Storefront Report: Eagle Rock yoga studio caters to students of all ages

By Samuel Temblador

Core Club L.A., which opened last month in Eagle Rock,  reflects owner Gabrielle Benoit’s training and commitment to teaching yoga to children as well as adults. When she worked at other yoga studios over the years,  Benoit noticed that some clients  needed babysitters whenever they felt like practicing yoga while others were inconvenienced as they waited for childrens classes to end. With this problem ruminating in the back of her mind, Benoit realized that the best solution would be to open a facility with enough space to hold yoga classes for adults and children simultaneously.

“It would keep children engaged (and away from the television) and give parents an opportunity to exercise without worrying about childcare,” she said.

Located on Colorado Boulevard near Eagle Rock Boulevard,  Core Club is housed  in space formerly occupied by PC Bang.  Nestled at the end of a long hallway running from Colorado Boulevard,  Core Club  has “the feeling of a retreat or urban oasis,”  Benoit said.  The space has been remodeled with a moveable wall to separate yoga classes, new floors  and walls painted a “soothing blue.”

Benoit, a certified instructor and master of Pilates, Hatha, and Kundalini Yoga, started training as a yoga instructor after graduating from Occidental College in 2006.  Although Benoit fell in love with Pilates Plus, her previous experiences as a substitute teacher and nanny for Eagle Rock families made her long for the opportunity to work with children again. In Los Feliz, Benoit began training with Kelly Wood of Karuna Yoga to teach children’s yoga classes.  For Benoit, “The delight and openness which children bring to class is endlessly rewarding.”