SunstoneFIT – Skillman Live Oak

I’ve been doing hot yoga (very off and on) for over 10 years. Started with Bikram, but it became cost prohibitive and not conveniently located… so ended up at Sunstone in 2007.
I’ve seen them change a lot over the years and am happy to say it is mostly for the positive. Moving to a primarily 60 min class schedule was a brilliant idea.
As I’ve moved around the Dallas area, I’ve had the opportunity to sample several of the studios and Lakewood is hands down my favorite. Close 2^nd is Uptown. North Dallas is also awesome.
Only issue with Uptown is overcrowded rooms and occasional tricky parking.
Need to warn about the Las Colinas location: I’ve had 2 pairs of expensive shoes stolen from the locker room and one horrific instructor. In a nutshell, she refused to allow me to do 2 modifications for my short arms that I’d been told to do by multiple Sunstone instructors. I’ve probably had close to 100 different yoga teachers over the years and only one with whom I refuse to take a class from again.
Sign up today! Fabulous workout and people!
Oh, and an Oak Cliff location would be life altering. :) Plus, there is a huge market with no competition in these parts.

I am new to yoga. I am so impressed with Sunstone… the positive energy is wonderful… thank you!

I’m almost afraid to give a great review because I don’t want the studio to become more crowded! Truly, this is a lovely place to practice yoga and many other fun fitness pursuits. The staff is well trained and the facility is beautiful. You better like it hot though, as they keep you warm for the asanas!

Loved the variety of classes and just everyone there :)
Great environment and facility!

Been going here every single day since I signed up and I have been seeing results. Very happy with that. They price is what bothered me for the longest but to be fair, I did compare it to other studios and I’ve come to peace with it. Besides, it’s to better my overall physical health so you really can’t put a price on that. The staff is always so nice and caring and as long as you are trying that is all that counts. Little by little you will get to your goal and if you’re having trouble they help you get into the right position in your poses. I recently went to the Forest and Preston studio and I was surprise that they only had one room. Geez I thought our location was kinda small, but thankful we are lucky to have two rooms and the bathroom is so much bigger. I love this place it gives me the inner peace and fitness results I’m looking for.

I’ve only been a member for a week but I’ve been every day since I signed up. The instructors are super nice and know exactly what to say to have you make needed adjustments. The classes have been pretty full but I think that may be due to «New Years resolution» season. I’ll update my ratings in a few weeks as I learn more.
Pros
Location (for me)
Free mats
Free towels
Showers
Great instructors
2 studios at this location so there’s usually a session starting at a time that works for you.
Variety — there are several different class options with varying poses, temperatures and durations.
Cons
Classes are full right now

I have been picking up and putting down my yoga practice over the last 8 years. I am a very inconsistent yogi. But, Sunstone has always welcomed me back, no questions asked, no condescending looks, just pure sunshine and smiles. I’ve tried other hot room studios, and this one just fits me best. Yeah, it is kind of corporate, but this corporate works for me. Yoga is a very personal journey, so I won’t hate on any other studios I’ve tried out. The other ones just don’t fit me. Cheap bottled water, free mats and towels with the price of your membership. Also, one of the better priced monthly memberships I have found. The Skillman location is a little less than a mile away, so it is a easy bike ride there, which is a nice added little workout. I’ve always found it clean and all the little extra amenities well stocked. It also draws in a wide variety of people, from the Lululemon clad, feet behind the head crew to the baggy shirts and shorts, can’t touch the toes group, and all the colors of the people rainbow in between. Thank you Sunstone for all my years of awesome, inconsistent practice. This time around I am trying to make a more consistent effort. But, I know you’ll be there if I fall off, accepting me back with your smiley faces.

I’ve been attending Sunstone since April of 2013. The location at Lakewood is my «home» location but since I have the Signature membership I also visit other locations as well. Attending Sunstone has been instrumental in the healing of my chronic back and neck pain. Drugs, doctors, chiropractors, massage — nothing else worked. After my first class, my pain was diminished by about 85%. With continued attendance, I have become almost 100% pain-​free and gained strength and flexibility. When I miss several days, my pain returns. Talk about motivation!
The membership may seem pricey at first, but I find it comparable to other studios I have researched. For me, the Signature Membership is well worth it. The cost has also been offset by the fact that I no longer have chiropractor visits, and that I can take my fiancé or a friend with me every time I visit. Towels and mats are provided, so I don’t have to worry with that. Additionally, with the Get Paid to Do Yoga program, I am coming up on my second price decrease — which I view as just another incentive to continue a healthy practice. Again, there are several levels to chose from which will fit many budgets.
I am shocked to see the complaints about staff behavior. In over 75 visits, I have NEVER seen an instructor be rude or dismissive to anyone. This is one of the most positive and welcoming places you will visit in Dallas. I regularly practice with students and teachers of all ethnicities, and everyone is welcomed.
I, for one, appreciate the fact that the spiritual aspects of yoga aren’t pushed hardcore at this studio. Traditional yoga philosophies often conflict with my own spiritual beliefs — so I am glad I am given the respect and freedom to focus on the numerous physical and mental benefits of yoga without feeling uncomfortable or pressured.
Typically, a class is available whenever I have free time, and I appreciate the consistency of the teaching. There are several different series and class lengths (30−60−90 mins) to choose from, as well as special workshops and the 84 Asanas available for those who want a special challenge.

