heart & soul yoga founder

Brandy is the driving force behind Heart & Soul Yoga and The Local Wellness Foundation, dedicated to fostering a thriving community through yoga. As a passionate advocate for mental and emotional health, she empowers individuals through her impactful "Work-IN Workshop," equipping thousands with tools to manage stress and promote personal growth.

Brandy makes yoga accessible to all, reaching veterans, children, seniors, LGBTQ groups, individuals with special needs, and families affected by suicide and cancer. Her expertise has earned recognition from organizations like the Los Angeles Mental Health Department and CalMHSA. With certifications in cognitive behavioral therapy, a 500-hour RYT, trauma-informed yoga and sound healing, she prioritizes diversity and inclusion through partnerships with agencies such as Whittier Union High School District, HYC, Rio Hondo College, REACH, Regional Center, LGBTQ Center and LA County Mental Health Department.

As a curator of wellness events and workshops, Brandy emphasizes mental health in our communities. She advocates for diversity and inclusion in mental health and has created a template for Meridian Yoga for mental health, offering evidence-based tools to address stress, depression, PTSD, and anxiety—transforming lives and redefining yoga’s role in mental health care.

Class Descriptions:

• Trauma-Informed Meridian Yoga Therapy (MYT): Focuses on emotional and mental health, suitable for all levels. This practice combines traditional yoga, meridian therapy, and Chinese medicine to enhance overall well-being through gentle movements, mindful breathing, and acupressure.
• Yin Yoga: A calming practice that targets deep connective tissues and promotes relaxation. This class encourages stillness and introspection, making it ideal for all levels looking to enhance flexibility and release tension.
• Sound Practitioner: Integrates sound healing with yoga, using various instruments to create a soothing environment that promotes deep relaxation and mental clarity. This class is designed to enhance the overall experience of mindfulness and well-being.
• Flow: An energetic class where movement meets breath, emphasizing fluid transitions to build strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Suitable for all levels, it encourages body awareness and personal pace.
• Adaptive Yoga: Tailored for caregivers, individuals with special needs, seniors, and corporate groups, this class incorporates breathwork, acupressure, and meditation for holistic well-being.

With 18 years of experience in Hatha and various other styles of all-levels yoga, Dahhee is a dedicated and passionate teacher committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for her students. Her classes are designed to empower individuals of all backgrounds and abilities, emphasizing mindfulness and body awareness.

She believes in the transformative power of yoga and strives to inspire her students to connect with their bodies, minds, and deep strength. Dahhee's classes offer a harmonious blend of strength and flexibility, encouraging a deeper understanding of your own unique journey. 

Class Description: 

Sculpt Yoga: Join Dahhee for Sculpt Yoga with weights every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 PM. This is a dynamic class designed specifically for those over 40, blending strength training and yoga to enhance flexibility and build muscle. This class incorporates light weights and resistance movements alongside traditional yoga poses, promoting overall fitness and vitality. Participants will engage in low-impact exercises that focus on core strength, balance, and mobility, all while cultivating mindfulness and relaxation. Join us to invigorate your body, boost your energy, and connect with a supportive community dedicated to healthy aging.

Madi is dedicated to helping her students build strength, flexibility, and mental focus through intentional movement. Specializing in Vinyasa yoga, her classes feature playful flows, soothing stretches, and energizing dynamic poses that challenge the body while calming the mind.

With a background in crafting fun and upbeat playlists, Madi creates an inviting atmosphere where students can enjoy feel-good music throughout their practice. Whether participants come to the mat for fitness, clarity, or balance, Madi’s goal is for everyone to leave feeling lighter than when they arrived.

Join Madi in her journey to inspire others through yoga and discover the joy of movement!

Class Description: 

Vinyasa Flow: Vinyasa Flow is a dynamic and fluid style of yoga that links breath with movement. In this practice, poses are sequenced together in a continuous flow, allowing for a seamless transition from one posture to the next. Suitable for all levels, Vinyasa Flow emphasizes the importance of alignment and breath awareness, making it accessible for beginners while still offering challenges for more experienced practitioners. Classes often incorporate creative sequences, encouraging participants to explore their bodies and cultivate strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Whether you’re looking to build endurance or find relaxation, Vinyasa Flow provides a welcoming space for everyone.

When  she’s not inspiring others on the mat, you can find Ruthie exploring  the great outdoors, traveling, or hiking with her two furry  companions—Sol, the wise German Shepherd, and Luna, the playful Labrador  Retriever. 🐾🌲 Together, they keep her grounded and inspired, one Down  Dog at a time!

Join  her every Monday morning at 9 AM and Tuesday at 6:30 PM for Hatha Flow classes infused with a  heart-centered approach, where you'll connect deeply with your spiritual  self while moving mindfully through your practice. 🧘‍♀️✨ Ruthie  believes yoga is not just an exercise; it's a powerful tool for  self-care, healing, and personal transformation!

Class Description:

Hatha Yoga: Experience a gentle and welcoming Hatha Yoga class designed for all levels. Ruthie blends postures, breathwork, and meditation to help you build balance, strength, and mindfulness.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi, this class offers a supportive space to connect with your body, calm your mind, and rejuvenate your spirit.

Mercedes is a life long yoga practitioner and a former dancer. She  simply cannot imagine life without movement! Her classes create a space  to develop both physical and emotional resilience. In her classes you  find a variety of frequency imprinted bracelets that help not only  enhance the yoga practice, but also help mitigate life’s little  challenges.  

Mercedes is also an avid reader, so be prepare  to laugh and to learn new things in her classes. You can find her all  over Los Angeles at wellness events spreading the word on the benefits  of grounding.

Class Description: 

Myofascia Yin: 

This class  helps to relieve tension in the  connective tissue throughout the body. Participants use tennis balls,  breath, and gravity to improve mobility and blood flow, and decrease  soreness and pain. This class can be challenging, but the benefits are  immediate and long lasting. All level practitioners are welcome! 

Restorative Yin
This  is a passive style of yoga that works on the connective tissues of the  body - fascia, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints - that are not  normally exercised in active yoga practice. The postures are held over  90 seconds, so as to go deeper than the superficial or muscle tissues.

After acquiring 500 hours of teacher training in an attempt to connect to a more epic version of myself, I actually came to an appreciation for the simpler things in life. That’s why I love to teach restorative yoga. It is a practice in patience and presence where you will be able to let go of your daily worries and return to a fundamental state of gratitude. Let’s release and rebuild together!

Class Description: 

Slow Flow & Restorative: 

d mindfulness. This session features gentle movements synchronized with your breath, allowing for a calming flow that transitions into restorative postures supported by props for ultimate relaxation. You'll engage in mindful breathing techniques to quiet the mind and ground your energy, concluding with a guided meditation to integrate the practice's benefits. Suitable for all levels, this class is perfect for anyone seeking to reduce stress, enhance flexibility, and cultivate a sense of well-being. Come as you are, and leave feeling refreshed and revitalized!