Bikram Yoga Nob Hill

LOVE this studio.
I joined Bikram Yoga Nob Hill after moving into the area and scoring a groupon for a 10 class pack, I thought it would be a great way to try the place out without committing to a full month. I have since bought more package deals and continue to bring friends, recommend this studio and always enjoy my experience!
The studio is set upstairs on Polk street, the entryway is small and could be easy to miss. Staff here is always very friendly, leave your shoes at the front door and there are lockers (bring your own lock), towels for rent, mats for rent, water, juices, coconut water, etc. Also a nice selection of some yoga attire for purchase near the front.
Make sure to arrive early to get a spot, the classes (especially nights and weekends) get PACKED. Ignore the earlier comments about a «smell» in the room. Its HOT YOGA… PEOPLE SWEAT… SWEAT SMELLS. I have never found it to be an issue. Only minor distraction i’ve found is sometimes with the location on Polk street there are loud noises from traffic, alarms, etc outside (but, nothing too awful or over bearing).
The instructors are SUPER friendly, they will help you as needed in the class, answer questions after you leave and make sure you are comfortable during your practice. Finally, the last thing I LOVE about this studio is I feel it is a «no judgement» zone. I always feel like yoga is a fashion show for women or I have felt intimidated by not being able to do all the moves, etc. Bikram Nob Hill is a great studio for a person beginning, advanced, etc to feel comfortable practicing at their own pace and get a killer sweaty workout!

Nice clean studio with great energy and a friendly instructor. I was a drop-​in and was welcomed nicely. It was a late afternoon on a weekday so the class had students but it wasn’t as crowded as the after work sessions. I love practicing bikram in as many cities as possible and so lucky for me I was within walking distance. I would definitely practice here again the next time that I am in town!

Nice ladies working there. Instructor was energetic and motivating. Clean place. Easy to miss the entrance.

On 4÷20÷15, I took the 12pm class and Darius was also in the class and positioned behind me. First of all, he kept unnecessarily walking in & out of class, which is totally disruptive to the instructors and students in class.
But since he’s the owner of the studio, I’m sure he feels that he can do whatever he wants to whenever he feels like it, regardless of how anybody else may feel about it.
When we got to the dancer pose, Darius walks onto my mat behind me in the middle of the pose and rudely tells me to switch the way I was grabbing my foot. When I initially didn’t grasp/​understand the adjustment that he wanted me to make, he then aggressively grabbed me and physically tried to put my hand in the right position.
I was sensing that he was disturbing the students and instructor, so I told he that «I got it», hoping he would just go back to his mat. And I did understand the correct adjustment he wanted me to make by this point.
However, he kept standing on my mat, while the class instructor told the class to switch sides in the pose. At this point, I was feeling flustered, disrespected and pissed off. So I unintentionally grabbed my foot the the same incorrect way, even though I did understood the correct way to do so.
So, Darius grabs my arm even more aggressively and says «stop doing that; you don’t listen, do you? At this point, I was angry enough to punch Darius in the face! However, I held my composure, not wanting to disrupt class anymore than Darius had already done.
After I made the correct adjustment with my hand position, Darius finally went back to his mat where he belonged. Then shortly thereafter, he left class AGAIN!
As one might image, my practice was totally ruined. But after all, this was a yoga class and I used my final Savasana to calm myself down and try to let it all go.
I’ll certainly NEVER go to this studio again and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else. If you read some of the other reviews, other people have had unpleasant experiences with Darius as well.

I just want to say,
HOLY NASTY STINK!!! OMG! What are they thinking??? This studio has potential due to its location however IT STINKS!!! I mean, COME ON!!! IT STINKS SOOOOOOOOOO BAD and as you can read below, the complaint was the same last year due to the carpet in the studio. They have you leave your shoes at the entrance, as I do at any good studio, only to walk on Old Blue Carpet and then do HOT Steamy yoga in a room with carpet! WOW! I am shocked and horrified. I bought a package assuming the studio would be reasonable due to location and name; however, I am not sure I can stomach the smell through another class, let alone another month of it.
Do you not open the windows during the day to let it air out? do you clean the floor??? Have you ever considered pulling the carpet up? It would be better to be on a cement floor with mats than to have to be on that disgusting carpet.
In addition to the smell, NO one was nice!!! I just moved to the city and was hoping to find some Yoga… instead I feel … EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED
I do not like to write bad reviews, but after my experience and then reading the other reviews, I just want to do my part. If you are looking for a bikram studio, I think there are others out there that won’t be so insulting to the senses.
work out was good… it was bikram… and they do have a shower and a hair drier.

