Ma Yoga Culver City - WMN Space

Ma Yoga was amazing for me- the pre-natal was extremely helpful for both labor and post-natal healing time, and my newborn and I both loved class once I was given the OK to start exercise again- it helped me recover both mentally and physically! Melanie is an amazing instructor and was patient and often soothed my daughter. Highly recommend any of her classes regardless of level.

I have learned so much in this Yoga class. More than a Yoga class I like to call it a support and learning group. The first time I was in this class I was only 13 weeks and I didn't know anything. I was a bit overwhelm with the amount of information that I got from it and I was doubtful (probably in negation) if this was for me but I continued going and now I am 37 weeks and I have enjoyed every class I have gone. Melanie is like an open book and you learn so much from her. She always tries to be objective and give you the tools for you to make your own judgement which I think is great since we all think different, and if you ask for advice it is always great to hear everything she has to say. As for the Yoga class, it is challenging, it really is (even though you don't feel that at the beginning). As the time goes by and your pregnancy evolves you will need more and more of her classes and they will benefit you a lot. I totally recommend her and MaYoga. And I can't wait to have my baby and also come to the mom and baby ones, because the mom's i have shared sessions with have been also amazing.

The BEST!

Jess is amazing! She's full of so much knowledge about yoga! There are so many amazing classes and activities at Ma Yoga. Highly recommended!

I started taking Melanie's weekday prenatal classes early on (I think 13 weeks or so). I have anxiety, so my friend recommended the class as a way to calm down and get centered during the pregnancy. Not only did the class get me centered, it also made me feel SO STRONG! Every time I leave class, I feel more focused and calm and ready to give birth. I would HIGHLY recommend taking this class. It was really nice being surrounded by other pregnant mamas. DO NOT be intimidated if you're not a regular yoga person. I was honestly horrified at my lack of ability to do simple moves at the start (especially looking over at women who were 38 weeks pregnant), however I'm 38 weeks pregnant now and felt stronger and more co-ordinated at this week's class than I did at the beginning. It feels so good. Melanie is also just AMAZING. She gives you lots of important information and advice at the beginning and end of each class. I'd recommend doing the intro class, then buying the 10-starter pack. I used all of it. Every night I would be like "ugh, I don't want to go. I'm tired and feel huge". But I'd force myself to go and when I came back: "That was amazing, I feel so much better!" Seriously GO!!!

I took this class in my 3rd trimester, and I can't recommend these prenatal yoga sessions enough! I was worried about what yoga would be like when my body was prone to tipping and slipping, but the range of poses either left me feeling strong, or relaxed my pregnancy aches, while genuinely preparing me for labor (and Melanie was amazing at gently tweaking us). It was such a relief to find assurance, and advice and (newly discovered) body strength waiting for me each week. When I went into labor, I found my point on the wall to focus on, waited for that minute of contractions and knew that I could make it through that minute. It came second nature to center myself after practicing in class. With Melanie's advice, I felt empowered to make choices in the delivery room, and that's honestly priceless.

I started prenatal yoga pretty early - around 10 weeks, and at first, I wasn't sure that I saw the benefits of it since I'm not really a yoga person, but by the end, I was sold and so glad I kept with it! I actually fell so in love with it that I was really sad when we had to relocate for my husband's job. No more prenatal yoga with Melanie! Even when I wasn't as drawn to the yoga, I loved coming just to interact with other mamas. It was so nice to meet other women who were pregnant and going through the same things. Since I started going in my first trimester, it was great to be able to hear what the other ladies that were further along were going through. Gave me a preview of what to expect! It was so nice to bond over buying my first maternity pants and celebrating a fellow classmate's passing of her glucose test. The little things that you don't necessarily want to talk to your non-preggo friends about. I grew to love the yoga when I started taking birthing courses and realized "this is really going to happen". I finally could connect how the poses were going to help me during labor and my mindset changed 180 degrees from going through the poses half assed to really giving it my all. I especially loved when Melanie would make us do 1 minute wall sits to mimic 1 minute contractions. What a great way to train our minds to think of other things when we're going through something that's physically uncomfortable! Overall, I had a great experience with Melanie and Ma Yoga. I would highly recommend taking the prenatal yoga classes if you're expecting. Such a great community and great prep for birth!

