YogaWorks Palo Alto

My wife and two showed up for a scheduled and published yoga class on Saturday morning at 9AM. We arrived 15 minutes early. The doors were locked, nobody here. ¹⁰⁄₁₅ people showed up. We all waited. Finally at 9:15, 15 minutes past the class time, one of the customers offered to lead a class in the alley (see picture). For those who had a mat, they did yoga on the cement outside the studio. I am from out of town and had no mat, so I just sat outside. At 9:35, 35 minutes late, someone finally strolls in, unlocked the studio, and smiled at me as she put the sign out, said nothing, no apology, no acknowledgement. Unreal.

I’m a newbie to yoga (yeah I’m that guy in the corner doing every pose incorrectly and about 20 seconds behind everyone else). But this place is awesome. Staff are incredibly friendly, welcoming and helpful. No «yoga snobbery» here. Good mix of classes, good intro deal and instructors I’ve had so far have all been helpful. I could easily walk away from Yoga as it’s still new to me, but instead I have become a member and a lot of it is due to the great people.

I decided to mix up my workout routine and went to Yoga Works for the first time last week. I did the TRX class (I had no idea what I was getting in to, but it was different and also a really good strength workout). I could barely do a plank with my feet suspended so all I could do was laugh when we were supposed to try and do a TRX crunch. Giselle, the instructor, was awesome, she did everything flawlessly and said it took her many years to get to that point, so totally okay if we weren’t there yet. I tried the Vinyasa (½) class today and I was a little nervous because I haven’t taken a yoga class in 3 years. The instructor, Keith, was great at talking us through the poses and giving us variations/​levels. Even though it’s been awhile I didn’t feel out of place at all and overall it was a fantastic experience.

I’m a long-​time Yogaworks patron and must say I’m quite fond of this location. Right downtown, strong teaching talent (a number of master-​level instructors regularly teach here) and hands-​on customer service. I recommend reviewing your instructor’s credentials before choosing a class as it will both inform you of their teaching characteristics and impress you with their achievements. Never had an experience here I didn’t appreciate or enjoy.

I tried this studio again after the new owner wrote back to me. What a difference! I really enjoyed the couple of classes I’ve taken so far. I think the change in management has really improved the whole studio. :) I’m happy I gave it another try since the location is so close for me.

Great class — Vinyasa 2, Staff was very friendly and helpful. If I lived in the Palo Alto area, I would join this studio.

I came for the Vinyasa Flow class on a Friday evening. I found street parking right outside the studio with no problem. Throughout the class the instructor Andy Wilkinson kept turning up the heat, an unexpected twist. It definitely was not bikram-​level hot, but enough to work up a healthy sheen of sweat. I am the type of group exercise participant who likes to receive comments and have the instructor walk over to correct my form, but Andy seemed like a fairly hands-​off instructor. The few moves that he did demonstrate revealed that he was a masterful yogi, though. It seemed like the regulars had more interaction with him during class. I would recommend you take this class with at least some vinyasa experience under your belt only because the students are left to do sun salutation cycles at their own pace for some time. I felt nicely stretched out and balanced right after class and my shoulders and upper back were pleasantly sore two days after the class, so I got the upper body workout I was looking for.

Yay, I came to this studio after trying another Palo Alto studio for a month and not enjoying it at all. This place is what I wanted and needed in my life!
To give a little more info about me, so you can decide whether my opinion is relevant, here goes– I take level ²⁄₃ classes, like teachers who give very specific feedback/​instructions during class so that I can properly do poses, and like lots of vinyassa flow action throughout the class. To me, a major reason I come to a yoga class is because I want to be taught how to do poses. I don’t like teachers who are silent. I DO like teacher who walk around the class and physically correct postures.
My favorite yoga works teachers are: Keith Erikson, Andy Wilkinson, Kirtan Smith, and Annika Williams. I’ve been to Andy and Keith’s classes at least 10+ times each at this point and have gone to Annika and Kirtan’s once each (just because I’m lazy and don’t usually go on the weekends, which is when their classes are).
Keith– builds a great flow sequence and keeps you in poses long enough where you can feel the correct alignment, without it being so long that you do it poorly. I really like his sequencing a lot and he gives a good amount of time for Shavasanna (sp?) at the end.
Andy– his class is pretty strenuous and he turns the heat up pretty high. He keeps the class moving and teaches challenging poses. he provides good feedback on how to master challenging inversions and arm balances.

