Evoke Yoga

I have only taken one class at this studio, but I try to take it weekly. Sculpt with Manndola might be the hardest class I’ve ever taken but in a great way! I feel energized and ready for the weekend after I leave there on Friday nights.

I have had some of my best yoga moments at Evoke. The instructors are wonderful, the new studio is gorgeous. Every detail, the lighting, the atmosphere, the music. It is always both challenging and gentle.

I’m trying to be open minded about the basement. The teachers are the same, and they’re amazing. They have some new classes like Core & Cardio and Mat Pilates. Some people will enjoy the larger space and the locker rooms. But I just don’t vibe on the basement. I do like not being next to the CVS on 7^th.

Just had my first class at Evoke Yoga, taking the Sculpt class with Megan. IT WAS AWESOME! The room is warm but definitely not too hot and the class was intense. The exercises were hard and Megan moved quickly so there’s no time to dilly dally.
Sculpt was a combination of yoga, weights, and pilates. I am excited to try other classes but this one was a pretty interesting mix.
The facility was extremely clean and the yoga room floor was made of this laminated foam. It’s hard to explain but it’s not wood floor, there is some cushion so you don’t hurt your knees when kneeling. The locker rooms are clean and brand new. There were showers, lockers, restrooms, and a water bottle filling station.
Everyone must have a mat and towel for any of the classes so come prepared. You can rent a mat for $ 2 but if it’s your first time you can rent the mat for free. No need to schedule ahead of time for the class, drop in classes at $ 18 each.
The location is a bit hard to find. The door to Evoke Yoga is just a gray door located to the left of CVS. It says Evoke Yoga on top of the door but it’s not flashy or huge.
Even my picky bf who I had to drag to hot yoga enjoyed it, so there’s that.

I haven’t done Yoga in Years. It was my first time back 3 weeks ago and i fell in love with Evoke! All the teachers are very helpful not just with your poses, but with information on the different classes to take. In between going to Evoke and Spin, I decide to try Bikram Yoga (also in Downtown), and all I can say is, I was disgusted! I appreciated Evoke even more so because of my experience with the state of the Bikram Studio.
I give this EVOKE FIVE STARS ALL AROUND:
1.) CLEAN — the studio and bathrooms are not only clean but smell amazing!
2.) STAFF — Friendly, Accommodating, Helpful and Knowledgeable.
3.) Equipment — Fully stocked, Clean and sanitary.
4.) Provide Fresh Towels!
5.) Studio — The floors are feel amazing! It’s so clean and it smells good!
So far I’ve met the following instructors and LOVE THEM:
1.) Kelly — She was very helpful my very first day and made it comfortable for me to take YOGA again.
2.) Vivian — Took her Roll and Relax Class — It’s like a massage — you come out of the class so refreshed!
3.) Jordan — Took 2 of her Saturday classes and I came out so refreshed and energized for the weekend

I’ve been here a few times, all with Kaleena. Her style really does it for me! She’s challenging, peaceful, gives great instruction, and offers just the right amount of spirituality. And her music is really great.
All of the classes I’ve been too have been very different and her flows are super creative and graceful. I can’t hold all of them yet, but still feel like a goddess at every class.
The studio is gorgeous like everyone mentioned with three showers and a LOT of space to spread out and get ready for the day if you need to. I’ve been taking the 6AM, and parking is a non-​issue at that time — free and wide open street parking on Main!

Decided to try out Evoke’s 2 week new student special for $ 25. 100% MORE than worth the money! I’m only on week one, but have gone to the evening Core & Sculpt classes every night this week. Let me tell you — they will seriously kick your butt in the best way! The instructors and desk staff are all extremely nice and welcoming. I’ll definitely become a monthly member after this trial period. So hyped to find a place so close to my office that delivers this great of a workout!

I’ve given Evoke a few tries since moving to Los Angeles. I’ve been a practitioner for about 21 years– of all kinds of yoga. Evoke has extremely inconsistent teaching– the fancy new space masks the inexperience of this studio. The sculpt class was irresponsibly taught– asking for backbend type fast moves before any warm up. The volume of this class was aggressively loud (think a loud club x2 early in the morning) This studio smells of trying to be hip business, without really having the student’s well-​being/​health in mind. There are other really amazing yoga studios in other places in Los Angeles– I do not recommend this one if you are looking for real yoga practice.

