Goda Yoga

The perfect neighborhood yoga studio, where I’ve been practicing for the last 7 years. Welcoming staff and teachers, supportive proprietress, no hype at all. Just when you think L.A. has an overrated, commercialized yoga scene, you find an oasis in Goda.

I came here this past spring. For the most part, this studio was good. There were lovely teachers and the people attending the classes were great as well. I especially liked one of the restorative classes I attended. So for those traits, I would give four stars. However, I had one teacher, who I believe is the owner, who behaved in a way I found very inappropriate. For that, I would give no stars. I had been dealing with a pelvic floor muscle injury at the time (I’m healed now; if you need help with this — message me!), and so I was going to yoga but moving at my own pace and going slow, as I knew what my body could handle and what I was comfortable with. The teacher came up to me and asked if I was okay and I said yes that I was fine and that I was recovering from something and just needed to go at my own pace. She asked, with everyone able to hear, what it was, and I said quietly that I did not want to share at that time but I would tell her after class. (When I did tell people, it always took me a while to explain because most people are not familiar with this injury, and also I was not in the mood or in a space to share it with her or anyone in that moment. I was aware of what my body needed and I wanted to keep it private and just spend a class quietly enjoying some yoga.) Again, loud enough for everyone to hear, she said that she really wanted me to tell her what it was. Again, I put up the boundary that it was personal and I did not want to share at that time. Then, a third time, she pushed for me to tell her! Then, when I would not, she said in an unfriendly, indignant tone and with a gasping laugh as she walked away. loud enough for everyone to hear, «Well, then I’m not going to be held liable if anything happens.» First, I signed a waiver when I originally came to the studio (as everyone does), so she would never be held liable for anything. This seemed to be more about control. Second, I am not obligated to share anything about my body in a yoga class that I do not want to. Third, «no» means no. Finally, this is yoga. It’s supposed to be a safe space for people to come and practice at their own pace and comfort level. Instead, my boundaries were violated and I felt uncomfortable and unsafe.

Absolutely adore this studio. Was introduced to it via a tremendous Groupon deal and now that that deal has expired, I will gladly pay full price for another package here.
Great environment and instructors – especially for a beginner like myself. Really pleased with the beginner classes and learned a lot.
I even felt comfortable taking mixed level and other more advanced classes after only a month of beginner instruction at the studio.
I’m a little hesitant to even write this because the classes are already pretty full in the more popular time slots and I don’t want to let the secret of this gem out to too many more people, but I feel compelled to give them a good review after I was taken such good care of. :-)

Very calm and nurturing environment for your mind and body. The owner and all the teachers are fantastic.

Can’t say enough about Cheryl Moss and her beautiful studio — Goda! Cheryl is one of the best teachers in LA — she actually teaches! The studio space is so beautiful with the big mural and so much beautiful natural light. Tons of parking nearby. I also love Kate Duyn Cariati who teaches there regularly. I just went on an incredible retreat with Cheryl in Ojai and can’t wait for the next one. Love, Love, Love!

I love this place and their instructors! I had a great groupon deal and am very glad I took advantage of it. I have had 4 instructors and each of them is unique, challenging and very knowledgeable. I have never felt so comfortable in a beginner class. Free 2 hour parking around the corner is a bonus! I will definitely come back for more classes.

Goda Yoga! It’s my new favorite LA spot for yoga. The people here are amazing. I could list names, but it would take me forever. What I love most about Goda Yoga is the fact that I don’t get pretentious vibes there (like I experience at some other spots throughout LA). Everyone there is so down to Earth. It’s like a tight knit little family and they make you feel very comfortable and welcome.
The classes range from beginner to sweat until you pass out. I personally prefer the latter. I have been going for just under a month now and have already built up core strength like you wouldn’t believe. I’m very appreciative of their instructors for this :) I lean a little more towards the Flow classes, which help you build muscle fairly quickly. The best thing about yoga though (aside from the awesome body perks) is the way it makes you feel after class, knowing that you accomplished something tough and amazing at the same time.
Something most people might not know about: They offer 20% off for students and seniors! So you should go sign up for the monthly unlimited package because the savings are fantastic. :D
Oh and parking is over on Watseka :-: 2 hours free. It’s a good amount of time for a 1.5 hour class.

I just starting practicing yoga a few months ago, and after trying many studios on ClassPass, I find Goda to be the perfect studio for me. I particularly love Karen and her level one and lunchtime mixed level classes. She’s playful and real and always incorporating new poses, but breaks them down in a way that’s fun and attainable. I go at least once a week and there’s always something different. Karen is attentive with adjustments and encouragement and has a really terrific music playlist. Her lunchtime class is always packed on Tuesdays (may have something to do with people multi-​tasking their Culver City visit with the Farmer’s Market?), but not so much on Thursdays, so that’s a better day to go. The other students here are down to earth, friendly, and non-​competitive. It’s a good community vibe. Finally, I’m sensitive to too-​much spirituality in Yoga classes, as it’s not that kind of practice for me, and the classes at Goda don’t turn me off at all. There is an «om» at the beginning of class occasionally, but no mention of mantras or chakras or readings from texts.
Some of the nice touches that set Goda apart from other studios I’ve tried:
— several changing rooms
— cold filtered water fountain (I am shocked by how many studios don’t provide a water source!)
— complimentary mats are provided along with blocks and straps, so you don’t have to bring your own or pay a rental fee
— they turn the ceiling fans on if it gets too hot, rather than making you suffer for the sake of «heating the body»
— ample free parking via the Culver City lots, there is one right across the cross-​street
— the owner, Cheryl, is on site more often that not and is a truly caring, warm person

