Jivamukti Yoga Berlin

- Classes offered in English
- There is a holistic approach. It's not only about the movement & posses but also about the spiritual side and how to be a better human for yourself, other humans, and all life on earth. (I know that sounds like BS but it's true. The instructors guide you on a path to respecting all forms of life which gives extra meaning to the classes).
- Instructors show compassion. They walk around & gently guide you into a better pose. (Yoga classes elsewhere will just say you're doing it wrong! Instead of saying, "touch your toes," Jivamukti instructors touch you and nudge your body as far as it can go).
- Classes are super challenging. It makes you realize that yoga is not a walk in the park. It's a rigorous activity that you must work hard to perform. During the class, I am pushed to my mental & physical limits. After the classes, I feel relaxed and brand new.
- The community and canteen create a second home for me and others.

This is the only yoga studio I've tried in Berlin where I've had a physically challenging class so I give it 2 stars for that.

What disappointed me is that there were photos of Sri Pattabhi Jois up on the altar on one of the studios in the Mitte location. I spoke to 3 different instructors about how uncomfortable this made me feel, given the multiple sexual assault accounts that have come out against Jois. Most Ashtanga practicing studios in the US have put out statements distancing themselves from their teacher in light of this because pretty much everyone who practiced with Jois witnessed inappropriate things and has come to see it as wrong. One of the teachers I spoke to had not heard about the sexual assault stuff and seemed genuinely concerned, fine. The other two had and said the owners studied with Jois and because there is an Ashtanga program there they have to keep the photo up. No, you don't. Plenty of Ashtanga people are still practicing without glorifying the man. I feel like Berlin is lagging behind in the #metoo movement. Take women seriously. Seems hypocritical what they are preaching but not practicing at Jivamukti.

I went there twice once to buy a coupon for a friend and the second time to purchase a yoga mat. Both times the staff was very rude, distracted and incompetent. One person didn't know how to work the computer to sell me the coupon so I had to come back the next day. Same with the yoga mat: they made me feel as if I were bothering them.

This was an unbelievable nightmare. I bought a 10 class 2 month pack in mid May. During the purchase the staff explained to me how it works - you use 10 classes within the two month period and you get your 2 bonus classes which can be used later. When I was done with my 10th class I stopped at the front desk to inquire again about the correct usage of the bonus classes - mind you, I still had one more week on my 2 month period. I asked Feliz: when can I use my bonus classes? She - whenever. Me - even in August or September? She - yes. So I show up for my bonus class 2-3 weeks later (this past Sunday) only to be told by a very rude Vera that I was given wrong information and that I should leave or pay for the class. I asked to talk to the owner and had to send him an email. OMG, the rudest person on the PLANET. He told me that his staff is very well trained (IS IT?) and that I am lying. He threatened to report me to the police if I set my foot on the premises if I don't intend to pay for classes - that was after I asked to talk to Feliz in person.
Later I found out from one of the teachers that he sent out a long ass letter to all the employees to instruct them on what to say about the bonus classes - which means he admitted the mistake BUT NOT TO ME. I also learned that Feliz was an apprentice and not a long term employee that knows all the rules by heart as he claimed. This studio is the worst nightmare by the way it is run. People are NOTHING to the owner, Christian - that's his sorry name. It's a shame because the classes are actually quite good, but that treatment is similar to the way Germans treated people you all know where.

I want to like this yoga studio so much. I'm dying to find a good studio with regular scheduled English classes. But this cannot be it. I've tried several classes and teachers and I find the teaching so arrogant and bossy. They often go on non-sensical personal rants. I understand the idea of Jivamukti and enjoy visiting the studio in Manhattan when I'm there. But the groove is off here in Berlin. :(

I love Berlin and even more then Berlin is the Yoga Loft. Its run by two Jivamukti teachers Anja and Moritz. The space is amazing if you have not seen it please check out the website yogaloft-berlin.de. Arjun and Jason lead a great Kirtan a few night ago and its set in one of the best neighborhoods, Mitte. They have only been open a few months but have already created a strong community and the students are fantastic. Berlin also has one of the best Vegetarian/Vegan restaurants I have been to rivaled only by Curly's Vegetarian Diner in NY. The place is called Yellow Sunshine and has a wide array a diner type foods


If you are ever in Berlin please check out these two places

I'm a student of Jivamukti yoga Berlin already few years, but I have to admit that some teachers are not very friendly. That's nothing about practice, but just to say hello in the entrance and reply to the questions more nicely, without arrogance.

Really unfriendly and cold hearted staff! I had the feeling the the studio was very superficial and did not really care about their clients - not very yoga...

Established under the increasingly popular Jivamukti ("free spirit") trademark, Yoga Loft Berlin is on its way to becoming a fully-fledged franchise of Sharon Gannon and David Life's New York-based school. It offers the total opposite of what Yoga Loft co-founders Moritz and Anja call "fast-food Western yoga". The style is heavily focused on chanting and meditation, Mother Nature and peace; there is a different theme each month. Sounds too hippy? Don't worry: the setting is so yuppie you could throw a cocktail party afterwards. But that's no bad thing - it is a genuine pleasure to do yoga here. Expect hands-on help throughout the sparsely-populated classes. Showers, free refreshments, classy equipment, comfy sofas, good-looking staff and light, airy loft studio all add to the super relaxing, slightly luxurious atmosphere. As long as you drop your cynicism at the door, you will leave feeling enlightened.


Flirt factor: 4of 5. This is where beautiful people (mostly beautiful women) go to practice their moves. The setting is very informal and relaxing enough to help you pluck up the courage to ask someone out for an herbal tea afterwards.


Gender ratio: Mixed, but female centric.


Details: Trial class: 10 EUR; Drop-in: 15 EUR, Five Class card 65 EUR, 10 Class card 120 EUR (80 EUR for students). Unlimited monthly memberships starting as low as 69 EUR.


There is an English class on Fridays at 16:45, as well as regular workshops with international yogis and a yearly visit from Sharon and David.