Smiling Dog Yoga

smiling dog yoga are helpful, knowledgable and friendly. I have fibromyalgia (Chronic spread pain) and have a little bit of energy per day to use. I try to use some of my time to make sure that my overall health is getting the attention it needs but have to be cautious of Every activity I do. Yoga was recommended for help with pain relief for me. Most normal yoga classes are still too hard for me to do but Smiling Dog sent me a message letting me know the different options of yoga classes they offered and recommended a lighter version for someone with fibro or chronic pain. They were so a accommodating and helpful as well as after the class i felt better and relaxed and didn’t over do it. They offer an intro $ 30 for 30days and I definitely recommend it. They also offer massage, accupuncture, café and wellness goods. I recommend if you like the 30 day intro sticking it out and getting the monthly deal as you also get a discount off at their café and other things such as their massages. Great place

I have been going here for almost two years — why have I never Unilocaled?! I love this studio. The teachers are great, the staff is super organized and friendly. You can take any kind of yoga class that suits you.

This is the best quality yoga studio in town. The yoga instructors are consistently excellent and teach diverse styles. I especially like Kevin and Jonathan. Instructors at Smiling Dog Yoga know how to work with you if you have a specific injury or problem, and make time to do it in stride, without interfering with class flow. The front staff is very kind and helpful. I feel welcome each visit.

I Have been in the teacher training! I have really learned so much. Roxanne and Jonathan are awesome! They truly complement each others teaching styles. I love both of their inputs and what they have given me for my journey into teaching yoga and being the essence of yoga within myself.

Smiling Dog is the cutest little yoga studio with a little outdoor vegetarian café that I absolutely love. The food is so fresh, colorful, and delicious. The outdoor seating is a little oasis. I love the succulents, the bright colors, and the atmosphere.
Yesterday I did my first ever meditation class which was a whole new experience for me. I am a busy body so I was not sure how laying still was going to work out for me for an hour, but I got into a sleep-​like trance (though I was never asleep) and could feel a certain kind of energy going through my body. It was a very relaxing experience and I would do it again. Tonight I am going to do my first yoga class there, and am really looking forward to it. I am on the 30 day trial for $ 30, and if I find I like the yoga class tonight I will sign up for the monthly membership before my 30 day trial is up.

I joined this studio 8 months ago and it has just flown by. The yoga instructors all really care about their students and practice. Each class has a unique way of focusing on mind body and soul. Jonathan, Roxy, Kendra and Chellis are my favorites. This is a quality yoga studio with flexible schedules and the very best teachers

I tried SDY almost a month ago and immediately fell in love. The instructors and clientele are warm and welcoming. I did the $ 30 for 30 days intro and became hooked. Tip — sign up for a membership before your 30 day intro is over and it’s $ 65 a month for unlimited classes versus $ 80! I also love that you can easily book and cancel classes via Mindbody.
I took one star off because sometimes they allow so many people who are walk-​ins to squeeze into the studio that it makes it difficult to fully perform some of the poses.

I was in town visiting my in-​laws for the holidays & took the Sweet Vinyasa class with Jonathan. It was a great class. Jonathan has a warm demeanor & soothing voice. He is also very knowledgeable about the correct posture & communicates that throughout the class.
I only deducted 1 star because of the price. I live in San Francisco & a drop-​in class at most yoga studios is cheaper there. Regardless, I’ll likely go back next time I’m in town.

Smiling dog is amazing-​I joined 7 week ago (When I moved back to the area) and have been very happy with the classes and instructors. I just wish they had a greater variety of early morning/​late night classes — which is my reason for 4 stars.

Nice atmosphere and love Jean and Jonathan’s vinyasa classes

Again, this is the place to get a massage (Jenna is awesome) and the place to eat, do fab yoga classes and just get your zen on. Love the yin yoga classes and the front desk is always kind.

I love the studio & the teachers, they have a great schedule with an array of classes, from meditative to challenging. I leave feeling refreshed and more flexible in every definition of the word. Couldn’t recommend Smiling Dog Yoga any more!

Great teachers (Jonathan, amazing. Jean Victor, best teacher on the West Coast, Kendra, a total expert.) …Not sure I love the rest… a little too «tie dye» for me. Nice veggie café. The studio itself… VERY noisy… There was a jack hammer going off in the parking lot next door both time I was there. I wish the staff would go to a better location and start up a new studio. I like my studios quiet and big and super chill. This studio? … I find it annoying. Tons of talent, just not a great set up.:(

Great studio!
Got a great combo restorative class this sunday! Marisa is a gentle instructor
If i ever move to SLO, this is my studio

This is a good place to go if you have never done yoga and have a kink in your neck or something to stretch out with some good ambient background music. However, if you want be taught by an authentic and experienced yogi, look elsewhere.

