Power Yoga East

- 522 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Introduction / Overview

Power Yoga East stands as an iconic landmark in the Santa Monica yoga scene, offering a unique blend of robust physical practice and deep philosophical grounding. This studio is a collective of highly experienced Los Angeles-based yoga teachers who are dedicated to making the profound benefits of yoga accessible to everyone. Located right in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, the studio carries the legacy of Bryan Kest, the recognized creator of Power Yoga, which was originally conceived in this very city as a gateway to wellness.

While the term 'Power Yoga' has become a generic label for vigorous classes, the practice at Power Yoga East offers much more depth and nuance. It is a philosophy that embraces balance, recognizing that true power lies in the moderation found between the masculine qualities of strength (yang) and the feminine qualities of gentleness (yin). The classes are designed to be a multi-dynamic experience, combining a balanced flow with elements of physical exercise, mindfulness, and moderation, all within a supportive environment aimed at empowering the practitioner. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned yogi, the studio’s commitment to varied instruction and personal discovery ensures a rewarding experience.

For over twenty years, this establishment has famously operated on a revolutionary concept: donation-based yoga. This approach embodies ethics, generosity, and integrity, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone in the California community from accessing this healing practice. The suggested donation is typically around $20, but the core principle is "give what you can give," maintaining an upfront and transparent commitment to accessibility that defines the studio’s ethos.

Location and Accessibility

Power Yoga East is centrally located on a bustling and easily accessible boulevard, making it a convenient stop for locals and visitors alike on the Westside of Los Angeles.

The studio address is:

522 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

The studio is situated upstairs, offering a beautiful, bright space with "gorgeous well-worn wood floors." This central Downtown location is a major benefit, though it requires users to be mindful of parking, a common consideration in the Santa Monica area. The easiest parking option is one of the many large parking structures nearby, which often provide 90 minutes of free parking. The closest recommended option is the Santa Monica Public Library underground parking lot, with an entrance on 7th Street.

In terms of physical access and amenities, the studio provides the following practical features:

• Restroom

The facility accepts both Credit cards and Debit cards for payment of donations or other services, although the core donation-based model often utilizes a simple cash box or digital payment apps. The studio is a walk-in-friendly space, as there is generally "no need to register for classes"—you simply show up 10-15 minutes before the class begins to secure your spot in the spacious studio.

Contact Information

For location-specific details, class information, or inquiries about the diverse teaching collective, the studio’s physical address is the primary reference point.

Address: 522 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

Phone: Contact information is typically managed via their website or in-person at the studio, aligning with their straightforward, community-focused approach.

Services Offered

The studio’s independent instructor collective allows for a dynamic and eclectic schedule, offering much more than a standard single-style studio. Each instructor brings their own unique style and depth of experience.

• All Levels Yoga: The majority of the schedule, these classes are suitable for everyone from true beginners to seasoned practitioners, offering modifications to customize the practice to individual needs and expertise.
• Level 2/3 Yoga: Designed for the experienced beginner and intermediate student who is ready to explore a wider variety of poses, including an introduction to basic yoga poses and proper alignment, focusing on the relationship between breath and movement.
• Sarah's Level 2/3 Yoga (Strong, Physical Class): A unique offering that challenges students with handstands, arm balances, and core work, encouraging self-autonomy and exploring movement beyond traditional, precise alignment.
• Kinstretch: A movement enhancement system developed by Dr. Andreo Spina, focusing on developing maximum body control, flexibility, and USABLE ranges of motion. This class is designed to train joints, mitigate injury, and build strength within flexibility, and is accessible for all levels.
• Awakening Dance: A weekly process class and dance jam that uses music and a led warm-up to deepen self-awareness, healing, and bliss, with a focus on embodied anatomy and natural, unforced diaphragmatic breath.
• Ecstatic Dance / Contact Improv: Specialized sessions that offer non-traditional movement and connection-based practices for self-expression and community engagement.
• Mat Rental: Rental mats are available at the studio for a nominal fee.

Features / Highlights

Power Yoga East is distinguished by a set of core features that have cemented its status as a beloved institution in the LA yoga community.

• Donation-Based Model: The commitment to being a "western world's first donation yoga studio," with a suggested but not mandatory fee, makes yoga exceptionally accessible and reflects a strong ethos of generosity and ethics.
• The Bryan Kest Legacy: The studio is directly tied to the creator of Power Yoga, ensuring an authentic and philosophically rich practice that emphasizes balance, moderation, and individual expression over a generic fitness routine.
• Spacious and Inspiring Studio: The physical space is described as a "beautiful sunny studio" that provides a supportive atmosphere for practice.
• Highly Experienced Instructors: Teachers like Arjuna, whose instruction has "improved practice exponentially," and Jerome Mercier, who focuses on a simple, approachable, and challenging flow, are known for their ability to guide all levels, from beginners to more "seasoned yogis with advanced variations."
• Focus on Individuality: The collective model allows instructors to have a unique style and bring diverse practices—including flow, strength, pranayama, and elements from Ashtanga, Kundalini, and Bhakti—without conforming to a rigid lineage.
• Holistic Experience: Some instructors offer special touches, such as healing cocoa at the end of class, and the overall focus is on addressing both mental stress and physical health.

What is worth choosing

For anyone in California seeking an authentic, challenging, yet deeply accessible yoga practice, Power Yoga East is an exceptional and historically significant choice. What makes this studio truly worth choosing is its dual commitment to high-quality, experienced instruction and its pioneering donation model.

In a fitness market as saturated as Southern California, the donation-based concept removes the financial barrier, allowing the practice of yoga—which addresses mind-body connection and stress relief—to be available to the largest possible community. This commitment to generosity and integrity resonates deeply with many users who value substance over expensive commercialism. You are able to "drop whatever amount you do have in the box and make up for it next time," fostering trust and community over transactional business.

Furthermore, the caliber of the teaching staff is outstanding. Instructors are recognized for their wealth of knowledge, enabling students to "hold poses I never thought possible before." They are not constrained by a single, generic format. Instead, they offer a diverse schedule that includes traditional Vinyasa, specialized joint-strengthening classes like Kinstretch, and powerful, physically challenging flows that are not focused on "precise alignment" but on "giving you more autonomy to make choices that are best for you." This variety and the deep, individualized attention make Power Yoga East a genuine "GEM," a rare and powerful place to sustain and grow a holistic wellness journey.

Power Yoga East

522 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA