Leela Yoga

I found this place when I was looking for prenatal classes. It’s hard to find exercise classes for pregnant women. So I signed up and bought the ten pass package. I attended the classes until I gave birth. Beth the owner is really personable and supportive. I really enjoyed the positive energy from these classes and the women I met. I learned so much not just from the class but hearing stories from the women as well. I will definitely do this again if I’m pregnant again and highly recommend this class to future mommies!

I take Naomi’s gentle yoga class on Tuesday evenings. I originally heard about the studio when they wee offering a curvy yoga class. This class is the perfect mix of relaxing ama challenging for me. I always come out feeling like I’ve left all my stresses behind and also feeling much stronger and new limber.
Naomi is a terrific teacher for folks who need asana modifications like myself. She offers a number of variations of the poses reminding students that we are the experts of our bodies. She’s also encouraging of us to find our edge and that helps our practice grow.
I love that I as a bigger girl can share space with love and respect with other students. So thank you Naomi ama Leela yoga for making this my Tuesday night yoga home.

4 stars for now just because I’ve taken one class here.
I took Sandy’s Sunday class after taking a workshop with her at Anasa Yoga in Oakland (wonderful studio!). The woman who subbed for her that day was helpful, funny, engaged and kind.
I love the studio and the ambiance. They strike the right balance between accessibilty (# of students per class) and space to move. It’s no-​frills in a fun, clean and relaxing way.
Variety of student ages & body types, mix of men and women, POC students who seemed comfortable and welcomed into the space. Will definitely come back!

I’ve taken a handful of classes here and have been impressed each time. Warm, attentive, knowledgeable teachers and a beautiful space to practice in.
The free street parking is great too :-)
I’ll be back for more — hopefully soon.

I’ve been going there for over a year now and trying different classes. So far I’ve enjoyed all of them. The studio is neat and clean. The owner Beth seems very responsive to students and good at attracting good teachers. My favorite class now is the gentle yoga class on Wednesday nights with Missy. Each week she brings crystal bowls and provides a «sound bath» experience at the end of class. It’s a great class to help me calm down at the end of the day. It’s really worth checking out.

So many great offerings and instructors, and the studio is a beautiful space. So many perfect little touches. I absolutely love Lauren’s restorative class!

Leela in Sanskrit translates roughly to «God’s play» and if you have some sort of stigma to the word «God», then consider it «the divine nature of the universe’s play». That is precisely the vibe that I got while attending a yoga class here. The room feels like a big giant space to be playful and roll around the floor and walls doing yoga.
When I walked in I noticed a little desk off to the far right in one huge room, along with changing rooms, a restroom towards the back. The room was very clean and somehow welcomng, although it seemed fairly plain. The floors were dark laminated wood, the walls pastel colored, and the windows had little shoe cubbies alongside the bottom half along with a ledge to sit as well as hold several flyers for upcoming events.
As I was removing my California winter shoes (flipflops with legwarmers), I read a little sign that said «In an effort to keep the space in order and to find your belongings later, please keep your shoes in the purple cubbies along the floor and your other personal belongings in the baskets provided.»
Beside this sign were several very small baskets that were barely big enough to hold more than three tea light candles each. Ha! I thought this was a joke. I left my belongings on the ledge, against their request. During class, while in the middle of doing my Adho Mukha Svanasana (Down Dog), I catch a glimpse of the big wooden shelf in the back of the room, that have baskets in each cube. Ah ha!
So for those of you whom are newcomers, the baskets to put your belongings in are in the back of the room to the left of the desk.
The one teacher I have experienced thus far, seemed knowledgeable about the poses and form. She didn’t do hands-​on-​adjustments, in which I’m not a big fan of anyway, but rather verbal cues (and corrections). There was a good blend of knowledge, mysticism (for the mystics), structure and fun («Leela»). I felt like the 5:30pm Friday class was a nice easy series of movement and semi-​basic poses with a couple options for intermediate to advanced towards the end.
I was happy to have found a place, on the island, ready and available to teach near the event I attended after. I’ve got plenty of gratitude lingering from Thanksgiving for having yoga classes where ever I happen to find myself, no matter where that is! Woo hoo for Leela Yoga, and woo hoo for their awesome Introductory special: $ 25/​Three Class Pack.
Namaste y’all.

I took their prenatal yoga class last spring/​early summer. The instructors were Rebecca and two other ladies whose names I cannot recall. It is a beautiful clean studio, and the vibe was very welcoming and relaxed. The spacious back area was wel stocked with equipment and water. Parking was never an issue during the late Saturday mornings when I attended. I am looking forward to trying out their other classes.