Well, aren’t you a badass, surfing the Unilocal to find the hottest wickedest yoga spanking in town! Thank god you found me — all will be revealed!
I’ve been a Sunstoner for several months (after about 3 years of «regular»)(I.E. cooler than Satan’s fiery abyss) yoga. They opened the Skillman-​Live Oak shop about a block away from me, and after hitting my 51^st birthday, I wanted to hang on to my sauve hotness and manly physique for a few more years til the alzhiemer’s kicks in and I’m pinching a nurse’s ass and asking my kids «who the hell are you?»
So I gave it a shot. Holy hell, it’s hot in there. Crazy hot. And yeah, all my yoga-​purist friends were all «It’s corporate!» «It’s programmed!» «It’s not REAL YOGA». But hey, for a yoga dude, I sure like my steak n’ scotch & cigars — I have an OPEN MIND and it’s really sexy in there (in my mind, that is, not necessarily in Sunstone).
And yeah, if you’re used to a yoga class where the teacher changes it up, maybe structures a class to what the students need that day, and tosses in some yoga-​talk («Close your eyes. Picture your mind as a gloooowing flowerrrrr… youuuuuu are that flowerrrrr» and my eyes are closed and I’m picturing the Yoga teacher in, like, a silk kimono with a martini in her hand and one of those old-​school cigarette holder things…) (my wife’s a yoga teacher so that’s not sexist and she really does have a silk kimono and she likes a martini… but I digress). So yup, Sunstone is a big mega corporation and the classes ARE «programmed». But note I gave ‘em some hefty Unilocal-​stars.
It’s sort of like «going to the gym» for yoga-​people. And Sunstone fans may disagree (again — I LOVE THE DAMN PLACE), but if you’ve never taken a non-​sunstone class (Tsada, Uptown, Dirt Cheap, etc) you’re missing a lot. It’s kinda not-​really-​fully-​yoga to me, either. But I go to 5 or 6 classes a week. In part because I can walk there, there’s a class about anytime I have an hour, and they supply the mats and towels.
Y’know what makes it work? it’s still basically yoga. It’s freaking HARD, especially when you focus on getting through a class gracefully and giving every pose 110% and being still and calm in-​between… and trying to maintain steady breathing through the whole nazi-​torture pain. Kinda like how we should get through life, right? It’s mentally and physically challenging, it’s not a bunch of mindless grunting like lifting weights or being an accountant or something.
But what REALLY makes it work is the teachers. The best of ‘em have something special. They come off like there’s nowhere else they’d rather be than your class at this moment (so I guess they’re pullin’ in some hefty salary and drive, like company Ferraris and there’s free cocaine and shrimp cocktails in the break room? That’s gotta be it! They’re so dang HAPPY, and not fake-​smarmy happy, more like they’re trippin’ balls on X.)
When you decide to move up from the «Fire» class (the sorta basic Sunstone deal), beware. I haven’t done the «wood» class because (a) doing FIRE and WOOD would just make me laugh like Beavis for the whole hour and (B) it’s ab-​centric and I’d probably hurl. But the «Earth» class? Jesus, it’s absurd. Who thought a human being could get through that? But I made it my b*tch (er, cellmate) last fall — and then sprained my damn ankle so I’m now back to wuss city after 90 days off).
Take Sunstone seriously, go 3 or 4 times a week — at LEAST — give every pose 100%, and soon you’ll be rockin’ the Jersey-​shore mesh shirt and tiny shorts (guys) or having porn-​scouts hand you their business cards all day (ladies). And, BONUS — working in your attic in August is suddenly no big deal! You’re like, «My, it’s surprisingly cool up here».
It’s a serious freakin’ workout, and mmm, those sweet yoga-​teacher ladies at the front desk — I bet heaven looks like that when you walk in the door! Give it a shot — ten days for ten bucks, can’t beat that for an intro. Just don’t fall into the big glowing pit in the middle of the floor — that’s a «hellhole», a portal to the nether world. It’s how they get their heat — very green!

I have been practicing yoga and hot/​Bikram yoga for many years, and gave this place a try.
The staff are friendly, ambience is pleasant, facilities comfortable, and they provide mats/​towels free of charge.
However, the classes are grossly overpriced, and the pricing system is unfair. For example, you can pay $ 29 for one class or $ 45 for one week of unlimited classes. Clearly, the second option makes sense, though for many of us who enjoy yoga once a week or on occasion, this allows no flexibility. And furthermore, the classes are only SIXTY minutes long. This is not a proper length for hot yoga sessions, as postures should be done in sets of two. No surprise they skip many of the advanced postures. And only 60 minutes of class for nearly $ 30? Definitely not worth it. In fact, a rip off!
I was surprised by how many people attended the class. I certainly won’t be back, at least not to this studio.

