420 Yoga

Spacious and pleasant, ample parking. Liz is knowledgeable and fun to learn from! «Highly» recommended.

Liz is such a well informed teacher and the class has such a cool vibe! I can’t recommend this class enough. Go!

My first time here, I had an amazing experience! I’ve taken lots of yoga classes over the years but I’ve never had a teacher like Liz McDonald before. She worked with me privately and guided me through a number of poses as well as a meditation which cleared several blocked areas for me — both physically and spiritually/​emotionally. Liz is a natural-​born healer and I am thrilled to have found her. The studio, itself, is accessible and has a pleasant, laid-​back vibe. I will definitely be back!

This is a great yoga oasis in Atwater Village. The free parking situation is fantastic since you can park with no problem right in the lot. I imagine a lot of people don’t know of the studio because of it’s off the beaten path location, and this is one of it’s best features.
It’s a nice, medium sized studio (almost like a miniature Exhale, Venice) which allows for a little more individual attention. I took a ²⁄₃ class with Alessandra and after opening up there was a good balance of standing poses and inversions and I was very comfortable working at my own level in her class.
There’s no desk staff and the teachers sign you in so I always make sure to check the schedule online before heading over.

Relatively new to yoga practice, and this place is a super comfortable environment with highly knowledgable, friendly instructors. Many interesting extra-​curricular events as well, such as meditative soundbaths and occasional parties…

I highly recommend this place. Never really been into yoga, but always wondered about the benefits. This place is perfect for people who are looking for a chill spot to do yoga and relax. The studio was nice, quiet, and very comforting. Class size was perfect so you get all the attention from the teacher, without feeling like you have to fight for it. today’s class was focused on restoration so it was very mellow and not too technical. Perfect for me since im a beginner and just needed to loosen up. And to make it even better, Pandya, the teacher gave mini massages during certain poses to promote extra relaxation. Pandya was very nice, patient, and she was very helpful to fix my poses if i wasnt in the right position. Liz, the owner, was also there and she was super welcoming and warm. Im looking forward to taking her class soon. Check this place out and for sure your gonna come out feelin good.

This studio has a very welcoming energy. All the classes and instructors have been great. I always leave feeling stretched, relaxed and happy.

BYP is easily the best yoga studio I’ve ever gone to. The studio itself is bright, airy, and large enough that you never feel crowded during classes. I’ve taken classes with nearly every instructor here, and each one has been fantastic in their own way. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, and I love the fact that they have their own huge parking lot. The monthly unlimited pass is also unbelievably affordable at $ 69/​month. Go!

Not only is this yoga studio space welcoming and soothing, it is the workspace of a gifted and insightful healer, owner Liz. I have been in recovery mode for about a year from a broken ankle and surgery, which also led to the development of structural problems in my feet. I’ve had numerous dr visits, xrays, orthotics, and spent way too much money on different kinds of shoes to try to get some relief from pain and so I could transition out of walking like Frankenstein. Zip. Nada.
I scheduled a private session with Liz. Culling from years of experience studying the body and movement, as well as a breadth of techniques she has learned to relieve her own physical issues, she analyzed my posture and my feet and shared much more insight than any of the medical doctors I’ve seen. In just the first session, she taught me exercises to do and ways to hold my body that have already made a significant difference and brought me more flexibility. She has put my body on the road to recovery and I’m deeply grateful.
I also took a wonderful workshop at her studio which combined restorative yoga and the sound vibrations generated by crystal bowls. It was transcendental, indeed! This is a great space for healing body and mind and I highly recommend private sessions with Liz.

In a way I’ve wanted to keep this place a secret but that’s not very good Unilocalsmanship now is it?
BYP deserves some mad props, and props is what I’m giving.
The studio is great, comfortable and airy. They have everything you could possibly need to get started like bolsters, eye pillows, straps, mats, and blocks all ready to go.
They have heat, air conditioning, a chill outdoor area and great music. The entire back wall is lined with mirrors which helps a lot when inspecting and adjusting your form.
Liz, Rob, Stefani, Karen, Brooke, and every other teacher I’ve had the pleasure of taking a class with here is fantastic in their own special way.
There’s so much to say about each of their teaching styles that I could write for days. But I won’t — it’s now up to *you* to come experience what this place is all about!
See you there.