When I told a friend that my lower back started hurting, she recommended prenatal yoga. I found Ma Yoga online and started taking Melanie's classes virtually. Wow, my lower back rarely hurts anymore! The knowledge she shares about how certain poses help this or that during pregnancy is useful, too. I also appreciate the chance to hear what other pregnant participants are experiencing at the start of each class. I'm so glad these classes are available virtually since it's not easy for me to drive these days without feeling some disequilibrium.

I started taking Melanie's prenatal yoga class at around 20 weeks pregnant and continued until 39 weeks. I truly believe that taking her classes at Ma Yoga made all the difference in my ability to achieve my natural birth plan as well as prepare me for how labor can go, how to advocate for myself, how to exercise in a way that will make space for baby and get him in the best position for birth as well as recommend resources throughout the entire pregnancy journey. I can't recommend her prenatal and doula services enough! Melanie is an angel who will push you physically, emotionally and mentally all while carefully holding space for well-being and for the well-being of your baby.

I cannot say enough great things about Ma Yoga! I started taking Melanie's prenatal yoga class when I was around 11 weeks pregnant and stuck with it until my 39th week. Each week I'd gain insight and strength from Melanie and the other expecting mamas in the class and as baby boy grew I'd get space and pain relief from the poses and flows in class. Melanie's class was a great workout- I always felt challenged but at the same time she'd teach us how to breathe through the difficult parts to accomplish more than we knew our bodies could. That practice came in handy during my labor and delivery. The class was also fun. Whenever a mama was close to her due date we'd do a baby dance for her and having experienced it myself the week of my baby's arrival I can tell you the baby dance makes you feel really special and celebrated! Melanie is such a great resource-- as a doula she knows so much about childbirth, pregnancy and medical practitioners here in LA. She was incredibly generous about sharing her knowledge and answering questions when they'd come up. And she was so caring and compassionate-- I felt she was a guardian angel for the mamas in class. I highly recommend Ma Yoga and Melanie's class to pregnant mamas in the area.

I love this classes. I am 7mo. pregnant so I decided give it a try. My gym doesn't have prenatal yoga, and I think is important to take prenatal yoga while pregnant. Melanie was my instructor and I just love her vibe, energy, she was super fun and sweet. She explained the steps of what we were doing, she guided us thought the breathing and explained why we should be breathing in certain way, also she gave us details of what we were doing and how those poses will help during labor. The other preggos were incredible sweet too! I mean how cool is to be in a room when everybody is going through the exact same and have fun. The poses weren't to crazy or hard. When I left I felt happy, relaxed, like I was just out with some of my girlfriends and I had a good time. Definitely I will come back until I can't anymore

Ma Yoga offers evening Prenatal Yoga classes twice weekly. Melanie is a fantastic instructor that pushes everyone to do their best and prepares them for labor. She also creates a community where one can feel comfortable discussing challenges they are facing during pregnancy and offers advice based on her knowledge/experience. Overall a must do when your pregnant! I have been attending since I was 20ish weeks pregnant and will continue until I deliver.

This place is a great haven with many services. I took pre and post natal yoga here and loved it! Cozy and homey atmosphere and small class sizes. Melanie was my instructor- she's an amazing yoga teacher ... I honestly wish she didn't just teach pre and post natal because she is so talented. She switches things up and has great movements for any areas of the body anyone requests or wants to work on.

Now that baby has arrived, I can honestly say that Melanie's class kept me healthy and calm during my pregnancy. It's a joy to commune with other pregnant mamas as we honor our bodies and our babies during this time. I felt nurtured by Melanie and Ma Yoga at every stage of pregnancy. As a bonus, we covered many topics, including practical ones like wearables, and more intimate ones like childbirth options. Melanie always follows up with more information as requested by her students, listened intently to our needs at each class and challenged us on occasion too! I highly recommend Melanie's class to pregnant mamas of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments!

Her pre and postnatal classes are amazing! Such a good work out! She really knows her stuff and being able to discuss motherhood with her and other moms is so great!

