We all know there are a gazillion yoga studios in SoCal. And, we bet a lot of them have really great classes, but we can’t possibly cover them all. So, with our Great Yoga Classes “Great” List, we’ve tried to bring you some really special or unique classes that you might want to check out.
Akasha Yoga – Yoga 101
As Julie Andrews sang in The Sound of Music, “Let’s start from the very beginning…a very good place to start…” This class teaches proper alignment to protect against injury, as well as the intention of each pose and why it’s good for you. Breathing techniques are also emphasized.
3211 Holiday Court #203, La Jolla, CA 92037
Mondays, 5:00 – 6:25 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:55 p.m.
858-622-YOGA // www.akashayoga.com
Angel City Yoga - Yoga Booty Ballet
“Shake your booty…shake your booty…” (Picture us singing…). So, this one is different…It starts with yoga breath work and instruction. Next is 35 minutes of cardio dance, then 10 minutes of strength-building ballet moves, then 10 minutes of hatha yoga to cool down and….ahhh…savasana to finish.
12408 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
September: Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Starting in October: Wednesdays & Fridays, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
818-788-9642 // www.angelcityyoga.com
Black Dog Yoga - Hour of Power
Name says it all. For those who want to get it done in one intense hour of Level II flow yoga.
4454 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 207, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
818-380-0331 // www.blackdogyoga.net
City Yoga - Therapeutics
Got an injury or prone to them and want to prevent another one? This top notch Anusara style studio offers a class geared to the healing and prevention of injuries, using principles of alignment.
7904 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 214, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Fridays, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
323-654-2125 // www.cityyoga.com
Exhale Sacred Movement – Music Yoga Flow
Flow to the beat from pose to pose in this great class that features rock, reggae, hip-hop, blues and world beats. Then finish with an inspiring message and a deep relaxation.
245 S. Main St., Venice, CA 90291
Tuesdays, 4:00 – 5:15 p.m., Wednesdays, 2:30 – 3:55 p.m., Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:25 p.m.
310-450-7676 // www.exhalespa.com
Golden Bridge - Kundalini Yoga & Aromatherapy
Take your Kundalini practice a bit farther with this class that incorporates the use of essential oils. In each class, you will apply a single or blend of oils to achieve physical, emotional and mental well-being, while practicing Kundalini and meditation. And, can you imagine how great the studio smells!
6322 De Longpre Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028
Mondays, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Thursdays, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
323-936-4172 // www.goldenbridgeyoga.com
Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa - Friday Night Yoga Workshops
A yoga retreat, resort and spa, all within reach! Make a weekend out of it at this newly restored resort and spa with yoga on Friday night, spa and more fun the rest of the weekend!
27984 Hwy. 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
Periodic Fridays, 6:00 – 11:00 p.m.
909-336-1511 // Click here to see the upcoming schedule
Laughter Yoga Institute of Laguna Beach - Laughter Yoga
Did you know that it’s a fact that someone can laugh for 15-20 minutes without depending on a sense of humor or comedy? How funny is that! This original concept integrates therapeutic laughing exercises and yogic breathing to enhance state of mind. You just have to get on this website and learn about the newest yoga craze! The Institute offers many workshops and retreats.
790 Manzanita Dr., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-376-1939 // www.joyfulb.com
Liberation Yoga - Five Organ Kung - Qi Gong
You might have learned about Qi Gong in our Consciousness Quiz II! This class uses the ancient Chinese healing practice to align the energy of mind, body and spirit.
124 S. La Brea Ave., LA, CA 90036
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
323-964-5222 // www.liberationyoga.com
Lulu Bandha’s - Stiff White Guys
We’re just going to quote what the website for this studio says… “You don’t need to be white or a guy, but you need to be stiff like a white guy.” Enough said…The focus (for men and women) is on easing tightness in the lower back, hips and shoulders.
306 East Matilija St., Ojai, CA 93023
Saturdays, 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon & Sundays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
805-640-7868 // www.lulubandhas.com
Maha Yoga - All Levels Flow
We’re loving this one…This mixed level class gives you options for the poses so you can flow to your own rhythm and individualize your practice as you transition in and out of poses to an eclectic music mix.
