Goda Yoga opened in downtown Culver City in the fall of 2000. They offered an introductory weekend workshop that intrigued my partner enough to sign up and I joined her. The women who own the studio ran the workshop and though I went primarily to support my spouse, I was gobsmacked with how much I enjoyed the practice. We went to classes three times a week and formed a deep friendship with one of the teachers. It was through yoga that I began to understand that I could participate in a physically challenging activity that had nothing to do with the person on a mat next to me, that competing with others was futile since we have different bodies, different habits, different lives. While my time on the mat expanded the space between joints, elongated tight muscles, and connected my conscious mind to parts of my body that had been on autopilot my whole life; the biggest change I experienced was with my relationship to my body. Comparison and competition were stopping me from being a physical person. The crippling fear of coming in dead last, or looking stupid while trying something new, or not being good at something had stopped me from trying. Yoga changed everything for me. I was very lucky to find a teacher who led a secular practice with a rigorous focus on forging connections between the mind and body. She knew her anatomy, was unafraid of a challenge, and would only praise me for showing up – regardless of results. There are a wide variety of classes in this neighborhood studio. The two co-owners met via Anna Forrest’s teacher training, but both have evolved their own practice as teachers and studio owners. If you are looking for a wonderful studio committed to its students and community, I highly recommend GODA Yoga.
(310) 287-1255, 9711 Washington Blvd, Culver City