I have learned so much in this Yoga class. More than a Yoga class I like to call it a support and learning group. The first time I was in this class I was only 13 weeks and I didn't know anything. I was a bit overwhelm with the amount of information that I got from it and I was doubtful (probably in negation) if this was for me but I continued going and now I am 37 weeks and I have enjoyed every class I have gone. Melanie is like an open book and you learn so much from her. She always tries to be objective and give you the tools for you to make your own judgement which I think is great since we all think different, and if you ask for advice it is always great to hear everything she has to say. As for the Yoga class, it is challenging, it really is (even though you don't feel that at the beginning). As the time goes by and your pregnancy evolves you will need more and more of her classes and they will benefit you a lot. I totally recommend her and MaYoga. And I can't wait to have my baby and also come to the mom and baby ones, because the mom's i have shared sessions with have been also amazing.

Obsessed with MA yoga! Melanie is the best! I started going when I was about 15 weeks- not knowing anyone or anything or being a yogi! Throw all that out the door and get yourself in there for the free class and see for yourself

I 1000% echo previous reviews regarding how much these classes have benefited my pregnancy. I started at 20 weeks with a free class, which in my opinion is a fantastic sign of the confidence a business has in its services. I was having round ligament pain and just wanted to be around other pregnant ladies. I've been going weekly ever since and am so grateful I have. For the round ligament pain plus every other pregnancy-related ache and pain I've experienced, I've been given suggestions on how to work through them. I feel strong enough to go through labor and delivery unmedicated if I choose. All this I attribute to Melanie's wisdom and experience and body-opening poses. SHE is a flippin heaven-sent angel. Seriously. It's been wonderful getting to know other mamas and hear how their pregnancies are progressing. And as a first-time mom, it's been interesting getting to know the birth practices of various hospitals around this city. Finally, it's been most enlightening to hear the birth stories of the mamas with whom I've been in class. It's a pretty sacred place where I've had the chance to just be in my body and focus on my baby. That's all such good stuff.

"Love Ma Yoga!!! I waited until I was in my second trimester to star should've started sooner as these classes are so much more than just a yoga class. It's individualized, calming, balancing, strengthening and nurturing for both body and the nervous 1st time mom soul. And I get the best rest after class. Melanie our yoga instructor and doula is so caring and loving I highly recommend ma yoga to any new mama to be.

Ma Yoga was the best thing for my pregnancy, and Melanie "Mellie" was the most supportive, empowering and encouraging instructor. I was a yoga virgin when I started at 15 weeks so I wanted to find a yoga practice that was intimate, teachable, and not intimidating. I found just that in the small, helpful yet powerful class. Mellie's mantras of "I am strong, my body is perfect, I can birth my baby," perfectly describe her approach to prenatal yoga: positive body self image as well as mental, emotional and physical strength building. At times I felt like it was "bootcamp prenatal yoga", but birth is not a walk in the park so I all the squatting and downward dogs came in very handy. I was also grateful for the time spent sharing with other moms-to-be in class before actually engaging in yoga. Lastly, Mellie is a wealth of knowledge: She gave me a wonderful recommendation for a birthing class that turned out to be very important since I didn't get an epidural until the end (not planned- I wanted it right at the beginning ha ha), and my husband and I also took Mellie's nursing class which was wonderful and part of the reason I am doing so well breastfeeding. I am certain that I would not have had such a beautiful, happy and informed birth without taking Mellie's class!

The prenatal classes are amazing and Melanie is a fantastic instructor. It is a perfect mix of yoga, birth education and bonding with other mamas. I walked out of every class feeling so empowered

Taking classes here with Melanie has been the best thing I've done for my pregnancy. I started taking classes at 12 weeks and I'm now on week 35. This isn't your typical prenatal yoga class, it's more like a community. Melanie takes extra time to let each of us talk about how we re feeling, what's going on with us and ask questions. She really cares about each of us and what we re going through. This being my first pregnancy and feeling nervous to say the least, it's been so helpful to have the support of such a knowledgable teacher. Besides prenatal yoga, she's also a doula, lactation teacher, skilled in hypno and spinning babies too!! It's also so nice being able to chatt with all the other moms to be about their experiences. We all welcome each other and love to share stories about what interesting things are going on in our pregnancies. Melanie also teaches this class as labor prep. so what you learn and do in class is not only keeping you in shape, strengthening and stretching the right places to make pregnancy more comfortable but getting you ready for the big day too! After a couple classes I really noticed how each move we do has a purpose and was carefully chosen for what our bodies need right now. I would really recommend to anyone who's pregnant to give this a try, no matter how tired you may feel, this class will revive you