I’m excited to kick off my new blog feature today! As a small business owner myself, I love discovering new local shops, restaurants and businesses that I feel great about bringing my business too. I thought it would be fun if I highlighted some of these businesses in the Culver City and West LA area that you guys, my wonderful clients and prospective clients, might also love. I’m going to mostly focus on family-friendly businesses that you might want to check out when you’re on your way home from my studio with your kiddos or otherwise in the area. There will also probably be a lot of food spots because, hey, it’s a great excuse for me to eat yummy stuff 😉 I hope you enjoy discovering these businesses along with me!
The inaugural business I’m featuring is Zooga Yoga, an amazing yoga and dance studio down the street from my home and studio. Owner Antonia King (pictured below) created Zooga in 2012, as the very first yoga studio in the Los Angeles area that catered to kids of all ages as well as their families. They are now branching out into franchised locations, so soon families all over the country will be able to take advantage of all the classes and events they have to offer. I was able to photograph the grand opening of this new location a few months ago and was so impressed by their space and everything they offer. Look how bright fun the studio is. I love that the lobby offers places for families to watch as their little ones dance and move inside the two main fitness rooms. There is a shop as well, where you can purchase yoga-themed books and other cool gear. 
One of their main offerings is dance classes for children as well as classes for adults with their children- what a fun way to sneak some exercise into your day spending time with your little ones. Styles range from hiphop to ballet to kangaroo hop.
And I was so impressed watching the kids so some yoga. They were surprisingly focused and very flexible. Such a great way to encourage mindfulness at a young age.
Zooga also offers adult yoga classes. There are offerings for both adults alone and adults with their babies, which was so sweet to watch.
In addition to dance and yoga classes, there are music and movement classes with live guitar sing-alongs, special events that feature dancing to music from currently popular movies, book readings/signings, and holiday events/camps. So if you are looking for activities for your children or a class for yourself, I highly recommend checking out this Culver City neighborhood gem.