Little Yoga Studio

Quaint and high quality yoga studio. Very happy with the vinyasa flow class I took on Tuesday with a belts and new teacher. She was respectful to injuries but challenges everyone in a heathy and constructive way.

When they say «little» they aren’t kidding! It’s literally a single room studio with a single changing room that doesn’t even have a door, instead it’s a shower curtain. The doors to the studio weren’t unlocked until 12 minutes prior to class starting, so we only had a few minutes to get changed and ready to practice. They didn’t heat the studio at all! It was about 69 degrees. The teacher and class itself wasn’t bad… But again, after the class ended, the teacher was standing by the door ready to go! I had to be at work right after and I needed time to change and pack my bag and get ready and i felt a lot of pressure to hurry up and get out. Overall I was bummed on the experience. I won’t be returning.

I came here for the first time last Sunday for the Vinyasa I class with Anahi and it was wonderful! I was a few minutes late (had some trouble finding the place), and Anahi quickly helped me get set up and made me feel welcome just the same (I’ve been to places where teachers aren’t very nice to anyone who’s late).
The practice was soothing, informational, but at the same time, it was a great workout. I’ve been doing yoga on and off for about 6 years, and definitely still see myself as a beginner only because my dedication to it is very up and down. Anahi was very helpful and kept a good speed which got me sweating, although some of the true beginners seemed to struggle just a little bit. I’m super excited to finally have found a place I’m comfortable in and can really grow my love for yoga.
P. S. I had a lot of trouble finding the place from the Google Maps directions because it points you to the El Cortez. It’s actually a little bit down the hill but same block, on the corner.

This was my very first studio visit regarding Yoga & boy oh boy, was it AWEsome!!! TBH I was always a little insecure or skeptical entering a yoga studio… I was always worried I wouldn’t be able to «keep up» and I didn’t want to be judged by anybody or made felt like I was «holding up or disturbing the class»
Well I have to thank my sister for the yoga push I needed. This place absolutely rocked. The instructor we had was so sweet, kind and genuine. She always gave an alternative (a rest position) to challenging positions, and literally offered them up so gracefully, you never felt like an odd ball. The class was also filled with different levels of yogis. Everyone was very kind and humble, just exactly the place to break the «yoga studio ice»… I promise, you will extract an immeasurable amount of value out of learning how to «just breathe» :) XO
Namaste :)

I really wanted to like this place, and had high expectations based on their reviews, but I was very disappointed, and don’t think I’d come back. When I arrived to the class with one of my friends, we had to wait for around 10 minutes to get checked in. I think the people in front of us were having some sort of billing issue, because they didn’t end up staying for the class. They also didn’t have a record that I’d pre-​registered for the class, so it also took a few minutes for me to get checked in, so the class ended up starting around 15 or so minutes late.
My main gripe with the class was the instructor. Usually yoga instructors will ask if students have any injuries, etc. at the beginning of class so that they’re aware of if they need to offer modifications or adjustments during the class, and this instructor didn’t do that. I have a back injury, so I’m not able to do some poses in their full form. The instructor didn’t offer any modifications, and at one point actually said «If you can’t chaturanga properly, don’t do it at all.» Never offered the modification to (1) go into upwards facing dog on your knees or (2) take cobra in lieu of upwards facing dog as an alternative. At one point, the woman next to me was doing a pose incorrectly and she corrected her by saying «Put your legs on the same track. Put your legs on the same track. No. Literally do the opposite of what you’re doing right now.» Rude! I found her class to be more like a bootcamp than a yoga class. Yoga is about honoring your body, and acknowledging/​respecting your limits, and I didn’t get that vibe from this class at all. I eventually started anticipating the end of the class, and was happy to get out of there when it was over. I’m giving the studio 2 stars instead of one because the one thing I did like was the ambiance.
Based on my experience, I wouldn’t come back, and I wouldn’t recommend this studio.

Visiting from out of town, very nice little studio!

I was in San Diego for work and needed a good yoga session after traveling and sitting all day. Little did I know that Sara would give me a run for my money… I was drenched within 10 minutes of being in the class (being in a heat wave didn’t help). Sara is a great yoga instructor, very in tune with the body and makes micro adjustments to help you find the pose properly. I highly recommend her class and this studio.