I am very excited about Yogaworks! It is very spaceous, lots of natural light, friendly staff and a great selection of apparel and yoga equipment. Try it out, way better than other yoga studios in Palo Alto…

I was able to try out YogaWorks in Palo Alto for a month, and it was A-​Ok. Nice staff and instructors, and the schedule of classes worked out for me in terms of morning and evening. I think the addition of Kiertan is a good one, he’s a pretty solid instructor and is very methodical in his approach. My only complaint is that I wish I was going to be living and working in the area longer, otherwise I would have signed up for an additional month.

I’m new to yoga and my experience here so far has been lovely. Everyone is incredibly welcoming, they have a pretty good amount of weekly classes, and the space is nice.

Let just say that YogaWorks is studio defines what Namaste is all about. I am New York City gal who is working in the Palo Alto area on a short term assignment. I am here by myself without my boyfriend, my family and friends. I needed a place to hang my hat and make a «home» for my body and soul. Prior to coming to Yoga Works, I found lots of «body» at the studios in and around the area. I felt like Goldie Locks (i.e. this one was too big, this one should just be called plates, etc.).
YogaWorks was the 7^th studio I had tried within a week. I was aware that YogaWorks has a strong presence in NYC. I visited one of their studios a few years ago when I started my practice. I was a member of another studio at the time so I wasn’t in the head space to try another (I am very loyal once I find my «home»). So when I walked in last Sunday, I was like thinking «pleeeeease…let this om be THE om!!» AND it was! I took advantage of my free week and lemme say… it was worth a million bucks Yoga Works met my needs of mind & body (best blend of instruction and spirituality… both peppered throughout the classes). I took 4 different Vinyasa ²⁄₃ classes and I was astounded about how unique each instructor interpreted the «flow». YogaWorks has an incredible team of folk. Kristi, Edna, Anna and Devi are all superstars. I can’t get over that each time I met my mat, I experienced such physical and mindful bliss… and it wasn’t clobbered over my head. Not only did I get intense workouts the whole week but in a blink of an eye, I was in shivasana. NYC does not offer 90 minute classes so I am grateful my brain and bod can get a proper cleansing/​reboot. I noticed my fellow mat mates all range in ability and skill so there is no reason to feel intimidated or awkward. And. even more impressive? All of the classes I attended the instructors ACTUALLY come over and help you if you need any modifications. I gotta say this aspect was so important to me. All the other studios I visited in the area, the instructors did not interact with the students like this. From where I from, instructors physically coming over and helping you is given and it’s a necessity. I am doing Crow wrong, I want someone to come and help me because breaking my neck is not a good thing.
Sooooo I ended up joining. Lisa, the owner, was soooo helpful and provided me great guidance as which classes and instructors I would enjoy. She also was gracious enough to work with my schedule and provide me with the most economical way for me to take advantage if all that YogaWorks has to offer. I am back in NYC for a week during August and she provided me a membership plan where I can grab some oms when I am home. And the other staff members I’ve met, Jill and Kelsey, just make you feel like welcomed and like you’ve been at the studio forever.
I like to keeps as simple as possible. And YogaWorks is just that in the purest and best way, just simple. There is no need for bells and whistles. I know they are going through some renovations so more classes and new programs will be offered in the future. I really like that entrance is on the side so it makes it feel real cozy and sort of away from all the hoopla going on around downtown Palo Alto.
I only Unilocal when I receive services and experiences that are above and beyond my expectations. Yoga Works surpassed all of my expectations and may have raised the bar for what I expect in other studios.

