Bloom Retreat

I visited Bloom Retreat for a prenatal massage and it was a fantastic experience. Everyone there is so warm and friendly and the customer service is really wonderful. The facility is bright and clean and super easy to find. The parking lot is small but I easily got a spot on a busy Saturday morning and there is plenty of street parking. Tammie was my masseuse and she was great. It was relaxing, comfortable and so helpful for the lower back aches I’ve been experiencing. She followed up my visit with a really nice postcard thanking me for coming in, it was such a nice surprise and I would definitely recommend her for your massage needs.

I have been going to classes at Bloom Retreat ever since it opened. Yes, Bloom Retreat is a special place for women and kids too, but I wouldn’t say I truly realized this until late 2015 when I rediscovered it, developed a sense of community there, and started getting my own groove back because of this place. Prior to that I just took a few yoga classes and did a 30-​day cleanse. Over the years I followed Bloom Retreat by continuing to receive emails from Michelle Long, the owner. Michelle’s writing is profound and relatable to women of all walks of life. I kept reading Michelle’s emails and referring friends to programs that I would read about. But I didn’t go or didn’t sign up. Maybe I wasn’t ready? My friends would go and they were hooked on the place. I’d even go so far to say that my friends who went regularly to Bloom were just plain more at peace with themselves and the world.
Finally, I saw a mention for onsite therapist and so much more Melissa MontBlanc’s «Motherhood in the Raw» group and it spoke to me. In fact, I think the blurb about the group was written just for me. Even though all the women in the group were different, our feelings and stories were eerily familiar. I then signed up for a 10-​week session called the Practice, led by Michelle Long. Michelle created The Practice for people like me who would pop in and pop out of Bloom Retreat. She saw a need for women to have a recurring, regular practice of meeting with the same women to connect, do yoga and be real. How refreshing! I really can’t say enough about how special The Practice is that Michelle has created. I’m already two classes into a second session of The Practice and I can already feel that same sacred space with an entirely different group of women.
I would be remiss not to mention the wonderful and friendly front desk staff and team of wellness practitioners. Everyone is nice from the childcare and front desk. My little guy does great in the childcare, and if he’s having a hard time the staff can adeptly handle it. I’ve heard great things about everyone on staff from massage and skin care to the chiropractor and acupuncturist, and I can’t rave enough about Melissa MontBlanc who provides a wide range of therapeutic services (individual, couple, EMDR, play therapy, etc). and is a general bad-​ass (in the best way). Melissa is amazing and my work with her has really made all the difference in my life. Thank you, Melissa.
Hopefully this review will convince others who want to make a change, find a tribe and find themselves to really show up at Bloom Retreat. The space is there to give, receive and connect… all you need to do is start showing up for yourself when you’re ready. I’m so glad I did.

I’m in love with this place. I can’t seem to make it there as often as i’d like since I work quite a bit, but I’ve never felt more healing when I do! Janna, the chiropractor, is fantastic. She knows exactly where you have pain and how to fix it, sometimes without my even telling her. Be very open to her type of work and she’ll work miracles. Angie is also amazing and so gentle. I always leave her glowing and renewed. I also very much enjoy the flow yoga class, among other types. I’ve yet to visit the other practitioners there, but I plan to. Everyone is really friendly and open and it’s so nice to have such healing energy and positive vibes from women. I feel very welcome and will enjoy it for years to come.

I’ve called Bloom my yoga home for 2+ years now. They are woman– and mama-​centered, offering a variety of classes from prenatal, strong and flow classes, and even classes to bring your infant in with you. The studio feels like a home to me because the relationships created are genuine by supportive and loving staff. I love that they offer a workspace with complimentary wi-​fi to do some personal work or just read in a quiet, comfy space. Childcare is available. Free tea is also a lovely addition they offer. In addition to yoga, Bloom Retreat has many other services (waxing, massage, body adjustment, acupuncture) that I have yet to try. I loved coming here each week.

