Up Dog Yoga and Cycling

Well that was hot. And when I say hot, I don’t mean in the way Paris Hilton used to say it, I mean… It was hot as in sweaty, and no, I didn’t take the Brikim yoga class.
A friend invited me to Up Dog Yoga and on a whim I obliged. Not going to lie, the second I walked in there and felt the sweltering heat (with NO FANS), I knew I made a mistake (bear in mind, I probably went on one of the hottest days of the year).
I am no yogi… which only made it worse, so I was falling all over the place (like a fish out of water) and wasn’t really instructed on how to actually get in the correct pose. I had to TRY and mimmic the other people in the class, but who knows if they were even doing the moves correctly. Although there was this one VERY advanced dude who just went to town, flying sky high in the air… and as one point I swear he was humping the floor or something, I don’t know but with all the sweat dripping from his body, it just reminded me of a really gross one man porno. (If you are grossed out by sweat and germs, yeah, don’t come to this class)
I feel like if I were into yoga and knew what I was doing, I’d like this class, because it was pretty advance but this class I took certainly wasn’t for the beginner that I am. Definitely started laughing way too many times because I had NO IDEA WTF I was doing!
So to those of you who can bear the heat and can balance on your two feet (yep, I cannot even do that) and don’t mind being called a yogi and saying «namaste» at the end of your session, then by all means, sign up… But if you’re like me, yeah, don’t!
BRING:
*Water
*Mini Fan (LOL)
*Yoga Mat
*Towel
*A Few Ice Packs
*An Empty Mind
Oh and park in the hotel parking, they validate… Although I still had to pay $ 4 still…

This place is a total cult.
I have no idea what was going on, but when I went two Sundays ago there was a whole buncha buzz about the fact that Flywheel bought UpDog, so I have no idea what this means for the future of Up Dog, but the spin and yoga here are great and were cheap (when I went) because they offered an unlimited monthly membership. This is no longer offered.
We’ll see what happens. I still have a ten pack to use up.

In short, I absolutely love going to Up Dog!
I started going a month ago, and signed up for the unlimited monthly classes. Since signing up, I have made an effort to attend a class at least 4 times a week (have averaged out 5 days a week now), and can tell you that the spin and yoga teacher make it easy to stick to doing that. And because I am going so often, I am saving money with my unlimited monthly package.
Spin:
I do spin for about 95% of my workout weekly. Let me tell you, that I have not ever done spin in the past, and prior to now was not a very active person. I’ve lived a sedentary life lately, but I decided to get up and out of that rut. Great instructors like Sandra, Colin, and Gabe are what keep me coming back. They all play great music, keep you pushing for more, and make you feel like you are part of this community that wants you too succeed. I love that. I’ve never felt this way about exercise before, and I enjoy coming back everyday to get my ass kicked.
Yoga:
I’ve only taken the level ²⁄₃ yoga here with David. I used to be an avid Yogi, and even worked for a while at a yoga studio. The level ²⁄₃ here is a Vinyasa Flow Yoga, and it’s great, but a little too much for me. The teacher is great, and helps re-​position me when I needed adjustments, I was just looking for an easier yoga to add to my régime for the moment. I think I’ll try out a Yoga for All class soon and see if I feel better about that class.
Overall, Up Dog is a great place to check out and workout. The facilities are clean, the staff if über friendly, and they know you’re name even after just a week of going. Love this place, and I will continue to go until I lose the dreaded extra pounds I’ve put on the past couple of year, and probably even after (hey it’s cheaper than therapy, haha).

I love that they value community building, and since I work in the area, I am getting a great discount on classes! I have taken a few spin classes so far, with different instructors each time, and they each have their own style, which makes it feel like a different experience each time. My only gripe is that the cycling room is way too hot, but I’m getting use to that. The staff is very friendly, and the facility is clean, which is a major plus. I’m not big on yoga, mainly due to my lack of focus, but I look forward to challenging myself with that!

Disclaimer: this review is only for yoga. I’m not hardcore enough to spin so props to you that do!
I love Up Dog HARD. I’m kind of an obsessed junkie.
When I first started taking classes with Jake it was bad. I was that chick in the back of the room sneaking into child’s pose when he wasn’t looking (I think he looked away to make me feel better about being weaksauce). It was definitely a hard workout but I always left feeling more calm and my body felt refreshed.
I like to describe Jake’s class as a voluntary waterboarding. You sweat so much that when you’re in your downward dog, you kind of waterboard yourself with your sweat. Gross? Yes. But do you like it? Yes.