13050 San Vicente Blvd., #202, Brentwood, CA 90049
Mondays & Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:45 a.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m., Sundays, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
310-899-0047 // www.mahayoga.com
Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala - Led First Series Ashtanga
Instructor will call out poses and lead students through the full primary series of traditional Ashtanga yoga, a heat building and strengthening form of yoga, as practiced by yoga guru, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
24901 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Ste. 130, Dana Point, CA 92629
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. & Sundays, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
949-246-7315 // www.pacificashtanga.com
Runyon Canyon - Free Outdoor Yoga
How could you possibly pass this one up (unless, of course, you live nowhere near Hollywood…)? But, then again, it’s free! Grab your mat or blanket and head on over to this all-level outdoor yoga class under the SoCal sun.
Fire Groove/Indra Yoga and Dance
Runyon Park is at North Fuller Ave. & Hillside Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Everyday from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
www.firegroove.com
Santa Barbara Yoga Center - Eclectic Flow
Intermediate level with creative unique flow sequences for strength and flexibility.
32 East Micheltorena St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Sundays, 12:15 – 1:55 p.m.
805-965-6045 // www.santabarbarayogacenter.com
Soul of Yoga – Next Generation Yoga for Kids & Families
It’s never too early to start the kids on the yoga path. Created by Jodi B. Komitor, who wrote “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga with Kids,” this program’s teachers are NGY (that would be Next Generation Yoga…) certified and have backgrounds in education, dance and child psychology. What a great family togetherness activity!
681 Encinitas Blvd., Ste. 305, Encinitas, CA 92024
Family Yoga for 2-4 Year Olds, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Family Yoga for 4+ Year Olds, Saturdays, 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
Yoga for 5-7 Year Olds, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Yoga for 8-12 Year Olds, Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m.
760-943-7685 // www.soulofyoga.com
Trüyoga - ra'Yoka
This 100% green studio calls this class “hybrid yoga” because it combines yoga with martial arts and core conditioning, integrating lots of lunges and twists.
2425 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:55 a.m.
310-829-2420 // www.trifitla.com
Yoga Circle Downtown - Lunch Hour Yoga
So, you work downtown and it’s lunch time. You could go grab lunch with your associates or you can restore, revitalize and energize on your lunch break with a quick and convenient one-hour yoga session. Makes facing the afternoon a whole lot better!
400 South Main St., LA, CA 90013
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
213-620-1040 // www.yogacircledowntown.com
Yoga Groove - Feminine Balancing
Unleash your inner goddess with this female-centered class, focusing on awakening and increasing energetic flow around the second chakra (the sexual zone!).
10502 Magnolia Blvd., Toluca Woods, CA 91601
Saturdays, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
818-508-9434 // www.yogagroovestudio.com
Yoga Shakti Wellness Center – Elements of Shakti Yoga
Based on the ancient Vedic and Tantric yoga traditions, Shakti yoga combines Mantra (powerful sound formulas) with a balanced physical and breathing practice to generate energetic bliss!
19142 Beach Blvd., Ste. FF, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 // 714-968-9093
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. & Sundays, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
4249 Campus Dr., Ste. B140, Irvine, CA 92612 // 949-856-9642
Mondays & Wednesdays, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Yoga Soup - Spirit in Motion
The instructor describes this intermediate to advanced Vinyasa style class as vigorous… We call it a challenging, integrative and uplifting flow practice… She says it will “open your heart, energize your body, blow your mind.” Go for it!
28 Parker Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00 – 6:25 p.m. & Saturdays, 8:30 - 10:15 a.m.
805-965-8811 // www.yogasoup.com
Yoga Works - Candlelight Flow with Meditation
Yoga by candlelight…what a concept…makes you meditative just thinking about it. This is a well-rounded Hatha flow class in the famous Yoga Works style…just by candlelight.
1426 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403 // 310-393-5150
Sundays, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
230 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd., LA, CA 90004 // 323-464-1276
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:00 p.m.
1256 Westwood Blvd., LA, CA 90024 // 310-234-1200
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Make sure you keep checking back because we hope to be adding new yoga classes and workshops as we find them. And, if you like this list, we'd appreciate you passing it along to your friends!!
Do you have your favorite yoga class or workshop that we missed? Let us know at greatlists@whiteapricot.com.