Lovely little studio. Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the studio but can get packed during certain times as people also park there for the restaurants closeby. Love the beautiful mirror on the wall and they have some great instructors my favorites being Nicole, Callan, Julie. If you attend any of the evening time Level 1 classes they can be PACKED… Like literally with people’s mats into the doorway and mats lined up a couple inches from each other. I primarily attended flow classes but did not like how they packed people in like sardines for some of the Level 1 classes so I stopped attending those. Other than the fact I feel they should put a cap on how many students are crammed into full classes this studio is great.

Really calm studio and a bit more spiritual than others I’ve been to (only in that they chant «om» a few times at the end). The teachers are very diverse and knowledgeable. They are all also actively practicing at other studios and take their personal growth seriously. It’s also less focused on power and more on growth in various poses. My friend and I really enjoyed the deep stretch class and flow ²⁄₃. Teachers have a lot of really good feedback and alternatives to differentiate for different levels.
There’s only one studio so the number of classes offered is lower than other nearby studios, but the variety of classes is surprisingly high. The studio is also small so for peak hours I’d recommend coming 10 min early.

GODA Yoga is a slice of heaven in the heart of Culver City. I had lived in the area for years but had never visited the studio until one of my favorite yoga teachers told me she was running a teacher training there, so I promptly signed up.
GODA quickly became my favorite place to practice and one of my favorite spaces in LA in general.
The community is extremely warm and welcoming; the studio is inclusive, friendly, inviting and features a gorgeous mural that transports you to another place as you practice. The teachers are great at what they do and the vibe is extremely supportive — I’ve never felt out of place the way I sometimes can at large gyms or other less friendly studios. No pretense, no frills — just good, raw, down-​to-​earth yoga with a family feel.
Cheryl has created a loving, welcoming community that is a real gem in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives — if you haven’t checked it out yet, DO! It’s absolutely wonderful and I can’t wait to continue developing my relationship with this wonderful studio and all of its members and staff. LOVE YOU GUYS! Thank you GODA and Cheryl for everything!!!

GODA is a Culver City staple for high quality, inclusive yoga that stretches the mind, body and soul. It’s clear that Cheryl, the owner, really cares about creating a safe, accessible, clean environment for yoga. The quality of teachers at GODA is consistently high. From Cheryl to Kate, Nicole, Leslie, Jules, Vikki and more, GODA offers a variety of classes for all levels– beginners, intermediate, advanced, kids, prenatal, injuries to name a few. At GODA, there’s something for everyone.
Besides the yoga, another aspect that I truly appreciate about GODA is the community that Cheryl has built over the years. Come here to do yoga of course, and even better practice in a friendly, non-​competitive, non-​judgmental environment. A healthy community is, in GODA’s case, a sign of collective appreciation for high quality service and it makes practicing here that much more special.
I recently completed the teacher training program at GODA with Kate and Cheryl. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in teaching or even looking to deepen their personal practice. This was a great way to deep dive into the practice of yoga with two knowledgeable, complementary, engaging teachers. From anatomy to asana, pranayama, meditation and beyond, the material covered was comprehensive and most importantly helpful in understanding how to effectively teach yoga to others, as well as practice myself. After 3 and a half months of training I feel well-​equipped to take the next step in my teaching journey, thanks to the expert guidance of Kate and Cheryl.
GODA is a prime example of a living, collective passion for yoga playing out through the day to day workings of a studio, its caretakers and its patrons. I will continue to practice here for years to come, and encourage anyone looking for a quality, inclusive yoga experience to do the same.

I’ve randomly attended yoga classes over the years, but decided to make it a more consistent habit during my pregnancy. I’ve been going to beginner/​pre-​natal appropriate classes once or twice a week for about a month now and I’m really happy with the studio. It’s small and very laid back, and all the instructors have been fantastic so far. I didn’t feel out of place at all as a beginner, and the instructors always make sure to point out the pre-​natal adjustments even if I’m the only pregnant lady in the class.
You can sometimes find street parking in front of the studio, or there’s a Culver City parking garage right around the corner that’s free for 2 hours.
My only wish is that they had a specific pre-​natal class at a more convenient evening or weekend time for people (like me!) who work 9 – 5. It seems like an awesome class and a great way to meet other expecting/​new moms, but I can’t often skip out of work for a few hours on a Monday morning.

