Exploring Life & Business with Emily Morwen of Modo Yoga LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Morwen.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2011, we opened our first Modo Yoga studio on La Brea and 3rd. We were a couple of wide-eyed Canadians with a bold dream of creating an eco-conscious, ego-free, fun and super welcoming hot yoga studio for all walks for life. We wanted everyone who walked through our doors to feel seen, heard and celebrated. Soon after opening, we received best yoga studio in Los Angeles Magazine. In 2017, echo park and Venice studios were born and our community now expands across Los Angeles. Together, we have raised over 600,000 for local and global charities. Since covid-19, we quickly pivoted to take our classes online, so our community now spans across the world.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Haha, this makes me laugh! Smooth road is not how I would describe our MYLA journey. We always say that our studios were build on “no’s” turned to “yes’s”. To the point where we would often make it a game. No, you say? Well, then it’s gonna be a triple YES! From being told that LA yoga market was saturated and there was no room for us, to being told that no one who be into a studio that didn’t allow phones or that wasn’t all about as many yoga pushups and handstands as possible, from almost losing each one of our locations many times over, to permitting nightmares, to not knowing how to pay the next days’ bills, and we won’t even mention Covid which every small business is trying to navigate…you name it, we’ve seen it, felt it, gone through it. That being said, we believe in what we are doing with every cell of our bodies and have been fortunate enough to be met with three beautiful communities of students and staff who believe in our dream too and who stand by us and continue to show up. Covid has been next level not-smooth but we are determined to make it to the other side somehow. We just launched our new online platform and we’re feeling super proud and excited about that!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about you?
I am a co-founder of Modo Yoga LA. Over the years, I have filled every role including mopping the floors, writing the newsletters, answering memberships emails, creating schedules, working the front desk, teaching, managing, working with lawyers, architects, landlords… you name it! Within the last couple of years, I have been more focused on teaching, teacher development and working with my awesome partner in yoga, Alice, on all things big picture, strategy and vision.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m not sure if this is “surprising” but something I am most proud of is the campaign we created called Sweat for Change where our community sweat once a day for 30 days and together, we raised over 400,000 to bring music into underserved LA public schools and to re-forest California after devastating fires. This campaign is sort of the inspiration behind our new online platform. The whole concept rooted in the notion that our individual micro efforts multiples to create epic change and impact when we come together… challenge yourself, change the world.

Pricing:

• Online platform for $30/month
• First 7 days free trial

Contact Info:

• Email: info@modoyogala.com
• Website: modoyogaLA.com
• Instagram: modoyogaLA
• Facebook: Modo Yoga LA
• Other: https://modoyogala.uscreen.io/catalog

Image Credits:
@catielaffoon