Black Dog Yoga Studio Welcomes New Teachers And A Fresh Perspective For The Yoga Community
Often, independently owned studios go through transitions and one of the latest in the city is the change in ownership at Black Dog Yoga in Sherman Oaks. Steve and Shirley OConnor first opened the studio in the Valley in 2002. For the past six-and-a-half years, Peter Barnett has helmed the community. Now, Black Dog has transitioned to new ownership. The new team consists of teachers Sigrid Matthews, Dice Iida-Klein, Briohny Smyth and Yoga Vibe owners and teachers Amy and Larry Santiago.
What will remain the same? The studio will continue to feature a roster of talented teachers and the teacher training staff, an inspiration to many students, will remain the same, with studio co-owner Sigrid Matthews as head of the program.
The studio intends to continue to nurture and to grow with the community and the space features an open lounge with hot tea and free WI-FI providing space for the community to connect with old friends and make new ones.
Black Dog Yoga will continue to host international guest teachers, including LAs own it will also be the home studio for Dice and Briohny of Bryce Yoga. In addition to hosting their own teacher training program, Black Dog will also be collaborating with other programs so their students can explore and deepen their practice.
Black Dog Yoga will continue the tradition to provide a space to raise awareness, and to create opportunities for personal growth, health, inspiration and transformation.
Meet Sigrid Matthews Of Black Dog Yoga In The Valley
Today wed like to introduce you to Sigrid Matthews.
Sigrid, can you briefly walk us through your story how you started and how you got to where you are today.I am a 500 E-RYT and have been teaching yoga and fitness since 1986. I earned my B.A. in Theatre, Film, and Television at UCLA where I studied movement and dance extensively. I also studied yoga with my first teacher Billy Porter. So transformed by the practice I decided to move to Europe to experience and explore life. I acted and did voice over work as well as beginning to teach in small studios and attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts where I studied the Alexander Technique. When I returned to the States I took up residency in Manhattan and continued teaching fitness interwoven with yoga, movement technique, and metaphysical principles.
Returning to Los Angeles in the early 90s I co taught with Carol Adrienne The Purpose of Your Life Workshops at Esalen and began teaching yoga and guided meditation exclusively. I have continued to study throughout my career completing 2 years of the LMU therapy program, Leslie Kaminoffs advanced anatomy, massage, and aromatherapy certifications.
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Our Location And Where You’ll Live
OPI provides a place where young adults become aware of the opportunities and possibilities available. Located in Woodland Hills, CA, 45 minutes between downtown Los Angeles and Malibu, we take advantage of the rich resources available here. Nearby are multiple and varied career, educational, and recreational opportunities as well as immersion in the arts and finance, business and entertainment communities. All of which can inspire and challenge OPI participants.
And you dont need to worry about our traffic and freeways. We drive our participants everywhere they need to go.
Best Yoga Studios In La

When it comes to yoga, L.A’s reputation precedes it. Ask any east coaster, and they’ll tell you that we’re a bunch of Lululemon-wearing, namaste-saying hippies who have jobs that allow us to practice Iyengar at 11:30 on Tuesday mornings.
And in some cases like that of the freelance writer they’re not entirely wrong. But that doesn’t mean we’ll drop mat at just any old class we’re selective about who we let guide us into a nice, easy downward-facing dog. Here are the top ten studios in Los Angeles that we frequent:
10. The Yoga Collective
Once Santa Monica’s biggest yoga studio, The Yoga Collective recently moved to Venice in order to offer a little Zen to the hugely overexerted beach community. The schedule of Hatha classes isn’t as jam-packed as it once was, but classes are still offered late into the evening the last session most days is from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 512 Rose Ave., Venice.
9. Bikram Yoga College of India
Some of us might feel that hot yoga is for masochists. But the truth is that a lot of people wouldn’t have their practice any other way, and for that group whoever you are there’s the granddaddy of hot yoga, Bikram Yoga College of India in West L.A. There, participants sweat their troubles away for an hour and a half in 105 degree heat. On purpose. 11500 W. Olympic Blvd., West L.A.
8. Black Dog
7. Liberation Yoga
6. Runyon Canyon
5. Silver Lake Yoga
4. Urth Yoga
3. City Yoga
2. Golden Bridge Yoga
1. YogaWorks
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Best Ways To Get From Macleod Ale Brewing Co To Black Dog Yoga
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Black Dog Yoga Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
Black Dog Yoga, a yoga studio located in the San Fernando Valley will celebrate its 10th anniversary this Saturday, May 12. The studio has maintained its role as a cornerstone in the community since its inception, working as a place for members to practice yoga and better their community. The key to our success weve always had great teachers weve had this great community that has grown around the studio. We love our customers and they love us, said Rose Gresch, the general manager of Black Dog Yoga.
The brainchild of Steve and Shirley OConnor, Black Dog was founded in May of 2002. Peter Barnett, the current owner and a former Black Dog instructor, took over after the couple asked him to step in. One day the folks at Black Dog Yoga asked if Id be interested in taking over. Id always liked the idea of owning a business, said Barnett.
Building off of the resources the OConnors had left behind, he took an already successful studio and made it even better. Weve managed to really grow the business my mandate was really to take it to the next level, said Barnett. We continuously expanded and grew over the course of three years. Its a combination of having a very loyal clientele and running a professional environment that has made us successful. According to Gresch, on average 300 members walk through their door a day to practice yoga.
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