Sweat Yoga — Local services in Santa Monica

If this is the evolution of yoga studios in the States, I am worried. I have been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching for 14. And this is one of the worst studio experiences I have had. Let me quickly list my major complaints. Before I do that, however, let me just acknowledge that Sweat is gym yoga. That’s what I was expecting. So it fails against even that low bar.

The teachers pay zero attention to students’ bodies. I look around class and at least half the students are not doing the pose properly. This is both physical dangerous and not a pleasant experience for the students. The music is consistently terrible. 70s rock. Modern pop. I like to go to class early and meditate but that’s not possible when they’re blasting Steely Dan. It doesn’t have to be “yoga music” per se but at least strike a compromise. It is WAY too hot. It was 105º the last few times I went (confirmed by the studio manager). Hot yoga is plenty hot at 95º. Don’t get me wrong: I love hot yoga and have been doing it for most of those 20 years. What’s worse is that their floor is heated. So when you’re overheating there is no escape. Even your water bottle is hot. The Sweat sequencing approach is to offer a short sequence and then ask students to repeat it on their own. This is innovative I guess. But I come to classes to turn off my mind and be led. If I want to lead a self-practice I can do that at home.

What happened to authentic, spiritual yoga focused on alignment, sequencing, and anatomical safety, with yogic spirituality woven in? There was a golden age of studio yoga in LA and SF 15 years ago and it has completely vanished. Was it the pandemic? Is it Gen Z? Maybe they don’t care about robust, spiritual yoga with thoughtful sequencing and good alignment. Anyway, I’ve tried just about every studio around LA and have yet to find what used to exist here. Maybe I’ll...

Come EARLY, even 15-20 minutes before class, not only to be able to find parking but also to check in (there is a screen by the front desk) and, most importantly- to find and secure a spot for your mat! All the other reviews pointing out how packed the class is are correct. Sweat Yoga needs to change that. Especially in a hot room, you want enough space to move your body freely. They maximize profit by squeezing as many people as possible into a hot, sweaty, medium-sized room. I've tried CorePower Yoga (both locations, on 2nd Street and Wilshire), and their classes are much less crowded.

The instructor, Isabel Galler, was excellent; she knew what she was doing and how to keep us motivated and focused. She guided us with her voice soft but firm voice. Are you in good shape? Hot Yoga will humble you really quickly! I had to leave the room for a minute about three times to catch a breath and cool my body a bit. At the end of the flow, you get a cold, wet, small towel to help your body cool down and recover. I definitely felt rejuvenated after the session.

The women's bathrooms and showers can get crowded. There are lockers in the women's restroom with a lock and code. The customer service at the front desk could be better. As I walked in, I wasn't greeted in any way. Street metered parking: If you come to the 6:30 AM class, you will find parking quickly and can put money in the meter at 8 AM so that parking...

I have been a member of this hot yoga studio for 1 1/2 years and consistently taking 4-6 hot yoga classes a week. Last week, I experienced the type of kindness, compassion and empathy from the studio manager, Olivia, that brought me to tears in a personally difficult and dark time. Hot yoga itself has done wonders for my mental health but the community of people that work in this space, particularly at Sweat Yoga, is unmatched and has added to my life is such a positive way. There are good people in this world and I want to thank Sweat for being a part of that positive outlook and hope.

Besides this hot studio being the BEST in LA based on its unique vibe, and having such a wonderful front desk team, the instructors here are not only the best but people that you genuinely feel like are your friends. I want to give a special shout out to Brooke, Dakota, Hallie, Izzy, Jenna, Kevin and Layna for always helping me leave feeling like my best self no matter what I am mentally thinking when I walk into class. ...