Overview
Peace Yoga Gallery is a distinctive wellness destination in the heart of downtown Los Angeles’s Fashion District, described by its community as an oasis of peace and love. Founded by inspirational teacher Cheri Rae Russell, it operates as a multifaceted community hub built on four pillars: live yoga, live food, live art, and live music. The studio’s philosophy, ‘Do yo -UR- ga,’ emphasizes accessibility and personal journey, rooted in traditional Ashtanga and Hatha lineages. Beyond yoga classes, the experience is enriched by the acclaimed L.O.V.E. Cafe serving raw vegan cuisine, rotating healers, sound baths, and regular community events. The atmosphere is consistently noted for its warm, cultivated energy, making it a refuge and ‘home away from home’ for those seeking authentic connection and holistic wellness in the city.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tuesday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wednesday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thursday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Friday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Saturday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sunday | Open | 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Studio in Details
A Multifaceted Oasis in Downtown Los Angeles
Peace Yoga Gallery occupies a distinctive space in the heart of the Fashion District, described by visitors as an oasis of peace and love in downtown Los Angeles. It transcends the typical definition of a yoga studio, functioning as a vibrant community hub centered around four pillars: live yoga, live food, live art, and live music. The founder, Cheri Rae Russell, is consistently highlighted as the heart of the operation. People describe her as an inspirational teacher, a pillar of the community for nearly two decades, and someone who cultivates relationships with everything she touches. The atmosphere is repeatedly noted for its welcoming, interactive, and high-vibration energy, where many visitors say they make new friends with each visit. The space itself is adorned with breathtaking and inspiring art, including pieces by Amanda Sage, contributing to a sensory experience that people find blissful and transformative.
The studio’s philosophy is encapsulated in its tagline, “Do yo -UR- ga,” emphasizing that if you can breathe, you can do yoga. This approach is rooted in making the practice accessible and personal, a principle visitors recognize as “real yoga.” The vibe is less about rigorous, extreme physical achievement and more about an inward journey, self-love, and community connection. People often refer to it as a “home away from home” and a “corner of light” in an area that needs it, suggesting it serves as a refuge from the challenges of urban life. The community that gathers here is described as warm, cultivated, and full of individuals invested in their personal growth and the well-being of others.
Holistic Offerings Beyond the Mat
While yoga forms the core, the experience at Peace Yoga Gallery is significantly enriched by its other elements. The L.O.V.E. Cafe, serving raw vegan cuisine, receives extraordinary praise from visitors. Cheri Rae is hailed as a master of this craft, with people calling the food unbelievable, incredible, and the best vegan food they have ever experienced. Specific menu items like a spicy, savory, and “cheesy” wrap are mentioned, along with fantastic desserts and juices. Visitors note that the food is made with love and can change the way one thinks about eating, leaving them feeling energized and nourished for hours afterward.
The studio’s offerings extend into various wellness and community activities. According to both the studio’s information and visitor comments, it hosts a rotating team of healers, bodywork practitioners, and ceremonial healers. The class schedule includes not only different types of yoga but also sound baths, medicine sessions, cleansing sessions, and medicinal dance. The space is described as always evolving, with regular events, teacher training programs, and semi-regular plant medicine retreats. Live music is also part of the fabric, completing a holistic environment designed to support physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This integrated approach means a visit can be much more than just a yoga class; it can be a full sensory and communal experience.
Practice, Accessibility, and Considerations
The yoga instruction at Peace Yoga Gallery is deeply influenced by traditional lineages. The studio’s materials state the practice is rooted in Ashtanga and Hatha yoga, with direct influence from the teachings of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, known as the “Father of Modern Yoga.” This lineage emphasizes vinyasa (linking breath to movement) and teaching yoga appropriate for each individual, which aligns with the “yo-UR-ga” philosophy. Visitors appreciate this authentic, philosophy-rich approach, calling it the style of yoga they were looking for and the only place in DTLA where they can find it. Classes are held in person, either in the studio or on the roof, and the studio has a unique policy stating “there is NO SUCH THING as late,” encouraging students to arrive without stress while still respecting the space by removing shoes and silencing phones.
The studio is located on the ground level of the Los Angeles Apparel Mart Building on Main Street, marked by a big Buddha statue. While many visitors celebrate the cultivated community and transformative experiences, it is important to note a practical consideration mentioned by one person: they arrived for a booked class to find the studio closed, which was upsetting. This isolated comment suggests potential variability in schedule adherence that prospective visitors may want to confirm. The food is noted by one visitor as being affordable, adding to the accessibility of the experience. Ultimately, Peace Yoga Gallery presents itself as a sanctuary for those seeking a genuine, community-oriented, and multifaceted wellness practice in the midst of the city, where the journey inward is valued as much as the physical practice on the mat.