Testimonials

Hear what students have to say about the practice below, on Google, or on Yelp. If you have also benefitted from practice, it would be helpful to other students finding their yoga path if you could please leave a brief note on Google Reviews.

"I’ve been struggling with long COVID for over a year now, and finding movement that works with my unpredictable energy levels and symptoms has been a constant challenge. Most exercise classes left me feeling defeated.

Then I found Rowena, and everything changed. What sets her apart is her incredible intellect combined with an intuitive teaching style and there’s no heavy-handed corrections or adjustments that make you feel like you’re doing something wrong. Instead, she weaves guidance so naturally into the flow that improvements happen organically.

Every single session, she reads the room and adapts instantly. On days when my brain fog is thick, she simplifies without making it obvious. When fatigue hits mid-session, she seamlessly shifts the entire practice to meet where I am. It’s like she has a sixth sense for what my body needs. This isn’t your typical studio experience - no cookie-cutter super repetitive sequences or one-size-fits-all approach. The depth of knowledge and skill she brings to every session is remarkable, but she wears it so lightly that you just feel held and supported rather than intimidated.

For anyone dealing with chronic illness or just wanting truly personalized, thoughtful yoga instruction, I cannot recommend her highly enough. She’s given me back a relationship with movement and after class my body feels like I just finished meditating. Worth every penny and then some."

-- Whit W.

She’s given me back a relationship with movement.

I look forward to our practice as a key part of my week.

"I have been doing 1:1 yoga sessions with Rowena for months and she has completely changed my association with yoga -- I now love it and look forward to our practice as a key part of my week. Rowena is incredibly knowledgable and patient. I started working with her due to some health issues, and she is so supportive and always willing to adjust or slow down to accommodate me."

-- Kim N.

"I’ve been doing CrossFit for about 3 years and honestly never thought yoga was “for me” - always assumed it would be too slow compared to my usual WODs. Boy, was I wrong! Rowena was super welcoming and didn’t make me feel awkward when I had to ask what half the poses were called. I definitely underestimated how challenging it would be - What I loved most was how it felt like a perfect complement to my CrossFit training. All those tight hips and shoulders from heavy lifting? This definitely helped. Who knew something that looks so peaceful could leave you sore in places you didn’t know existed? Definitely recommend for anyone curious about trying something new!!"

-- Emelie W.

I’ve been doing CrossFit for about 3 years and honestly never thought yoga was “for me” - Boy, was I wrong!

She gave practical steps to integrate a meditation practice into our every day lives.

"Rowena is a kind, generous, and very knowledgeable instructor. During her 2:1 meditation training in her adorable space in Noe Valley, we learned three different types of meditation based on our interests and needs. She gave practical steps to integrate a meditation practice into our every day lives (no it doesn't require a 14 day silent retreat!!). I can't wait to continue learning from Rowena."

-- Ginger C.

"I attended a yoga session with Rowena and was impressed by her skills as a teacher. I'm very new to yoga (additionally in the first few months of my pregnancy) and Rowena was very helpful in explaining different yoga poses, how to be mindful, and some suggestions to make practicing yoga easier as a newbie. She was patient, thoughtful and great at helping me feel at ease. Having this session helped me realize that yoga is something I can do, and want to do more of! I couldn't recommend Rowena's teaching enough!"

-- Tania R.

Having this session helped me realize that yoga is something I can do, and want to do more of!

Her classes helped my recovery.

"Rowena is an incredible teacher. I tore my meniscus last year and going to her classes helped my recovery. Couldn't recommend Rowena enough!”

-- Andrew S.

"Rowena's teachings extend beyond the four walls of the studio. I've seen tremendous benefits in my daily life - things like posture and alignment, breathing and mindfulness, and diet and energy level. She's also an incredible instructor within those walls, and my physical and mental practice has evolved a lot since I started practicing with RMY. Rowena's knowledge, passion, and hands-on approach mean you strengthen responsibly, in alignment, as you develop into each pose. She spots and discourages shortcuts. I've left each practice feeling uniquely worked out in not just my core and larger muscle groups, but also the small, oft-forgotten but crucial stabilizing muscles that support them. And by carrying her lessons with me, my practice has improved wherever I go. I absolutely recommend RMY!"