My class with Beth today was a joy. She encouraged us to push our limits without ever going too far, and had us laughing for much of class. I was particularly impressed by her knowledge of anatomy and her thoroughness and patience with teaching it to us. I also love how she wove yoga philosophy into the class and encouraged us to continue living it outside of class. I left class with a big grin on my face. I can’t wait to go back!

I can’t say enough good things. Great price, great people, nice facility and I can walk there!
I had to have foot surgery in April, and they gave me a longer time frame to use my pre-​paid classes. And once I was cleared by my doctor to return, Sandy figured out alternate poses — I’m unable to stand on tiptoes ever again due to a joint re-​build. Awesome! I’m really excited to be back doing yoga and Sandy is the best!

Sophia rocks the Vinyasa! Sunday evening 6pm. Perfect way to end the weekend.

I LOVE Leela Yoga! I totally agree with what another poster said about it catering to diverse schedules, populations, needs and practices. My own schedule, and my ability level, changes day-​to-​day, and Leela’s always has a class that works for me.
I’ve been to Beth’s classes the most, and she always shares a new insight that blows me away, and has me paying (happy) attention to my body for days to come. I also like that she takes requests. :) My neck and shoulders are always a problem, and she knows heart-​openers that I’ve never experienced before, and that have my whole upper body opened up, upright and painless.
All my experiences there have been wonderful, with any teacher.
It’s funny, I used to live on top of a popular yoga studio in SF, and I still wasn’t as interested in going as I am now. I just get more from these classes. Or let go of more… or both. Definitely both. :)

The very day I wrote my original review, Beth (owner of Leela) contacted me to find out more about my concerns and apologize for my (not really all that terrible) experiences. She also made some suggestions for teachers/​classes that might fit more of what I’m looking for.
Most impressive is that Beth *privately* reminded me that 1) the time period over which I’d had so many substitute teachers was the holidays and many teachers took time for family; and 2) the business is only 6 months old and still getting settled.
Gulp. Do I feel like an idiot or what? Many studios would have cancelled classes over the holidays, but they chose to get as many as possible covered.
Beth had every right to share these observations in her public response; as a new small business, even so-​so reviews hurt more than they help and I hope that my review didn’t dissuade anyone from trying out Leela.
(We can talk about my delusions of grandeur and immortal power later)
I went back to the Sunday morning class when Sandy (regular teacher) was there. I really, really liked her class & decided that I would reserve judgment until I tried it a second time. Yep. Really, really, really like Sandy. She’s thoughtful, observant & seems to «read» her room well. Both classes were a bit different in focus but felt very right for the day. Lots of people there (but not overcrowded), who appear to be Sandy Regulars.
Starting in March, class times & offerings are adjusted a bit, based on updated survey results. Some of the ones I’d like to try remain too early for commuters, but obviously there are enough people who work locally/​from home who will have better access with the new times.
So, apologies once again. And see you next Sunday.

I came back not expecting to go to yoga, but my body felt really stiff… so, I started searching for some classes in the bay area and Leela’s class list looked promising. I went to a Vinyasa flow class with Beth and my body is back on track to being yogi-​limber. Beth was so attentive, it really threw me off (in a good way). My instructor back in Los Angeles would do gentle adjustments while he does verbal instructions, but Beth’s verbal instructions were so detailed, i felt the immediate difference in my body for each move. Since I didn’t bring my yoga mat back with me, I couldn’t buy a new one in time for my first class with the studio. Glad that the studio provides free yoga mats, blocks, blankets, eye sandbags, straps and bolsters for students to use.
While I was in LA, with a much crazier schedule, I treated yoga as a back of the mind method to stay toned and went through the motions, doing the poses and looking the part; but it wasn’t until classes here that I finally feel the stretches I was meant to feel with every pose. I always walk out of every class feeling mind and body different.
Aviva is patient, knowledgeable and will help you adjust your body to the appropriate moves during forrest yoga. Danielle Szuch’s vinyasa flow class was my favorite; the positions all literally flow into one another effortlessly, my friend and I left feeling incredibly stretched out and serene. Craig is attentive and passionate about yoga; he has a lot of insight on the history and practice of yoga along with the intended therapeutic and physical effects of each pose. Sandy is patient, gentle and incredibly experienced. Jenae is strong, understanding and can get you to work up a crazy sweat for vinyasa flow.
This place has definitely convinced me to take a deeper commitment to my practice of yoga, which I intend to continue when I’m back in LA. Having the privilege to finally feel the intended effects of practicing more accurately pushes me to make sure I make yoga a daily routine to balance out the tumultuous lifestyle that’s developed since law school.

