I often crave Indian Naan bread. It’s warm, spicy & sweet, and comforting to eat. So it’s no surprise that when I went to visit the Santa Monica’s newest yoga studio, Naam Yoga, I found a correlation between my favorite bread and the similar sounding Yoga Studio. 

Naam Yoga, a successful studio in Chelsea, New York City, decided to pack-up its mats and move to the West Coast. Now, a complete wellness center, Naam combines the celebrated Naam practice with the benefits of Vinyasa, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Prenatal/Postnatal and Restorative yoga as well as Pilates, Zumba, Sculpting, Dance, Breath-work and healing meditations.

The space has a chic urban feel. For busy Los Angelenos, there is a Wifi-ready sitting room. More perks include a free meditation class, massage and acupuncturists at your beck and call. Specialty classes focus on cancer, thyroid problems and autism.

None of this surprised me when I learned that Naam Yoga is a non-profit organization. I think this infuses its sense of community support and the welcoming reception it offers local residents, including three free day passes (get yours quick).

I wanted a first hand experience of the studio so I took instructor Kyra Anastasia’s Candle Light flow class (with live music). It was a true spiritual experience. Kyra shared engagingly positive thoughts and led us in a delightful exercise in which we sent good energy to our neighboring yogis. We stretched, inhaled and exhaled until we almost blew down the building. And that’s when I made the Naan bread connection. I realized that I hungered for what Naam Yoga had to offer me. That this sense of community, well-being and enlightenment satiated and pleased me just like my Naan bread. Be sure to get a taste!  Http://www.naamyoga.com