LA YOGA
Bryan Kest Power Yoga, 1410 2nd Street, Santa Monica +1 310 458 9510 (see map)
Bryan Kest’s loyal following enjoy Power Yoga classes at this Santa Monica studio on a donation-only basis. The classes Kest leads are both challenging and energetic, with a focus on creating peaceful lifestyles over any ego-boosts. Having taught for more than 30 years, Kest is a talented teacher: his charismatic voice and vocabulary are absolute gold.
Kundalini Yoga at Shiatsu Massage School, 2309 Main Street, Santa Monica +1 310 581 0097
(see map)
So you want to be really in the local know? You want to really feel the highest of highs sans artificial flavors? Kundalini with Tommy Rosen is for you. There is nothing more powerful than the man that rehabilitates the heaviest of souls. Tommy Rosen runs morning classes at 7am in a tiny studio off Main street.
Golden Bridge, 1357 North Highland, West Hollywood +1 323 936 4172 (see map)
Known as the epicenter of Kundalini yoga, Golden Bridge yoga is a “spiritual village”, home to celebrity yoga guru Gurmukh. With a focus on community and offering over 100 classes per week, this massive 18,000 square-foot space houses five studios, an organic cafe and bookstore, as well as a wellness center with a menu of facials, massages, acupuncture, astrology readings, and more.
City Yoga, 1067 North Fairfax Avenue West Hollywood +1 323 654 2125 (see map)
A welcoming homely atmosphere greets yogis and yoginis at City Yoga in West Hollywood, offering Anusara-style Hatha classes taught in a spacious and sun-drenched studio. Reasonably priced – especially for newcomers who enjoy two weeks of unlimited yoga for $30 – single classes run at $17, community classes for $8, while a series of 10 costs $130.
Bikram’s Yoga College of India, Suite 150, 11500 W. Olympic Blvd +1 310 854 5800 (see map)
Major Bikram fiends will find a home at this world headquarters for the hot yoga craze that has swept the world. Students of the practice can learn from master Bikram yogi and yoga champion Bikram Choudhury himself. Bikram’s sequence of 26 poses have been proven to systematically exercise every part of the body, giving internal organs, veins, ligaments and muscles all they need to function optimally.
Maha Yoga, 13050 San Vicente Boulevard, Second Floor #202, Brentwood +1 310 899 0047 (see map)
Steve Ross, a former Vedic monk, fronts this yoga center in Brentwood, one of the only studios in which yoga classes are set to contemporary music. Ross is the author of ‘Happy Yoga’, and advocates a euphoric approach to the ancient discipline.
Runyon Canyon Park Yoga, Runyon Canyon (see map)
Take a hike before joining the free yoga daily in this great outdoors location favored by celebrities. While it’s not like a regular class in terms of studio level professionalism (hey, you get what you paid for – it’s free!) the view makes up for it all.
Earth’s Power Yoga, 7901 Melrose Avenue, #208, West Hollywood (see map)
Vinyasa power yoga held at a fast pace. Metz’s extensive knowledge of anatomy is a function of his being an avid athlete. His classes are held seven days a week in an 86 degree heated room. First timers pay $35 for two weeks of unlimited yoga.
Yoga Works, 2215 Main Street, Santa Monica +1 310 664 6470 (see map)
Yoga Works founds its nationwide chain of yoga studios on excellence in teaching, and the honoring of each student’s search for personal growth. They offer classes for all ages, including children and seniors, as well as yoga retreats and Pilates.
Liberation Yoga, 124 South La Brea Avenue +1 323 964 5222 (see map)
Practice indoors in a room with dark wood accents and twinkling star lights, or in the garden studio with trees and fountain. Founders and owners Christine Burke and Gary McCleary offer Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Anusara yoga in a homely and tranquil setting.
Yoga Circle Downtown, 400 South Main Street, Downtown +1 213 620 1040 (see map)
‘Non-New Age yoga’ is what you’ll experience here, a downtown and down-to-earth sanctuary in a historic building. Single classes are a suggested donation of $16, while students and seniors receive additional discounts. Knekoh Fruge is the owner and instructor: her attention to detail for each individual creates exceptional value for yoga students dedicated to expanding their practice.
Bhakti Yoga Shala, 207 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica +1 310 804 9290 (see map)
For a soulful, heart based practice rooted in authenticity and heart-opening, the Bhakti Yoga Shala provides classes that challenge the body as well as invoke a blissful inner state, a sense of strength, and pure relaxation. Govinda’s classes overflow with love and positive energy, Gabriel includes dance, qi gong, kirtan and meditation, while Lisa utilizes intuition and Andres teaches through story. Experience them all!
Exhale Yoga, 245 South Main Street, Venice +1 310 450 7676 (see map)
Exhale has studios on both coasts and offers yoga as an ancient practice and ritual journey in response to the changing needs of urban life. Exhale is also a spa, where the wellbeing of mind and body merge. As well as Vinyasa and Core Fusion yoga, Exhale offers acupuncture, massage, cleanses and excellent yoga teacher training.
Moksha Yoga, 340 South La Brea Avenue, Mid-city West (see map)
Moksha yoga is a 100% eco-friendly studio with an impressive zero carbon foot print. Their green, clean, hot yoga series stretches, strengthens and tones the body whilst detoxifying the body and calming the mind. Check out their website online for green tips, yoga benefits and video posture tips.
Hot8Yoga, 1422 Second Street, Santa Monica +1 310 733 6068 (see map)
The slick Santa Monica studio will soak up the toxins, and could just be the best new world answer to Prozac there is. Ice cold lemon towels on offer post 105 degree workout, thank goodness, because they don’t call it hot for nothing, though we promise after 90 minutes of this you will feel like heaven.
Yoga Co, 1408 3rd Street, Santa Monica +1 310 395 0600
(see map)
We realized we loved Yoga Co when a teacher after finishing her rigorous yoga class offered free wine and gourmet cheese platters. What? Yes. Its not all hemp pants, chanting, and bad tribal tattoos in the spirit world. They offer the most extensive yoga schedules on offer on the West side and it’s all donation based.
By Sophie Ward
