The EverydayYoga Blog will now be featuring a different Studio of the Month each month to acknowledge the great spaces around the country where we practice, share laughs, make friendships and build community through yoga. Local studios create so much positivity and empowerment within their neighborhoods, so they deserve to be celebrated! If you have a studio that would like to be featured, please email: blog@everydayyoga.com. 
 

Studio Name: Laughing Lotus

Location: San Francisco, CA

When did the studio first open?: Laughing Lotus opened in NYC in 2000 and in November 2007, we expanded to San Francisco's Mission district. We're celebrating our TENTH anniversary next month! 

What types of classes are offered?: Laughing Lotus is celebrated for our signature "Lotus Flow", which bridges yoga's timeless philosophy with the art of creative vinyasa sequencing: incorporating conscious alignment, breath awareness, and inspiring music into each class.

We offer basics, all-levels, and level 2/3 Lotus Flow classes, as well as Soul Sweat (Lotus Flow with a cardio boost), Restorative and Yin. We also offer morning meditation and mantra.

Beyond our daily classes and ongoing workshops, we're also celebrated for our internationally-renowned teacher trainings at the 200-hr and 300-hr levels. 

How many teachers work at the studio?: We have fifteen teachers on staff, headed up by Jasmine Tarkeshi, co-founder of Laughing Lotus and co-creator of Lotus Flow.

What are some unique aspects about your yoga studio that set it apart from others?: At Laughing Lotus, our mantra is "Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu": may all beings be happy and free. This mantra guides everything we do - from fostering satsang (spiritual community) via tea and cookies in the lobby that encourage connection among our yogis, to monthly kirtans.

This mantra is at the heart of our commitment to social justice, with our foundation Love Saves the Day. Every month, we choose a different non-profit organization to bring our community's awareness to and support financially. Proceeds from our weekday 2:30pm community classes and our signature Saturday 10am Love Saves the Day class go to benefit this non-profit.

Our style of asana also contributes to this mantra, with our unique approach to vinyasa that liberates the body from self-judgement and sets the heart free.

What do you love most about your community of yogis?: We love that our community is made up of kind, loving and diverse yogis from every walk of life, coming together in oneness to practice yoga's timeless teachings of mindful living. 

If you have a studio that would like to be featured, please email: blog@everydayyoga.com!