Welcome to Lighthouse Yoga Center!
We are Washington DC’s premiere Yoga studio for Kundalini, Hatha, Pre/Postnatal, Restorative, Yin and Flow Yoga.
Lighthouse Yoga Center is located in the Northwest Washington DC residential neighborhood of Brightwood Park, on the Kennedy Street commercial strip.
Lighthouse Yoga Center is one of Washington DC’s few studios that offer multiple weekly Kundalini Yoga classes and is a flagship studio for somatic and alignment oriented Hatha Yoga. Our wonderful teachers and students have created a beautiful space for peace and healing in the heart of Northwest DC, and we are grateful to all of those who have been part of our growth.
Lighthouse prioritizes inclusion, diversity and community. We are a “come as you are” studio, and offer classes for all ages, shapes and sizes. At Lighthouse, we believe that yoga is a way to help us feel better. When we feel better in and connect with our bodies, we’re able to start to calm our mind. When we’re able to calm our minds, we can connect with our spirit. When we put all these aspects together, we empower ourselves to make changes in our lives and the world.
As we continue to grow and fortify our commitment to our community, Lighthouse Yoga Center will continue to be a beacon for inner peace in Petworth, Brightwood and beyond. Our mission is to serve our students and neighbors by providing a space that is open and welcoming to all.
Our Classes & Workshops
We offer a variety of classes and workshops in-person, live online and on video replay!
In-person
Join us for in-person classes in our bright and airy studio! Just bring yourself, a willingness to try and a smile. Lighthouse Yoga Center supplies all the props (mats, blankets, belts, blocks, etc.) you’ll need. Wear comfortable, preferably stretchy and/or loose clothing, such as shorts or leggings. Changing areas/bathrooms are available at LYC, and personal belongings can be stored in our cubbies. Doors open 15 minutes before the class starts, and we ask that you register online for the class prior to arriving to ensure space in the class, and because our desk is not always staffed to register you. Please note that the doors at LYC are generally unlocked 15 mins prior to class start time and then locked 15 minutes after the scheduled class start time, so please try to arrive on time.
Online Yoga Classes
We offer livestream online classes via Zoom. These classes are live and interactive. You can ask questions, and engage with the teacher and other students before and after class. These classes are held at specific times and can be found on our schedule. Some of these classes are held in the studio (called hybrid classes), so that students can choose either in-person or online, and some are taught only online, often from the teachers’ personal studio. Most classes that are offered online only are recorded for later use as on-demand video classes. Classes taught in our studio with live people in-person are not typically recorded for on-demand replay.
Video-on-Demand Classes
Our video-on-demand classes are recorded replays of our livestream classes. You’re getting the same great content but can practice whenever you want! Video-on-demand classes are included in the Lighthouse membership at no extra cost.
Workshops
Weekly classes are wonderful, but sometimes our teachers and guests want to offer our students a taste of their Yoga specialties! Check our workshops and events page here for upcoming workshops (usually on the weekend, 2-4hrs) and workshop series (usually a 1-2hr weeknight class offered 4-8 weeks in a row). These are purchased separately from weekly classes, but members get a discount on all workshops and series! All workshops that are offered hybrid or online are recorded for later use by workshop participants (not shared publicly).
What is Kundalini Yoga?
While Hatha yoga is the most widespread form of yoga in the west, lesser known Kundalini Yoga traces its lineage from the Tantra, Nath and Siddhatraditions of Himalayan northern India.
Kundalini Yoga is focussed on awakening internal spiritual energy using movement, mantra, and meditation. This feminine energy, called the Kundalini shakti works through our our nadis and chakra – the internal flow channels and energy centers studied by the ancients.
In addition to asanas and small repetitive movements, kundalini yoga focuses a great deal on pranayama (yogic breath work), mantras, and meditation. Borrowing and integrating many different approaches, Kundalini Yoga can be understood as a tri-fold approach of Bhakti yoga for devotion, Shakti yoga for strength, and Raja yoga for mental control.
Your Kundalini teacher may ask you to tune in with a spiritual mantra to center your consciousness at the start of a Kundalini sequence, then lead you through pranayama (breathing exercises) and physical movement. Kundalini classes usually conclude with a meditation and savasana (final relaxation). Meditation is a key aspect of this practice. Meditation in Kundalini Yoga uses breath, mantra (sound), mudra (hand positions), dhayana (focus) and dhrishti (eye gaze). Kundalini Yoga can be practiced by everyone, regardless of age, flexibility, body shape or size, or other factors. Modifications and props are offered for many poses.
A Statement on Our Kundalini Lineage
Lighthouse Yoga has no financial or organizational dealings with SSSC, KYATBYB, KRI, 3HO, White Tantra, Akal Security, Yogi Tea or any organizations affiliated with harmful “cult” practices.
Since 2020, increasing allegations of sexual, financial, and spiritual crimes have emerged against Harbhajan Singh Puri (Yogi Bhajan in the west) and his 3HO organization. Lighthouse Yoga stands with anyone who has been disenfranchised or oppressed and remains committed to dismantling criminal, racist, homophobic, and culturally insensitive structures that silence survivors.
While most of our Kundalini teachers were originally trained through KRI, many are also certified by Yoga Alliance. Our Kundalini teachers are committed to expanding their continuing education and thinking around kundalini yoga beyond the teachings of Harbhajan Singh Puri (Yogi Bhajan) and are committed to making Lighthouse Yoga a safe space for healing and expression. Each of our teachers approach their yoga journeys with respect and humility. We do not see ourselves as gurus, and encourage our students to experience the effect and impact of Kundalini yoga for themselves. Our community remains open to dialogue, discussion, and feedback.
What our students say about us:
“I REALLY love the space at Lighthouse Yoga! Every class has been amazing, especially Fundamentals and Body Image! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so supportive, generous and flexible. <3” — DD
“Seriously, I’m so grateful to have Lighthouse in the neighborhood. It’s a godsend, and the best yoga studio I’ve experienced in 7 years of practice.” — LMJ,
“Thank you for showing me how wonderful yoga is… It has become an integral part of my existence.” — SN,
“Your teaching and this practice continue to have a profound and positive impact on my life; can’t thank you enough for your enthusiasm and encouragement.” — AF,
“Lighthouse is one of the few places that I found that had a non-flashy, authentic class schedule.” — LN