I feel like Bloom is a place I always hoped for but never believed could be real. A true wellness center for women in all walks and seasons of life. This place really, REALLY gets it. Unafraid to push the status quo and challenge the old way of thinking, Bloom offers a complete wrap of services for your mind, body and soul. They connect with you, they care about you, they remember you. It feels like a home away from home and a place of ultimate acceptance and support from every angle. Chiropractic care, acupuncture and therapy services compliment the amazing yoga, intense and personal «series» selections, massage and comprehensive aesthetics/​skin care. Yes. All. In. One. Place.
Blown away by what Michelle and her team have been able to create and urge every woman to do herself a long overdue favor and just check it out!

This place is really great. Warm staff and great options in classes, childcare, and spa treatments. I went here last year during my pregnancy and it only took me 3 classes to start feeling comfortable. As someone who had never done yoga before and had a really rough pregnancy this place was a so helpful to keep me in shape and good piece of mind. I haven’t been since last year but may consider making the long trek from Oakland again, especially if I get pregnant again. I have recommended this place to countless strangers and friends.
So why only three stars? First off, it is a little pricey. But these days most yoga/​group classes are. Secondly, the first and only time I took Michaela Kissinger’s class on Saturday, she used me as an example in front of the class of what not to do. As someone with a lot of anxiety who was already totally uncomfortable doing yoga in front of other people (I’m not athletic, I’m not skinny, I’m not comfortable being called out on being unflexible), this was so hard. I never went back to her class. She seems to only want athletic, flexible people in her class who are already very good at yoga so if you aren’t, I would recommend not going to her class. Otherwise she may point out what you’re doing wrong in front of a bunch of strangers too.
I DO recommend checking out Bloom and all of the other wonderful instructors.

I’ve been coming to Bloom for a couple of years now. I love it because I can walk here from my house, and as an entrepreneur who works from home, I get so many of my needs filled in one place. I love to take yoga in the morning and stay after to use the free wi-​fi and get some work done. I also get my eye brows waxed with Angie once a month who I adore, and I get regular massages (everyone I’ve had so far is amazing).
I’ve never considered myself a yogi, but once I took Michelle’s The Practice series I was hooked. It’s a mix of intimate conversations with the same group of women for ten weeks, a soulful yoga flow sequence, journaling, and meditation. It’s like my church. It really keeps me grounded and accountable to show up week after week (which isn’t easy for me).
Bloom is a safe space for women show up just as they are. It’s so much more than a yoga studio (and I’ve been to a few that just feel a little more sterile). Bloom feels more like home to me with a super cool Anthropologie vibe. It’s a community of women who are open to talking about real stuff and struggles (some of the women I have become super close friends with, which is a huge gift in itself).
Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something deeper than just another workout class.

I am a mom, but of older kids and how I wish this place had been around when my kids were toddlers! I first went to Bloom last week for a facial with Angie that I received as a gift from a friend. I loved the space and the inviting feel of the room as I walked in. My facial with Angie was amazing. She took the time to explain some skin care basics that I definitely need to pay attention to in a warm and caring way. She gave me some tips and offered to work with me in the future on some skin issues I brought up and recommended some products for me to try. When I have gotten facials in the past, I have felt embarrassed about how little attention I give to my skin and have felt guilty almost about how I neglect my self-​care but Angie just made it all positive, like. you can do this! It is a process. My sister went for a facial with Angie the next day. another gift from our dear friend after my sister lost her house in a fire. My sister does not have kids but so appreciated the facial and this makes me thankful that the Bloom community now welcomes all women who need some self-​care. Also, we have both seen improvement in our skin! We will be back. Thanks Angie and thanks Bloom!

I enjoy the classes very much. The instructors are engaging and make you feel good. My issue with the studio is their cleanliness with their yoga mats, blankets and toys in their childcare room. Some of the classes get very sweaty and I’ve never seen a yoga mat being wiped down; blankets can smell a little. Parents bring their sick children to the childcare and I’ve never seen a toy being cleaned or wiped down. My child has fallen sick every time I’ve taken her to the childcare. Not sure what to do. I love the classes and instructors but can’t compromise my and my child’s health.