HOORAY! Finally! A yoga studio in Alameda that caters to diverse populations, diverse schedules, and diverse needs/​interests! Before Leela opened, I literally could not find a studio in Alameda that suited my full-​time work schedule as well as my desire to seriously deepen my practice.
I used to have to drive through additional traffic AFTER driving across the damned Bay Bridge after work to get to my studio in Berkeley, which was just way too much, and I had eventually stopped going to yoga because of the sheer stress of it. Leela’s Yoga Studio is just down the street from my apartment, and it has reinvigorated my yoga practice, plain and simple. It has saved my practice.
I am very picky when it comes to picking a studio, because my practice is a key component to maintaining my own sanity and self-​care as I charge through my extremely draining and stressful job. I look for a welcoming, peaceful, and unpretentious environment that celebrates the skill as well as spirituality that is inherent in yoga. Leela’s clean, airy space definitely contributes to the feeling of just being SAFE, but the instructors also have a wonderful talent of perpetuating this feeling. Literally every instructor I’ve met has personally introduced themselves and asked for my name, which is a level of community– and relationship-​building that not all studios are mindful of maintaining.
I’ve gone to Liza, Beth, and Stacey’s classes most often. I love Liza’s Hatha class; it’s like a treat at the end of the day (Manic Monday!), it helps me slow down and take the time to cherish my body, and with a gentle hand massage with lavender oil during shavasana to boot! Beth and Stacey are great teachers, helping their students to really take notice and take responsibility for their body, often giving teachings that I can take off the mat with me, and challenging me to test my limits (but of course not go beyond it).
Right now, most of the classes are quite small. It’s nice to have small classes, where I have the luxury of the teachers’ attention, but I would love it even more if this studio acquired a strong community following. Come and check it out, PLEASE! So it can stay open and continue to do its good work!
Odds n ends:
–Free and easy street parking
–They accept credit card, yay!
–You can sign up for a class on their website, too. Or just drop in.
–They offer community wellness workshops
–Mats, mat cleaner, eye masks, bolsters, blocks, straps, blankets, tea and water all provided.
–Changing room and bathroom
Final thought: GO already! :D

My favorite part of practicing at this studio is the attentiveness of their instructors. I’ve been taking Beth’s Mommy and Baby yoga for the past month and love how I feel when I leave. Beth takes the time to help us connect with the muscles that are so in need of attention after giving birth. She will take my sweet little one when she’s being fussy and calms her with her sweet voice. So there’s no distractions while I’m in the middle of stretching. The best part is my daughter and I get to have special bonding time during the hour!
I highly recommend checking out this studio if you are a new mom!

Leela makes me happy. :)
It’s my favorite yoga studio. This new yoga studio in Alameda is quite nice… the wooden floors, peaceful color palette and giant ceiling with skylights make you feel like you have room to breath, unlike many other cramped for space yoga places? I think it suits my personality best– not huge and intimidating but cozy and inviting, clean and serene. I never felt cramped or stifled by communal funk.
What really sets it apart is the instructors. I’ve never had any instructor at other studios break down the movements or adjust my poses with as much precision and attention as Sabrina and the owner, Beth Z. It felt much more satisfying to hold or move through a pose when doing it properly instead of thinking I was. Most places will adjust you somewhat, but these ladies made it click. They were enthusiastic, encouraging and supportive, and I look forward to going back to try other instructors, too.
Sabrina, is very spiritual, dedicated, she is amazing, gentle, knowledgeable, will make gentle adjustments and alignment. Sabrina made me feel warm and welcome after a long hiatus of not having yoga. I adore her, beautiful inside and out. I leave her Hatha class with my old body feeling like a 12 year old. She usually sets the class with a thought or lesson and really focuses on inward which ultimately helps outward!
Beth, the owner, is gentle and kind, non-​pretentious. She also runs a kids class that is great. She has classes and workshops for everyone, from kids to big girls and big men, fine –tuning She is the perfect hostess to her welcoming studio.
Tia, is amazing too… She is very knowledgeable, intuitive, gentle… she is also a nutritionist and is studying physical therapy. I just love her. I highly recommend her.
Props, eye-​pads, mats, etc. are clean, organized, and plentiful. Bathroom immaculate. There is distilled water in beautiful glass dispensers, a large assortment of organic teas complimentary and various spiritual and yoga books for sale, as well as kids books and yoga related .
Om, shanti, give it a try!