Overview
The Yoga Shala SF is a community-oriented yoga studio with two San Francisco locations in the Inner Sunset and Richmond District neighborhoods. Founded by Brittany Lamb, the space specializes in heated vinyasa power yoga designed to challenge participants while fostering personal growth and transformation. The studio features a diverse teaching team with expertise in multiple yoga styles, including Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, and Yoga Sculpt, though their primary focus remains heated vinyasa flows. They offer teacher training programs and welcome everyone from beginners to advanced practitioners seeking both physical practice and community connection. With an introductory special of 30 days for $50 for new students, The Yoga Shala positions itself as a welcoming hub where yoga serves as a path to empowerment and collective well-being.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Pricing
| Plan Name | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-in | 1 Class | $35 |
| 5 Class Pack | 5 Classes | $160 |
| 10 Class Pack | 10 Classes | $275 |
| Mini Membership (4x per month) | 1 Month | $89 |
| Monthly Unlimited Membership | 1 Month | $159 |
| Yearly Unlimited | 1 Year | $1549 |
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | – |
| Tuesday | Open | – |
| Wednesday | Open | – |
| Thursday | Open | – |
| Friday | Open | – |
| Saturday | Open | – |
| Sunday | Open | – |
Studio in Details
A Community-Focused Yoga Space in San Francisco
The Yoga Shala SF operates two locations in San Francisco’s neighborhoods: one on Judah Street in the Inner Sunset and another on Balboa Street in the Richmond District. The studio describes itself as a shala—a yoga space where community gathers to practice. Founded by Brittany Lamb, the space was created as a labor of love, creativity, and transformation, specifically for people to thrive through heated vinyasa power yoga. The studio’s philosophy is influenced by the yogis of San Francisco, aiming to provide a place where all people are welcome to learn yoga, deepen their practice, or create separation from daily routines. A guiding principle shared on their site is the Sanskrit phrase “Lokah Samastah sukhino bhavantu,” which translates to “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” This sentiment underscores a community-oriented approach where the practice is seen as a tool for personal and collective growth. The tools learned in class are intended to translate to something bigger beyond the mat, with the practice designed to both challenge and change participants.
People describe the studio as having a unique vibe at each location, with the new Richmond District space complementing the original Inner Sunset studio. The expansion was driven by a desire to create more opportunities for the community to gather, move, and connect. While specific details about the studio’s physical amenities like showers, lockers, or prop availability are not mentioned by visitors, the emphasis is consistently on the sense of community and transformation. The studio encourages people to join them for class by viewing their schedule online, and they offer an introductory special of 30 days for $50 for new students. Visitors do not mention specific details about the studio’s accessibility features, parking availability, or retail boutique offerings.
Teaching Team and Yoga Styles
The Yoga Shala features a diverse and experienced teaching team, with instructors who bring varied backgrounds and specialties to their classes. Founder Brittany Lamb has been teaching since 2014, leading thousands of yoga classes in California and retreats worldwide. Her teaching focuses on witnessing the full human experience on the mat—from patience and perseverance to joy and grief—helping people remember their power in vulnerability. Other teachers include Peter Bartesch, who integrates philosophy, movement, and spirituality into challenging classes that focus on posture perfection, breath cueing, and meditation. Amber Ovalle brings energetic, morning-person enthusiasm to her classes, emphasizing deep breathing and humor. Karina Leon Guerrero teaches Hot Pilates, focusing on body-mind connection, strength, and mobility, offering challenging yet fun sessions.
Many teachers highlight specific yoga styles in their backgrounds. For instance, Joshua Lundell has studied Ashtanga, Baptiste, Bhakti, Bikram, Hatha, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kundalini, Sivananda, and Yin yoga, holding an ERYT-500, YACEP certification with Yoga Alliance. Emily McCune teaches a range including Yoga Sculpt, Power Vinyasa, Slow Flow, and Yin Yoga with an emphasis on breath and embodiment. Veronica Moss has training in Iyengar, Hatha, and Yin yoga, along with workshops in trauma-informed teaching and aerial yoga. The studio’s primary offering, as stated on their site, is heated vinyasa power yoga, with teachers like Jessica Ito and MG Brills describing their classes as balanced, sweaty vinyasa flows. However, visitors do not mention specific class schedules, levels (like beginner or advanced), or whether styles like restorative, prenatal, or kids yoga are regularly offered.
Programs and Who It Suits
The Yoga Shala runs its own teacher training programs, with an inaugural 200-hour YTT that graduates like Jessica Ito, Megan Keir, April Anderson, and Abi Lidar have completed. These programs are noted for building confidence, community, and a deeper understanding of yoga, inspiring graduates to share the practice. The studio also seems to foster a strong sense of belonging, with many teachers mentioning how yoga provided community during life transitions, such as moving to San Francisco or recovering from injuries. For example, Lucas Marsh uses yoga to complement surfing and draws from his sobriety and Buddhist practice, while Haley Bendis creates a “third place” for community and growth. This makes the studio particularly suited for those seeking a supportive community alongside their physical practice.
People with various health goals and backgrounds might find a home here. Teachers like Jessica Ito turned to yoga for hip injury recovery, finding it healed both body and mind. Others, like Adrienne Zand, use it for stress relief and strength, offering inclusive, all-levels classes. The studio welcomes everyone, from beginners learning yoga to advanced practitioners deepening their practice, with an emphasis on personal empowerment and connection. However, visitors do not mention specific programs for corporate groups, outdoor sessions, or online yoga, and details on pricing beyond the intro offer are not provided. The studio encourages people to sign up for their email list for news and updates, and they maintain an active Instagram presence. In San Francisco’s vibrant yoga scene, The Yoga Shala stands out as a community hub where the practice is both a physical journey and a path to personal and collective well-being.