Barefoot Movement

My 5 star review is for the prenatal classes I have taken with Hanna, Emily, and Orly. I have taken prenatal classes here since July and feel like they have been absolutely pivotal in increasing my overall comfort and decreasing back and hip pain. These classes are a gift in that they teach you skills to be used during labor and provide space and time to connect with your body and baby. I have learned how to send my breath down to my baby, soften tensed muscles while experiencing discomfort and connect to my breath pace to recenter myself. The price point is unbeatable — $ 45 for an unlimited month including restorative yoga — and the instructors are kind, welcoming and knowledgeable. They also create opportunities to meet other participants and share experiences which brings a sense of community to the practice. Highly recommended and grateful to have had Barefoot and its instructors as part of my pregnancy journey.

I have taking yoga for many years and I must say that having taken classes with multiple teachers at this yoga studio has been exceptional! All the teachers I have taken classes with seem very knowledgeable and very attentive to the students in class. From the level 1 – 2 classes to the level 3 classes It’s been great!

If you like what I call competitive yoga, this is for you. It’s clean and small. But if you have injuries like a bad back, I don’t think they really adjust your poses for it. If you’re looking for a good work out, go for it. I do it for a good deep stretch and for mindfulness, the work out is a bonus. This place wasn’t a good fit for m e.

Wonderful, friendly, supportive and low-​key studio right by my work!
So glad this place exists… and in such a convenient location (Right by 19^th st bart, next to my work, in the heart of uptown Oakland).
I came here to do the one-​month intro packet and boy was it amazing!!! I’ve taken classes taught by different teachers and by far my favorite teachers were Gordon and Alek. They are both very observant and specific in their language, and will actively give you helpful adjustments throughout class. Gordon’s classes are always fun because he incorporates something new in every class. Alek is wonderful because she has a keen understanding of the body and will help you become more aware of how you are moving and staying in each asana. Both do not play music during class, which I absolutely love. You can really listen and be attentive to your own breath. Truly great great teachers! :) :)
The studio is very accepting of all levels. As many other Unilocalers have mentioned, there is no judgement or sense of inflated ego in this studio, and you will see quite a diverse age group, race, physical fitness and practice levels in your classes. I am more of an advanced yogi, but I learn something new every time I come here.
Thank you!

They have 2 studios here, facing east and west, really nice big windows. The classes have never been packed full yet! It’s a great time to see if you’d like it.
I’ve taken about 10 classes so far with about 6 different instructors, usually level 2 – 3, 3 being the highest they offer. Comparatively I would say their level 3 is level 2 in other studios, so it’s not for me. Most of the time I’m not even breaking a sweat.
It’s probably awesome for people who likes level 1 – 2 classes.
Free mat rentals and filtered water! — with mugs to use.
No shower.

I just took a Friday 5:30 beginner class tonight with a female teacher, I didn’t get her name, I think it started with an ‘S’! It was a great intro level class session. Good stretches, and I worked up a sweat at a beginners pace so I could practice the poses. The teacher was also accommodating for different levels of strength and flexibility. She encouraged us to use blocks if needed and to do what we can at our own pace and level. At the end in the final resting pose, I had a clear mind and a great feeling of release and calm. Great Yoga. Thank you for the practice. I look forward to going again when I can get there.

I think I’ve found my new regular place (I recently moved). Both times I’ve gone, classes have been small, and the teachers great. Both rooms have places to change, and there are mats to use (and cleaner for after). It’s a clean, warm, and bright atmosphere :) I like it and I’m coming back!

Just started my groupon session (two month unlimited) and was able to redeem the coupon without a problem.
The good:
Friendly teachers
Good vibes (no judgements here)
Mats provided for use
Mat cleaners provided
Handy keychain barcode tag for easy check in
Clean space
Changing stations in each room (2)
Across the street from 19^st Bart Station
The bad:
Traffic noise: Broadway & 17
Giant windows & 3^rd floor studios makes it pretty warm during the evenings (but this is doable just means more sweat!)
So far I am pretty happy to get back into yoga. Will definitely update my review as I attend more classes in different levels. I am also looking forward to attending a barefoot massage class ($ 30 for members). For a yoga studio they have a variety of classes for great deals.
Check them out!

