Three generations of yogis gathered on August 31st to dance, chant, and enjoy vegan cake to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Dharma Yoga LA (DYLA), the launch of their nonprofit organization, and the opening of their new studio space.
Their quaint new home is a peaceful oasis within an urban environment–bathed in light provided by large windows, high ceilings with exposed beams, wood floors, and an upstairs loft reserved for wellness services.
The grand re-opening party continued with impressive yoga demonstrations from studio instructors. Sonya Enchill Kendall, owner and principal instructor of Dharma Yoga, practiced next to her mother, Joan Sargent, who first introduced her daughter to yoga when Sonya was an adolescent. Sonya’s one-year-old daughter, Jasmine, looked on as her mother and grandmother practiced side-by-side.
All the studio’s instructors have studied with Sri Dharma Mittra and teach his practice known as Shiva Namaskar: salutations to the divine within. Dharma Yoga LA is essentially a donation-based studio, offering drop-in classes by donation and affordable class packages, making the wealth of these teachings available to all. From the studio’s inception, they have had a strong kids’ yoga program as Sonya is passionate about working with youth. Sonya says, “The future can be brighter if more young people practice yoga.”
Dharma Yoga LA
4569 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles
(323) 937-9642
Olivia Kvitne is a local yoga instructor and editorial assistant for LA Yoga. She specializes in classes and workshops for veterans and military. www.theyogaabbey.com @Olivia Kvitne
