Mountain Yoga was born in 2002 to serve the small community of Montclair Village in Oakland. Current owner/director Ann Dyer was a teacher at the studio in 2010 when the original owners offered her the baton of ownership — which she took! In the years since, the pressure of growth and change — a move and pandemic, wildfires and political upheavals, the introduction of online classes and the changing culture of the yoga profession — has created a mission for Mountain Yoga with the clarity and strength of a diamond:
"Mountain Yoga supports vital, soulful lives for every body. We help our students flourish thru yoga, the arts + caring community ."
We have an open arms policy, and welcome people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The move from exclusively in-person classes to online offerings has broadened Mountain Yoga's geographical scope of service beyond our little neighborhood in the Oakland Hills, expanding our community to areas across the country and the globe.
We seek to go beyond fitness, to help all of our students flourish at every level. We are passionate about sharing how the powerful practice of yoga supports practitioners, body and soul. We are less interested in elaborate poses and sun salutation marathons, and more impressed with skillful instruction that supports vitality on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and social. Perhaps the most unique feature of Mountain Yoga is our inclusion of the arts as a tool for healing and self-discovery. This stems from our Director's background in the arts, as well as the rich artistic culture of the Bay Area. Renowned artists come to Mountain Yoga to share dance, drawing, writing and music as means for personal transformation and inspiration.
Mountain Yoga's mission statement closes with the most powerful tool in our yoga toolbox, “caring community.” We are blessed with an exceptionally welcoming, kind and supportive community of students and staff, now closer than ever since the pandemic, when so many turned to us as their lifeline. Now YOU are part of this amazing community!