My favorite Bikram studio! Hot as hell – and humid, too!
Instructors are great and very attentive, studio is big, facilities are nice and clean. Sure, no one’s really a fan of carpeting in Bikram studios, but that’s Bikram. There are dots on the carpet to ensure mats are staggered so everyone can see themselves in the mirror (the top left corner of your mat should just cover a dot).
Bonus: they’re on ClassPass and now also have 60 minute class offerings.

I’ve been coming here for several years off and on. This type of hot yoga is addictive. I always look forward to going. The room is clean and airy, and the smell is not bad at all by Bikram Yoga standards. With all those people sweating on the carpet, there will always be some smell, but not enough to bother me. The whole studio is kept very clean and tidy. They offer free hand towels for class, a nice touch. And they offer Breathe mat and towel rentals ($ 4 for a mat and $ 2 for a towel). The teachers and staff are nice and helpful. I wish they’d do a better job about recycling and compost. They could put a paper towel bin in the bathroom for compost, and label the recycling bins more clearly.

I’ve been to a few sessions and I really like this neighborhood studio. It’s not hoity toity at all. The checkin ladies are always very nice and cheerful. All the instructors I’ve had have been very accommodating (e.g. not super uptight about people drifting in 5 mins late or people taking water breaks) I like how they offer both an hour session and the standard hour and a half session. The hour sessions are a bit rushed but it’s a nice option to have when your schedule is packed. And hey– some yoga is better than no yoga! Extra points for having face/​hand towels available for use in the studio as well!

My yoga experiences are always nice here… I haven’t attended in a while but the instructors remember me and invited me right back in! I felt welcomed. Got my bikram on for the full 90 minutes… I always come out refreshed and ready to go!!!

Let me just preface this review by saying that after trying CorePower Yoga, it’s a bit hard to ever go back to another bikrim yoga class. The thing I remember the most about this place is the smell of feet: unadulterated, corn-​chip smell of feet. Enough to sicken me to my stomach. Most bikram classes have a similar smell, but this one appeared even more putrid for some reason.
Nevertheless, I love that they offered an intro month for new students, which was helpful in giving me a chance to check out the place. The instructors overall were good however there was one who didn’t like to cue, which I found a bit annoying. Her timing appeared to be slightly off. It also appears that they don’t really stick to true bikram timing with the poses, which stresses a 90 minute practice. Some of the classes I attended were done in less than that timeframe. I also didn’t like that they would open the windows halfway through. Overall, it was hard to get the «true» bikram experience at this place.
I will say that the people are generally nice, and the front desk staff was awesome. The teachers also appeared very hands-​on and willing to assist students with poses, although I felt that some push the students (especially new students) a bit too far when they should have probably offered them an easier option for the pose as they get used to the practice.
All in all, a good place to go if you are new to the city (or the practice) and want to see what the bikram craze is all about. But be prepared for the overpowering smell of feet!

