Riffs Yoga Studios - Bird Rock — Local services in San Diego

My first experience at Riffs Bird Rock could not have been any better. The outdoor yoga deck is a serene setting surrounded by palm trees and shade. The best part is it's walking distance from the beach so you get that fresh air feeling while you practice.

The community at Riffs is very welcoming and I am happy to share my experience.

I showed up to my first class 5 min late with a sign on the front door closed saying something like.. "were in the middle of class, catch you after". I am standing at the door thinking, " aww bust , I have to be better with showing up on time " when Jax B. ( one of the yoga instructors at Riffs), asks If I was signed up for a class and lets me in!

A great feeling of relief, she welcomes me in and quickly shows me around the space while asking if I had ever taken Ashtanga Vinyasa. It was my first time so I was told from the start it was an Intermediate class and to go at your own pace.

I follow Jax to the back outdoor patio, opens the door and thankfully the class had not started yet, I am welcomed by the teacher and students while I put my belongings in the cubby section. Jax says, " this is his first time ladies so don't eat him alive".

Because I showed up late all of the space on the bottom section had already been occupied so I initially was told my space was on the top section next to the teacher.

In all honesty, at this point I was feeling intimidated being the only male in the room, practicing on the top deck, my first time there.

Then, another HUGE relief

Before the teacher starts the class, knowing that it was my first time asks one of her returning students if she could switch spots with me because she wanted to be able to have a better perspective .

I cannot express how thankful I am for the student that switched with me and the teacher that made my first experience so much better, I felt welcomed and that I was important even after showing up late.

With all that said and done, the Ashtanga Vinyasa class with Karina was so fulfilling. She does a great job of projecting her voice clearly while demonstrating how to get into the stretches.

My favorite parts of the Ashtanga Vinyasa classes with Karina is getting into the poses and then having her tell you how to adjust your body and what you can do mentally and physically to help better each pose and also too her letting you know that every ones body is different and to be mindful of what your body is telling you while your in certain poses. You will even hear the teacher complimenting/guiding people by specifically name at times which personally is above the normal yoga class. Also to, keeping the students aware of any handicaps that can be a problem during stretches and giving other options to accommodate every ones body.

The second class I took with Steve H. (owner) was Vinyasa with sound healing. Steve is very welcoming, kind, and intuitive. During the Vinyasa w/sound healing class I found during the class that he does a great job of explaining what you can think of doing with your hands/feet/heart/head while your holding the pose, deepening the stretch.

Sometimes I get mixed up when you have to do left knee to right shoulder or vice versa type poses and felt that when I knew I wasn't doing it correctly, Steve called on me specifically of how to get there which I hold so much gratitude towards them for that ( Karina does this as well)! It is a good feeling knowing when I am in a class setting full of people that I am not being overlooked.

Sound healing portion of the class.

PHENOMINAL!

After the Vinyasa portion of the class, the teacher has the class either sit or lie down while he hits a gong and rings singing bowls at a continuous slow rhythm, gradually speeding up over time to a point and then ending with rain sounds where the sounds mixed together create this miraculous feeling.

I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to practice here, I have been telling my friends and fam about how amazing my experience at Riffs has been. I could go on but google has a character limit...

Absolutely LOVE Riffs (Bird Rock)!

PROS I have tried several different teachers and types of classes (e.g. Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa) and every teacher has been absolutely kind, supportive, and have the best energy. My partner and I's favorite is definitely Katherine's Yin yoga with sound healing. She provides the MOST clear instructions, options for variations, and has a soothing and reassuring energy. I love how empowering she is in having each individual trust their own bodies and do what feels good.

I also loved having a class with live music - we had a live guitarist available throughout the class and it just brings a whole other element of serenity and comfort.

As for the outdoor setting, I wish more studios had this available because nothing beats the fresh air and gentle ocean breeze. You can smell the ocean right next to the studio and the with the beautiful plants, wood deck, and birds chirping outside - it is the perfect way to unplug.

CONS However, the reason why I put 4 stars instead of 5 is really because of elements outside of Riffs control. Maybe because it is currently Summer Break for children, but more than a couple times now has it been really hard to focus and relax when the residents right next to the studio are scolding and screaming at each other. Occasionally, you will also hear the restaurant next door but that actually has been very easy to drown out and it is nor nearly as disruptive as when parents and children are screaming bloody murder what sounds like just a few feet away from you.

Again, none of this is Riffs fault by any means. Actually, the teachers do an AMAZING job trying to help you tune back into your breath and really put in an effort to guide you through these distractions - which I appreciate so much. Really shows how much they care about your experience. I think I might have had just bad luck with the timing of Summer Break and children not being in school during the hours I attend class.

CONCLUSION Overall, I would highly recommend this studio. If only I lived closer (I drive about 30-45 mins with traffic), then I would attend everyday! Despite the drive, I feel like it's still worth it - just goes to show you how much I...

I recently had the pleasure of attending yoga classes at Riffs Yoga Studio in Bird Rock during my business trip to San Diego, and it was an experience I won’t forget.

The atmosphere at Riffs is simply fantastic. Practicing yoga outdoors surrounded by the beauty of nature was truly uplifting and refreshing. What stood out to me the most was the approach of the instructors. They emphasized the participant as the main instructor, with themselves as the secondary guide. This philosophy underscores the importance of listening to your body and honoring its needs, which I deeply appreciated. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised to find that sound healing was integrated into every class I attended, adding an extra dimension to the practice and enhancing the overall experience.

Throughout my visit, I had the opportunity to attend a variety of classes led by six or seven different instructors, and each one was exceptional. Their expertise and passion for yoga shone through in every session, creating a welcoming and motivating environment.

Without a doubt, I’ll be returning to Riffs Yoga Studio the next time I’m in San Diego. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a rejuvenating...