What can I say about GODA Yoga? Cheryl Moss has created not only a studio but a welcoming community. I walked and drove past this downtown Culver City studio many, many times. Finally, last fall, I decided to drop in and give it a try. It had been some time since my last yoga class, and I had never taken a class in Culver. I was so pleasantly surprised! What a fantastic experience. The teacher was very encouraging and informative. The people in the class seemed genuine and focused. I didn’t feel like I was being judged or that I had to keep up. By the end of the class I felt that not only did I have a great workout, but I also felt grounded and open. This place is not about «show-​ga» or the athletics of yoga. Instead, it’s really about the whole experience. Letting go and opening up to the possibilities. Just beautiful. All of the teachers are fully invested in their students and the practice. They share their knowledge of Yoga freely — from the asanas, to dharma talks, mantras to meditation. A rare find indeed! GODA Yoga has helped me to change my body as well as my perspective on the world. I’ve managed to rethink my abilities and limitations when it comes to Yoga practice.
Fast forward about a year and I’ve just graduated from the GODA Yoga teacher training program. Kate and Cheryl were the perfect compliment to each other as they taught a dedicated and amazing group of Yogis. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to GODA for giving me the gift of Yoga on so many different levels. I am so glad to be a part of this wonderful community. Thank you!

I got a positive vibe whenI first visited GodaYoga months ago and my good feelings about the place have only grown with each class I’ve taken. The staff is friendly and warm, the space is beautiful and is clearly well loved. The teachers are approachable, extremely knowledgable, and generous in sharing their knowledge. It seems like the teachers are carefully chosen for their strong knowledge of yoga, both the asanas and the spiritual element, which, for me, is becoming more essential than ever. Cheryl, the owner, has managed to consciously create a yoga community filled with warmth, beauty, and integrity, not to mention a variety of flowing, creative classes given by top notch teachers. When I count my blessings these days, Goda Yoga is right there toward the top of my list!

I love Goda Yoga! This is the only studio I will practice in. It is so friendly and inviting. They have a lovely little gift store with really beautiful jewelry and handmade items. I love the studio and the gorgeous mural on the wall, I love the people and the teachers. This is a true community center. Goda was the first Yoga studio Culver City. There is a wonderful variety of classes. The Yoga classes feel very authentic. All the teachers are so unique and you really feel welcome. There is nothing pretentious about this place. If you are a beginner or a seasoned yogi, Goda has something to offer you. They even have kids classes and pre– natal. Parking is super easy. On the cross street Watseka there is a 2 hour free parking garage so no need to worry about getting a parking ticket while in savasana. Check Goda out!

It’s a nice studio, I’ve noticed there’s a class for special needs children which makes me very proud of this studio! The front desk doesn’t always feel welcoming, but the actual classes I have taken are good.
The first class I took was a Beginner with April, I’ve only been doing yoga for a few months, so I like to start new studios with a beginner class. It was lovely, she focused on posture and verbally guided us through each pose. It’s great for beginner or a relaxing class after work. April is also super down to earth and I felt great being in her class. However, I found I needed a stronger workout so I started going to flow classes with Nicole. That always gives me great workout, lots of modifications if you need them. It gives me a good mental and physical challenge.
Overall, I appreciate the aura of this place, get there on time because those night time classes get packed!

A little gem on Culver City.
It’s a small, cozy neighborhood studio.
There are 2 hour free parking structure nearby (very important).
I never tried evening classes but daytime classes are great.
I’ve been trying yoga for 10 years on and off and for the first time, I fell in love with Yoga thanks for Goda Yoga.
Aside from Senior, Student discount, they have KCRW discount as well.
Come and try!

I’ve started yoga at many local studios, over the years, and have never been consistent. I found Goda over 2 years ago and haven’t missed a week since! I attribute the frequency and quality of my practice to the unique and welcoming community at Goda.
I love Goda’s neighborhood feel, their very human and down to earth instructors, and the style of classes. They are all breathe focused and most of the instructors are mind-​body oriented. All of the teachers I take class from remember everyone’s name.
If you’re looking for a non-​intimidating, friendly, and peaceful community to become a part of, or you’d like to practice yoga for the traditional benefits where students are led to connect with their own style and skill level, come to Goda.
It’s changed my life!

This review is for Vikki who teaches Slow Deep Stretch on Sundays.
Vikki is a wonderful teacher, who clearly knows what she is doing. The only yoga I’ve ever done is via Netflix or videos that I’ve ordered. Her slow deep stretch was the perfect beginners class for me.
She’s always coming around and adjusting you if needed. And the class isn’t fast (obviously, it’s called SLOW Deep stretch) and she really takes the time to help you. And get you into the poses. She doesn’t just sit there, she really knows what she is doing.
And her voice is like warm cinnamon butter that melts you into the most perfect state of relaxation. I’ve never felt more relaxed, well unless I’m coming out of a spa, but this class a close second.
I only wish they were closer, because if they were, I’d be there for every single class that Vikki teaches.
Whether you are new to Yoga or are just looking for the perfect end of the day Yoga session, this class/​teacher are for you.