This boutique bikram yoga slash hot Pilates studio just got an upgrade! I have been with Evoke for the past several years when they were around the corner in the old location. There they had no showers with very cramped quarters. After moving to their new location, they have a large locker room with showers (!), and an additional studio room. So excited for the Evoke family!
The studio offers both yoga and mat pilates in 100degree heat with various instructors leading different sessions. Evoke recently introduced an Abs and Cardio class (non heated) which has more of a private trainer feel. All instructors have their own styles and level of intensity. I have to single out Manndola out and credit him for helping an Asian girl get her gluteus to the maximus.
Only downside to the studio is the lack of designated parking. Note in this vicinity of downtown, street parking is usually not available from 4−6pm. Beware of those meter maids hard at work. However there are plenty of lot parkings with constantly revolving parking prices. Be prepared to pay anywhere from $ 5 – 10.
The entrance of Evoke is rather nondescript; blink and you’ll miss it. It’s strategically located across the street and a little down from the Juice Crafters. Can’t promise there isn’t a conspiracy between the studio and Juice Crafters… after a sweat-​filled workout, there’s nothing more refreshing than sipping on a $ 10 smoothie in your Lululemons. A little bit of the westside in downtown for you all! ;)

Evoke moved to this new location and it’s great. It’s in the basement so it’s like walking down into a speakeasy.
1. They have an app. Search «evoke». You can keep track of who is teaching and what time.
2. They have showers.
3. The teachers are really wonderful. I love Jen and Vivian’s class. Their energy is very calm and help focus on mental as well as physical. You can always take the sculpt class if you want to burn like 600 calories in an hour.
I really love evoke. I am runner by nature and yoga helps me from getting injured and take a break from a high impact sport.

My favorite downtown yoga place just got even more amazing! I work downtown and the new location is just down the street, so still within walking distance. They have a brand new studio space with showers! If you need to find parking, there is a lot directly across the street on spring, and a cross walk that will take you to the front door. Brilliant!

i started yoga about 3 years ago, and i started with bikram. and let me tell you. i am NOT a fan of bikram. and after that, i wasn’t really a fan of hot yoga in general, and wouldn’t go to a studio if that’s mostly what they offered (even after being given 3 free months at core power yoga, you couldn’t find me in those classes).
evoke is different. evoke has changed me. i think this has the most to do with the teachers and the energy in the space. it is such an incredibly inviting and warm (haha. no pun intended) space to practice in. the teachers push you to your limit without being pushy, and give you gentle tips on how to make the correct adjustments without singling you out. you feel re-​energized and refreshed afterwards, and your body n brain know that you just had an amazing work out. and it is SO well priced for a yoga studio with so much to offer. they are also so so sweet and understanding of personal issues, and totally worked with me recently when i had to fly home to take care of my mother. so, a HUGE thank you for being so damn sweet and cool about it.
my favorite teacher (which TBH almost feels as f*cked up as choosing a favorite child or pet, but i’m gonna do it anyway) is vivian. 100%. her classes are a delightful combination of workout and play time, with variations for all skill levels. she always gets us in a little time for inversion practice, which i was missing hugely since moving here from NYC. vivian is also really great at helping you make adjustments to your poses without making you singled out or berated. she’s funny and sweet and gentle, and her classes are always packed — with good reason.
the sculpt classes are also a super great way to kill yourself with kindness. my favorite is the morning class with manndola. i believe he has a background in dance, and his class is super fun and set to really great music. he will push you to your max in the best way possible. you WILL be sore after this class. it’s just your body’s way of congratulating you for making it to class today.
so thank you EVOKE, for turning this bikram victim into a hot yoga junkie. catch me in e-​flow 2 or sculpt sweating my ass off, reminding myself to keep breathing.
p. s. the new space is SOOOO rad. its bigger and beautiful and has lots of locker room space and clean showers and is just great. congrats on the move guys! see ya soon. xo