The California Yoga Center offers instruction in hatha yoga in the B. K. S. Iyengar tradition. Classes are designed for students of all ages and levels. We are here to guide and support you in a lifetime of yoga. Our approach emphasizes the development of self-awareness through precision in movement and attention to posture and breath.
Enjoy the benefits of a fully equipped yoga studio, including our rope wall. The use of ropes and other props extend your yoga experience whether learning new poses, creating new awareness in them or gaining therapeutic benefit. A dedicated and passionate group of yoga instructors, we are here to support you, and your yoga practice.
Enjoy the benefits of a fully equipped yoga studio, including our rope wall. The use of ropes and other props extend your yoga experience whether learning new poses, creating new awareness in them or gaining therapeutic benefit. A dedicated and passionate group of yoga instructors, we are here to support you, and your yoga practice.
Services
CYC is owned and directed by Ann Merlo, Elise Miller and Lisa Brill Robinson. Classes range from beginner to advanced as well as yoga for back care. We offer yoga workshops presented by our own gifted instructors, as well as by knowledgeable and well-respected yoga instructors from around the world.
Workshops provide opportunity to delve deeper into your practice, get detailed instruction, and learn about highly focused topics. For cancellations up to one week before the event, we will refund full amount paid less ten dollars. However, no refunds for cancellations made within one week of the event.
Reviews (23)
Caroline B.
Mar 28, 2020
Report
Allison L.
Feb 28, 2020
Report
Dell Fischer
Aug 21, 2019
Report
I am a novice yoga learner. The California Yoga Center has a variety of classes and many different instructors. One thing about the version of yoga here is that it is based on Iyengar yoga which focuses on healing and not causing damage to your body. In a month and half of once a week classes, I already see good improvement. Classes are posted on their website and are available almost anytime.
Sally T.
Jul 17, 2019
Report
Ronald W.
Apr 09, 2019
Report
I would not give Elise Browning Miller and her "Yoga for Scoliosis" businesses even a single star if YELP allowed it - I have learned she has multiple ventures promoting her popular book and supposed focused techniques for people like myself with debilitating scoliosis and/or complications with age related conditions and issues). Her other listed business is called "Yoga for Scoliosis" in Palo Alto and this review applies to that one also - I find it very curious that YELP does not have anything about that one, but will do what I can to start a new one!
To be clear, I have
To be clear, I have
Kaitlyn C.
Feb 04, 2019
Report
This is a fantastic studio for busy parents or people with injuries. The demographic of people who come to this studio are mostly middle aged (my mom went this studio a lot) so it reminds me of a mom and dad studio. It's very comfortably designed, very relaxing private place to practice. The instructors are extremely attentive to personal injuries and making you feel comfortable in class, which is the main strength of the people who teach here. They focus on Iyengar yoga which involves a ton of props and wall work. The beginner classes are perfect for people who have never stepped upon a yoga
BiL C.
Jul 29, 2018
Report
I'm an experienced Yogi and attended my first formal Iyengar class today. The teacher, Yoon Cho, was knowledge, friendly and definitely knows her stuff. I have neck and shoulder issues so I am always cautious when doing inversions, but the props and queueing were detailed and I felt quite safe. Yoon described the muscles to activate in every pose with great detail, making previously difficult poses much easier to achieve. I look forward to coming back for more.
Sheri B.
Mar 01, 2018
Report
I am a yoga teacher. Elise Miller was my teacher for many years until scheduling issues created a need for me to take a weekend class at another Iyengar studio. I would highly recommend her for her knowledge and gentle style. Now I regularly go to workshops at the studio. They bring in excellent teachers for the workshops.
Priya B.
Dec 29, 2016
Report
Marilyn Ritter
May 13, 2016
Report
Marilyn Ritter
Nov 24, 2015
Report
Kathryn G.
Aug 11, 2015
Report
Julie G.
Apr 21, 2015
Report
I've tried this place twice so far.
My first class was with Brigid - pretty good. I'd go back.
My second class was with Simin, and it was one of the worst yoga classes I've ever taken. I've been practicing yoga for 15 or so years, on and off. I took Simin's level 1 class b/c I was feeling pretty stiff and sore, and wanted to take it easy. She spent the first couple of minutes telling me about how some of the other people in the class had been taking yoga for 2-3 months (!!) and how I can aspire to be like them. Then during class, her corrections were almost laughable
My first class was with Brigid - pretty good. I'd go back.
My second class was with Simin, and it was one of the worst yoga classes I've ever taken. I've been practicing yoga for 15 or so years, on and off. I took Simin's level 1 class b/c I was feeling pretty stiff and sore, and wanted to take it easy. She spent the first couple of minutes telling me about how some of the other people in the class had been taking yoga for 2-3 months (!!) and how I can aspire to be like them. Then during class, her corrections were almost laughable
Dragana A.
Mar 24, 2015
Report
Dragana Antic
Mar 12, 2015
Report
Marko R.
Feb 09, 2015
Report
Been going for over 10 years and have taken classes with most teachers. They have all been great and helped me to gain a much better quality of life. The Iyengar style has been taught me proper fundamentals and now allows me to practice other types of yoga as well without injury.
Highly recommended! Thanks CYC.