-- Savith I.

Rowena's teachings extend beyond the four walls of the studio.

I honestly feel I couldn't have asked for a more healing re-entry back into yoga.

"Like so many people these days, I've had to manage multiple stressors from eldercare to personal, medical health crises. While I've been physically active in several modalities for the past 5-7 years, I've sorely missed in person yoga classes in the neighborhood. So I was delighted to find Rowena's studio this month. Rowena is a welcoming, grounded presence. She provides a comfortable, "room temperature" (yes!) yoga experience in a clean, light-filled space. On just day 1, the well-paced rhythm of the class enabled me to drop into quietude to listen & connect within - each of us given the support to be present. All of that to say - I honestly feel I couldn't have asked for a more healing re-entry back into yoga. Thank you Rowena!"

-- Student

"Rowena is a gifted and very talented yoga instructor. Being an older adult (70+ years) with lower back issues, I wanted to learn a yoga practice that would support my health and activity levels. Rowena thoroughly assessed my capabilities and designed a practice specific to my needs. She slowly and gently taught me a number of yoga poses for my practice over the course of 5 individual sessions. Rowena is very knowledgeable about the body-mind connection. For individuals who are interested in learning a yoga practice that will help improve their wellbeing, I strongly recommend working with Rowena."

-- John R.

Being an older adult (70+ years), Rowena thoroughly assessed my capabilities and designed a practice specific to my needs.

Rowena offers a wonderful yoga teacher mentorship program.

"Rowena offers a wonderful yoga teacher mentorship program - as a newer yoga teacher Rowena offered some really helpful practical advice for preparing, planning, and teaching a class. She has such a deep knowledge and regard for the practice. It’s truly a joy and honor to learn from her."

-- Beth M.

"I’m a 45-year-old guy who travels constantly. My body is basically in a permanent state of jet lag, and my flexibility is about what you’d expect from someone who spends most of his life in airplane seats and at a computer.

I’ve tried yoga classes before, but Rowena completely changed my perspective of yoga. First, she’s incredible over Zoom - which is perfect for my travel schedule. Her virtual instruction is so clear and effective that I sometimes forget we’re not in the same room.

What really sets her apart is her intellect and teaching approach. She has a remarkable ability to guide you without making you feel like you’re being taught or corrected. I’ll finish a session and realize I just did poses I couldn’t do before! She works with my limited flexibility in ways that feel natural and achievable. Other instructors focus on what you can’t do. She focuses on what you can do and somehow expands from there. There’s no shame, no awkward adjustments, no feeling like the only inflexible person in class. She meets you exactly where you are.

For fellow business travelers or anyone who feels intimidated by traditional yoga classes, I can’t recommend her enough. Professional, adaptable, and genuinely gifted at what she does."

-- Emil K.

Her virtual instruction is so clear and effective that I sometimes forget we’re not in the same room.

I’ve gone home feeling inspired from class and will end up writing lots of poetry that I didn’t know I had inside me.

"Rowena’s classes always get me in the zone of where I need to be spiritually. I’ve gone home feeling inspired from class and will end up writing lots of poetry that I didn’t know I had inside me. Her classes are a gift."

-- Nancy Y.

"Rowena is an attentive teacher, skillfully attuned to the needs of her students. During the hip and pelvis release workshop, she checked in to offer modifications tailored to individual needs. As someone who is less limber, I particularly appreciated the micro-adjustments she provided, making each pose more accessible for different abilities. Her compassion and dedication as a healer/practitioner are evident, as she cares deeply about the well-being of her students and consistently seeks solutions for their unique needs.

Her passion for sharing about the teachings of yoga, combined with her science background and personal experiences, created an integrative and enriching practice throughout the workshop. I also valued her approach to yoga as both a philosophy and a practice of mindfulness that extends beyond the mat.

