You know those days when you need a sweaty, transportive yoga class to shake off the work day, but you also need to make a dinner date and don't have three hours to spend on the whole ordeal? Hometown yoga hero Stephanie Snyder's new Love Story Yoga is the studio we've been waiting for.

Located a few doors down from Samovar Tea Lounge (stop there for post-class turmeric lattes), Love Story Yoga, opened this month, promises we can indulge in spiritual and sweaty asanas and make it to dinner without stinking thanks to spa-like interiors and ginormous locker rooms complete with showers and EO products. If you forget for your leggings, a small retail space offers Lululemon gear.

(Courtesy of Stephanie Snyder)

But while the many creature comforts are key, the 2,800 square foot studio's real focus is on curriculum and community, creating a space for local and visiting instructors to share their love of yoga as well as hosting various workshops and events throughout the year.

As a Lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, Snyder (who has 20 years of experience and works with several local non-profits including City of Hope), is a Bay Area trendsetter who acts as a voice for the local yoga community and provides product feedback to lululemon. In return, Lululemon supports the Ambassadors in achieving their personal goals—like launching LSY. Ambassadors are specifically chosen based on their passion and love for yoga, fitness, and meditation as well as their work in their local communities and abroad.

"We put love into every detail and want to make it as easy as possible for anyone to integrate yoga into their day," says Snyder.

That charitable spirit is exemplified in the friendly atmosphere at Love Story Yoga. There is no top-down formula for how classes are taught, as all instructors bring their own style to the program—including Snyder. With just enough heat to create a detoxifying sweat, LSY yoga classes include curated playlists and chanting to support an uplifting flow. SF yogis can expect strategic sequencing that is designed to increase strength and flexibility, while releasing stress and fatigue. There's also a Skills and Drills class to help workshop certain poses.

"At Love Story you can check all the boxes: a soulful work out, stress relief, accessible yoga philosophy, and social good times," explains Snyder. "You will definitely sweat but we complement that with offering a very grounded and down to earth philosophy."

At Monday night's Love Story class, the session opened with a call and response chant led by Stephanie, and followed by core work to get your muscles fired up. After a few sun salutations with creative flourishes, our mats were already dripping in sweat and after nearly 90 minutes of practice, our final Savasana felt well earned.

Look for influential visiting instructors, including Kino MacGregor, to teach weekend workshops throughout the year. Teacher trainings will also be held twice annually. // 473 Valencia St. (Mission), lovestoryyoga.com

(Courtesy of Love Story Yoga)

Thanks to our friends at Lululemon for the experience.