Love this studio! It’s right next to BART, minutes away from Lake Merritt, and in the heart of Uptown. I’ve taken classes with a handful of different instructors, each has their own distinct style; yet you’ll always feel challenged.
Out of the dozens of yoga studios in Oakland I think what impresses me most about Barefoot movement is the fact that it’s a very non judgmental place. There are so many pretentious yogis in the bay area. I’m not really about the $ 100 yoga mat/​lululemon from head to toe life. BM has a nice mixture of people from all walks of life. Same goes with experience in yoga, I typically take the advanced classes; which have a nice mixture of experienced to super experienced peeps.
If you’re new to yoga or just in need of a new studio I’d highly recommend BM! Best of all… they have classes ranging from 7am to 7 or 8pm! Great for those of us that are tethered to our jobs.

This is a review long overdue. I took a barefoot ah-​shiatsu class back in April this year, and I absolutely loved the class! Leah Gillman is an excellent teacher– she presents new things to learn very clearly and has a very warm presence. If time permits, I really hope to take Leah’s classes again in the future.

Had an amazing barefoot massage. The low cost community clinic really came through for me. I feel so calm and grounded. I’m able to get back to my demanding schedule rejuvenated. They have expanded the dates so check the schedule and get in for your massage.

Nothing to complain about.
Nothing to keep me though. No strong spiritual connection to this studio.

this is my go to place for yoga… matter of fact, local, great instructors, and a varied schedule for everyone… WITHOUT all that berkeley-​esque, sf, nag champa, yoga hype, though if you want to be a yogi with 80 dollar yoga pants, that’s cool-​it just ain’t my thing.
I would just prefer a solid practice in a spacious room with down to earth people. Leah and her crew of instructors have made an awesome place and I can’t wait to see it with the new rooms they are adding in now! Thanks to everyone at Barefoot for making yoga accessible!
I highly recommend folks try it… though I also want to just keep it to myself ;-)

1 star for the cleanliness
2^nd & 3^rd star for the great instructors
4^th star for introduction fee ($ 40 for 30 days for prenatal & $ 30 for 30 days for reg.)
Really enjoyed the prenatal classes here. The instructors were really knowledgeable and always made modifications for the prego women in the room. Parking is a pain in the ass and it’s only an hour, but the classes are worth it. Free mat, blocks, & other necessities are free to rent. Mos def would recommend the prenatal/​level 1 yoga classes to all the prego women out there looking for a new exercise regiment.

This is my yoga place. i’ve come once a week for the past 5 months to George’s wednesday class. I still havent made it to weekend class. I do wish they had some later level 1 classes (after 7pm) durring the week.
I always take my own mat to put over their mats because I dont want to worry where someone’s feet have been when my forehead is down on the mat. But i do see some people spray down their mat after class.
The room itself can get a bit noisy if the windows are open (if they aren’t it can get pretty stanky and warm) but its a cool vibe on the third floor of a window filled building downtown. It might be cool to have mirrors along the solid walls they have in there actually, to be able to see how my pose is looking.
I use to live a 10 min walk away. Now that I’ve moved a bit further away I find its worth taking the bus or driving to. If there is an event at one of the theaters nearby you might have trouble finding free street parking though, so just a heads up.
The crowd is always welcoming and non pretentious. At least in the level 1 class.

I happened upon this studio when I was working nearby, in 2010. It’s a bit hidden — the entrance is unassuming, and easily missed. I went to the lunchtime classes because the timing and location were convenient. And then I fell in love. First, the quality of instruction: I got alignment cues I had not gotten elsewhere, that helped heal injuries (yes, you can get yoga injuries. I have). Second, the sense of community. While some yoga studios can feel performance-​oriented, even competitive, barefoot feels like a place people come to practice and learn. There’s folks in spiffy yoga duds, but there’s also folks in sweats or pajama pants. I love that. Third, the space. It’s beautiful yet simple. A small single room with big windows and beautiful floors. I love that I can see the sky while I practice here.
So, Barefoot Movement gradually became my primary place to practice. In late 2011 when a job change opened up my weekend schedule, I happily signed up for the teacher training program. I mostly wanted to learn more and deepen my own practice. I got that, and more. Just like the public classes, the instruction in the teacher training is practical and accessible. While I’ve been practicing yoga in one way or another practically my whole life (my mother was a yoga teacher), I got so much out of the comprehensive curriculum and instruction at Barefoot. I felt like the year-​long program gave me time to integrate what I was learning and put it into practice. I came out of the teacher training feeling both well-​educated and also humbled at the depth of knowledge available if one chooses to study yoga deeply; it truly can be a lifelong practice.
I’m now teaching weekly, and, full disclosure, I teach one class a week at Barefoot. I know that’s considered unkosher for Unilocal,since I get paid by the studio. But, this review is based on my experience as a student at Barefoot, where I’ve been practicing for 2.5 years, while I just completed the teacher training program a month and a half ago. I never would have become a yoga teacher were it not for the practice community that I found at Barefoot. So I hope this review doesn’t get taken down, as the fact that I’m now teaching yoga is truly a testament to the program at Barefoot.