Like so many others have mentioned, I started here on a Groupon. I had done yoga for 6 years, 5 or six hours a week, then left my mat for the following 6. Neck pain and a really great deal on Groupon got me back. I began with Meaghan’s classes. She deserves the sterling reputation she has in this busy LA yoga scene. Her classes are fun, the people practicing here are good humored and courteous. Meaghan choses terrific music and surprises continuously with really helpful adjustments that make a big difference. I am grateful to her for getting me back to my yoga!
There are two other teachers here who are each stars in their own right. Briohny Smyth is nothing short of amazing. Her own work is nothing short of perfection. She is a yogini at the very top of the heap. Besides being able to demonstrate the most difficult poses with ease, she make everything accessible. the best part of studying with her (it is more than simply taking a class!) is her cueing. Her clarity, her poise and her generosity of spirit combined with her deep knowledge will have you doing things you never imagined were possible. It is UNBELIEVABLE that her classes here are not as jam-​packed as they are at the many other top notch studios at which she teaches. I almost hesitate to let the secret out.
The other wonder of the yoga world found here is Aree. She is a recent addition to the lineup here. I took her class one day just because it fit my schedule. OMG! She rocks. Aree employs a sequencing that will blow you away. Long deliberate and seemingly slow paced, she kicks the butt of everyone in the room, from the beginners to the hardened vets. Smart, charming, knowledgeable, she is a real treat. Yesterday I took her class here in the morning, then found her at another studio last night and took a second. What can I tell you more than that.
Updog has a GREAT staff. Clean space, plentiful parking. I HIGHLY recommend it.

This is by far the best yoga studio I have ever been to. I am a person who likes a challenge and have taken many yoga classes that are NOT challenging. Up Dog is full of instructors that are well trained and can help any person at any level. I LOVE THAT!
It get pretty warm in the room, but I think anyone who wants a good workout appreciates the sweat! It makes me really feel like I’m working. The music is great and not over barring or too loud. the bathrooms are clean. and all the employees are super nice.
I love that there is FREE parking with validation because we all know in this area, that can be hard to come by.
It’s also amazing that you can sign up for any class and not have to worry about having a bad instructor because they are all great.
Do yourself a favor and GO HERE!

Up Dog really got it right. It’s conveniently located, reasonably priced, clean, their teachers are bomb AND they validate your parking.
They have a couple yoga studios plus a big spin studio, the front desk staff is like a very well organized machine and impressive considering the sheer volume of people that come through this place at a given moment.
The yoga teachers are HARD CORE. I’m talking NO joke. I go to Yogaworks on Larchmont regularly but when I’d taken Meghan’s class here it pushed me to a new level and plus she offers a hot yoga class which really is fun when you wanna change it up. They offer 1 hour and 90 min yoga classes which I reeeeaaally appreciate b/​c sometimes a girl doesn’t have two hours to get her namaste on if ya’ know what I’m saying.
Onto the spinning. So one of my besties urged me to take Trevia’s class here w/​her. I’d been hitting Soul Cycle for a month and was obsessed but to hang w/​my girl I agreed and boy am I glad I did b/​Trevia is bomb. She is a spin-​teachers spin teacher and is likely one of the best instructors in LA and her cult-​like following is case-​in-​point. Her music is great, she’s super positive and self introspective in her teaching style and she will kick your ass on perfect form. The only complaint I have about their spin studio is that they seem to cut the AC to heat the studio which I am not accustomed to and didn’t like so much but the classes are packed so other people don’t seem to mind :)

I bought the groupon a while back for 7 classes and absolutely loved it. I ended up getting an unlimited pass and freezing my LA fitness membership.
I go to the really early morning classes and love them. The teachers are great. I especially love Emily and Charlene. The parking is SUPER easy. I’ve only been to the spin classes so far– they are fun and challenging. I was intimidated by the size of the spin room at first– it is small and you can get clostrophobic. Also– it is HOT in there. Make sure you don’t wear anything to heavy. Expect to sweat!

