Purple Monkey Yoga Brings Bliss, Community to Union City

Having a serious case of the Mondays? Or Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, for that matter?

Well, according to some of the studio's first customers, the brand-new Purple Monkey Yoga on Horner Street in Union City provides the perfect cure.

"[Thanks to Purple Monkey Yoga], my case of the Mondays was turned into yoga fever!" said Yelp.com reviewer "Zeestacers" from San Francisco when he took his first class there on the studio's opening day, May 7. "I'll be back soon. I was cured!"

Purple Monkey opened its doors on May 7. Owner Rebecca Gatanis says, yoga fills her heart with joy, and therefore she wanted to share that joy with the community of Union City.

"Yoga and all the bliss that comes with practice, should be accessible to everyone, and is just as much about community as it is about that mat," she says on the website.

Purple Monkey's philosophy is, yoga is for everyone - therefore, all classes are open to all levels, and Gatanis said her instructors are very good at making sure everyone in the class is comfortable and moving at their own pace and ability.

Gatanis can certainly attest to that, because Purple Monkey is very much a family-owned business - she is the owner, and the instructors and other employees are all family members.

"We're definitely not a corporate studio," she said.

In addition to offering a number of different types of yoga, including Vinyasa and Power Yoga, Purple Monkey also offers Zumba, Fit Camps, Pilates, Belly Dance and classes for kids. Companies can also sign up for corporate programs as well.

All of Purple Monkey's yoga classes are conducted at room temperature, though - hot or bikram yoga is not their style.

Early customers are also raving about the reasonable prices Purple Monkey offers. Gatanis said, that all goes along with their philosophy of "yoga for everyone."

"When I started Purple Monkey, I wanted to build a space that was a little more about the community, and not just about making a buck," she said.

Therefore, Purple Monkey offers a versatile schedule to fit into anyone's life, and rates that are much lower than other studios.

To try out Purple Monkey and see if you like it, one can sign up for the studio's trial offer of $30 for 30 days of unlimited classes.

Regularly, drop-in classes are $12, and monthly unlimited memberships are $99.

"I had an awesome experience today," said Yelp.com reviewer Jess G. of Fremont, who said she just stopped in to grab a schedule on the studio's second day of business, May 8, but was invited in to try a class for free on the spot. "Everyone was super nice. I'll be back soon!"

Purple Monkey is also earning itself a reputation for giving back to the community, even though they've barely been open for two weeks.

Gatanis said she is in the process of starting a Community Garden for locals, which she plans to call Purple Monkey Patch - naturally, we love the name! Gatanis is working on securing corporate sponsors for the garden, and said it will open to all.

"Take a class, and then grab a cucumber on your way home if you want," she described.

Gatanis hopes the garden will be up and running in the next couple of weeks.

Purple Monkey is also in the process of setting up its own nonprofit, to be called Sacred Feet, to bring free yoga classes to high-risk or at-risk youth, caregivers of people with special needs, and the like. A kick-off event to raise money for the organization will happen in July, Gatanis said.

Purple Monkey Yoga is located at 3961 Horner St. Visit them online at www.purplemonkeyyoga.com or call 510-489-9642.