Banana Yoga Voted Best Yoga Studio in Oakland
Banana Yoga was named the Best Yoga Studio in Oakland 2025 by East Bay Express and Oakland Magazine readers.
Banana Yoga’s secret sauce isn’t a fancy green juice, or a designer legging brand; it’s all about making yoga as accessible as possible through affordable and inclusive classes. East Bay Express said that Banana Yoga is the space the breathe and be seen for queer people doing yoga, but we don’t stop at our queer community. At our yoga studio we extend that “come and be accepted as you are” feeling to everyone who walks through our doors.
How do we create an inclusive space?
At Banana Yoga believe that the yoga practice should fit you, not the other way around. That’s why you’ll always find:
Teaching With You, Not at You: Our teachers aren’t glorified and they don’t live on a platform at the front of the room. They are in the room with you offering verbal, and hands-on assistance to make sure everyone is safe and seen.
Total Autonomy: We encourage students to modify every pose so that it fits their bodies, not the other way around. Teachers offer different variations of each pose, so you can choose what fits you.
Propped-Up Practice: Blocks and straps aren't "cheating"—they are tools for liberation. We strongly encourage folx to use props so they can show up without pain.
Radical Accessibility: Through our affordable sliding scale pricing, scentless rooms, Queer Yoga every Tuesday night, and QTBIPOC scholarships, we ensure that the typical barriers never stand in the way of your yoga journey.
The Next Chapter: Growing Our Haven
This recognition comes at a beautiful time in our journey. Since moving into our larger location in North Oakland at 5827 San Pablo Ave in the Summer of 2025, we have seen our vision for a true third space come to life.
This expanded space was never just about having more square footage; it was about having more room for communion and community.
Since the move, we’ve been able to host more events that promote community, well-being, and radical authenticity—from self-defense classes, to monthly yoga sanghas, to sound baths. We are doubling down on our mission to be a haven for those who lead with their hearts.
Thank You Oakland
To everyone who voted: Thank you for seeing us. Thank you for breathing with us. You are a weird and crazy Oakland, that’s why we love you!
We are so honored to be recognized by our community as the best yoga studio in Oakland. This award is a testament to the incredible teachers and students who make our space so special. Whether you are looking for Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga, or our BIPOC and Queer-centered classes, we invite you to browse our class schedule and see why our community is growing every day.