Although I attended this workshop as an observer, I found it highly insightful and would highly recommend it to others. There’s enough depth in the material to attend more than once and gain new insights each time."

-- Sung J.

As someone who is less limber, I particularly appreciated the micro-adjustments she provided, making each pose more accessible for different abilities.

Rowena is one of the better yoga instructors I've ever had.

"I've been practicing yoga since 2014, and I have to say, Rowena is one of the better yoga instructors I've ever had. She provides a safe environment, is quite knowledgeable, is a patient instructor and she gives excellent cues. I had to take a 4-year break from my mat due to injuries and recently restarted my asana practice thanks in no small part to Rowena's nudging me when we ran into each other at a local coffee shop. I am forever grateful and I'm really enjoying her Wednesday yoga lab classes which are perfectly geared to my practice."

-- Will S.

"I've been working with Rowena for over a year now, starting with her fertility yoga class after I spotted a flyer when I was walking around the neighborhood. I'd never seen such a thing and I was in the midst of getting ready for a second embryo transfer attempt so I figured why not try it, anything that could possibly help. I enjoyed the class and the explanations Rowena gave for the moves we were doing. And I became pregnant! So then I graduated to prenatal yoga which I began doing as private lessons in the shala which Rowena had just gotten (conveniently in the same location as the class, at Mobu Dance Studio).

After giving birth, I have been continuing on with private postpartum mom and baby yoga. It's been great to be able to bring my daughter with me to practice without having to worry about care, and my baby has really enjoyed watching me do my yoga and then the baby yoga time she gets near the end. I caught her doing happy baby pose at home after about a month of sessions! Now she does it all the time. I consider it a nice bonding activity for us and the shala is a nice relaxing place for her. Rowena makes sure my daughter is set up comfortably. She has a blanket she would lay on next to the yoga mat but now that she's gotten a little older, she has a little throne of bolsters she can lounge against for some sitting practice and a better view.

At first I wasn't sure about taking private lessons instead of classes since it is a lot pricier. But it's been nice having workouts customized to me, and Rowena is super accommodating about making adjustments if there's anything I want to focus on or if a particular area of my body needs relief. I definitely notice the difference in my body now compared to when I first started. My strength and flexibility are both increasing."

-- Jenny O.

I've been working with Rowena starting with her fertility yoga class...And I became pregnant!

It was the first time in a long time I had felt strong.

"Rowena is the first yoga teacher who has actually taught me a new skill—headstand! I’ve gone to yoga all my life, and usually I just go and do a class and figure out how to do the moves I can, and skip the ones I don’t know how to do. I started going to her class just over a month ago and I started getting really invested in her approach to focusing the month of January on teaching headstand. I didn’t think I would be actually DOING a headstand at the end of the month, but somehow it all clicked the last week and I was able to do it! This meant a lot to me as it was the first time in a long time I had felt strong. She is super knowledgeable about anatomy, and the various aspects of yoga. I learn a lot from her every class!"

-- Brooke L.

"I love how Rowena's classes focus on building up to a pose over time. Her sequencing feels very thoughful and supportive."

- Athena L.

Her sequencing feels very thoughtful and supportive.

It felt like a breakthrough moment.

"I absolutely love Rowena’s class! She is so knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely fun to learn from. The way she explains techniques makes everything feel accessible and safe, while still challenging you to grow.
I had been trying to do a headstand for a long time and just couldn’t get there. After consistently attending her classes and applying her guidance, I was finally able to do my first headstand within a month! I was beyond excited — it felt like such a breakthrough moment.
Rowena truly knows how to help her students progress with confidence. Thank you, Rowena, for your encouragement and amazing teaching!"

-- Elham P.

"I love taking class with Rowena! Rowena brings intention and focus to every class. Her teaching is thoughtful, grounding, and leaves you feeling both centered and strong. I always walk away feeling better than when I arrived - and love taking her classes - it is a huge treat. My practice has gotten stronger and deepened with her teachings - HIGHLY recommend."

- Kelsey P.