Sunstone is a great place for hot (not bikram) yoga. The rooms are either 90 or 98 degrees depending on what class you attend. I really enjoy the 60 minute Fire series. Being somewhat new to yoga (been a member at Sunstone since Jan. 2010) I love the predictability of doing the same poses every session. It allows you to really focus on what you’re doing and advance in your practice instead of looking around trying to figure out what new position they’re teaching.
The location has free mats, towels, and super cheap water ($ 1 for a large, cold bottle). The staff is friendly and helpful and not your typical intimidating «yogies». When I’m good at going regularly (2−3x/wk) I find an increase in my strength, flexibility and balance. I feel great after a yoga class and it’s addicting. I find it’s easier going in the winter because I crave the hot room. Going in the summer requires a little but more drive and determination.
Yoga studios in the past have been really pricey. This location recently has 3 tiered membership options at different price levels which makes this an affordable option.
I would have given this place 5 stars, however, I did have a billing hiccup that made me realize how difficult it was to contact the corporate office. It did get resolved (eventually) and I’m back to loving yoga here.
I definitely recommend this place to a novice yogie that is wanting to see what this hot yoga thing is all about!

I like to do yoga once a week for a supplement to my triathlon training. I always enjoyed Sunstone because the hot yoga gave me more of a challenge, but I didn’t have to spend an entire 90 minutes of my day like Bikram often requires.
For people like me, the ten-​class pass worked perfectly. I could go to 1 class/​wk for 2 ½ months for $ 110.
NOW. they’ve completely changed up their tuition where you have to have a «membership» to attend. There is one option that is $ 30/​month, but you can only go to 9:30am classes. The other two options allow much more flexibility but you definitely pay more– $ 60/​$ 90/​mo + $ 80 startup fee. Charming!
With these new exclusive membership packages, Sunstone has managed to completely alienate people who cross-​train.
I’ve been going to Sunstone for 2+ years. and now I won’t be back.

Fire up for a snowy day! Best hot yoga ever! I tried Bikram yoga and it’s a bit more intense than Sunstone. I think this works well if you want to start practicing hot yoga. Also, they provide everything! Yoga mat and towel are provided at no charge. Filtered water is available if you have your bottle or buy a 1L bottle for a buck. Bring yourself and stay fully hydrated!

Eh. I just can’t get excited about this place. I’m not sure what it is… maybe the super-​corporate feel of it or the fact that they do the EXACT same sequence of poses in every class… I’m not sure. I just couldn’t really get into it.
I practiced Baptiste yoga pretty religiously from about 2007−2009ish, hit a rough patch financially and tried to keep it up at home by myself but ended up broke/​moving/​changing jobs/​having my life in complete disarray and flaking out of my practice all together. Once things got a little more stable, I ventured out to some different studios/​styles to see what else was out there, and this was one of the places I tried.
I’m pissy because this place is SO convenient, but I just couldn’t fully enjoy. The teachers wear a mic (WTF?)…which i would understand if there were more than 5 people in the class. They did NO adjustments in ANY the 7 classes I attended, which, coming back into yoga after awhile was a little disconcerting because my I was pretty sure my alignment was off.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of staring at myself in the mirror… not only had I gained a little weight and could think of about 1000 things I’d rather do than stare at my newly developed love handles squeezed in spandex for an hour and fifteen minutes, but I kept watching other people out of the corner of my eye which was totally geeking with my concentration. I’m a super competitive person by nature and being able to see everyone’s reflection did NOT help me let that mentality go and concentrate on my own practice.
Plus, I didn’t feel like I got a deep practice. Did I mention that after an hour of yoga in a 95 degree room I was barely sweating? How does that even happen? It defies logic.
The pros: they do provide mats, towels and cheap water, which is AWESOME because I am constantly forgetting a towel. They don’t have lockers which is pretty normal for yoga studios since most of them lock the front doors when class starts. They did have showers, which would be awesome if I was a regular.
All in all, it’s safe to say the particular style that Sunstone practices just isn’t my cup o’ tea. The one class I enjoyed most was the Earth series, and at this location there was only one class per week a 9−5er could possibly make (there’s a 5:15 a couple of days, but unless you have a hoverboard you’re not getting from Downtown to Skillman in 15 minutes with traffic, even if you’re lucky enough to get out of your job EXACTLY at 5pm).
Anyway, for complete newbies this might be great, but having background in a a few different practices it just wasn’t for me.

This Sunstone location is fairly new. It is a slightly larger location with 2 yoga rooms.
The entire location is quite clean, notably the bathroom/​changing rooms with how many people go through them.
They supply all that you need for a trip to hot yoga: mats, towels, cheaply priced water, and the showers include dispensers of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. All you need to bring is yourself and a change of clothes.
As mentioned, this is a «hot yoga» location; the practice rooms are heated –depending on the class– at 90 or 98 degrees and 60% humidity. They have 5 different series of classes, each focusing on a different style or intensity of yoga, plus an introductory set of classes or those new that do not want to jump straight into regular classes.
The staff is always very friendly and helpful, willing to answer questions.
They have a couple motivational arrangements, a wristband and a get-​paid-​to-​do-​yoga system, described on their website.