Highly recommended! Thanks CYC.
Dulce F.
Apr 08, 2013
Report
I really like to practice yoga not just for the health benefits but also because I feel really good after it.
I took a Sunday class with Suzanne Dong. I was very excited at the possibility of finding a new yoga studio since I had just moved to the area. Well, lets just say that this was the first yoga class I have ever taken where I leave feeling worse than I started and in a very bad mood.
It all started with her asking if we knew how to do inversions. We said yes and then without warmup or anything she told us to do handstands and headstands. Then, she jumped into something else.
I took a Sunday class with Suzanne Dong. I was very excited at the possibility of finding a new yoga studio since I had just moved to the area. Well, lets just say that this was the first yoga class I have ever taken where I leave feeling worse than I started and in a very bad mood.
It all started with her asking if we knew how to do inversions. We said yes and then without warmup or anything she told us to do handstands and headstands. Then, she jumped into something else.
Aruna S.
Sep 25, 2012
Report
I think many people who have given this studio a low score expected more of a flow, vinyasa class structure which is not what CYC offers. The studio is primarily a Iyengar center, with a focus on alignment, precision of instruction and use of various props for perfecting the pose. In my opinion, this is by far the best studio I have been to in terms of consistently high quality of instruction and seniority of its teachers. CYC teachers really know their stuff, not only asana, but also pranayama and yoga philosophy. I feel safe and at ease in the class. The teachers are very down to earth and
Katie T.
Apr 29, 2011
Report
I'm not really an Iyengar yoga person, I'll admit, but I decided to mix things up a bit and try a class here. Not a good choice! I've taken class with Elise Miller and Suzanne Dong before, and while they're definitely Iyengar-style, their classes had structure and flow.
Today I took class with a different teacher, and it was a frustrating experience. She seems like a very nice person, but her class is not organized. Several times when we were about to move into a posture, she would suddenly stop and decide to do something else instead. The timing was very uneven--right and
Today I took class with a different teacher, and it was a frustrating experience. She seems like a very nice person, but her class is not organized. Several times when we were about to move into a posture, she would suddenly stop and decide to do something else instead. The timing was very uneven--right and
Punkin S.
Nov 12, 2008
Report
You're kidding me, right?
The instructor had NO plan whatsoever for the time, so the pose sequence had no flow at all. At many points she seemed indecisive about what were going to do next, she often thought aloud, and we ended up shuffling our mats around a lot. Also, the amount of small talk drove me crazy. I don't really need to learn about where you got your shirt, your daughter's gym meet, or where "Steve" is this week... all while I am trying to practice. The whole 1.5 hours was one break in concentration after another.
On the pro side, she was fairly good at tailoring
The instructor had NO plan whatsoever for the time, so the pose sequence had no flow at all. At many points she seemed indecisive about what were going to do next, she often thought aloud, and we ended up shuffling our mats around a lot. Also, the amount of small talk drove me crazy. I don't really need to learn about where you got your shirt, your daughter's gym meet, or where "Steve" is this week... all while I am trying to practice. The whole 1.5 hours was one break in concentration after another.
On the pro side, she was fairly good at tailoring
Flor D.
Mar 20, 2008
Report
Yoga for people who have back issues? No way! I was so jazzed to find a Yoga class close to my work, at 545 PM, that would accommodate my back issues. I had recently walked by the Palo Alto location, and picked up a flier. $15 dollars for 1.5 hours...sure...sounds like a plan to me.
I was kinda nervous. I am super stiff and figured I would be the loser of the class. I was greeted by a nice lady named Elizabeth who was understanding of my lack of cash ways. She introduced me to the instructor and got me set up with all the equipment.
The instructor, Elise Miller, was awesome. She was so flexible
I was kinda nervous. I am super stiff and figured I would be the loser of the class. I was greeted by a nice lady named Elizabeth who was understanding of my lack of cash ways. She introduced me to the instructor and got me set up with all the equipment.
The instructor, Elise Miller, was awesome. She was so flexible
Greg P.
Sep 11, 2006
Report
I wanted to try yoga. After asking a few knowledgeable friends about the different types or styles of yoga, they suggested that I start with Iyengar. I found this studio because they appear to specialize in this approach. After a few classes, I was hooked. During my first year, I never had a bad class. The instructors range from good to great.
If you've been thinking about yoga, but you are not sure if it is for you, this is THE Best place to get started. They are wonderful, warm, and very knowledgeable people.
Be careful. It is addictive.
If you've been thinking about yoga, but you are not sure if it is for you, this is THE Best place to get started. They are wonderful, warm, and very knowledgeable people.
Be careful. It is addictive.
Deb N.
Jul 14, 2006
Report
Started taking Iyengar yoga here, a year and a half ago. Never took a class before this and was hooked, would go an extra night on Fridays, would look for Iyengar yoga classes when on travel. Started going on a Tuesday night with Lisa, Level 1/2. Love her patience, quirky humor, attentiveness and thoroughness. She goes to the nth degree with details, what is the correct placement, what you might be feeling, what to do to ease the position if it is uncomfortable. The class would be filled many Tuesdays due to Lisa and her wonderful instruction, around 20-30 people lining the walls and center