Got an amazing workout in this morning with Sara Cole. She is so vital and cheerful… made my day better and brighter.

I will forever be grateful for finding my doula here a year ago! My baby is almost 9 months old now and I still drive by this place and just feel so grateful. When I found my doula, it was during the time where they have a meeting the first wednesday of the month where numerous doulas come and introduce themselves and discuss what they do. This night I found Katelyn Webb! My birth experience couldn’t have been better and it all started from finding her here at this great place! It feels peaceful and homey and welcoming inside this place. I look forward to exploring more of the services this place has to offer like yoga and massage!

I am new to the Bay Area and I was researching places in walnut creek that offered yoga. At first I overlooked bloom because it seemed that it was a mommy only kind of place. I am not a mother and I felt that I wouldn’t relate to anyone there. I was wrong. This place has truly changed my life. It’s about women coming together and working on focusing on themselves. Michelle really goes all out to create a comfortable environment. If you are looking for a place where it doesn’t matter what you look like or what you are wearing, this is it. Many different women from different walks of life sharing and doing yoga together. Their massages are great as well. Alright I’ll stop bragging before I annoy myself.

Update review: they changed their «feel» and ditched their niche of being only for moms. The place went from being a lovely small feel with intimacy of getting to know other moms and having a great play space for my kids to more of the feel of a small gym I was trying to get away from! Class size increased, there were new faces at nearly every class. They made the children’s area more tailored for crawlers and less for pre-​school age. My kids went from loving it to not wanting to be there. I went from looking forward to connection to being right back to that feel of «grab a spot within 2 feet of a stranger and try to not make eye contact». Now I get it, they probably needed more business. But in doing so, they lost what made it so special. It’s like when a ma and pa store suddenly is making more $ and then hires more employees, expands space, starts getting more name brand stuff and looses the niche that made them special to begin with. I finished the classes I had paid for and then didn’t go back.

I went to Bloom for the first time with my 7
Month old who is on the move! We tried out a mommy with crawling-​2 yr old yoga class. I can’t tell you enough how well this place is set up for moms and children alike! The little ones could roam and explore in a very laid back sort if way or take part in a little yoga with mom if they were interested. The yoga itself was very good without being high intensity. I remember my days of ashtonga yoga… and while I loved it, today’s «me» needs a no pressure, and yes, no focus yoga. I want to be able to move, stretch and breath but also break my gaze and keep an eye on my baby. I’m a mom after all. We stuck with basic poses that focus in balance and strength. Our instructor was emphasizing opening our upper body up, given that we’re women who went from being pregnant to holding babies/toddlers…recipe for upper body disaster. I came home so happy that I did something that was really just for me (my baby boy loved it too, but that wasn’t my motivation for once). I feel like a better mommy, wife and woman today because of my time at Bloom. And it really is more than yoga, it’s a little community… and when you are a new mom, who you surround yourself with does often change. Building a new community and having a sense of place is so important. You can stay and chat after yoga with other moms in this gorgeous area that no one would ever want to leave. Sadly, I had to rush off to an event at my older son’s school, or I would have stayed to connect more. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Bloom Yoga retreat is amazing! From the moment you walk in you feel welcomed and it is a beautiful and relaxing space. As a new mom I knew I needed some me time, and started to do some research to see if I could find a place just like this, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed and wanted to find a place where I could do something for myself and where my baby could be close by with trusted childcare. I drove all the way from Daly city and it was so worth it.
Bloom exceeded all my expectations, I loved everything about it! The childcare room is adorable and lots of fun age appropriate toys, the caregivers were so kind and made me feel comfortable leaving my 7 month old baby with them, it was the first time I left him without a family member to be watched. He loved it, I peeked in after my class and all the kids were around him playing and he was having a great time happy and smiling.
I took yoga classes with the owner Michelle and it was one of the best yoga classes I have ever taken, her voice is calming, relaxing and encouraging. She is very sweet and skilled as a teacher and has done a great job with Bloom! Going to Bloom made me feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and made me realize how important it is to take care of yourself, in order to be the best mom and wife possible. It was healing to the soul. All of the women were welcoming and friendly, there is an area to have hot tea and chat or relax and also an area to work.
They also offer other classes to take with your baby, pre and post natal classes, they offer chiropractic with an amazing Chiropractor, Dr. Janna. They have massage available and so much more! Most importantly with the option of having childcare right there as you take care of yourself, it is so important especially in order to relax to know your child is well taken care of.
Overall, it was a great, very much needed experience and I recommend it to any mom, you deserve it!