This gym is excellent! Validated parking (which can get tight since there are limited spots but there’s a valet guy for you to pass your keys to) for two hours, nice showers and very enthusiastic staff (both in front and in the class). I barely survived spin class, which means its challenging and great. The yoga was actually surprisingly difficult and made my abs sore for days afterwards! I’m usually bored with yoga but not here! Anddddd I sprained my ankle two days after I started my monthlong deal and they were willing to freeze it until I got better. A+ for customer service!

Great place, great instructors and very clean… (full showers which is rare).
Poor music choices. I love spinning to upbeat pop and electronic music… Instructors here play a lot of rock, classic rock and slower stuff.
It’s just a personal preference I know that is why they get 5 stars.

When I joined Up Dog I wasn’t sure what to expect, nor did I have any fitness goals. I was just looking to recapture some of the athleticism that I had in my 20’s!
Meet Adam Goldstein: He immediately captured my attention mostly because of his energy and spirit that knows no boundaries! Adam does it all! Whether on the bike or off the bike doing back-​flips, he’s both inspired and inspiring and is a natural entertainer! «This is awesome,» I said, «I’ve hit the fitness jackpot!» With expectations set so high; it’s easy to experience a letdown, yeah? WRONG! As I started taking his classes more regularly– I’ve come to realize that his classes are fun, focused, challenging, has the best music ever and now I’m addicted!
If that’s all there was to Adam’s classes it would be more than enough, but he also has a way of mixing things up so the classes aren’t repetitive, where in his words «tricking your muscles,» means we benefit from a host of new variations to an exercise… really, another hill after a 7 min hill? Yes, it’s amazing and super hard!
One of his many talents is his ability to lead a class of 30, or so and make you feel like you’re the only one there! Also, his timing for knowing when to provide instruction is spot on!
I feel really lucky to have discovered Adam and ‘THE ADAM SHOW’ and I recommend going out of your way to train with him. Simply put, he makes life better!

I have to say I started Up Dog to do yoga but tried cycling since they offer both. I have never done spinning (or any type of cardio before) but I tired Adam’s class. After one time I was hooked now I am there many times a week and usually do spinning. There a other good teachers there but none of them can keep you motivated like Adam. He is high energy and he really plays a wide variety of music. I have to say I really enjoy «the Adam show». It helps keep me going in class and has turned this yogi into a spinner!

I don’t have enough great things to say about Up Dog… I love it here!
I’ve had the privilege of attending their yoga classes thanks to a Groupon deal, and will have a hard time not coming back after my unlimited monthly membership is over. Damn you, Groupon.
I’ve taken a few yoga classes in the past, but never had much patience for them, and they just didn’t make me feel as badass as my kickboxing and boxing classes. My appendix decided to wreck havoc on my workout routine when it got infected and decided to skedaddle out of my body. I had a laparoscopic surgery, and was very limited in terms of exercise. By week 3 post-​surgery, I was bored of walking for exercise and decided to use my Groupon deal at Up Dog before it expired.
I’ve taken four different teachers, and they’ve all been incredibly kind and accommodating when I mentioned I was recovering from surgery. Asides from being great instructors, they provided me with modification for a few of the poses during class. That meant a lot :)
I’ve taken the Yoga for All Levels, Full Blast (Level ²⁄₃), and Sacred Breath. I feel relaxed, re-​energized, and strengthened after each class I’ve taken.
As a plus, the front desk people are always friendly, and the guy teachers are very easy on the eyes ;)
The only thing that REALLY blows is the traffic getting there after work. But that’s obviously not Up Dog’s fault. Unless everyone is heading there for class.
Oh, and I have seen them clean the floors in between classes when I’ve gotten their early enough (response to a someone else’s review).

