Liberation Yoga: Harmony of Body, Mind and Spirit

Centrally located in the La Brea district, Liberation Yoga has something for everyone - from aspiring yogis to seasoned pros. And the studio's beautifully appointed indoor/outdoor studios foster a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere.

In addition to yoga classes, Liberation Yoga offers acupuncture, Shiatsu, deep tissue and pregnancy massage in its private treatment room. We were treated to a wonderfully healing session with Shiatsu expert Ako Matsukawa.

The yoga studio features over a dozen certified instructors, offering a diverse array of classes. Among the choices are Gentle Yoga, Kundalini, Iyengar, and Ayur-Yoga, which incorporates Ayurvedic principles into alignment and flow.

Studio owner Christine Burke teaches a candlelit Sunday evening flow class - the perfect way to finish up the weekend and prepare oneself for the busy week ahead. We attended a Level 1 class in the garden. Throughout the 90-minute class, the instructor provided excellent verbal guidance (and a little hands-on adjustment as needed) so that we truly felt we were experiencing the very most each asana had to offer. She wrapped up the class with an extended shavasana (corpse pose) - we were so relaxed that we almost fell asleep.

All of the studio's weekday classes are only $10 before 6:00 PM. Evening and weekend classes are $14, but other discounts are available. Please visit the studio's website for a full schedule and pricing information.

Review originally published 12/23/04.