Don’t blink, because you’ll miss it.
I drove right by it and continued to do circles around the block… And then, when I saw some basic bitches in their lululemon yoga gear, I thought, ‘follow them to the light’. Too bad they were walking to brunch in their yoga clothes.
Cute little space.
And let me emphasize ‘little’.
The changing room is a curtain the doesn’t close. Thank god I’m an exhibitionist.
The space can hold about 20 people before it becomes a sardine can. Not that there’s anything wrong with being mat to mat. It puts us in that uncomfortable space that yoga brings us out of. Just breathe n shit.
The instructor; Melissa, I think, was phenomenal. Great flow. Got me sweating real quick… And the class ran over, which is always a treat.
I farted in class. And no one cared!
Now that’s some mutha-​fucking zen bullshit!
Namaste!

The name says it, it is a small studio. However, this place is welcoming, the décor is nice & the instructors are great.

For me, personally (at my beginner level) it would be 4.5 stars. However, for advanced yogis (who don’t mind/​want a «hot yoga» room, it would be 5 stars).
My review is only for the Intro. to Ashtanga class, Friday at 12pm w/​Merrin.
I’m on a one month trial with FitMob ($ 1 for 30 days). Normally, this particular class is $ 10 drop in (or whatever your membership is). I called the LYS to verify that there would be no $ 10 fee since I was doing the class thru FitMob. Very friendly and helpful gal who answered the phone and said that my FM membership would allow me to take the class without any fee :)
The description on their website (and on FM) the last line says «Suitable for new and experienced yogis alike.» I don’t think that’s entirely accurate. This was more an advanced (at the very least intermediate) yoga practice (any kind of yoga).
Also, it is quite warm in the studio. The gal who taught the class prior to 12pm said that she keeps it ~85 degrees, kind of like hot yoga.
Because of these two factors, I’d give it 4.5 stars. I still rank it 5 stars b/​c
— I don’t feel it’s fair to rank them 4 stars if that’s how it’s supposed to be (but for me I was pretty hot).
But Unilocalers should know that this is not a beginning yoga class. What I appreciated about the class was that the instructor did some hands-​on corrections (which I like) and explained proper breathing techniques and gave some (not a lot) modifications for newer students.
There were 4 of us (2 FitMob, 2 members) and I’d say I was beginner, 1 intermediate and 2 advanced students and we were still all able to get an excellent workout.
I wish there could’ve been perhaps some more modifications explained for newbies (only since the description says suitable for beginners). Mind you, it could’ve been my misunderstanding of the class, perhaps it’s suitable for practicing yogis that are new to Ashtanga? I think that should be clarified on the description :)
This was my first time taking yoga at a real yoga studio (so nothing to compare it to)…prior experience only at the gym (no comparison… studios are the way to go :) If and hopefully, when, I develop more and get stronger then I think it’d be better for me.
I liked being able to sign up same day online, no waiting in line for passes (like at 24H)…it’s a very clean studio, you remove shoes at the door. I’d probably have to take classes in winter b/​c I’m always hot so I don’t know if I can handle a room that warm ;)
Overall, still a great experience and the instructor was quite impressive. She’s supposed to give birth on Monday and her body was amazingly fit and strong. :)
I also appreciate that for FitMobbers they allow unlimited visits/​month (at least as of 4÷3÷15). I think it is a win-​win: exposure/​advertising for the participating studios and for classes they normally may not fill, they get paid off FM members, kind of like groupon.
FYI, there wasn’t any music in the background, parking is metered street parking in downtown, and there is no child care available (at either of their locations).
I don’t know if I’m allowed to post this on Unilocal,but FitMob emailed me a link for $ 1 for 30 day trial so I thought I’d share with Unilocalers if anyone wants to try it. The link is good until 4÷7÷15. I’ll modify my review if I’m not supposed to share discounts on Unilocal/​when the offer expires :)
Overall, I’m very appreciative that multiple studios are participating in FM, as it’s allowing me to try different types of classes at studios that I normally wouldn’t even know about (I tried a reformer class yesterday :)
I hope more studios will join FM so I can keep trying more places.
Namaste :)

I love this yoga studio! The location is convenient for me to pop over for a class after a stressful day at work. This studio is also very affordable in comparison to other studios I priced out. Sarah L. is an especially great instructor – her music choices are fun and she is great at reminding everyone to smile during practice.

