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Tuesday, February 01, 2011

one plus one equals ooooohh!

i recently submitted a piece on february partner yoga workshops for the upcoming issue of LA yoga magazine. since then, many more workshops have been announced, so i'm posting an updated version here...

valentine's day (or single awareness day, depending on which side of the relationship fence you're on) is upon us once again. and as is the tradition, yoga studios around town are offering workshops for twosomes eager to adjust, stretch, and massage each other. so check out the list below and plan to spend a fun time with someone you love, someone you like, or someone you'd like to get to know!


Valentine's Partner Yoga Workshop with Aimee Donahue & Marla Wedge
Friday, February 11th 7:00-9:00pm
Yoga Loft, 1112 Ocean Ave, Suite 103, Manhattan Beach
$50 per couple, $30 per person

both aimee and marla have backgrounds in yoga therapy, so if you have issues -- and who in LA doesn't? -- this should be a deliciously therapeutic session for you and your partner, even if you've never met each other before!

Heart-to-Heart Partner Yoga with Gina Riva
Friday, February 11th 7:00-9:00pm
Brazilian Yoga and Pilates, 3191 Casitas Ave, Atwater Village
$18 per person, $30 per couple


for valentine's day, tell your favorite person that you're taking him/her to BRAZIL... ian yoga and pilates (bringing your voice down to a whisper after the first two syllables) to catch some music and have a great time. ok, so maybe a partner yoga class in atwater village isn't quite the same as lazing on the beach in rio, but at least the wine and vegan cupcakes after class might make up for it! :)

Partner Yoga with Koren Paalman
Saturday, February 12th 10:00am-noon
A.D. 2013 Steampunk clothing store, 2539 Lincoln Blvd, Venice
$25 per person


if you've ever taken an iyengar yoga class, you've probably used all kinds of props in class: blankets, blocks, straps, bolsters, even chairs. after taking koren's class, it looks like you'll be able to add another prop to you repertoire -- your partner!

Partner Stretching with Shelley Williams
Saturday, February 12th 2:00-4:00pm
Yogaworks South Bay, 740 Allied Way, El Segundo
$30 per person pre-registration, $40 day of


shelley's workshop description includes the phrases "thai yoga massage", "assisted passive stretching and gentle hands-on adjustments", "ambient music and deep relaxation", "bring a yoga mat and a pillow". so you know what that means -- heaven!

Partner Yoga with Billy Asad and Joan Hyman
Friday, February 12th 2:00-4:30pm
Yogaworks Center for Yoga, 230 N. Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles
$35 per person pre-registration, $45 day of


billy and joan are two amazing teachers with many years of experience under their belts; they also happen to be friends who make any class they teach loads of fun. so expect excellent instruction, lots of laughs, and two and a half hours of perfect bliss.

Partner Yoga with Jon Burras
Saturday, February 12th 2:00-5:00pm
Yogaworks Tarzana, 18700 Ventura Blvd, Suite 210, Tarzana
$45 per person pre-registration, $55 day of


THREE hours of yoga sounds a bit intimidating, especially for the yoga newbie, but when you're partnering with someone you'd like to spend time with, i'm pretty sure you'll be craving more when jon's class is over.

Partner Yoga with Matthew Cohen
Saturday and Sunday, February 12th-13th 2:00-4:00pm
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, 245 S. Main St, Venice
$30 per person per day, $50 for both days


what a luxury it would be to have TWO days of partner yoga with matthew (although you also have the option of doing just one)! his class will include the energetic flow of martial arts and the healing touch of yoga. expect lots of core work -- but it'll be SO worth it!

Valentine’s Venus Kriyas for Singles and Couples with Wahe Guru Kaur & Guru Darshan Singh
Saturday, February 12th 5:00-7:00pm
Awareness Center Yoga, 2801 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena
$25 per person, $40 per couple


"Venus Kriyas combine masculine and feminine polarities with asanas, mudras, mantras, pranayam and meditation to generate strong psycho-magnetic fields. Divine energy is drawn in and is positively directed toward cleansing, release and the raising of awareness through the chakras to unite both partners with their highest consciousness." i couldn't say it better myself.

Sublime Connection: A Workshop for Couples with Lara Catone and Sarah Vosen
Saturday, February 12th 6:00-8:30pm
The Hub, 2001 S. Barrington Ave, Suite 150, Los Angeles
$50 per couple


lara and sarah are acroyoga goddesses; you've probably seen them demonstrating their cirque du soleil-ish moves at hip events around town. but don't let that intimidate you. the only requirement for this class is that you come with someone you love, and in return, both of you will be treated to an evening of yoga, thai massage, music, and candlelight.

