YogaWorks: Yoga Works for Everyone

Whether you’re looking for a hardcore flow or a restorative adult nap, YogaWorks at Laguna Beach offers a variety of classes for both your physical and spiritual needs. Founded in 1987 by highly-acclaimed yoga practitioners Maty Ezraty, Chuck Mille, and Alan Finger in Santa Monica, YogaWorks brings the best teachers from every lineage of yoga under one roof, making this ancient practice inclusive and accessible to yogis of all ages, sizes, and abilities. Their mission is in their name: yoga works for everyone.

Located on Pacific Coast Highway, YogaWorks Laguna is a yogic oasis in your own backyard. The studio has two spacious yoga shalas, a fully equipped pilates room, and a tea bar which offers expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. The rhythmic crashing of waves coupled with the scent of salt in the air instantly make you feel as if you’re practicing on the beach with your friends. It’s no surprise that YogaWorks is one of Laguna’s most beloved yoga studios.

From Ashtanga to Vinyasa and Viniyoga to Yin, YogaWorks offers both restorative and meditative class types for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students alike. They understand the importance of honoring ancient yogic tradition, while simultaneously meeting the modern demands of yoga. Although classes vary in lineage and intensity, each class encourages students to accept their practice as it is in the present moment.

At YogaWorks, it’s about the journey, not the destination. “We do not believe in a one-size/style-fits-all mentality, that’s why we offer a variety of classes that represent all major lineages,” says Laguna studio manager, Melody Hauer.

“We make sure new students get into the right class from the outset. Teachers and staff take time to understand their individual needs and what their goals are.”

One of the main factors that YogaWorks has always been known for is their esteemed faculty of teachers. “We have the most experienced teachers in Orange County. Our teachers are highly trained with the majority of them completing over 500 hours of training. Many of them have been teaching at YogaWorks for over 20 years,” states Hauer. Their expertise in anatomy, alignment, energetics, and philosophy empowers students to align with their breath, so they can explore the physical, psychological, and spiritual facets of their yoga practice through appropriate variations and modifications.

Still, the best part about YogaWorks is the sense of community it offers. Even if you’ve been coming for years, you’re appreciated and welcomed as if you’re coming in for the first time. “Real friendships are made here,” Hauer says. “We often see groups of students going out for a bite to eat or enjoying a cup of tea at the studio’s tea bar after class.”

It’s at YogaWorks where you’ll experience the true meaning of yoga -- the union of the body, mind, and spirit.

Madeline Plucinska is a writer and yoga teacher. You can find her meditating or flowing all around Laguna Beach, exploring both the physical and spiritual aspects of her yoga practice. Follow her on Instagram for her latest insight on yoga, wellness, and spirituality at @madeline.plucinska.

Photos by: Grant Puckett.

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