I probably would have enjoyed my experience, however, after being publicly shamed for having my cellphone (after confirming that I’d need to take it in in case my daughter’s school called — she’s diabetic, I unfortunately don’t get to «unplug») I found the entire place not that «calming» nor «welcoming» and will certainly not be «returning.»
Hey, cute motivational posters about your welcoming environment though!

This review is for yoga teacher Edna Barr — she is amazing!!!
I absolutely love going to her heated classes. What always impresses me most about her is that she is so knowledgeable. She will ask the class what they would like to work on, and instantly will create a whole hour based around that specific request.
Every class is different but every class will have you sweating from an amazing full body work out. She also plays fun music. Her classes are dynamic and have lots of movement.
I also love that Edna is so motivating. She will assist in my alignment in poses and help me to push myself, such as encouraging me that I can go farther in a stretch or helping me work on shoulder stand.
I am so sad when I have to miss one of Edna’s classes! Thank you Edna!

I really did not enjoy my experience here. While the space itself is nice and the teacher and front desk people were nice, I was very disappointed overall.
The class I went to was labeled ²⁄₃ (which the yoga works website describes as including handstands, arm balances or back bends), but it seemed to be geared towards beginners. I assumed that I had read the schedule wrong and went to the wrong class, but I double checked with the front desk and it was Level ²⁄₃. The class itself offered very little movement. The teacher gave good alignment cues for the most part and was very attentive, but the 70 minute class involved 3 vinyasas (the class was labeled vinyasa flow) and no advanced asanas, the deepest back bend we got into was a restorative bridge, and no arm balance or inversion options were given. Along with this, a lot of the stretches the teacher offered were incredibly unsafe. At one point she had us put all of our body weight on one knee, and she offered several variations on restorative bridge that felt unsafe for my neck. To finish everything off class ended 5 minutes late with a 1 minute savasana (isn’t this supposed to be the most important posture? Shouldn’t we be staying in this at least 5 minutes in order to actually reap the benefits?) Definitely not worth the ridiculously priced $ 22 dollar drop in.

Four years after I move to the Bay Area, I finally find a studio that I like! I had been taking classes with Edna Barr for years now, and when she mentioned 1) that she had a new regular class and 2) that it was at the new YogaWorks in Palo Alto, I knew I had to check it out.
Rewind a few years, when I was still living in Southern California, I was a member at YogaWorks down there, so I am familiar with the style of the studio and knew that it was a good fit for me. Good variety of styles and levels.
YogaWorks only recently opened, so their class schedule is still in flux and they’re in the process of building out their facility further, but I’m excited about what’s to come, especially their BarWorks and TRX classes!
So far, I’ve taken classes with Edna, Cynthia and Andy, and they’re all great! I have to say that it’ll be hard for me to make Andy’s 5pm Friday class, since it means that I need to leave work early, but I felt so energized after his class that I was ready to get my weekend started!
As far as membership packages go, there are a variety of options from drop in passes to 10 – 20 class passes to monthly passes. There’s something for everyone. If you buy a monthly pass, you get the remainder of the calendar month free, so try to time you sign up date accordingly.
Come join me for a class or two or more!

Update: YogaWorks management almost instantly contacted me (informed by some sort of reputation defense service?) re my earlier review, so I have removed a portion that may have come too close to identifying other people. I hadn’t realized the eye was so close. I understand their need to monitor their image tightly; however, under some circumstances I think that the proof has to come from the pudding and not the PR department.
That said, I gave this business two stars not as a «stay away,» but a «be wary.» Approach with caution. We’re talking corporations now.
Original review, minus a chunk:
The first inkling we got was a giant desk and two computer monitors blocking where a comfy couch had been. Change!
This may be jumping the gun a little bit, since they are planning on remodeling the front studio, but anyway. It’s not a very nice environment right now, but more importantly, the business specifics sound fishy. No pricing information for students available, anywhere (name yours? Haggle?), but I’ve heard that they are at least planning on paying the awesomest teachers in $hit. It’s probably just another bilk-​and-​run venture for Lisa Haley, who has a history around these parts — and many close others.
Updates to review as events warrant.