Yoga Studios?

My wife used to go to a Yoga Kula in Berkeley (I think there is one in SF)--think the classes were about $11 to $14 per class but I'm not sure. They have a lot of different options as well.

Hmm, that's pretty cheap. My roommate recommended Being Yoga in Burlingame, which is supposed to be "The Best" in the Bay Area. There's a $30 for 30 days promotion for new students, so although it's a schlep for all of us, I may consider it when my work/travel schedule slows down a bit for the season.

I used to go to 4th Street Yoga--it was something like $15/hour. But obviously a bit far for you to go. I also tried Satori Yoga in the city, but I don't remember the cost. There are a lot of yoga places.

My favorite name for a Yoga place is Funky Door Yoga. There is one in both the city and Berkeley and I've been meaning for years to check it out but have never gotten around to it.

@Flowergirl - you should try YTTP if you are in Berkeley. I am curious to hear if they are as good out here as they were on the East Coast - the place was all the rage in NYC.

And hey, gotta love that name!

@StephSF - I've been to New York Yoga and did Vinyasa Flow in the heat - not good after a night of drinking the night before.

But I do LOVE bikram yoga. IF you can stand the heat then I recommend Bikram Yoga on Columbus Ave. If you want regular yoga - then try Funky Door Yoga - they have several locations (google them for their website) and also, BloomSpot is offering a deal right now for bikram yoga in SeaCliff area (near Golden Gate Park)

Funky Door and Bikram Yoga both offer $29 for the first month - go as much as you want. Then they are about $10 per session and as low as $8 per session if you buy a pack. You can also pay a yearly membership too for unlimited.

Wow. $10 per session is pretty cheap - I am used to around $18 per session. Bikram (the sport, not the studio) is great. When climbing season wraps up I'll have to check some of those places out.

@StephSF: What is Bikram? I've never heard of it as a sport. I'm imagining a hacky-sac, I don't know why.

@Tracypie: Good info. I wonder if they have the same for the East Bay. I'm pretty sure that I heard of a Bikram in Berkeley.

Maybe I will go back to doing Yoga.

Hehe - no hacky-sacks in Bikram. It is hot yoga; the temperature in the room is turned up to something like 95 degrees (maybe higher? Help me out @Tracypie...) which is supposed to loosen the muscles. You go through a series of like 25 poses in 90 minutes (at least where I have done it) and really dig into each stretch for an extended period of time. I find it relaxing and enjoyable in a semi-masochistic way.

@StephSF the temperature for bikram can be as high as 110. It's HOT. But great for stretching.

Also, I got an email today from BloomSpot that Bikram Yoga in SeaCliff is offering $30 for 2 months special right now. I know that can be a little bit of a hike depending on where you live, but it's a good deal if you live close by. Plus you just might bump into someone famous.

The key here is that it is important to find a studio that is close to your dwelling or work so that you will actually go.
Yoga can be spiritual for some, relaxing for others or just a great sweat/stretch. I never liked regular yoga - I felt like I wasn't getting a workout. The heat in Bikram makes me sweat so I always feel like I am getting a workout and you can burn 400-1100 calories inside of one class. That's nothing to scoff at!

Wow, good deal - most places do $30 for one month but two is unusual.

If you get a monthly membership as opposed to doing a drop-in, you will also be more likely to go because you are spending money. I am on the road a lot so drop-in works best for me, but for anyone who works standard hours the monthly is the better deal and better incentive for going.