Santa Monica Yoga — Attraction in Santa Monica

Update: 2021 I continue to be grateful for SM Yoga in my neighborhood and even more for the streaming adaptation to the year of quarantine.

I have been continuing with Iyengar yoga taught by Timothy Grundy. Online two times a week plus in Clover Park once a week (with masks on and shlepping a few yoga props of mat, blocks, strap, and blankets). More recently Michaela Reis, has been able to teach again (in the park on Tuesdays). Both are excellent teachers and offer true personal attention to help the individual manage their practice while making modifications to prevent injury and achieve alignment. Because the practice helps to get you out of your head, it helps with restoring your inner balance, too. It just has to be experienced and these teachers are patient and knowledgeable.

Older post: My sister was visiting from Tucson and we went to the Roll Release and Mobilize Class taught by Laura. I tell everyone that taking this class every week keeps me out of the physical therapy office. It is good for everyone (older and younger) and will help to keep your body aligned.

I asked Bruce (the wonderful, friendly owner of SM Yoga) for a recommendation of an Iyengar yoga teacher at the studio as I needed to work on really understanding yoga positions. He recommended Michaela’s class. This is an amazing class for me. The teacher is fantastic, giving, and will frequently make small corrections to your body.

The class uses lots of props (blocks, straps, blankets, chairs) and a rope wall to get into different poses. This has been revelatory to me. It’s worth trying it out to see if this style...

I live in Northern Va. but my son lived in Venice and now is in Culver City. For so many years I have been visiting him, or house sitting, and made many friends while walking my Grand dog. During that time I went with friends to Yoga on the Beach, always sad when I had to come home including SMY. When the pandemic happened and we were all quarantined, trips out to LA were impossible. I am on my own, but when I heard SMY was going online it was a life saver for me. Being able to do a live class with a friend who lives in Venice, despite the miles and the 3 hour time difference, at the same time, saved my psyche. SMY peeps already know this. I was out in May -July so was able to see all the SMY people live and to do Cindy's class in the park, and a Feldenkrais class at the studio. Now that I know some SMY incredible teachers and Bruce and Daniel I see them as almost friends. What these classes have done for me physically is amazing as well. So my thanks and gratefulness to SMY and my friend Sara Sluss who alerted me to this happening on line...

I have been coming to Santa Monica Yoga on and off for many years. It is the best and most down-to-earth yoga studio that I have found in LA. It has both great classes but also a refreshingly unpretentious vibe and welcoming community. Bruce has been so helpful and accommodating when I’ve had financial limitations or needed to make adjustments to my community pass due to emergency surgery or had to be out of the country for work. Attending classes at Santa Monica Yoga has always been a great way to recharge when I am in LA so that I may be more effective at my graduate studies and work in humanitarian settings globally and in US marginalized communities. By far, the best part of COVID-19 is now I have been able to access Santa Monica Yoga classes remotely even when I am out of town or need on-demand SMY classes I can fit into my packed schedule. So, I look forward to continuing remote on-demand classes when I move onto my next chapter, even though it will no...