I know bikram yoga is supposed to be hot (and sometimes smelly), but I don’t understand for the life of me, why they have carpeted floors. It’s about as brilliant as putting cloth seats on the BART. I don’t care how you try to clean either of the two, but it’s probably never going to be as clean as hardwood floors. I’m not completely grossed out by copious amounts of sweat, but for 90 minutes, I felt like I was working out in someone’s dirty gym back, the men’s football locker room, or someone’s pair of dirty socks. I thought I might pass out — not from the heat — but from the smell.
The studio itself is pretty big and has lots of mirrors — it’s heated really hot, so you’ll sweat just standing inside the studio without moving. It feels like being in a sauna, and you’ll get a really good sweat where you drench your towel and all your clothes. Not sure if it’s just from the heat being cranked up or if you get a really good workout, because I could probably sweat almost the same amount just standing in the room without doing anything. For a 6:15 pm class that I went to, it was nice to not have the mats 2 inches apart, so that people aren’t sweating all of you and your mat, so I appreciated that. There are some studios in the Marina where mats are literally right next to each other and it’s a little bit too close for comfort. I don’t mind if there’s sweat everywhere as long as it’s contained on everyone’s respective mats. Call me a germophobe, but I like a little bit of personal space.
The workout was alright — I know bikram yoga is slower paced and has the same postures. I prefer vinyasa, but that’s just my preference. I’ve tried bikram yoga at a few other places and I just prefer the variety and strength that vinyasa offers.
There were a lot of body parts I didn’t want to see and lots of shirtless men. I thought maybe I was on the beach by the number of short-​shorts or what seemed to be bathing suit bottoms.
I know, I should take my snooty self out of this studio and into the prissiness of SoMa or the Marina. I guess I like the overdone Lululemon, hardwood floors, and pop music that is not really so «yoga», but to each his own. This may work for some people, but I’ll be frequenting CorePower, YogaTree or YogaWorks since they are more up my alley. Just don’t tell me I didn’t warn you about the carpet or the smell.

Nice Bikram Studio not far away from the city center (union square) I walked there and had around 20min.
The studio is nice and friendly. Only 2 showers but on my class in the morning it was not to crowded. The carpet in the hot room is a bit smelly but there are a lot of windows and my teacher was opening them frequently.
Drop in for 20 $
Easy handling over all. Will come again.

Went there first time and quit right away. A lot half naked guys there with tight shorts. The instructor also owner/​a half naked guy wear glasses with funny tattoos on his boobs was extremely rude talking to ppl with pointed finger!!! I had no idea but think he was definitely on wrong medicine that day! It was extremely hot and ppl next to me smells bad in the steam. I almost passed out so had to lean next to window to take breath. He pointed finger to me said I’m not allow to lean on his window as its his territory! I was like what?! I have never seen such rude instructor before! Piece of sh***!!

I had some time off and decided to do the local newbie $ 50 for one month unlimited. So far I like this studio! Most classes have been well attended, but never too crowded — I have definitely been to studios in other cities where you literally can’t do half the poses without hitting both your neighbors.
Andrea is a great instructor, she always comes up to people individually and gives them advice on adjustments which is very helpful! I have been doing Bikram for 8 years and very few «Bikram trained» instructors do this. The studio is clean, there are showers and they have 6 am classes M-​F which I like because I like to do yoga first thing in the morning before work! They also give out hand towels for wiping sweat and I like to use them for rabbit pose since the bottom of my mat has little gel grips on it.
Also! There is a small bike rack in the studio for 2 bike spots, which is really convenient since it is in a location where I would caution locking your bike outside on the street/​there is no spot to lock it really.
For anyone who wants a no-​frills studio, this one is great! If you want a spa-​like yoga studio that sells matts, clothes, and other stuff this isn’t the place for that. They do sell coconut water and water, but that’s the extent of retail I’ve seen.

Like most people, I practice yoga to clear my mind with a challenging yet relaxing work out. I was really excited about this beautiful studio on the 2^nd floor of a building on Polk and Bush with windows providing lots of natural light, but was disappointed by the large crowd and instructor who seemed a little too aggressive and judgmental to be teaching yoga. During one of the poses, he was calling everyone out saying that no one was doing it right… Yoga is not easy — it’s called yoga «practice» for a reason and instructors of all people should know this and be more encouraging.
I know Bikram is supposed to be uncomfortably hot, but I’ve taken multiple classes at other studios and this is the first time I’ve ever had to step out of a class. This is also the first class I’ve been to where people were walking out and back in because the heat was so intolerable. At least the front desk was super nice and didn’t charge me for the power bar and coconut water I desperately needed.
Needless to say, I won’t be coming back.