Partner Yoga with Scott and Andrea Lewicki
Saturday, February 12th 6:30-8:30pm
Urth Yoga, 2809 W. Sunset Blvd, Silverlake
$40 per couple in advance, $50 at the door


scott is a certified anusara instructor and andrea is his lovely wife. together, they will guide you through alignment-focused partner poses that are appropriate for students of all levels. note that the per-couple rate means that you'll need to find a partner to bring to class. and don't worry about mismatched yoga abilities; you'll do just fine.

Date Night Yoga with Danny Gray and Jenn Lucene
Saturday, February 12th 6:30-8:30pm
The Jade Apple, 10502 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood
$20 per couple


danny and jenn will be teaching a partner yoga class for couples of all persuasions. you don't have to be romantically linked, although it helps if you at least like each other :) and if it goes really well, you can join them for date night yoga at the apple every second saturday of the month!

Valentines Partner Class with Dana Marcoux
Sunday, February 13th 10:30am-1:00pm
Silver Lake Yoga, 2810 1/2 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles
$25 per person


in dana's class, you'll be working hard and playing hard. you'll sweat, you'll climb all over your partner (in a G-rated way, of course), and you'll have a great time doing it, even if it's with someone you've never met before. this could get interesting... :)

Partner Yoga Workshop with Ally Hamilton & Caleb Asch
Sunday, February 13th Noon-1:30pm
Yogis Anonymous, 1221 2nd St, Santa Monica
$20 per person in advance, $25 at the door


when two seasoned power yoga teachers such as ally and caleb get together to teach a partner yoga class, watch out! asana junkies will revel in the strength poses, the hip openers, and the backbends. and when it's all over, there'll be V-day treats for everyone!

Yoga for Partners with Diane Magnette
Sunday, February 13th 1:00-2:30pm
YAS Venice, 1101 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
$25 per person in advance, $35 at the door - 20% off for couples signing up together


since YAS is the home of yoga for athletes, could it be that diane's workshop will be yoga for athletic partners? i guess you'll need to show up to find out :)

Couple's Valentine's Day Workshop with Christy and Jason Marsden
Sunday, February 13th 1:30-4:30pm
Yoga Blend, 1921 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank
$60 per couple by 2/6, $70 after


christy and jason are the perfect example of what a fun and loving relationship is all about. one can't help but feel happy when they're around, so imagine what three hours with them would be like! bring your significant other and be prepared for an afternoon of partner yoga, thai massage, and open discussion.

Partner Yoga with Karen Shuman
Sunday, February 13th 2:00-4:30pm
Karen Shumans Yoga Remedy, 4521- A Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks
$50 per couple in advance/$60 day of


from the studio's name alone, you can tell that karen's class is going to be a healing session for you and your partner. expect a mix of energizing kundalini kriyas, strengthening hatha asanas, and soothing yoga therapy. it's all good.

Partner Yoga Workshop with Dana Marcoux and Shannon Baker
Sunday, February 13th 2:30-5:00pm
Santa Monica Yoga, 1640 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica
$35 per person or $65 per couple by 2/6, $45 per person or $85 per couple after


yes, it's dana again (see his earlier workshop at silver lake yoga), but this time he'll be pairing up with shannon. this could get even more interesting! :) :)

Yoga-Atsu Workshop with Stella Cheung
Sunday, February 13th 2:30-5:30pm
Shakti Box, 4640 Franklin Ave, Los Feliz
$100 per couple before 2/11, $110 after / RSVP Stella: (213) 321-8218 or Stella@YogaGals.com


all you need to know about stella's class is that it's three hours of gentle yoga and shiatsu pressure point massage, followed by champagne, strawberries, and other goodies. sounds like the perfectly decadent gift for your valentine, doesn't it?

Ecstatic Connections with Ryan Patterson & Nianna Bray
Sunday, February 13th 2:30-5:30pm
5 Point Yoga, 23410 Civic Center Way, Suite E-3, Malibu
$88 per couple


according to the workshop description: "join us for an enlightening time of intimacy building through the science and practice of tantra yoga.. after you indulge in each other, organic wine and raw chocolate will be provided for you to further indulge in bliss." and maybe some sir richard's condoms, too? :)

Partner Yoga with Sarah Canfield
Sunday, February 13th 6:30-8:30pm
Hot 8 Yoga, 1422 2nd St, Santa Monica
$30 per couple before 2/12, $35 after


bring a lover or a friend for some shared yoga fun with sarah. by the way, there isn't any mention about them turning up the heat for the class, but if you do end up sweating up a storm, there are showers at the studio so you can clean up nicely before dinner on the promenade (which is an easy stroll away).

