Best Restorative Yoga Studios in Los Angeles

Last checked October 2026. Class schedules change often, so confirm times and details with each studio before you go.

Somewhere along the way, taking care of our bodies became another way to judge them.

Wake up earlier. Sweat harder. Hit the 6am class, then the 7pm class, then optimize your matcha. And somewhere in the middle of all that, a lot of us quietly decided that moving our bodies only counts if we’re improving them.

I hear some version of this from the women I photograph constantly. So many of us carry years of messages telling us our bodies should be smaller, smoother, younger, firmer, or hidden. It makes sense that even our self-care starts to feel like a project with a finish line.

Here’s what I believe as a boudoir photographer: you don’t have to change your body to do something good for it. Sometimes it’s enough to simply enjoy living in it.

And that’s what I love about the idea of restorative yoga. It’s slow, it’s quiet, and for once, the goal isn’t to push yourself harder. It’s to rest.

I put together this guide to restorative, yin, and gentle yoga studios across Los Angeles for anyone who wants a little more of that in her life, and wants to know where to actually find it.

Why Restorative Yoga Might Be Exactly What You Need Right Now

Sometimes what you need isn’t another challenge. It’s an hour where nothing is expected of you.

Restorative, yin, and gentle yoga get lumped together a lot, but they aren’t the same class. Knowing the difference will save you from booking what you thought was a nap and ending up in a very slow, very honest hip stretch.

• Restorative yoga: Mostly passive. Props support your body completely, and you rest in each shape for several minutes.
• Yin yoga: Also slow with long holds, but you’ll usually feel a deeper stretch.
• Gentle yoga: Slow, kind movement with breathwork and plenty of modifications.

If you’re looking for traditional restorative yoga specifically, start with Laughing Frog, Child’s Pose, CEREMNY, and Center for Yoga. CAMP offers a slower, recovery-focused alternative, while several other studios specialize in yin and gentle movement.

Pick whichever matches the energy you’re feeling in the moment.

11 Los Angeles Studios for Restorative Yoga, Yin and Gentle Movement

I organized these by neighborhood instead of ranking them, because the best studio is honestly the one you’ll actually drive to. LA traffic is not a self-care practice. I haven’t taken class at every studio on this list, so this is a researched guide, not a personal review.

If you want traditional restorative yoga specifically, start with Laughing Frog, CAMP, Child’s Pose, CEREMNY, and Center for Yoga. The rest lean toward yin and gentle movement, which can be just as lovely if you know what you’re booking.

Studio	Neighborhood	Class to look for	Heat	Good to know
Laughing Frog Yoga	West LA (Sawtelle)	Restorative Yoga, Deep Stretch Yin	Confirm with studio	Free parking under the building
CAMP Los Angeles	Santa Monica	RESTORE (45 min)	Reduced heat	$3 mat rentals
Child’s Pose	Culver City	Restore	Confirm with studio	Poses held up to 10 minutes
Light On Lotus	Mar Vista	Yummy Yin, Lounging Lotus, Yin + Sound	Confirm with studio	Flow & Slow starts with an active flow
Red Diamond Yoga	Palms	Yin Yoga, Yin with Sound Bath	Confirm with studio	Blocks and straps available, mat rentals
CEREMNY	Marina del Rey	Restorative, Yin, Yoga Nidra	Non-heated or slightly warm	Props provided, free mat rental on first visit
Center for Yoga	Larchmont Village	CFY Restorative, CFY Gentle	Confirm with studio	Restorative ends with acoustic music
Kinship Yoga	Highland Park	Yinship, Nourish Gentle, Yin & Sound Meditation	Room temperature (Yinship, Nourish Gentle)	Mat and towel rentals
One Life Yoga	Pasadena	Yin, Restorative	Confirm with studio	Also offers sound baths and yoga nidra
YogaSix Pasadena	Pasadena	Y6 Restore	Lightly warm	Free parking
Yoga Nest Venice	Venice	Sound baths, private restorative yin	Confirm with studio	Special events, not a weekly restorative class

West Los Angeles, Santa Monica & Culver City

1. Laughing Frog Yoga (West LA)

Class to look for: Restorative Yoga or Deep Stretch Yin

If you’re specifically looking for traditional restorative yoga rather than an active flow, Laughing Frog is a good place to start your search. The studio lists both Restorative Yoga and Deep Stretch Yin, plus beginner classes and sound baths. Parking is free under the building, which in West LA is its own form of self-care. Explore Laughing Frog Yoga’s schedule.