Just a quick update:
The prenatal classes here are really great. $ 40 for unlimited classes. There are 4 or 5 that you can attend weekly. And it’s one of the few places I have found where they offer it at a time where working women can attend, rather than at 10 in the morning during the weekday.

This review is for the Monday and Thursday evening prenatal classes only. I’ve been taking the classes since midway through my 2^nd trimester. I really look forward to this time to connect with my baby, relax and do some stretching.
First off, at $ 30/​month for unlimited prenatal classes (of which there are 4 offered a week), this is the most affordable prenatal yoga package out there.
I haven’t been to the weekend vinyasa classes, but the weekday classes are both taught by very kind and nonjudgmental instructors, Bella and Mary Beth. I reslly like them both. Both are mothers and knowledgeable about ways to modify traditional yoga positions. They are not preachy at all. The classes are also not too crowded – usually about 6 – 10 women at various stages of pregnancy and they are welcoming of folks without much prior yoga practice.
For those who are accustomed to a vigorous yoga practice, I wouldn’t recommend these particular classes until your 3^rd tri since they’re pretty mellow and only last an hour. I’m not sure whether the weekend vinyasa classes are more challenging.
The only reason this isn’t a 5 star review is that the one-​hour timeframe sometimes leaves me wanting more – especially on days when the class is a little more crowded or there are a lot of new students who might need extra instruction. I really like that the class starts with introductions and going around the room to discuss areas of the body that may need special focus, but when the class is crowded, this sometimes eats into practice time. Also, the class doesn’t always start right on time and the studio can get a little loud since it overlooks Broadway in downtown Oakland.
Overall though, I think these classes are a great value for pregnant women who are looking for some time to unwind and relax your body.

This is a really cute studio, right smack in the middle of downtown oakland. There’s a urban vibe to it and each class is different– instructors adjust according to the class.
Pros:
Since the studio is small, the classes are small (5 – 15 people), and each instructor can devote more time to each student.
Compared to the other studios I’ve been to, this studio really focuses on your form. After this I’ve become more concious to the way my hips lock into place, the way my feet are aligned, and the distribution of weight on my hands (during downward dog).
Cons:
I think their classes are great if you want to stretch out and work on correcting your postures, but I personally wanted more of a workout. The classes didn’t quite make me sweat and I’m used to a more vigorous yoga with inversions and light cardio.
Parking is terrible in the area. It’s $ 2/​hr within any reasonable walking distance. Their studio is near various bart and bus stops though, so I ended up taking the bus from berkeley to save on parking fees and gas. This is great if you live near public transit, but crappy if you live far from it… (like I did).
Other notes:
— no showers
— there are cubbys to put your stuff
— there is a small restroom to change in or you can use the curtain in the middle of the studio.

I’ve been doing yoga for a number of years, but I still need the beginning flow class for the instructiveness and the reminders to breathe, and for building core strength and balance. I credit yoga with making my body look much nicer, and helping me stay injury free as I try to reestablish my long-​distance running ability post partum.

The teachers are patient, and I recommend trying out different instructors. I find they each bring something worthwhile and different to to the practice experience and that’s great if you’re trying to improve your overall strength and flexibility.
The classes are mellow– for the most part. And the price– all the yoga you can do for 65 a month– is simply unbeatable. The instructors seem to enjoy their job, get kudos for not reading poems in badly pronounced Sanskrit to increase your spirituality (Eric Shaw on Thursday at noon says plenty of Sanskrit, and mixes his excellent language with a high-​energy punishing practice– one beginning class that is never ‘mellow’).
Sometimes big showoffs show up to the beginner classes and stand in front doing non-​beginner poses. It’s thrilling to see them in action and hope someday I’m there myself. I got the annual membership, so I just might…