The 28 best yoga studios in L.A. for stretching, sweating and spiritual awakenings

LA Times Lifestyle Feature, 1 Dec 2024

By Adam Markovitz

Yogazan’s motto, emblazoned on its studio wall and website, reads: “NO FRILLS. NO FADS. JUST YOGA.” It’s true: You won’t find any fussy decorations in this serene and sunlit room just off Ocean Park Boulevard. Nor are there kooky novelty classes on the schedule, or instructors calling for complicated inversions — just a steady calendar of various Vinyasa flows attended by regulars who enjoy a refreshingly chill, trend-proof approach to the practice. That’s exactly how owner Jay Co wants it.

“We’re not a scene,” says Co, who trained in martial arts and previously worked as a movie stuntman in Asia before a back injury led him to discover a passion for yoga. “Our classes are physical and challenging, and they’re definitely good exercise. But we think it’s important to preserve the meditative aspect of yoga that often gets a bit lost these days.”

On top of the regular schedule, Yogazan also offers occasional community events, like “New Moon Circle” gatherings and Friday night Shabbat sessions (hosted by a local rabbi). As added perks, the studio has free parking (in the lot behind the building and the garage underneath it) and plenty of walking-distance food options for a snack after class. For Co’s favorite, try Hurry Curry of Tokyo, serving up Japanese curries that are as classic and unfussy as Yogazan’s classes.