Overview
Highland Park Yoga is a community-focused studio in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, originally founded in 2012 and revitalized under new ownership in 2021. The studio provides a welcoming, inclusive, and down-to-earth environment, proudly women-owned and LGBTQ-friendly, with a vision centered on accessibility, simplicity, and joy. It offers a wide variety of yoga classes suitable for all experience levels, from strong and heat-building to gentle and restorative, taught by a diverse team of authentic and insightful instructors. Beyond regular classes, the studio hosts workshops, teacher training, donation-based charity classes, and virtual options, including a Pay What You Can membership for financial accessibility.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 7:45 AM – 9:45 PM |
| Tuesday | Open | 7:15 AM – 9:45 PM |
| Wednesday | Open | 7:45 AM – 9:45 PM |
| Thursday | Open | 7:15 AM – 9:45 PM |
| Friday | Closed | – |
| Saturday | Open | 7:45 AM – 1:45 PM |
| Sunday | Open | 7:45 AM – 7:30 PM |
Studio in Details
A Welcoming Neighborhood Space in Highland Park
Highland Park Yoga presents itself as a neighborhood yoga studio in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles. The space, which was formerly known as Namaste, was founded in 2012 with a vision of creating a healing sanctuary and supportive community. In 2021, ownership transitioned to a new team led by co-owner and teacher Lydia Stone and her partner David Gross, who aim to continue the original vision while bringing fresh energy. The studio describes its vision as one of accessibility, simplicity, peacefulness, and joy, with a light-hearted approach to the practice. People who visit frequently describe the atmosphere as unpretentious and down-to-earth, with a beautiful, clean space that has a lovely desert-y aesthetic. The studio features both a spacious indoor studio and an outdoor patio, though some visitors note they miss when more classes were held outside. The management is described by visitors as responsive, kind, and on top of things, contributing to what many call the best and most welcoming yoga studio they’ve been to in LA.
The studio’s identity is deeply community-oriented. It supports local artists by serving as a gallery space and has held events like free community breakfasts on its back patio. A notable aspect mentioned by visitors is the studio’s inclusive stance, with specific praise for being women-owned and LGBTQ friendly. The overall vibe, as captured by those who practice there, is one of openness and authenticity where people never feel judged. The front desk staff, including individuals like Nicole, receive consistent praise for being friendly, professional, and helpful, with some visitors noting that staff remember them even after months away. The studio also demonstrates social awareness, having closed in solidarity with a nationwide general strike, a detail noted on its website.
A Diverse Practice for All Levels
The core offering at Highland Park Yoga is a variety of yoga classes designed to suit all experience levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. The studio’s website states that class styles range from strong and heat-building to steady and breath-centered, and gentle and restorative. Visitors confirm this diversity, appreciating the various class types available to help accomplish different objectives. Many specifically highlight the quality of the all-levels classes, which make it easy for individuals to do what’s best for their own bodies, with teachers providing clear guidance through different options. The instruction is repeatedly described as superb, insightful, and caring, with visitors noting they can tell the instructors genuinely care about their teaching. Specific teachers like Steven Arcos are honored by visitors for their guidance. The teaching team is large and diverse, with many instructors listed on the studio’s site, and visitors love that each teacher they encounter is unique and authentic.
Beyond regular group classes, the studio hosts special events and educational programs. Its website advertises workshops like a Breathwork and Sound Bath session and a 12-hour Restorative Yoga Teacher Training. Visitors also mention that the studio offers lots of workshops and even a donation-based yoga class on Sundays where proceeds go to charity. For those practicing from home, the studio provides virtual classes via Zoom, with specific pricing options for a virtual unlimited monthly membership. The studio has also shown a commitment to accessibility through a Pay What You Can virtual membership option for those experiencing financial hardship, stating a belief that everyone deserves self-care. Class formats accommodate different schedules, though one visitor noted that classes can sometimes get a little crowded, which they see as a sign of the studio’s popularity.
Facilities, Amenities, and Practical Details
The physical space receives consistent praise from visitors for being clean, beautiful, and well-maintained. People mention it smells great and has open and inviting spaces. Specific amenities highlighted include fresh cold water available with glasses, free hot tea served after each class with varieties that change weekly, and a shop that sells yoga props, candles, incense, and Ayurvedic products. A charming detail loved by some is the application of rosemary oil by teachers at the beginning of savasana. The studio has taken notable steps for health and safety; during the pandemic, visitors felt very safe practicing there due to measures like mandatory masks, limited class capacity, and the installation of medical-grade air filters. People also mention special air purifiers that keep the air fresh at all times.
For new students, the studio offers introductory pricing options like an Unlimited Intro Month for a set fee and a 2-Week New Student 3 Class Pack. Regular practitioners can choose from monthly memberships or class packs. Visitors describe the monthly rates as very reasonable, resulting in great value. The studio also sells gift cards. While the overall experience is highly rated, one visitor reported a negative incident where a class was overbooked and their money was not refunded, which contrasts with the otherwise positive feedback about responsive management. The studio is located on York Boulevard in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, an area described by visitors as beautiful and not pretentious. For those interested in starting or deepening their practice in a community-focused, welcoming environment, Highland Park Yoga presents a compelling option grounded in a philosophy of shared humanity and self-care.