East Bay yogis are definitely a lucky bunch, with so many great instructors and classes to choose from. If you’re looking for a beginning-to-intermediate Hatha instructor, Diane Sherman teaches a wonderful class at 7th Heaven Yoga in Berkeley. She brings humor, warmth, and an approachable manner to her teaching. She makes sure she knows each of her students and their bodies’ limitations or injuries, bringing alternative asanas into the mix for those who need them. Sherman gives beginners excellent and detailed explanations of all the aspects of poses, and enlightens all her students with the finer points of alignment. She challenges the class, often keeping students in asanas longer than they may be used to, then ends with a restorative pose and an insightful reading. She also teaches classes at the Cal Athletic Center, which is open to the general public.