I wanted to check out the place before buying a regular monthly pass so I got a Groupon deal. I have been taking classes here for the month now and would recommend this studio. It’s nice, with many classes daily, you can always find one that fits you schedule, and the price is almost the same as at other yoga studios.
I appreciate how they have storage areas for your valuables and shower cabins within the changing room. You can also use the locker. The classes are great and the staff is friendly and helpful. No chatting happening during the class and no one arrives late, which is great!
However, sometimes it gets overcrowded. There is not a lot of space in between other people. Which make me feel uncomfortable but it depends on time and day of the week.
Also, the studio charges you to borrow a mat for the class which is not nice because the other studio that I had attended offer free yoga mats for clients to use.
It was my first time doing Bikram yoga and I didn’t feel like it was super challenging. It takes time to get used to the heat but classes are not challenging even for the beginner. I’ve tried out probably ²⁄₃ different classes and teachers. Have nothing bad to say about them. All of them are energetic and helpful. They give you exactly the same exercises each time. Which is ok, but still, I would love to see at least new 1 – 2 poses every time I come in.
The only thing that I do not like is a carpet. They changed it several weeks ago but it still SMELLS. My recommendation is to switch to wood floors or at least spray air fresheners or place some sensual oils!
I look forward to more classes.

I’ve been coming here for over 5 years and I’m so glad I’m finally reviewing this place! I am always pushing people to go to bikram and I have been to many bikram places in the city and in hawaii and this is by far the BEST! The energy of it is amazing and I LOVE/​HATE (actually love!) how they crank up the heater wayyyyy more than any other places I’ve been to. The teachers are ALWAYS extremely friendly and willing to help you if you have any questions. I really love how they’ve redesigned and rebranded the entire space everything has a zen, modern, relaxing feel to it and they are constantly trying to make their studio better (they just added new carpets! yay!).
Also if you really want a hard class take any class with Darius, he is very strict but you get the most out of the class, and isn’t that what everyone truly wants? He also adds in the humor when your in the toughest position keeping everything a bit lighter so your not as stressed out. After I finish his class I am so tired but I honestly feel AMAZING!
Anyways I beg anyone to come to this place you may not like it at fist, you may even hate it but just KEEP GOING and after 3 months you’ll have no idea how you survived without it! :D

I like all the renovations to Bikram Nob Hill. It’s a clean updated studio with good classes and terrific teachers. The towel mats are new & they have a great laundry service.
Sometimes the check-​in process is a little hectic and for having practiced there for over six months pretty often, they could try to recognize regulars and be a bit more friendly.
They are lax about people coming in late and leaving early which I find a tad distracting. But the teachers are all really solid. They could be a bit more strict and push us a bit more. I like Brenda on Sunday’s and Andrea is always great.
The gorgeous windows are a huge plus as are the high ceilings. They have on occasion freebies like popcorn samples or once I got dry shampoo which I love. When they run a special discount — it really makes it worth it. I just got 30 classes for the price of 20. If you keep buying a series, any unused classes roll over.
Since I started my practice, I can tell I have improved. I am way more flexible and way stronger. I like this studio the best in SF — I have tried them all.

The «new» studio and ownership are absolutely terrible. They stripped away (literally — the posture diagrams in the studio were awesome!) everything unique and great about Funky Door Yoga and now we’re just left with a smelly studio and poor management.
There is now a 10 minute policy so that you can’t join class 10 minutes after class has started because ‘it is too disruptive’ — but what is the difference between 10 and 15 minutes after class has started? I understand not allowing anyone to join after class has started. I’ve been to bikram studios that are far more legitimate and serious about their practice, so they don’t allow any students to join after class has started. If BYNH wants to truly step it up, they should institute a no latecomers policy.
Darius, in particular, is really rude, an incompetent instructor, and just bad at yoga (he’s popped in to a few classes I’ve taken and I don’t know how he ever made it through teacher training). Ryan and Marc — the 2 best instructors from Funky Door — both left. Most of the remaining instructors are OK, but by the looks of it, they hardly ever practice themselves.
Do NOT come here if you want to practice bikram.

Thanks for listening to your yoginis, Bikram Yoga Nob Hill!
The newly refurbished studio is fabulous! The more frequent cleaning of the carpets has vastly eliminated the smell. I also love the stocked restroom and re-​painted fresh walls.
I’m fond of all the instructors. I haven’t found one I dislike. They’re all full of energy and have a positive attitude.
Still a neighborhood regular and will continue to be :)