I really love the little yoga studio. My fiancé surprised me with purchasing a 5 class membership, and I couldn’t be more thankful. All of the teachers are great, and it is a wonderfully zen environment. I really appreciate how all of the teachers take the time to correct your poses and guide you. They will also provide modifications and spotting should you need it. My favorite class this far is the candlelight yoga flow on Tuesday evenings.
Tip: get there early as classes and good spots on the floor fill up quickly! It’s called the little yoga studio for a reason

I’ve been coming to TLYS for almost two years and love it so much. The teachers are all so great and caring and the space is perfect. Very small and cozy with no mirrors so there are no distractions. I am so grateful for this studio and all the teachers!

The Little Yoga Studio holds a special place in my heart, as this cute and intimate space is where I was inspired to learn and continue my yoga practice. There are a variety of teachers who always keep things fresh and challenging. My favorite classes are with Mercedes and Janike! The deep rest yoga classes are great for relaxing and promoting a good night’s sleep, especially if I have been tossing and turning and waking up like a zombie.
Great place to go if you’re looking for diversity and a place to call home.

I love this studio. It’s a little one room place with vaulted ceilings at the base of the El Cortez but whoever designed it really had a grasp on creating visual calm and tranquility. The classes are smaller and feels more intimate even when the class is full and I’ve found the teachers to always be challenging as well as bringing me new awareness to how your body should move. I would recommend this studio to anyone.

Este lugar me encanto, las clases son muy buenas y las instructoras con muy buena energia. Se los recomiendo a las personas que pasean por San Diego.
I really enjoyed the class, for example the Vinyassa it was pretty good. I was feeling very tired and stressed out before the class after the class I relieved all the stress.
Also good customer service and they are very professionals.

The name of this studio really speaks for itself – it’s the sweetest and warm little studio. I absolutely love Rachel’s classes and really enjoyed Megan’s also. I wasn’t as comfortable with some of the other instructors, and though I think they were just trying to help, it really came off pushy. I enjoy a more restful, flexible and strengthening yoga practice over classes focusing on flow, and there a bunch of great options at TLYS. I just wish there were some early morning classes to better fit my schedule; I’d be there daily if that was the case!

I was in town and looking for a place to practice some yoga. I’m kind of picky about the studios I practice at just because I used to go to one in LA that I was absolutely in love with. After lots of research, I signed up for the one week trial at Little Yoga Studio and within the week, I was definitely impressed. I love the little yoga studio feel. I love how they have different types of classes, including Vinyasa, candlelight, Hatha, core flow, and they have different levels too. For such a little studio, this place has such a variety of classes as if it were a large yoga conglomerate company.
I was really impressed by the quality of the teachers. The teachers went around and made adjustments. I’m always surprised by the number of studios where the teacher does no adjusting and continues to let students do poses incorrectly. I loved how some of the teachers taught the basics of some of the poses, but without feeling like you’re being talked down to. Even if you’ve done yoga for awhile, it helps to make sure you’re doing that downward dog or chair pose right. I like how the teachers offer variations of poses, whether you’re just starting yoga or if you want to try out something a little more advanced.
Parking can be a pain in the butt. Sometimes there’s free parking on Birch and Cedar, but if there’s not you can pay at the meters, which there are a bunch of.
When I’m back in San Diego, I will definitely paying a visit to The Little Yoga Studio.
P. S. Doesn’t take Amex.

This place is a GEM.
I love my walk to yoga, and I love being able to walk to yoga. That, and the killer Groupon was what brought me here initially.
What has kept me coming back is the great instruction, the caring teachers, well timed adjustments & wealth of knowledge. This little studio is warm, has a great vibe and is well run.
Another thing worth mentioning– after many years and many studios, this is the first where I feel the clientele really interact with each other. A helpful tip from a woman next to me today enabled me to move easily into an arm stand I was struggling with. It makes a world of difference.

