★ 5

The instructors here are incredibly knowledgeable, and their verbal cues make all the difference. The classes that I’ve taken feel accessible and empowering because they guide you through each pose with precision and encouragement. I always leave feeling stronger and calmer.

Source: Google

★ 5

Good vibes all around. Nice and easy experience.

Source: Google

★ 5

Experienced, Professional, Nurturing, Instructors taught me how to keep my 75 yr old body & mind healthy and functioning at a high level. Forever grateful.

Source: Google

★ 5

I’ve been coming here for about A year and a half, and I absolutely love it. The teachers are well-versed and all offer something different. And the community that comes here is polite and welcoming.

Source: Google

★ 5

Clayton Yoga Shala is a welcoming studio that provides a variety of classes for beginning and experienced students. I joined this studio in 2019 - with no previous experience - and was pleased to participate in the classes to cultivate my personal yoga growth in both knowledge and skills. Shelly, specifically, taught the majority of the classes I took; she excels at providing detailed guidance and instructions in a supportive and inclusive environment, which I may add is true of ALL the studio teachers. This studio’s community is truly made up of so many warm and friendly students. I wholeheartedly recommend this studio for your practice!

Source: Google

★ 5

One of the best small studios to practice Yoga with knowledgeable teachers. If it's up your alley, and you're up for a challenge, this studio also has a Shadow Yoga program as well.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been going to Clayton Yoga Shala for well over a year now. The instructors are wonderful and there is a class for every level of interest (my personal favorites are the Vinyasa Flow classes). I leave there feeling stronger and more centered/relaxed after every class.

Source: Google

★ 5

I taught there and also attended a couple of lessons. They were very kind and generous to me. They try to hire high quality teachers!

Source: Google

★ 5

Clayton Yoga Shala offers the absolute best yoga experiences with excellent teachers. They have classes for all levels so you will find exactly what you are looking for. Take care of yourself with yoga shala. Namaste
!

Source: Google

★ 5

Wonderful studio with educated, caring instructors. I love the new location and the ease of taking classes here. They have lots of different modalities of yoga, ranging from Shadow Yoga, to Vinyasa to Yin. Something for everyone!

Source: Google

★ 5

This yoga studio in downtown Clayton has a great team of instructors and is small enough that you will easily meet others and won’t get lost. I really enjoyed Wes as a teacher. He is very knowledgeable and kind.

Source: Google

★ 5

Yoga Shala has a class for everyone. As a 70 something, I am looking to work on balance and core strength. The studio is not too large, and classes are not huge. It's great to have this wonderful studio in the Clayton community.

Source: Google

★ 5

This place has been in my life for almost 10 years! It's a community and seven when I wasnt able to go for a year or so, i felt like i never left!❤

Source: Google

★ 1

An eblast about Clayton Shala's relocation hit my inbox today and it reminded me of an experience I had about 2 years ago so I thought I would share. The feeling I was left with really stuck with me, and I think I'll always remember how the instructor made me feel.

I was new to town and it was my first ever class at this studio, I had heard good things and I now lived locally so I was really excited to try her class.

About 10 - 15 minutes early, I asked her privately if I would be allowed to record myself during class to keep track of my progress privately. Knowing this usually isn't allowed, I fully expected a "sorry, but no" but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

But sometimes they let you, so why not ask.

Instead of "no, sorry," I got a 15 minute lecture about beta waves and how I was prematurely aging myself and everyone else around me by using technology during practice.

I was fully ok with the "no" and even the lecture, she probably saw it as educational, but I could have done without receiving the lecture in front of the rest of the class, who were regulars and heard the whole thing. I sat patiently and politely listened to her lecture us on the dangers of technology until about 5 minutes after class was scheduled to start. When she was done with her tedtalk about beta waves and technology, she started the class, and then, I kid you not, proceeded to set up the live stream for the class over zoom...

Yeah. You read that right.

I didn't say anything, didn't make any kind of eye contact to indicate I saw any contradiction in her lecture. I just moved on, enjoyed the class, and was perfectly willing to chalk it up to the culture of a new studio, her passion, etc.

After the class I said thank you so much, rolled up my mat, and made it about 2 steps out the door before the teacher came running after me into the parking lot. She stopped me and asked me to please not come back because I wouldn't be a good fit for her studio. She said something along the lines of "your practice doesn't align with my teachings".

Never having been asked not to come back anywhere, I was thinking it was pretty unwarranted but was too respectful to draw attention to us. I also was thinking while a bit unfair, it wouldn't be in either parties best interest to argue my way into practicing somewhere I wasn't welcome, so I took the high road, didn't point out any of the hypocrisy, just politely said something like "ok, well thanks again for the class, didn't mean to cause any offense." and walked back to my car.

Still to this day I feel weirded out about the experience. At a time in my life where I really could have benefited from the supportive community and camaraderie that typically comes with practicing yoga with others, I was really disappointed in how I was approached and asked not to come back.

I'm pretty sure this is not a regular experience here for anyone else, I actually think most people who are regulars love it there! For the record I really did enjoy the class. She's a great yoga instructor. But part of running a business is the impression you leave on the community, and the feeling of being turned away after my first class for asking permission and fully respecting the "no" I received was a really mean thing to do. It's two years later and I still think about how weird and kinda hurtful that was at the time.

I'm sure this was a one-off, bad day type of situation, but it really left an impact on me and turned me away from yoga for a while.

I hope the yoga industry grows in Clayton to provide a more welcoming, open-minded culture. Advances in technology provide a lot of wonderful knowledge sharing platforms that connect us and are a net positive - even taking into account any potentially 'problematic beta waves'.

I'm sure the Clayton Shala community will see this and come back with a wave of evidence about how the classes and instructors are wonderful. This post isn't intended to contradict any of that evidence. I just wanted to share. What she did still bothers me.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I've been doing yoga almost daily with Shelly, Wes and Gardenia for over 3 years. They're all wonderful caring knowledgeable teachers. And they're continually growing in their practice. It has kept me fit physically mentally and spiritually. Its amazing the benefits 1 hour a day can do for my day. Thank you so much.

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been attending the Clayton Yoga Shala studio for 8 years and I’ve been doing yoga for 14 years. I am closely familiar with the co-owners of this studio. All the yoga teachers are well trained, knowledgeable ,professional , caring and contributed to my deepening of my practice. They have created a community-based friendly haven & offering different kinds of hatha classes & appropriate levels of practices . I highly recommend this wonderful intimate studio that will give the attention you need to excel in your yoga ! Julie Durand

Source: Google

★ 5

I've been practicing here almost daily for 4 years and am continually impressed with the passion and authenticity of the instructors. I am particularly impressed with the level of skill, knowledge, and passion for yoga that I see in the two owners, Shelley and Laura. This is not to take away from the other instructors, whom are passionate and skilled as well. I moved to Walnut Creek a couple of years ago but continue practicing here.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great staff. Very accommodating.

Source: Google

★ 2

Source: Google

★ 5

great place to go to, great yoga great people and interesting workshops

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google