So if you thought spinning was for moms and gay men you wouldn’t be totally wrong. Keep in mind that these are some bad ass moms and gay men. ;-)
I started spinning as a «safer» alternative to single track mountain biking. The kind where if you fall, it could be down the side of a cliff. My wife does that. I’m much more sane.
I don’t know how she heard of Up Dog, but I wouldn’t want to spin anywhere else. It’s just a really great environment. All of the staff and instructors are super nice. They always know your name and sometimes even have us checked in as they see us walking across the lot towards the entrance.
The space is «intimate», but for spin I don’t think you’d want to be in a wide open space. And there is plenty of space for you to ride without worry of touching anyone else. I haven’t done any yoga, but the room looks very light and airy for all your bendy needs.
I have only taken three instructors. Emily Celli-​Recht, Sandra, and Tevia. I can’t speak about the other instructors, but if these three are representative of the caliber of instructors that Up Dog has, then I doubt you’ll ever be disappointed.
Of the three I mentioned, and I hope I can say this without insult to the other two, Tevia’s class is my favorite. I’m quite happy to spin with Sandra and Emily, which is why I still take their classes. They give a great workout. But, with Tevia there is just that little extra vibe of «Stop whining and push harder.»
Actually, one of my favorite days of spin was when Tevia took Emily Celli-Recht’s class and she sat next to me. And we spent the whole class trying to out do one another by constantly trying to make the other one «turn it up». Needless to say she made me feel like a winner, but she totally kicked my ass.
But, I digress. I’ve never see them call anyone out for not giving it 100% (although personally I think they should — I see you slacking!) They embrace new people and pros alike. There is no pressure to perform, but always remember you get out of it what you put into. If you half ass it then that’s the workout you’ll get.
As for bikes. There are no reserved bikes, but if you’re a regular you do tend to get your favorite bikes. And as a newcomer, you might get a stare if you snatch someone’s fave. But, I’ve never actually witnessed any real drama over bikes. My feeling is… get there early and get the bike you want.
Side note — My opinion on the front row. If you choose to sit in the front row, then be prepared to give 100%. You are setting the tone after the instructor. You need to have good rhythm and form so that the rows behind you can feed off that energy. If you’re not ready or hungover then maybe don’t sit in the front row that day. But, if you do, then represent.
The men’s room is tight, but clean. You can shower, but don’t be surprised if after a crowded morning class there’s bags and towels and six dudes all circulating through there in varying degrees of undress.
Parking can be a bitch. Getting in seems easy. But, sometimes it can be a perfect storm getting out. Just try and use that spinner’s high to quash any frustration.
I don’t know how prices compare to other studios, but it doesn’t seem expensive. Plus you’re in the heart of West Hollywood, for shopping or food after you spin.
Check it out. And «turn it up»!
Teacher Update — So you can also add Laura Carillo and Charlene to the good teachers list. Both are very good as well.
Bike Update — If you have a favorite bike make sure you remember the number. People move bikes. So your favorite bike from last Tuesday may now be one row behind or one bike over.
Membership — If you’re going to go a lot, I would recommend the monthly unlimited deal. It’s about $ 160 which means that any classes you take past eight times in a one month period are essentially «free».

Okay, so let me be clear here. I adore Tevia. Her class is simply amazing and has changed my life– yes you may laugh that a spinning class can do that, but trust me, I am speaking from the heart.
That being said, the actual space is okay here. The bikes are not new and in fact the pedals are VERY loose and you will fly out if you are on the wrong bike… My main issue with the facility has to do with the management. It is VERY unprofessional. The owner does not live a life of zen or kindness that the place attempts to perpetuate. On numerous occasions I have seen a number of incidents in which she has acted unprofessional, cruel and demeaning to clients and her staff (in front of patrons mind you!)
Also, I find the whole get a FREE class if you write a Unilocal to be not only dishonest but unethical and it is no surprise to me why– as I said management is very unprofessional and really should take a hard look at the way they do business.
I will be back, but only for Tevia (and a few other great instructors)… were they not teaching there I would be gone in a heartbeat.

I attended a «Brush Up Dog» yoga sesh (Oh, Up Dog — you saucy little minx with your names!) and really enjoyed it. First of all, thank you for having classes at 9 p.m. Sometimes a girl just can’t get out of work — we aren’t all actresses (or are we?).
Secondly, David — the instructor — was so incredibly helpful and welcoming. I have done yoga several times before, but I never really knew what each pose meant. For example, the tree pose — as I learned last night — is particularly special because you are mimicking a tree (state the obvious), which is such a special living thing because it defies gravity. Cool, huh? I also didn’t know what a sun salute was even though I had been doing them for a few years! This was a novice class to get students to pay attention to their breathing and accuracy of their poses, so we didn’t listen to music. I still broke a nasty sweat. And excuse my German, but afterward I felt like I had had a mental orgasm I was that relaxed and at peace with the world around me.
And the boring… the place is clean, nice and spacious. Wasn’t too impressed with the front-​desk staff, but we can’t have it all, can we?
The minuses? It took four circles around the block to find the place. (It is actually behind the Starbuck’s a little off of Santa Monica.) I’m not quite sure where the parking is… so I just parked in the Trader Joe’s parking lot.
I also can’t comment on pricing. As I’m sure many Unilocalers have, I purchased the two-​weeks unlimited Living Social coupon. But Living Social or not, I will be back!