I was visiting San Diego on vacation last week and wanted to practice yoga during that time, so I did my research on local yoga studios near where I was staying and that were reasonably priced. I decided to give The Little Yoga Studio a try, as it was positively rated on Unilocal,within walking distance from where I was staying (about 1 mile), and had a couple of deals I was interested in ($ 10 for the first class and $ 30 for 3 classes in September).
On the morning of the first class, I was greeted by Beth at the front desk, and she was very helpful and friendly (she participates in the service program where you donate a certain amount of time per week in exchange for free yoga classes at the studio). She offered a deal for $ 30 of unlimited yoga for me as a visitor instead of for 3 classes, which I didn’t recall reading about on the website, so I was pleased!
I ended up participating in 3 classes total; All Levels Vinyasa on Monday, Yoga Sculpt (Yoga + Weights) on Tuesday, and All Levels Vinyasa on Wednesday.
For the first class, I took the 9am All Levels Vinyasa on Monday with Merrin. She is clearly very advanced in her practice and is extremely flexible! I thought her class flowed smoothly and I enjoyed her theme, sharing about the lotus flower (how it grows beautifully from muck, as a metaphor for making the best out of what isn’t always the best in life). She taught me how to do my updog pose properly among some other slight tweaks to my practice, which I appreciated learning. My constructive criticism of her is that I think she could approach those newer to yoga, aka not at an advanced level, with a bit more understanding and gentleness. I am a beginner and am slowly becoming more flexible through yoga, but I’m not at the point where I can do arm balances and headstand poses yet. I felt she consistently encouraged participants to go for the advanced pose, and the modification was just trying to get there. I would have preferred if she had given a modified pose as an option and let it be known that it was okay to take that pose; instead, I felt as though her approach was that if you couldn’t get to the advanced pose, you just were over thinking it and needed to let go in your mind rather than giving up or not allowing yourself (which isn’t the case; my body just simply doesn’t move in certain ways yet and I don’t want to injure myself in my far-​fetched attempts; I know my own body). I felt frustrated, when I was seeking out yoga as a way to relax on my vacation (this was more evident in the 9am All Levels Vinyasa on Wednesday class for me, as Merrin subbed it for the instructor on the schedule). Thankfully, savasana calmed me down at the end of class on Wednesday and I did still get a good workout overall, so I left feeling alright and tried to stay positive about the experience. I didn’t get the feeling this was truly an all-​levels class as a whole, and I would recommend another class or instructor for someone who is newer to yoga to feel more comfortable.
On Tuesday, I took the 9am Yoga Sculpt (Yoga + Weights) class with Rachel. She has a faster-​paced way of speaking throughout her class. From her approach (especially in the weights section of class), I thought she must have some sort of a fitness background in addition to her yoga practice (and later found out she does through reading on the website). She taught me how to properly lower into a forward fold and rise up (leading with the chest), which I really notice a difference in how it feels. I got a great workout and enjoyed her as an instructor.
All 3 classes I took were small in size (there were only 3 of us taking the class each time, not including the instructor), which I really liked. There are a few items available for purchase in the area you check in for class, including shirts and bags. Bottled water is available for $ 1, but they were out on the first day I went, so I bought some at a nearby convenience store and brought my own for the other 2 classes I took. There is a restroom a couple doors down from the studio, and they have the key to let you borrow for access. I was able to borrow mats for free, but they aren’t in great condition (one of them was shedding and falling apart throughout the class, another must have been just used in the previous class because part of it was still wet when I started using it — though I’m sure with cleaning product, not sweat). There are also props available to use for free if they are needed in class (e.g. blankets, blocks, straps, etc).
I practice yoga as a way to get a good stretch, relax my mind and body, and compliment my other fitness activities (i.e. cardio and strength classes, running). I typically do not seek out Vinyasa classes that get you super sweaty, but I welcomed it while out of my regular fitness routine on this trip. Overall, I got a good deal for the week and would return if I visit San Diego again and want to get my yoga on, though I may try some gentler, slower-​paced classes.

I have been looking for a yoga studio since I left Sony a year ago where I practiced Beginning Vinyasa for a year before I left. I loved my instructor there at Sony because she was kind, humble and helpful. I quit my search until recently. I Googled Yoga Studios near and around South Park and found this place.
The 9:30 am Vinyasa all Levels Instructor: Janike Robinson, is wonderful. I really like her class and do appreciate that she actually helps we beginners with some of the more challenging poses.
Nice little studio — it really appeals to me. I will come back a few more times before deciding if I will be a permanent member. My search continues but I will land here on the next few Saturday’s for Janike’s class.