One Down Dog | Yoga + Fitness Studio — Local services in Los Angeles

I am a 18-year practitioner of yoga and spent years teaching and owned a yoga studio for 5 years back east years before. I moved to Los Angeles recently and was looking for a place to practice and have a community. I was looking to check out yoga places in my area and that's when I found One Down Dog, via a Groupon for $50 for a 10 class card. It seemed to be a great deal and I was looking forward to practicing.

Unfortunately, I had a hiking accident and sprained my ankle and I'm still not healed, with multiple tendon problems in my ankle area and wrist, as well as back. It took a month to walk unassisted by crutches and I'm in pain everyday. I am also going into debt with medical expenses and this is not easy for me, a person who loves to use my body.

The Groupon was going to expire after the summer. ( I didn't realize then that you could just use the $50 credit then.) After I was able to limp around, I went to One Down Dog to activate the Groupon because it was going to expire and thought I could take some restorative and gentle classes. Every time I looked at the app, I didn't see restorative classes (it was later pointed out that they have few, only on certain days and I was probably looking on days that they didn't have them.)

I took some "Chill" classes, which were NOT chill for a person with an injury (not like the gentle yoga classes I have taught) and did modifications but found the weight on my wrist and ankle to be too much even with modifications. I had to leave the class before it finished and found afterward that the swelling increased and I was barely able to walk after taking a class.

I waited to take another class. A teacher friend recommended using push up helpers to modify so I made another 2 attempts during the 3 months that didn't ended well. I had to seek more pain management with acupuncture and X-rays and tests with Western doctors and should not have tried. I was sad to not to get to practice.

My class-card was ending mid-month, and I felt badly to not to get to use them. My elderly father went into the hospital and we had a bad scare my cat was diagnosed with cancer and pneumonia, my class card was about to expire. I went in to the Silverlake studio to ask for an extension and was referred by the nice desk person to email Liza.

Liza took TWO WEEKS to respond to my email, a week AFTER EXPIRATION of my class card and said, "I have no leeway with Groupon and am unable to extend the expiration date however I would be happy to throw in some free classes if you purchase a class package with the studio! We have a 10 class ($150) and a 20 class ($240)."

As a former studio owner, I know that she could have easily changed my expiration date on their system. It wasn't with Groupon any longer. They had converted to their class card system. So after spending $50 and not being able to really practice and worsening my injury, I'm asked to spend an additional $150 or $240 to get some free classes. This sounds like a mercenary gym or an online scam, not a yoga studio.

I would've done better to just have let the Groupon expire and get credit there. Maybe I could've bought some yoga pants or some books.

I don't have a very good feeling about the place as it doesn't seem to have values that I felt important to yoga such as community support, karma yoga, and compassion. Needless to say, I don't think I'll be returning after I recover. I did feel kicked when I was down and I could never imagine doing that to anyone when you have the choice not to. I hope my sharing this will encourage them to improve their customer service and to be kind to people who are in need...

Why did I wait so long to check this place out? After a text from a coworker goaded me into walking the two blocks to the studio, a buddy of mine that I ran into at a class confirmed that this was one of the most affordable and well rounded studios in the area. Taking advantage of the unlimited classes with the new student special, I tried just about everything, and I can say that One Down Dog offers a large selection of classes that range from upbeat and challenging to restorative, meditative, and attentive to the needs of folks who are dealing with injuries. I don't see myself ever needing to take the Prenatal or Baby&Me classes, but they're there if you want them. The teachers are all knowledgeable, and more than one has helped adjust my props and poses when I didn't even realize that I was struggling or misaligned. It's nice to have an encouraging voice guiding your practice, even if some days you'd prefer an eternal sleep to a Twisting Half Moon. High fives all around.

Update (5/15/18) Ok, I've now been a student here for just over a year, so I can share a little of that perspective. After an unfortunate back-snapping incident last summer where my ego met a bounce house, I can honestly say that I don't know where I'd be without the teachers and space that O.D.D. provides. This group is impressively knowledgeable (Ducky is a back pain & injury prevention wizard), and they all constantly (and mindfully) switch up sequences in all the various classes to encourage an expanding and playful practice. If you're looking for more of a challenge, there's no shortage of classes that offer explorations of strength and balance. (Pro tip: Some of the evening classes fill up, so use their app to preregister. Some of the afternoon classes are sparse enough that they basically turn into workshops. Both situations are highly motivational.) As if all that weren't enough, they continually offer monthly workshops (self-massage w/therapy balls, 2-hour all-in practices, etc.) as well as a variety of retreats (rock climbing in Joshua Tree, trips to Mexico & Spain). Go check out the space, and take advantage of the new...

I have been attending classes at the Echo Park location for a few months and I absolutely adore this studio. I have criteria for yoga studios in order for me to attend 1. diversity in students 2. diversity in teachers 3. weekly classes that are donation or no charge to make it more accessible, and One Down Dog checks all of those boxes. They even have classes specifically for different populations (Latinx, AAPI, black individuals, etc.) which I think is wonderful for building a sense of community in a world that can be...hateful.. Every teacher I've been to is different from one another and each fantastic in their own right. I've attended Natalie, Lani, Jess (also the owner), Cindy, and Vanessa's classes and each are great for different reasons. There are a lot of times to choose from, which is great for my crazy schedule, and the front desk staff are super friendly and helpful. Carmen remembered my name after two visits, and noticed when I got my haircut, maybe I'm lonely from the pandemic but both warmed my heart lol. I really can't say enough good things about this yoga studio. I'm usually very picky and I'd give this...