This is the first Unilocal review I’ve ever written, because this is the first business that I’ve ever really loved enough to feel inspired to write one. I’ve been taking yoga classes at Brazilian yoga for the past two months on a monthly membership, which is a fantastic deal at $ 69/​month. I live in Mt. Washington, so the convenient location in Atwater makes it close enough to easily go 4 – 5 times a week. I’ve been to classes with all of the yoga teachers, I think, and Brazilian yoga is definitely my favorite yoga studio that I’ve been to in LA. All the classes have a really positive vibe, and the studio is very clean and comfortable, with a wide variety of props. Here’s a quick rundown of the different teachers.
Liz is the owner and teaches on Saturday afternoons, as well as filling in for other classes. She plays a great mix of music and the class is always really fun, with a good challenge level, which is always adaptable to the participant’s needs/​readiness. Her class is good for beginners as well as advanced yogis.
Rob teaches Thursday and Friday evenings, and his class also is well suited to a variety of experience levels. He also plays a great mix of music and provides a lot of great anatomical insights as well as spiritual/​mythological links to the asanas.
Anne teaches the Wednesday night «Flex Pistols» class, which as the name suggest, is a fast-​paced asana flow class to a rockin’ soundtrack. This class has usually been pretty challenging for me, but also accommodates beginners.
Karen teaches a beginner class, on Tuesdays, but it sometimes can be the most challenging class of the week, depending on how hard participants are in the mood to work. In general, I think all of the classes, could really be considered mixed-​levels classes.
Stefani teaches a great Sunday afternoon class, which is generally pretty mellow. It’s absolutely just right for Sunday afternoon, at the end of the weekend with the work week about to start: restorative and relaxing.
I’ve only been able to make it to Vince’s class once so far, but I enjoyed his traditional Hatha yoga and Kundalini approach.
Overall, this is an awesome yoga studio, that anyone in the Atwater/​Mt. Washington/​Silverlake area would enjoy.

The studio is open and airy and has a very nice feel to it. The instructors are extremely friendly and really know what they are talking about.
The classes are great, but what has been life changing for me has been the private instruction i’ve gotten from Liz in her private lessons. I started doing Yoga for restorative healing and it has been life changing. I was on the matt doing yoga with Liz and I could feel the noise in my head go down in volume and I felt like my eyes got better. I had my eyes checked and I am less near sighted then I used to be.
If you”ve been the least bit curious about yoga I can’t think of a better place to see what it is all about.

I (Michael’s wife) have been attending Prenatal Yoga at Brazilian Yoga & Pilates in Atwater Village for 3 months now. There is a Tuesday teacher and a Thursday teacher, so I like the variety of the workout.
I always feel comfortable, and they even adjust class to fit how students are feeling. They don’t seem to be pushing you, but, I have noticed I am tremendously stronger, and that the aches and pains I felt before taking yoga have really subsided a lot. I leave class feeling relaxed and re-​energized, and sleep like a baby at night.
I feel more confident about what is to come equipped with the breathing and the positions I have learned in class. One teacher is an eager learner, and has been taking courses in teaching prenatal yoga. The other teacher has been through an intervention free childbirth herself, so she has some great perspective on poses for labor. The environment is relaxed and patient. I wear pajama pants to class, and all the equipment you need is already provided, including hot tea, if you like.

BYP rules. Liz and Stephanie host the 4:20 class on Saturdays and Sundays with the perfect mix of serenity and good humor. I am super picky about instructors and spaces but am never disappointed or annoyed at this studio. The space is clean and airy, the classes are always small so you get plenty of attention when you need it, and the attitude is relaxed so you don’t feel pressured to achieve poses beyond your ability. I have been holding off on a review because I don’t want more people to start going here, but that’s not very good karma on my part. Here you go world. Enjoy.

Went here on a whim because it was the only late yoga class in the area on a Saturday. My girlfriend and I almost didn’t go because it was called 4:20 yoga and we imagined a bunch of stoned dudes on bean bag chairs half-​heartedly doing yoga around the t.v.
What we found was quite the opposite. Liz was a tremendous instructor, able to adjust each class depending on the mood and needs of the group and individual participants. It’s a more mellow yoga class (hence the 4:20 reference) and as a result you wake up the next day feeling good, loose and just a tad sore, but not incapacitated.
Every class is different but Liz’s mood and expertise never wavers: Always positive, always super helpful, always hands on so you get the most out of the poses. I can not recommend this place enough.

I recently met Liz when she took a meditation class I was teaching, and I took her up on her offer to come check out her studio as a possible place for my classes, as well as a place to take yoga. I am very happy and grateful that I did!
From the first class I took with Liz, my whole vision of what yoga is changed, for the better. I’d had a few bad and ho-​hum experiences in the past with other teachers in different places, so was not particularly enthused about yoga, and not really looking for a place to practice it. But Liz’s classes are so great, so much fun, and she brings a truly wonderful and enthusiastic spirit and energy to teaching. This studio is totally NON-​judgmental, so if you’re tired of competition and judgment in your life, come here for a lovely healing break from it all.
Liz teaches the 4:20 class on Saturdays, and I now look forward to every class with her. By the way, she is also trained in pilates and other forms, so every class is a combination of various styles. I am always excited to see what she’s going to bring to class this time.
This studio is beautiful too! A little off the beaten path, and well worth finding, it also has a free attached parking lot so it’s easy to come here. Show up for a class and bring your friends!
Thank you, Liz, for creating such a beautiful healing environment. See you on Saturday!