This place is amazing for moms who need to add balance to their lives. The environment is so comfortable, friendly and chic you will feel more balanced just by visiting. They offer amazing childcare. My daughter who had never been in care with anyone other than family had a great time and didn’t want to leave even after being there for hours. It was a miracle to have some time to focus on my business while my daughter was cared for. Just what every mom needs in her life.

I love this place. After 7 weeks being a full time mom, I felt relax. When we become a mom for the first time, we have so many things to deal with it.
I was so tired, but when I found Bloom it really retreat me. When I went to the yoga class with my baby, I saw my self in a same page with the others. I didn’t have any concern if my baby cried or needed to be feed. Bloom made me so happy and relax, it made me to become more patient too. Also, Michael and others are so friendly. Love you Bloom and thank you for being for us:-)))))))

I have been a regular at Bloom’s prenatal yoga classes and they are wonderful. Bloom is an excellent retreat that really supports mothers and children. The place is beautifully decorated and has a positive, supportive atmosphere. Everyone who works there is friendly and approachable, including the owner, Michelle, who often works at the desk.
I have had three yoga instructors and they are all very good, but Mellara is my favorite and I’ve attended many of her classes. She’s an amazing teacher and I instantly felt rapport with her. What others wrote is really true — she cares about each student and takes the time to get to know each of us, our bodies, and spirits. She is good about providing corrections and making sure we are safe as we grow and progress in our pregnancy. She is also very empathic and intuitive and knows what to suggest to help each person. I feel loved and nurtured by her — she immediately felt like an old friend. I recommend her highly.
The only challenge with Bloom is the parking, which is limited. I suggest parking at Whole Foods to solve this problem. It also makes for easy shopping after class! Thank you Mellara and Michelle for creating this great business to support moms and families!

Sometimes I just need a break from being a full-​time mom. Bloom is perfect for recharging my patience level.
I also have my own home-​based business and my 3-​year old isn’t in Preschool. Bloom is a life-​saver for the occasional and irregular work-​related childcare need. I’m excited they are coming out with co-​working memberships.
The work area is nice and its usually very quiet. The Internet is always working and fast!
I am so happy that my daughter loves the childcare. They have a wide variety of high-​quality toys. Lots of toys to play pretend, puppet show, fairy reading corner. The last time my daughter went she came out with her face beautifully painted like a lion. She is always excited when we pull in the parking lot. What more could a mom ask for?

Very thoughtful setup, offerings and staff.
As a strong believer in the benefits of Yoga to people of all ages, you rarely find a Yoga-​focused studio with child offerings let alone child care. Make sure to take advantage of their family membership. The lounge is great for a quiet moment while your youngster is in the care lounge (the child area is truly a little lounge of its own).
A certain blue-​eyed Yoga instructor was so engaging, mini-​me has been practicing stone and cobra positions on his own at home. While we are still trying to be consistent visitors, we hope to see more offerings as they develop — especially for the tween age window.
Amazingly, we did not hear all of the children in the playroom — which is easily one of roomiest we have ever seen in a studio location. The workshops and guest speaker line-​ups are equally as thoughtful. We hope more families join!
But don’t think it’s just yoga! Pilates, core strength, pre and post pregnancy training. Grownup workshops and events, play group time, open play group, private use of premise, parties, and some of the coolest items in their boutiques!