Mark Blanchard's Power Yoga

A friend and I just went to Mark Blanchard's power yoga last week and we were floored as to what we saw. Now, I am not uptight at all, and have been to PLENTY of yoga classes before, but this was just straight up inappropriate; Mark literally RUBBED HIMSELF, yes like, he gyrated himself on nearly all the women in his class while helping them ""adjust"" their poses. He would embrace their bodies, put himself around them, rub his pelvis into their backsides in a very sexual manner while whispering in their ears to ""breaaatthh.."" He would then take breaths himself into their hair, their necks, or place his face on their backs while ""breathing"" them in. He was especially fond of 2 women who I'm assuming are his ""regulars""? He got on top of one of them while she was face down on the floor, put his arms on her arms, then slowly SCRATCHED her arms with his nails as he pulled back from her. Oh, then the kicker was when he came back down to her and kissed the back of her neck.. WTF!?!? Is kissing the back of the neck and scratching up your arms the norm for yoga? I swear like 3 of us just laughed at the pure slimyness of it all. It was shocking and unbelievable. Pros: Conveniently close to shops on Tujunga Cons: Mark is never on time, ladies get felt up by him, $16 is expensive more

Mark and Elizabeith Blanchard will challenge the most experienced yogis and will inspire the novices. If you are looking for a great way to tone-up quickly, this is the place to go. Not only will your body thank you for it, so will your mind. You wil leave class feeling energized yet oddly enough you'll feel as if you've just had a full body massage. Every instructor there is super nice and you wil learn from each one of them. Pros: Clean. more

This is absolutely the best yoga you will find in the valley, east of Sepulveda. Drive straight to Tujunga - do not stop anywhere along the way at a place they might claim to be yoga because it is not. Mark Blanchard is every definition of the word yoga - from head to toe, inside and out... His classes are amazing because they are diferent each time but not matter what, you will always get incredible instruction, encouragement and sweat! Mark draws on his lifetime of living and doing yoga and his classes are filled with power and love. Talking about power and love, his wife, Elizabeth, is just that: She is a powerful but loving teacher and provides amazing classes each time she steps into the studio. Both Mark and Elizabeth are undeniably the best yoga teachers in this neighborhood. And even better is their sense of community. They have truly created a ""family"" or ""kula"" in their studio. All students, no matter what level, are supported and loved. The ""no music"" policy helps to create a really quiet and calm break from busy and hectic life. The ""no walls"" policy will get anyone into a handstand and boy is that incredible! How much more inspiring could a yoga class be? No matter what class you take, you can be sure to get the real deal! And do not worry: On Tujunga, you will not get whiffs of greasy hamburgers while in down dog like you get at that wannabe place near Van Nuys Blvd.. You will be hooked, if you are not already, on Mark and Elizabeth in no time. I have been practicing at their studio since its opening about 10 years ago and I promise , there is nothing better. Pros: great yoga, no music, no props more

I absolutely love this studio. The yoga is very intense and the workout is great. Elizabeth is the BEST. I love her classes. She's very motivating, inspiring and fun. Mark and Mary's classes are also really good. Beau is a bit extreme for me; I feel like I'm in a fitness bootcamp or something with him. I much prefer Elizabeth's intense, yet zen style of yoga. No matter how stressed I am when I walk into class, I leave feeling refreshed and clear headed. I highly recommend this studio to everyone. Pros: Instructors (Elizabeth), yoga style Cons: parking, noise from neighboring businesses more

great studio!... Don't be scared of the name of the business! Mark's class is challenging but he's very light-hearted about it and encourages everyone to rest. Noon classes are $10 with a strong teacher although all the teachers seem to be good. Everyone is very friendly and encouraging without that yoga ""snobbery"" that can be found quite easily in Los Angeles. Overall a great experience/workout! Pros: nightime classes lit by candlelight! Cons: parking can be an issue, but look for street parking.. it's there. more

I like a challenging, physical flow yoga class and Mark delivers this better than any class I've ever taken, anywhere. The class is aerobic and vigorous yet somehow gentle, and taught with humor and just the right dose of spirituality (unlike an instructor who once tried to get me to shoot light out of my head). When I moved out of the area I drove 60 miles each way thru rush hour traffic just to get to Mark's class, it's that good. You sweat like crazy because you WORK OUT, not because some room is overheated. And beginners: yes the class is challenging but he will TEACH you through it and remind you to only ""do what you can"" - don't fear it! You will only get better as you continue to go. Pros: Strong vigorous class, You get results, Fun, family vibe Cons: Not enough locations!, Street parking more

I've been going here for years--best yoga. You would think they could get the classes to start and end on time knowing how busy people are but this has yet to happen. Or, even if it starts late it ends on time, so you don't get a full workout. Pros: good workout Cons: TARDINESS more

Mark is just amazing. I've tried a bazilion yoga places in LA and he's just hands down the best. I was challenged and just overall got a great workout. There's just no one who has a yoga class like his. more

I love this yoga studio. It's, for me, the perfect balance of serenity, tough workout and humor. Mark and his wife Elizabeth run this studio with a sense of family. Elizabeth's classes are some of the best I've ever taken; well-paced, tough, but full of humor and levity. Suzanne and Sarah's classes are also terrific. Beware beginners, don't take Mark's class; it's fabulous but HARD! more