In my constant pursuit to «switch it up» I stumbled on a blurb about a new Spin and Yoga studio — Up Dog. I can’t remember if this was on Vital Juice, Daily Candy, maybe Urban Daddy? How I found Up Dog isn’t really important at all. Instead, it is how Up Dog has changed my life.
A few years back I lived in Santa Monica. I religiously went to Mandy’s class at YAS in Venice. Not only was Mandy a great instructor, everything she spoke about — be it death, love, life, her father — moved me a great deal. I moved away to Northern California, made it back to LA, yet had lost track of her. I swore up and down I would never find someone who made me cry while spinning again (crying is a good thing by the way).
Enter Tevia.
I had no idea who Tevia was, what studio she owned previously, how many years she had taught. All I knew was her class was popular. Very, very popular. From the first time I took her Tuesday 6:15 am class (yep its busy that early too) I knew I had found my newest obsession. And it wasn’t only bc I felt so great after class physically, it was because emotionally everything Tevia discusses — be it her beautiful family, her life, my life, gratitude or «turning it up» I am completely and utterly moved. And yes, I do cry. Nearly every time I take class. It’s become a bit of a joke amongst friends. They’ll ask me «did you take that spin class this weekend? You know the one where you cry? »
I just began taking yoga at Up Dog as well. Every single class I have taken has been great — from cycling to yoga This studio makes you feel like a part of a family, part of a community. I highly recommend this to both novices and seasoned athletes.

Up Dog Yoga & Cycling is my hour and half escape away from reality. I was introduced to Up Dog back in April 2010, by one of my friends who is one of instructors there — Blu Tayler aka: Siri Shiva. It was recommended to me during my quest in finding anything to transcend away from the chaotic loud city life of traffic, emails, blackberry, anything relative to what we call, «the rat race.»
Luckily, in Los Angeles you have many options when it comes to picking a proper Yoga Studio. For one, I know another well respected studio that’s two blocks from my place, Golden Bridge. Yet, I choose to drive 8 miles in the other side of Hollywood. Why? Because I like the staff and the diversity of classes from power blast rock out session yoga — Stephen to kundalini vinyasa free flowing –Blu Taylor to even the traditional standard classic yoga flow focusing on form and the integrity of yoga — Meagan (who is also the owner). And if you really want test your yogi strength try Jake’s class at 1pm.
I LOVE the diversity and eclectic athletic options that UpDog Yoga & Cycle provides in this studio. The Spin classes are staffed with high experienced and well trained spin instructor who play GREAT MUSIC! None of that boring oldie disco crap you hear at 24 hours _​_​_​_​_​. The spin music are up to date pop, hip hop, rock, indie, and electro house music.
I recommend anyone from any level to check out this studio. First timers to the studios, the first class is free. Don’t be shy to ask the staff to see what class is the right fit for you. Every class is unique to it’s own style — depending on the instructors. Only drawbacks to this place is that it will put a hole in your wallet because you will be coming back for more! The place is a lot of fun and the energy is great. A very fun upbeat place to do yoga!

Up Dog is a great yoga studio! I haven’t taken a cycling class yet, but I’ve taken both Meaghan & Kris’ full blast yoga classes. After practicing in Santa Monica for the last few months, I was searching for a studio with good teachers closer to my work/​home. I am glad I took a gamble and purchased a package to updog because their classes are not only challenging, but the studio is beautiful. Fully equipped with showers, bathrooms, large room spaces, and clean equipment. and not to mention Trader Joes is across the street = awesome.
I would recommend you try out updog. I am looking forward to trying out more classes at the studio!