Y7 Studio Silver Lake — Local services in Los Angeles

Y7’s IG is full of beautiful POC and maybe their locations in NYC are that diverse but this location in Silverlake was VERY WHITE. And as an Afro-Latina, I felt uncomfortable being in their small, shipping container sized studio with white women all around me and a white instructor who sounded like a stereotypical sheltered valley girl who has never been exposed to any of the rich BROWN culture & historical & spiritual roots of Yoga. The class ended with the instructor talking about her Ed Sheeran & Rihanna inspired yoga class on the weekends and I wanted to barf. I was so uncomfortable. It was weird and like a horror film being in a confined space when you are the ONLY woman of color practicing something that originates from other people of color. I felt like I was in Get Out. It was crazy triggering and traumatizing for me.

I stayed after to ask if this studio was predominately white and the instructor was infuriated with me for asking but it’s a straight forward question that I guess others are uncomfortable asking let alone answering. But its an important question because as a POC and a 300hr ERYT, I want to practice Yoga and feel safe and like I’m in an inclusive and diverse environment.

All of this has inspired to open my own space for POC folks to practice yoga & meditation. So thanks Y7 for the business idea! But you definitely lost a customer and I will certainly advise other POC to be wary of this...

This studio has been flagrantly ignoring COVID protocol during the pandemic.

Despite the public health mandate requiring masks indoors, including in exercise classes, Y7 has decided to make masks optional in the yoga studio. There was no prior information or warning that would've allowed me to choose not to participate and put myself at risk. Halfway through the class I look around and see that most people in the class, including the instructor, are not wearing masks and I immediately left. The room is small, completely full of sweaty people, and unventilated. If someone in that room has COVID, everyone is exposed.

The manager and HR staff I spoke with were totally unapologetic and refused to even address the Los Angeles mask mandate. It's really strange to me that a business would deliberately choose to put their customers at risk like this.

When I pressed the manager on my concerns surrounding the health hazards, she left it at: "this clearly isn't the right studio for you." At least we agreed...

Was inspired today to post an ode to Y7 🧘‍♀️✨ my favorite yoga studio in LA! While it takes a couple classes to get accustomed to their WeFlowHard style of yoga - being a regular is so rewarding! They have such an amazing, diverse + committed staff of teachers who each have their own style + flair. Over time you learn each pose by name + it grows empowering to truly flow on your own. With the candlelit room, Palo Santo burning + music bumping it’s truly a one of a kind, centering experience.

But a special new highlight is the Guided Breathwork + Cold Plunge class - and I want to give a special shout out to Marquita who makes it a truly spiritual + grounding practice each time. She reminds you every time is the first time, encourages you to set an intention - and I’ve had such profound moments of release in her class in particular. If you have the privilege of taking her class - she really knows how to talk you through the experience in the most supportive + encouraging way 🙏💖...