2. CAMP Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

Class to look for: RESTORE

RESTORE is a 45-minute, reduced-heat class built around longer-held stretches, guided breathwork, supportive props, and instruments. CAMP is better known for heated, high-energy classes, so this is a nice option if you already go there and want a slower day without switching studios. Mats rent for $3. Explore CAMP’s yoga class offerings.

3. Child’s Pose (Culver City)

Class to look for: Restore

Child’s Pose describes Restore as passive seated and reclining postures, heavily supported by props and held for up to 10 minutes at a time. The studio calls itself an inclusive space for everyone, and that alone made me want to include it. Explore Child’s Pose’s class offerings.

4. Light On Lotus (Mar Vista)

Classes to look for: Yummy Yin, Lounging Lotus, Yin + Sound, and Flow & Slow

Any studio that names a class Lounging Lotus understands me on a spiritual level. Yin + Sound pairs long-held yin poses with sound. Flow & Slow begins with a strong flow before it eases into a restorative sequence, so it isn’t entirely restful.

If you’re craving something slower, look for Yummy Yin or Lounging Lotus on the schedule. If you want completely supported, passive rest, a traditional restorative class may be a better fit. See Light on Lotus’s class schedule.

5. Red Diamond Yoga (Palms)

Classes to look for: Yin Yoga and Yin with Sound Bath

Red Diamond is a practical neighborhood option for long-held stretching. Alongside yin, the schedule includes Iyengar, Vinyasa, and breathwork. Blocks and straps are available, and you can rent a mat if you forget yours. Explore Red Diamond Yoga and their classes.

Marina del Rey

6. CEREMNY (Marina del Rey)

Classes to look for: Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Yoga Nidra

CEREMNY lists its yoga rooms as non-heated or slightly warm, provides bolsters, blankets, and blocks, and rents mats (free on your first visit). Restorative classes sit alongside breathwork, meditation, and sound healing, so this is a strong pick if you want your reset to feel like a full experience. Yoga nidra is a guided practice done lying down. Think of it as being walked into deep rest by someone with a very calming voice. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early, and use the underground lot. Explore CEREMNY yoga class schedule.

Central & East Los Angeles

7. Center for Yoga (Larchmont Village)

Classes to look for: CFY Restorative and CFY Gentle

Center for Yoga is one of the clearest options for beginners. CFY Restorative uses props to support longer holds and finishes with calming acoustic music. Want to lie down and be supported? Restorative. Want to move a little, slowly? Gentle. See what classes Center for Yoga offers.

8. Kinship Yoga (Highland Park)

Classes to look for: Yinship, Nourish Gentle, and Yin & Sound Meditation

Kinship is known for infrared hot yoga, but Yinship and Nourish Gentle are both taught at room temperature. Yin & Sound Meditation is a very slow 60-minute yin class that ends in a sound healing savasana. Keep in mind that Yinship is yin, not traditional restorative yoga, so expect some stretch. Explore Kinship Yoga’s class schedule.

Pasadena

9. One Life Yoga (Pasadena)

Classes to look for: Yin and Restorative Yoga

One Life describes its approach as yoga for every body, which is music to my ears. Yin and restorative classes sit alongside meditation, yoga nidra, and sound baths, so it’s a good home base if you want rest to become a regular practice rather than a once-a-year emergency measure. (No judgment. I’ve been there.)

