Welcome to Soul Fitness LA! Here's what you need to know to get started!
If you are new to yoga or enjoy a slower pace practice: We recommend Gentle Yoga, Yin/Restorative, Slow Deep Stretch, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini & Mat Pilates.
New to studio? Here's what you need to know:
Location : 1209 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
We're located on PCH, between Ave D & E. West side (Beach side) of PCH. Across from Crossfit Redondo.
Parking : Sorry we can't take PCH parking. FREE street parking on Ave D & E! Please be mindful to only take up 1 parking space and not to block anyone's driveways. Please do your best not to inconvenience our neighbors. Since we don't have a parking lot, we save PCH parking for the packaging store & music store next to us for their customers to transfer their big packages & equipments.
Arrive early: Doors will be locked while the class is in session. The silent, uninterrupted time in the start of the class sets the tone & intension for the practice with a grounding posture. It's also unsafe for the body to jump right into the practice without a proper warm up. For our big classes: your reserved spot will be given away to those who arrive early to class if you are not present 15-10 minutes before class starts.
Before Class: Register online for a class or arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled class to register in person. Be sure to say it's your first time and let the teacher know if you have any injuries he/she should know about! Some teachers provide light hands on adjustments, please let the teacher know before class if you rather not be touched during class your practice.
What to bring: A smile to share 🙂 you are going to feel amazing! Yoga mat. Water if you need and a towel for sweat - if you forget or don't have one, we rent mats for $2 and towels for rental for $1. Free rentals with each check-in to the studio through Yelp or social media. We also have community water for free and cold bottled water & cold drinks for sale. (If you are bringing your cell phone into the studio, please put it on silent when you enter). Most of all, come as you are!
Class cancellation guidelines: Cancelation to a booked class must be submitted 12 hours prior to class time. Cancellation must be submitted online. Any questions not being abel to cancel must be submitted through email: info@soulfitnessla.com. No show / no cancel : If you reserve the spot and do not cancel out of class, you will be charged the full single class drop in rate.
New to yoga? Awesome! Welcome!
Classes We Recommend: We highly recommend at least 1 private session to prepare you to enter into group classes confidently and safely. Below are the group classes we recommend if you are new to the studio, new to yoga, coming back to yoga after a long time, enjoy a slower pace practice or for athletes. We recommend for you start of at a slower pace to get to know your body that may be moving in certain unfamiliar ways, slowing down the practice will help you get to know the postures and proper alignment, learn the modifications that's unique to your body etc. Our Slower pace classes are: Gentle Yoga, Slow Deep Stretch, Yin/Restorative & Hatha Yoga.
Yoga Studio Etiquette: Be mindful not to step on other student's mats. Be mindful not to wear strong scented perfume or lotion just prior to entering the studio. Some students have odor sensitivities and/or allergies. Turn off cell phones/electronics during the practice. No electronic items in the practice area. Remember that savasana (typically done at the end of the class) is one of the most important elements in closing your yoga practice, and lasts about 5 minutes, never skip that for the safety of your body. Remember to always have fun!
What to wear: For yoga classes, wear comfortable clothes that stretches as you stretch. Clothes you can move in without them going over your face, because you will have your head below your heart in some poses (ex: down dog). Shoes and socks by the door before entering the practice area.
Don't take class on a full stomach: Trying to do yoga right after mealtime will hinder your practice. In order for your body to twist and hop into poses, the stomach can't be digesting something heavy. Best to eat at least an hour and a half before the class, but if you aren't able to and are starving, having a banana no less than 20 minutes before class should be okay.
During class: Flexibility isn't required to practice yoga. Resist the temptation to judge your body based on what someone else is doing. Yoga is a new way of moving your body and training your mind, so take it slowly and go easy on yourself. Yoga is suppose to meet where you are. Resist the urge to rush into a pose or to push too hard. Allow your breath to be your guide and to help you progress at your own pace. Instead of trying to forcibly push your body beyond its current abilities, focus your energy on seeking postures that make you feel great. If you feel any discomfort, that's your cue to back out of the pose and to try a modification or alternate posture that best serves your body. Just remember during your fist class, it's okay to feel incredibly awkward moving your body in ways you are not use to. Your mind might jump around and you may judge yourself or feel as though you are doing it wrong, but it’s all a process. Come back to your mat, smile, let go, laugh at yourself, and above all, have fun! Every teacher will be available for you privately before or after each class.
Benefits of Yoga: The benefits of yoga provide both instant gratification and lasting transformation. Too much time with too few results can be incredibly discouraging, and monotonous routines week after week can lead to stagnation. Yoga can change your physical and mental capacity quickly, while preparing the mind and body for long-term health. Whether your aim is to reduce stress, loose weight, tone up, build muscle, or gain weight we can put together a program that fit your needs.
Yoga and the Body:
- Increases flexibility
- Strengthens the muscles and tendons, especially stabilizer muscles
- Increases bone density of the entire skeletal system
- Develops balance and coordination
- Straightens posture and body alignment
- Improves function of internal organs via (a) proper posture so they’re held correctly and (b) internal compression, wringing them out so they work better
- Enhances cardiovascular ability, both lowering resting heart rate and making oxygen use more Efficient
- Burns energy (approx. 400 calories per hour),
- Weight reduction
- Decreases chance of injury
- Fixes muscular imbalances
- Stimulates the immune system
- Decreases cortisol levels, resulting in lower blood sugar levels and heightened insulin response, resulting in less inflammation and less chance of diabetes and heart disease
- Decreases the chance of arthritis and joint issues by moving full motion and “squeezing and soaking” the cartilage, giving it a flush and extra nutrients
- Decreases pain and fatigue
Yoga and the Mind:
- Increases happiness, improves discipline & enhances focus
- Increases your energy
- Increases Proprioception (the ability for the mind to direct where and how the body moves. Touching your
fingers to your nose with your eyes closed, or stepping back and having your foot land perfectly parallel to your other foot without looking takes proprioception) - Decreases stress, tension & inspires a better sleep
- Improves reaction time
- Improves performance on mental tests (studies have shown!)
- Provides time for moving meditation, if you’re into that sort of thing
- Enhances self-worth & gives a sense of accomplishment and pride
- Increases the chance of flow states
