Overview
Anjori Yoga is an intimate Oakland studio creating a peaceful, community-focused environment for mindful practice. Founder and primary instructor Susan Urquhart-Brown brings 25 years of meditation and 10 years of yoga experience to her warm, gentle teaching style that emphasizes breath awareness and safe alignment. The studio offers Hatha Yoga at multiple levels, Yoga Flow, Wake Up Yoga, and particularly praised Candlelight Restorative classes that combine restorative poses with meditation. Susan skillfully adapts poses for different abilities, making the studio especially welcoming for beginners and older students seeking stress relief and gentle strength building. With both in-person and Zoom class options, Anjori Yoga provides accessible instruction focused on personal pace, restoration, and cultivating presence rather than intense fitness.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | – |
| Tuesday | Open | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Friday | Closed | – |
| Saturday | Closed | – |
| Sunday | Closed | – |
Studio in Details
A Welcoming Space for Mindful Practice
Anjori Yoga is described by visitors as a small, intimate yoga studio located in Oakland. People frequently mention its beautiful, quiet, and peaceful atmosphere, calling it a welcoming space that feels well-appointed and friendly. The studio’s size fosters a sense of community and personal attention, with one person noting they were “very happy with the intimacy of her studio.” This intimate setting appears to be a deliberate choice, creating an environment distinct from larger, more fitness-oriented centers. The space is equipped with standard yoga props; visitors mention it is well-appointed with mats, blankets, blocks, and straps, ensuring students have what they need for their practice. The overall vibe, as gathered from visitor comments, is one of calm restoration and gentle guidance rather than intense physical exertion.
The studio’s founder and primary instructor, Susan Urquhart-Brown, is central to the experience. Visitors consistently describe her as a warm, kind, gentle, and caring teacher. Her approach is noted as encouraging and unassuming, with a focus on allowing students to go at their own pace. Her teaching style is deeply informed by a long personal practice; the studio’s website notes she has practiced meditation for 25 years and yoga for 10, and is a graduate of a teacher training program in Oakland. This background translates into a nurturing style that, according to visitor feedback, skillfully combines mindfulness, breath awareness, and careful alignment. People appreciate that she is present and attentive, often providing individual guidance even within a group class setting.
Class Offerings and Teaching Philosophy
The studio offers a variety of yoga classes that cater to different needs and times of day. Based on the website and visitor comments, core offerings include Hatha Yoga at multiple levels (Level 1-3), Yoga Flow, Wake Up Yoga, and a dedicated Yoga for All class. A standout offering that receives particular praise is the Candlelight Restorative Yoga class. Visitors describe these sessions as deeply relaxing experiences where Susan combines restorative poses, meditation, and sometimes inspirational quotes. People report leaving these classes feeling “extremely relaxed and restored,” “present, restored and at peace,” and with a newfound awareness of how to relax. The studio also incorporates meditation into its sessions, which visitors enjoy as part of the holistic practice.
Susan’s teaching is highly adaptable and safety-conscious. Multiple visitors, particularly those identifying as older or with specific physical limitations, highlight her skill in customizing poses and offering practical options. One person noted, “I have repeatedly watched her skillfully address and suggest options to poses to accommodate those issues.” Another mentioned she “takes pains to ensure no one hurts themselves.” This individualized attention extends beyond the studio; one visitor appreciated that Susan followed up a restorative session with emailed instructions for practicing the poses at home. Her philosophy, as indicated on the website, views yoga as a union of spirit, mind, and body—a practice meant to cleanse everyday stress and cultivate presence. The benefits visitors report align with this, including improved flexibility, balance, shoulder strength, ease with poses, and a general sense of well-being.
Practical Details and Ideal Participants
Logistically, the studio in Oakland is described as easily accessible and inviting. While specific neighborhood details beyond Oakland are not elaborated on by visitors, the intimate nature of the space is a recurring theme. The studio has embraced digital formats; the website lists Zoom classes for Hatha Yoga held weekly, indicating an option for online yoga. In addition to regular classes, the studio’s website mentions offering retreats to international locations. Regarding cost, one visitor quote featured on the website states the classes are most affordable, even with the high skill level being offered. Visitors do not mention detailed pricing structures, membership options, or specific booking apps, focusing instead on the value and quality of instruction received.
This yoga space appears to resonate strongly with a specific audience. Visitor feedback suggests it is an excellent choice for beginners and is particularly welcoming to older students. Multiple comments explicitly recommend it for older persons seeking a more intimate setting with a teacher who is understanding of physical limitations. As one person put it, it was “encouraging as an older woman to have an older woman showing me how to do the poses.” Another noted plainly, “this is probably not the right choice for the 20-something Pilates crowd,” highlighting its focus on mindful, accessible practice over high-intensity fitness. The studio suits those looking for stress relief, relaxation, and a gentle yet effective approach to building strength and flexibility. It is a place where, as the website hopes, you might “walk out with a spring in your step,” refreshed from a practice that emphasizes personal pace and inner awareness.