The country's oldest continually operating yoga studio remains one of LA's most popular, with more than 120 classes a week taking place in three rooms with hardwood floors. Besides the standard classes at levels one, two and three, there are sessions for HIV-positive students, pregnant women and parents with children in tow.

Hatha, which is a mix of yoga styles, is the form taught at the Center, though certain classes focus on meditation, pranayama (breathing), flow and other specialities. And though there's a gift shop, and classes are priced about the same as any other respected studio in town, the Center is less commercially oriented than other studios and retains a mellow vibe that seems to have escaped guru-centric and power-yoga dens. Steven Freedman's classes are among the best attended; without chit-chat, music, bells or gongs, the hour and a half is sufficiently introspective for those trying to escape outside stimuli. Peter Barnett's early morning Vinyasa Flow classes offer calming yet challenging ways to start the work day for yogis that can drag themselves out of bed early enough. And for those still trying to master their downward dogs, there are plenty of beginner clases as well.