Explore One Life Yoga’s class schedule here.

10. YogaSix Pasadena (Pasadena)

Class to look for: Y6 Restore

Y6 Restore is a floor-based class focused on stretching and releasing the major muscle groups. It’s held in a lightly warm room, so it isn’t completely unheated. The studio sits on Green Street just west of Old Pasadena, with free parking. Explore YogaSix’s Pasadena studio page.

For a Special Wellness Experience

11. Yoga Nest Venice (Venice)

Look for: Sound baths, community events, and private restorative yin

Looking for something a little different from your typical weekly yoga class? Yoga Nest Venice offers private restorative yin experiences and special wellness events, including sound baths. It’s worth exploring if you want to plan a more personalized reset. Explore Yoga Nest Venice’s class schedule.

Planning a slower afternoon for yourself? Pair a restorative class with a few ideas from my 10 Solo Date Ideas in Los Angeles guide.

How to Choose the Right Restorative Yoga Class for You

There’s no wrong answer here. There’s just the class that fits the day you’re having.

If You’re New to Yoga

Look for classes clearly labeled restorative, gentle, or beginner. Teachers in these classes expect people to show up a little unsure.

If You’re Not Interested in Heated Yoga

Check the temperature of the specific class, not just the studio. Plenty of studios known for hot yoga also run room-temperature slow classes.

If You Prefer Stillness Over Stretching

Choose restorative yoga or yoga nidra over yin. Restorative is the one where you mostly get to be held.

If You Love Music and Sound Healing

Look for yin or restorative classes paired with a sound bath. Several studios on this list offer them.

What to Expect at Your First Restorative Yoga Class

Walking into any new space for the first time can feel a little vulnerable. (I say this as someone who asks women to trust me with something pretty intimate.) Here’s what usually happens, so nothing catches you off guard.

• What to wear: Soft, comfortable layers you can lie down in. You’ll be still, and you might get cold.
• Your mat: Some studios rent mats and some expect you to bring one. Check before you go.
• The props: Bolsters, blankets, and blocks support your body so your muscles can let go. Use as many as you want.
• Experience: You don’t need any, and you don’t need to be flexible.
• Timing: Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to check in, set up, and tell the teacher anything you’d like them to know.

Modifications are welcome, and resting is part of the practice. If you fall asleep in savasana, you didn’t do it wrong. You did it very, very right.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Yoga in Los Angeles

What is the difference between yin and restorative yoga?

Both are slow with long holds. Restorative uses props so you can fully rest, while yin usually asks for a deeper stretch.

Is restorative yoga good for beginners?

Yes. There’s very little to learn, and the teacher guides you into each position.

Are there non-heated restorative yoga classes in Los Angeles?

Some Los Angeles studios offer restorative classes at room temperature, while others use gentle heat. Always check the specific class description before booking. Kinship’s non-heated Yinship class is another slower-paced option, though yin yoga and restorative yoga are different practices.

What should I bring to a restorative yoga class?

Comfortable layers, water, and a mat if the studio doesn’t rent them. Most studios provide the props.

Can I take restorative yoga if I’m not flexible?

Absolutely. The props come to you, so every pose meets your body where it is.

Sometimes Self-Care Is Simply Letting Yourself Be

I didn’t fall in love with my own body overnight. Nothing magically erased years of picking myself apart. What changed was learning to see myself another way, and deciding that how I treat my body gets to be on my own terms.

That’s why I love restorative yoga as an idea, even for women who will never become “yoga people.” Caring for your body doesn’t always have to mean changing it. Sometimes it just means paying attention, getting comfortable, and enjoying something without needing to produce a result.

You don’t have to earn the right to rest. You don’t have to become more flexible, stronger, or smaller for a yoga practice to be worthwhile. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do for yourself is show up exactly as you are.

If that idea hits a little close to home, I wrote more about it in Why You Should Stop Waiting for Your Body to Change Before You Let Yourself Feel Beautiful.