Ambiance: I usually don’t care what a yoga studio looks like, BUT I LOVE how clean, airy, tranquil this studio is. Plus, the instructors are really good at adjusting the temperature of the studio so it’s never too hot. I also like the side mirror so I can see if I need to adjust my body. Every instructor is different, but are aware of environmental factors (i.e incense, candles, lighting, etc.) I didn’t think a workout studio could feel homey, but this studio does.
Note: I REALLY like the instructors and the classes I’ve taken so far. I’ve taken lots of yoga and pilates classes at numerous places too. The only reason why I didn’t rate it a 5 is because of the cost of the classes. It’s cheaper to buy a monthly package, but it’s still a bit expensive for me to do it on an ongoing basis. However, this place is REALLY GOOD to go to if you want more 1:1 attention as the classes are small. I’ve even gone at times when I was the only person in class. Perhaps the studio is having a hard time advertising its classes and that’s why the classes are small. I hope it doesn’t close down because of that.
Classes:
1. Zumba– I love dancing and a good cardio workout. This was such a fun class and the instructors really try to give you the just right challenge in terms of how much choreograph to throw at you or when to repeat something until you get it. I really liked the ZUMBA music.
2. NIA– I tried this class out of curiosity. It’s a combination of dance, martial arts, and performing arts. It reminded me of some of acting classes that I’ve attended in the past. It encourages you to physically free yourself. It was fun to try 1x, but I think I like the other classes more.
3. Yoga– I really like Decompress classes with Gina. I like that it can be physically challenging and promotes flexibility, but it was still relaxing from beginning to end. A great way to end the workweek.

I got to be honest, I am not big on the hiphop. Actually, I am more of a punk kind of girl. Normally, the hiphop would turn me off from a class. BUT, Lizs 4:20 YOGA IS AMAZING!!! I did a wall handstand. My body said NO, but Liz with her confident Yogagangsta (in a pitta kind of way) talked me through it, made me believe I too could do it, even if it felt like my body was saying no. She is brilliant, and knows her practice well. Totally stoked to have received a package for my bday from a loved one of BYP.
Love classes with Stefani as well. But have not taken with her at this location. But without a doubt, this is a group of instructors are very talented and knowledgeable.

UPDATE: Long overdue — I’ve attended several more classes at BYP and there’s SO MUCH to like.
STEFANI is hard to beat. I can’t count the number of times she’s made an adjustment that made me think, «so THIS is how the pose is supposed to be. NOW I can feel it! Why didn’t anyone tell me?! «I mentioned Stefani in the previous review, but she gets another bump here because she’s the gold standard. Go Stefani.
In addition to Stefani’s VERY well designed, super relaxing, exploratory FUN classes…
LIZ runs a bad-​ass, high-​energy session with copious good vibes. You’ll have a smile on your face the whole time and I don’t think I’ve made it through a class yet without a spontaneous round of laughter in the first five minutes.
The ambition and inventiveness of the studio is totally thanks to Liz’s big ideas and it shows in her classes.
She’ll often put the class in a new pose and then deliver some incredible description/​metaphor for visualizing exactly what your body should be doing.
A favorite recent example: how should the leg sink into the hip socket in a certain pose? Like a you’re crushing garlic in your hip socket. No amount of physical adjustment could get you there — but picture it like crushing garlic and you know exactly what to do.
It’s what takes you from «getting into the pose» to «getting the pose.» Do not miss. Liz rocks her yoga from the inside out!
NEELY runs the hypno-​yoga class and the yoga is every bit as cool as the hypno. Neely clearly loved the yoga first — then made the hypnosis connection — no gimmicks here. You’ll get an amazing class, THEN you’ll get the out-​of-​body hypno mojo which is really pretty amazing.
The hypnosis starts in Shavasana — Neely asks if there is anything you’d like to dedicate yourself to improving and she weaves your request into the hypnosis script. Very thoughtful. Very cool.
My experience: at first she spoke pleasantly and clearly and I heard it and considered the words and thought «okay, this must be hypnosis.»
Then I «hear» her talking and can parse out what she was saying but really I’m just repeating the words to myself silently without a lot of internal chatter. I’m still aware, but pleasantly relaxed.
Then I’m *aware* that she’s speaking but the words don’t especially register and I become aware of a very bright light. Nevermind that I’m in a studio with the lights dimmed. Nevermind that there are eye pillow beanbags over my eyes. I can STILL see the light and it’s a color I’ve never seen before. What?!
And I can remember thinking, «yep, something is *definitely* happening.»
And then Shavasana ends and you «wake» feeling profoundly serene, clear-​headed and ready to take on the world. I have got to try this again!
I’m most excited that there are still classes I haven’t tried. To those who have never tried this amazing studio — you’ve got a LOT to look forward to!

This studio has got the cleanest floors I have ever experienced. Really, I am neurotic like that, thus the yoga! It is such a gorgeous peaceful space with tons of mirrors where you can check your posture. I took the 4:20 class on Saturday with Liz, and it was fabulous – hot tea to begin, groovy music, some excellent new poses (camel was exactly what I needed to open up my chest), and a lively fun group of students. Liz gives amazing adjustments to your posture while you are in poses, and also has those little chamomile eye masks to help you relax. Heavenly!
Seriously, this place is a gem in the heart of atwater. Once you figure out how to get there (ask for directions! don’t trust GPS!) you’ll be addicted!
Bottom line: try something new, the space is sweet and pristine, and is the whole experience – body and soul.