Smiling Dog was the first yoga studio I joined and my experience here truly changed my life. The classes, instructors, and the studio itself are all wonderful.
All of the instructors here are amazing and super helpful. You can really tell that they love yoga and love teaching it. They make sure you’re doing each pose correctly and offer adjustments for people who may have certain limitations on their body. I also loved the atmosphere of the studio. It was just always so peaceful and I loved all the natural lighting.
There are so many different classes to choose from. If you go to one class and don’t like it, try out another! There’s fast paced, challenging classes that will make you sweat and shake as you try to hold your pose. Then there’s the slow paced, restorative classes where you stretch and relax. That’s one of the reasons I loved it here. I was able to try out all the different classes and find the ones I liked the most :) The vinyasa classes were my favorite and Jonathan was definitely my favorite teacher there! He always made the class fun and sometimes he even had people there playing live music!
Love it here :) Smiling Dog will always have a place in my heart. Definitely check it out if you wanna practice yoga in SLO!

I enrolled in the trial membership without any experience in yoga and no expectations on what I was getting in to — and I am so happy I did! From the moment Allison welcomed me in the door, every experience with the team has been fantastic.
Exposure to the different teaching styles has really shown me what all I can get out of the practice. I feel like I could go on and on about specifics, but the gist of it is that SDY has been fantastic.
If you’re thinking about trying a new studio, check out Smiling Dog!

What can I possibly say about Smiling Dog? I am so happy I found this studio. It’s warm, welcoming, and peaceful. The space itself is light and airy. The class selection is diverse; I can always find just the right class for my needs.
I agree with the reviewer who said the instructors are «truly the backbone of the studio». These men and women are amazingly talented people. They are patient and calming. Somehow, they seem to know what you need and when you need it. I had never taken yoga before when I walked through their doors, yet I felt immediately comfortable due to the safe environment created by my instructor.
I recommend Smiling Dog Yoga without reservation!

I simply cannot say enough good (great!) things about Smiling Dog Yoga. It is a yogic oasis, a true port in any storm.
The studio itself is beautiful. The main room can pack 28 or so and fits about 18 sweaty yogis comfortably. Live plants line the windows, while soft blue walls enclose the space. Appropriate ventilation ensures it’s never too sweaty or sticky, but is always a warm enough embrace.
The classes are many and varied. For the beginner there’s Hatha, Yin, or Restorative, moving up the ladder to Sweet Vinyasa and eventually Strong Vinyasa, with many in between. All level practioners are welcome in just about any class, and if you’re struggling with something that’s maybe a little too advanced for you on a particular day, you’re not made to feel unwanted or unwelcome. Plenty of props are available as well as rental mats, if you’re unprepared.
The instructors at Smiling Dog, however, are truly the backbone of the studio. With 11 regularly scheduled teachers and various subs when needed, there’s ample opportunity to learn from different people who embrace different styles and techniques. Jeff’s classes are intense, and he pushes you to reach your potential in a way that’s encouraging and motivational; Leslie is technical, and a great person to receive step by step instruction from if you’re needing to master the basics or perfect your technique; Roxanne is compassionate while still strong, and Kevin will soothe you into restorative bliss. The teachers make time for one-​on-​one instruction in class, and I’ve never been turned down when I’ve asked for help after a class. There’s someone for everyone at the Dog.
Smiling Dog also offers «playshops» every few weeks, for everything from discovering Pranayama to creative writing classes like «Prose and Poses». Their massage therapy is out of this world (Sidney’s thai massage is amazing!) and I hear the acupuncture will knock your socks off too.
Yogic bliss for every budget, teachers that will literally change your life.
Try the Dog. I promise, you’ll be glad you did.

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is checking out local yoga studios. Not only does it keep me centered while I’m far from home, I like going somewhere new and experiencing new teaching styles.
I researched yoga studios before my trip down to SLO. Smiling Dog and Bikram were the 2 that were walking distance from the B&B. I didn’t come prepared for Bikram so I decided on SD and was happy I did.
I went to the Foundations Hatha class today with Ahmed and found the class paced just right. Ahmed managed a moderately paced flow class that had just enough emphasis on alignment, which I feel is a daunting task for any yoga teacher. I’ve been in classes where the flow comes to a complete standstill while the teacher spends more then 5 minutes on the correct way to do something and within that time I lose the heat I’ve built up. Ahmed did a great job keeping the class moving but making adjustments and explaining correct alignment.
The space and the staff is very welcoming and friendly. I liked the windows and the abundance of natural light in the main studio. The little café attached is still figuring out what it is. Currently, they’re open for lunch only. I was sad to find this out so late in the day as the dr. and I have been searching for more vegan friendly dining options in SLO.
I will definitely be back the next time I’m in town.