Funky Door Yoga
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 673-8659
- Cross Street:
- Austin Street
- Specialties:
- Yoga
- Hours:
- Class schedules vary. Call for times.
Editorial Review for Funky Door Yoga – by Eric Cullerton
In Short
Modeled after yoga guru Bikram Choudhury's Beverly Hills studio, where he caters to the likes of Madonna and Quincy Jones, Funky Door is one of the city's most grueling Bikram studios. Playful illustrations and expansive windows create an airy, beautiful surrounding. But don't fool yourself--the teachers here have one objective: to make you work. Studio temperatures often push well past 110 degrees and the vibe is nothing short of intense.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoWord to the wise: Never forget your water.
The ExtrasBased on 26 rigorous postures performed within 90 minutes in a heated room, Bikram incorporates elements of Eastern traditionalism and Western science.
User Reviews for Funky Door Yoga
06/11/2007 Posted by orangeyougladtoseeme
it never ceases to amaze me how i can judge my overall bikram experience after the first one, two, three or four classes, or even after a year! i've been practicing at funky door (the one on waller st.) for 3 years and still continuing to go 3-4 times a week. the problem with reviewing a yoga studio is that yoga is a process that continues and changes everyday, just like how my attitudes towards life changes everyday. i learned the hard way to leave my ego at the door and fought so much against the very same details other reviewers are writing here: too hot, too stinky, too militant, too unexperienced, too clique-y, too bright, TOO EVERYTHING THAT SU**KS! i don't think these reviews do funky door any justice and that is why i'm writing to let whoever that has ever wanted to try bikram at funky door to need not be afraid! sure it's awkard not knowing anything about the yoga or the community there. but it won't take too long before you start noticing that you keep coming back! sarah b. (and this is only my opinion) who owns the haight studio has one of the best and far out interesting staff and work traders i know! she's a pretty cool lady herself! it really does feel like home away from home. after trying out different bikram yoga studios i finally found a studio that i can come to everyday. there are four locations of funky door with one in berkeley and the other three here in sf, and even though they are all called funky door, they each have their own character to the place so try all of them (the great thing is one membership gives you access to all four locations, how cool is that) and for the clique-y part, sure, in any environment there will be that, but it has never stopped me from being focused on the real reason i'm here, to create a stronger practice and everything else will tend to unfold itself as long as you let go. forget all the hype and leave your ego at the door, as bikram says, don't let anyone steal your peace.
Pros: service, flexible and friendly staff
Cons: parking, trying to find the time to workout
05/22/2007 Posted by hobib
I was a fan of Funky Door since Jeff and Lynn Renfro first opened it 10 or so years ago. You should know that all of the Funky Doors have been sold and each one now has a separate owner. IMHO, the Funky Door of old is gone. New, inexperienced teachers think yelling at students and joking around with their buddies throughout class is being cool. They think they're rock stars or something. I have moved on to other studios that take a more serious approach to yoga. If you are a beginner, or you don't want to try to fit in with the cliquy atmosphere, I'd try one of the other excellent studios in the City or the East Bay, like Global Yoga in the Marina, or Bikram's Yoga College (the original!) on Columbus, or El Cerrito Yoga in the East Bay. But DO take Bikram Yoga! There is nothing better for you than the heat! Don't let it deter you. And you will find that most studios don't turn up the heat nearly so much as Funky Door where they equate 117 degrees with being hard core. There is no need to have the temperature that high. It is just debilitating. And go often - 3 times a week is adequate, but the more the better! You can do yoga every day and not stress your body, unlike running or other forms of exercise.
Pros: Lots of classes every day, lots of locations
Cons: inexperienced teachers, cliquy atmosphere
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