Building community since 2007. Located on the 3rd Floor in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel & voted Best Yoga Studio in Monterey County 10 years in a row! We also offer Outdoor Yoga Classes & Live Streaming Classes through Zoom! Explore yoga on demand through our Video Library of recorded classes, included with any current class pass or by separately purchasing a video library pass.
We can't wait to see you! Please review our studio protocols here before visiting. Yoga is for Everyone. Our studio was born from the vision of providing a Sanctuary where all are welcomed for the practice and study of yoga. Our classes offers a variety of styles for all levels, ages, and physical abilities.
We can't wait to see you! Please review our studio protocols here before visiting. Yoga is for Everyone. Our studio was born from the vision of providing a Sanctuary where all are welcomed for the practice and study of yoga. Our classes offers a variety of styles for all levels, ages, and physical abilities.
Services
We are a yoga community located in the heart of downtown Carmel, serving all of Monterey County. Yoga is for EVERYONE. Our mission is to serve our community by creating a sanctuary to promote Health and Wellness through the practice and education of yoga. At SYS, we offer yoga that is accessible to all ages and physical abilities.
Laura McKinnon, owner and E-RYT. Laura first came to yoga in 2000 as a recommendation to help heal an injury. She not only found a better place in her physical body, but found other benefits from the practice that helped bring balance to her life. This inspired her to share yoga with others through teaching.
Most of our classes can accommodate all levels of physical ability and yoga experience. For a less strenuous practice we suggest the gentle, and yoga for relaxation classes. Please inform the instructor of any injuries or physical limitations before class so they can best support you and your needs.
Our studio is currently offering Indoor Classes, Outdoor Yoga & Live Streaming. Students can purchase a single class (drop in) or a class pass (passes are valid for 30 days). Passes can be used for classes at the studio or live stream through zoom (zoom links are emailed separately after classes are booked).
Pregnancy is one of the most important times in a woman's life. We offer classes to support the physical journey of carrying a child and delivery, to becoming a mother, and beyond. Each class offers meditation, breathing practices, and movement through yoga postures. The sequence of each class is designed to create strength, focus, flexibility and awareness through a practice designed to support the changes in the pregnant body.
Reviews (19)
Jen K.
Feb 05, 2020
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I took a prenatal class here during my first pregnancy in 2017. I was 8 weeks pregnant and was an excited new mom-to-be. I also was eager to join a community of people that shared something with me, being new to town. I walked in, told the teacher the basics and how far along I was and that I was completely new to prenatal yoga though I've been doing yoga for many years. She raised her eyebrows and said "8 weeks only? We typically would want women who are further along in the pregnancy because the risk of miscarriage is high in the beginning. I had my miscarriage when I was 8 weeks along
Sahar M.
May 07, 2019
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Victoria V.
Apr 28, 2019
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I've had friends who loved (and worked) at this studio. I took a chance and went randomly to Shakuntla's class. It was the BEST yoga class I have ever taken. I have taken her classes now 6 times and I've never seen such a different in my yoga on and off the mat. Shakuntla's classes are more than physical yoga and it speaks to the soul. I truly love her classes and I joined the studio simply to take her classes.
Tony F.
Apr 10, 2019
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Great venue for yoga! There are plenty of props if you don't have your own. Mara is a great instructor and accommodates many skill levels. She helps you center yourself and helps your posture if you're a beginner. If you want to take her class, she teaches at 530pm on Tuesdays. I highly recommend giving her class a try!
Soleil S.
Jan 05, 2018
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Ive taken a few classes here now and I finally made the decision to not go anymore. I am an intermediate yogi and left feeling very underwhelmed. The last class I went to the teacher was uninspired and quite lackluster. The studio is positioned on a very busy street and the noise from the road is very loud. Also I could hear people walking around upstairs which was annoying and distracting. The studio has some cute decor but with the below average instruction and loud noises Ill be seeking yoga elsewhere. If you are a beginner this might be ok for you.
Cindy C.
Aug 11, 2017
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Kristin M.
Sep 29, 2016
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This place is great!! Started coming for prenatal yoga. I go to the Pacific Grove location on Mondays & the Seaside location on Thurdays. The classes are very different & I love them both. I look forward to going to the postnatal classes after the baby comes. Highly recommend to any expectant mama:)
B. C.
Apr 08, 2016
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I've been loving doing yoga here. Our instructor is great, but somehow I can't think of her name at the moment. The parking is rough, but as of this writing you can park next door at Church's chicken. The sanctuary does get a lot of street noise and other noises from the apartments upstairs, so if you're into total silence this probably isn't the place. The classes and teachers are great, though!
Brittney B.
Mar 03, 2016
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I'm so grateful for this studio. Many incredible instructors. I always leave feeling lighter. There is no judgement or any pretentious behavior. It's truly a community of heart-centered people who don't take yoga so seriously, but are devoted to the practice. I highly recommend for any level -beginner to advanced student. I also graduated through their 200hr teacher training and it was the best decision I've made.
Molly K.
Oct 28, 2015
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Danielle W.
Aug 05, 2015
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Ann B.
Jul 16, 2015
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The positives:
The instructor was very inviting and kind and the studio was clean and easy to find. I would absolutely recommend this studio to anyone who is beginning yoga or who likes an easier, no traditional (In the sense of principled asana structure, slower class.
The cons:
My experience with the level 2 class I took was sub par at best. The asana structure was very unorganized, with quite a few "make-up-your-own"asanas intertwined. This was advertised as a level 2 class (the most intense offered), but this was on the level of a basics or beginner class. (Very slow, choppy
The instructor was very inviting and kind and the studio was clean and easy to find. I would absolutely recommend this studio to anyone who is beginning yoga or who likes an easier, no traditional (In the sense of principled asana structure, slower class.
