. Ppl practice and go barefoot on them, sweat on them and we do poses and put our faces on them, so it'd really be good to sanitize the loaner mats. VENTILATION i can believe they didn't install fans in the rooms. it's horrid hot! Fortunately, i was able to take most of the classes downstairs, where it wasn't as hot as upstairs and there is actually a door. I had to ask the instructors the few times i took a class downstairs to prop open the door to get a much needed breeze in. They really need to consider placing at least 4 fans in the upper classroom, whehter they are free standing or ceiling. The windows don't do much. i had a few subs for the few times i was there. I felt the subs weren't too experienced. Overall, a good addition to the community.
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August 2017 by Caroline C.
The manager got back to me and is taking care of the membership debacle. It still feels sketchy, though. If they are going to have a strict policy on cancellation, then they need to also post clear instructions on how to cancel and/or allow you to do it in the same place that you signed up online. If I knew the money was going to the teachers, then I wouldn't think twice. But I have a strong suspicion that's not the case.
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March 2017 by Laura D.
This isn't so much a review of the Oakland studio (which is beautiful) so much as it is of Annie Carpenter's smartflow class. I'm hooked. It really is smart, intelligent movement. She is clearly experienced and well versed in the anatomy of yoga. Unlike other well known teachers, she was attentive, down to earth, and welcoming. I'm hooked and will look for her again. Yeah-- it's so awesome that I want to tell everyone to not go since the class is already packed!
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March 2017 by Emily B.
I've been going here for a couple of months and have gotten nothing but awesome customer service - good follow-up and understanding staff. I've enjoyed all of the teachers & my practice has really grown over the past few months. The Wednesday night happy hour yoga class has been my favorite! I highly encourage everyone to try out the studio (especially if they still have the Groupon deal!).
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April 2016 by Maria D.
Three stars for Annie Carpenter and her incredibly difficult SmartFlow class. Yoga does not have to be super fast paced to be challenging and Annie's class proves it. The two stars I'm removing are for the fact that they cram as many bodies into their classes as possible and it makes for super uncomfortable classes. Worrying whether or not the person in front of me is going to physically hurt me in the face when their leg is lifted is not what I came here for. But I love Annie. She rules.
