Santa Monica Power Yoga: Sweet, Sweaty Stress Relief

For years now, Bryan Kest has been teaching yoga in an upstairs studio at 522 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, and he’s developed a large and devoted following. That's why a second Santa Monica Power Yoga studio opened a few blocks away on 2nd Street.

There are a couple of reasons why the classes at Santa Monica Power Yoga studios are so popular. One is the welcoming community atmosphere. While it's true that power yoga is challenging and affords a serious workout, all levels of students are welcomed and encouraged to follow along at their own pace, and the instructors are always ready to lend a hand when needed. Another big draw is the cost: All classes are conducted on a donation basis, so most students drop five to ten dollars into the provided box at the end of the class.

Participating in a class at the Santa Monica Power Yoga studios offers a very different experience from most yoga studios. Classes can get crowded -- wall-to-wall people in some cases -- and they're demanding, as power yoga involves flowing through a series of asanas fairly quickly. The result is lots of bodies creating lots of body heat, so the room can become very warm. That's why participants are encouraged to bring their own mats (it's more sanitary than renting a used mat), and their own towels to mop themselves off.

Here are some tips to keep in mind before attending a class:

-Wear comfortable clothing, but nothing so loose that it will hang in your face during inverted poses.
-Bring a yoga mat, a towel and a bottle of water. If you don't have a mat, you can rent one at the studio for $2.
-Arrive at least 20 minutes early to ensure that you get a spot, especially for Bryan's classes.
-Metered parking is available on the surrounding streets, so bring quarters.

Santa Monica Power Yoga may sound a little intimidating to those who have never attended, but trust us: you're going to feel positively rejuvenated after attending one of these classes. And there's no feeling like stepping out into Santa Monica's cool ocean breeze after sweating buckets for an hour and a half.

Review originally published 6/24/04.