Valentine's Partner Workshop with Erin Fukuda and Andrew Gavigan
Sunday, February 13th 7:30-9:30pm
The Yoga Collective (formerly YogaCo), 1408 3rd St Promenade, 3rd Flr, Santa Monica
$50 per couple by 2/5, $65 after


you can't plan it any better than this: an early dinner at any one of the many cafes on the promenade, partner yoga with erin and andrew at the newly-relaunched collective (it's tucked away on the third floor above the lush store), then if you're still up to it, maybe a late-night movie... without needing to move your car or your bike!

Partner Yoga with Rebecca and Anthony Benenati
Monday, February 14th 5:30-7:30pm
City Yoga, 1067 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles
$45 per couple before 2/7, $50 after


looking for a class that emphasizes alignment and core strength? look no further; anthony and rebecca will see to it that you and your loved one get your fill of bending, balancing, breathing, and bonding. if you've never done a partner yoga class before, not to worry; you'll be in great hands.

Couples Yoga For Friends, Lovers, and Family with Todd Jensen & Jennifer Kelly
Monday, February 14th 6:00-8:00pm
The Yogi Tree, 4475 Vineland Ave, Toluca Lake
$15 per person or $25 per couple


"on gratitude" author todd and his wife jenn will lead you through a kundalini yoga session of meditation, breathwork, and venus partner kriyas. you'll also be chanting and moving along to one of todd's amazingly eclectic playlists. when it's all over, you'll be grateful you decided to spend quality time on yourself and with a loved one.

Valentine's Ahimsa Flow with Partnering with Sonya Enchill
Monday, February 14th 6:30-8:00pm
Dharma Yoga LA, 5376 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles
By Donation

if you're on a tight budget, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to experience partner yoga, too! while many of sonya's classes usually cost $12 each (which is still a steal here in LA!), this class is by donation. so please remember to give from the heart and share the happiness that you feel when the class is over.

Valentine's Day Celebration with Gurmukh and Tej
Monday, February 14th 7:00-9:00pm
Golden Bridge Yoga, 1357 N Highland Ave, Hollywood ** note: NEW LOCATION!
$20 per person before 2/14, $25 after


kundalini yoga at golden bridge. gurmukh. tej. vegetarian treats from the nite moon cafe. i know; you've probably already signed up for this energetic, yet blissful, heart-centered evening. sat nam!

Three Special Classes on Valentine's Day at Yogaworks South Bay
Monday, February 14th 7:35-10:00pm
Yogaworks South Bay, 740 Allied Way, El Segundo
FREE!


you'll have three different classes to choose from (but since they're all held simultaneously, you can only pick one unless you've mastered the art of being in two places at the same time): a gentle partner class with casey coda, a singles celebration candlelight flow with john neidlinger, and a YW level 1 class with rachael simmons. and when you're done, you'll be treated to wine and cheese provided by whole foods!

Partner Yoga Workshop with Adam and Samantha
Sunday, February 20th noon-2:00pm
Yoga Bindu, 718 S. Weymouth Ave, San Pedro
$20 per person (pre-payment by 2/16 appreciated)


the beauty of adam and samantha's workshop is that it's a full week AFTER valentine's day. so you can have your dinner date on one weekend, then your yoga date the next. or if you're a partner yoga addict, this is your chance to do back-to-back weekends. and you can even show up solo and they'll match you up. yay!

2 Comments:

Anonymous Segovia Smith said...

I love what Mark Victor Hansen says when he explains the math behind 1 + 1. He holds his hands out in front of himself, pointing each index finger up. Then he says "Contrary to popular belief, 1 + 1 is not what you think, ooooooohh no! In fact 1 + 1 = 11" and then he brings his two index fingers together and begins to explain the reason the sky is blue and the rest of the meanings behind all the hidden questions of the universe.

11:52 PM  
Anonymous Yoga Teacher Training said...

Catchy title! Valentines can be yoga treat day for yourself or one that can be done with your partner. It's not traditional but it can be a lot of fun! The word that you used to describe it is even better, it can be bliss!

12:18 AM  

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