The cons:
My experience with the level 2 class I took was sub par at best. The asana structure was very unorganized, with quite a few "make-up-your-own"asanas intertwined. This was advertised as a level 2 class (the most intense offered), but this was on the level of a basics or beginner class. (Very slow, choppy
Kaycee M.
Jun 27, 2015
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I took my first class at the Pacific Grove location last Tuesday evening at 5:30 and really enjoyed it. The studio is very nice and clean. The electric fire place was sooting to zone out on during class.
The teacher was very nice to listen to and made some discreet personal adjustments to students during the class. I liked how she emphasized listening to your body and allowing for modified poses. I will be back for sure!
The teacher was very nice to listen to and made some discreet personal adjustments to students during the class. I liked how she emphasized listening to your body and allowing for modified poses. I will be back for sure!
Desiree F.
May 11, 2014
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Went here this morning for the first time- Saturday 8:15 am class. I was the first person to walk in at 8:00 and I loved the studio! It smelled fantastic, the decorations are perfect.. I immediately felt at peace and comfortable. Danielle is a fantastic person and instructor. I had never met her before, but felt she was super grounded. She ran a fantastic class. The thing I liked about it most was that we 'Om'ed three times at the beginning of the practice and once at the end. I am a regular at Stacey's Power Yoga at the Monterey Sports Center, and that is the one thing I liked about
Crystalena M.
Mar 17, 2014
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There are many yoga studios to choose from in the area but this place has set themselves apart with reasonable prices (slightly lower than the competition), free yoga mats & props to use during class, and a variety of yoga styles to choose from. Discounts for students and military, making yoga accessible to people of varying income levels and gratitude for those who've served.
I also like that the three instructors I've had keep the mood light. Some yoga places get way to serious for me.
Parking is off street on either Hamilton or Freemont Blvd. The studio has 2 bathrooms,
I also like that the three instructors I've had keep the mood light. Some yoga places get way to serious for me.
Parking is off street on either Hamilton or Freemont Blvd. The studio has 2 bathrooms,
Catherine P.
Mar 09, 2013
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I absolutely love the SYS. It's got such a wide variety of classes, reasonable prices and a nice, clean, wide-open space that really does feel like a sanctuary from the whirling world. The classes keep me grounded in my stressful work week.
The instructors are patient and knowledgable, and keep the mellow vibe needed to truly meditate with your practice. (I've had bad experiences elsewhere with yoga teachers who gab and giggle, really disrupting concentration. Not here.)
Also, SYS has an eye to social responsibility--with free community yoga on Sunday nights, military discounts and
The instructors are patient and knowledgable, and keep the mellow vibe needed to truly meditate with your practice. (I've had bad experiences elsewhere with yoga teachers who gab and giggle, really disrupting concentration. Not here.)
Also, SYS has an eye to social responsibility--with free community yoga on Sunday nights, military discounts and
Cree D.
Jan 09, 2013
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Love Love Loooove this place!!
I went here for a month and I wish I could still continue to go (I moved out of Seaside).
I would recommend this place to anyone. The classes do test you but you feel so much better afterwards. The studio is always nice and clean and the instructors are very inviting. The owner (Laura) is so sweet and her class will have you absolutely sweating. Every instructor is very hands on and helps with movements and poses and always gives you alternatives.
I am in the middle of beginner and intermediate and I would definatly recommend this place to any level. You wont
I went here for a month and I wish I could still continue to go (I moved out of Seaside).
I would recommend this place to anyone. The classes do test you but you feel so much better afterwards. The studio is always nice and clean and the instructors are very inviting. The owner (Laura) is so sweet and her class will have you absolutely sweating. Every instructor is very hands on and helps with movements and poses and always gives you alternatives.
I am in the middle of beginner and intermediate and I would definatly recommend this place to any level. You wont
Bruce M.
Oct 19, 2011
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While visiting Monterey for some training at the Naval Postgraduate School (see my other reviews for the Embassy Suites Monterey-Seaside and Harumi), I wanted to find a place where I could continue my Yoga practice without significantly interrupting my demanding training schedule.
Fortunately (though the website wasn't updated with this information), Seaside Yoga Sanctuary offers a Tuesday morning "Sunrise" Hatha yoga practice from 7:30 - 8:30.
Parking near the studio is easy, and unlike other studios where I've practiced as a guest, the folks--both the students and Laura
Fortunately (though the website wasn't updated with this information), Seaside Yoga Sanctuary offers a Tuesday morning "Sunrise" Hatha yoga practice from 7:30 - 8:30.
Parking near the studio is easy, and unlike other studios where I've practiced as a guest, the folks--both the students and Laura
Sherise O.
Jun 23, 2011
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This is such a cute little studio and a real Seaside sanctuary. If you're practicing yoga for the first time or are trying to get back into it after a long while then Seaside Yoga Sanctuary is a great place to start.
However, for someone who has practiced ayangar, kundalini, and bikram for years but years ago I must advise a student of intermediate level seek sanctuary elsewhere. I came for a drop-in all-level session one evening to try out the place. The experience was uninspiring and pricy.
There were 5 of us in the evening session, I was the only "new" student. All-levels
However, for someone who has practiced ayangar, kundalini, and bikram for years but years ago I must advise a student of intermediate level seek sanctuary elsewhere. I came for a drop-in all-level session one evening to try out the place. The experience was uninspiring and pricy.
There were 5 of us in the evening session, I was the only "new" student. All-levels
