LEFT : COURTESY OF LAGUNA BEACH YOGA & FAIR TRADE ; RIGHT : ASHLEY RYAN

STRIKE A POSE Open seven days a week with a variety of classes , Laguna Beach Yoga & Fair Trade is the ideal place to embrace wellness . Co-owner Katie Bond Gallen is one of 17 teachers at the studio that aim to help you achieve both physical and spiritual growth along with a sense of connection . “ We have some really beautiful teachers that show up in the most beautiful way to hold space for others ,” Bond Gallen notes . Classes range from vinyasa , gentle flow , restorative , ashtanga and power yoga to meditation and reiki , with additional offerings for children and moms who are pre- or post-natal . “ You can be someone who ’ s never done yoga and still come and take a sound bath or take a restorative class or come to meditation ,” she says . “… We ’ re trying to have a little something for everyone .”

SHOP FOR A CAUSE Whether you ’ re looking for a gift or simply perusing the boutique before

yoga class , you ’ ll find some true gems . Many of the items come from artisans in Tanzania , Kenya or Congo , who create pieces to present to Bond Gallen as well as collaborate with her . “ In Africa , the brighter , the better ,” she explains . “… So sometimes we ’ ll take their idea and say , ‘ Instead of doing multicolor or neon beads , let ’ s do all white .’ … What we allow them to get super creative on is the earrings .” Aside from jewelry , you ’ ll find beaded baskets , woven purses , yoga mat bags in African-inspired prints and more . Still other pieces come from Native American artists — a tribute , along with the land dedication in the shop , to Bond Gallen ’ s husband ’ s ancestry — or from local mothers , who supply the shop with things like handmade chocolates , candles and yoga pants . “ I think the greatest impact we ’ re having right now is on the women in Tanzania , because we ’ re selling so much of their stuff . … They have been able to build a … house that they can all work in . … For

some of them , like the Kenyan artisans , … the impact is minimal , but … what we pay them could pay for six months of schooling for their kids .”

AN ARTIST COLONY From the art festivals in the canyon to the local museum , numerous galleries and public art galore , creativity is weaved into Laguna ’ s fabric in just about every way possible — even at Bond Gallen ’ s new yoga studio . Through an artist in residency program , Laguna Beach Yoga & Fair Trade showcases local artwork that is for sale . “ Life is art , yoga is art , movement is art , fair trade is art — and that ’ s important to us , too , that we keep that connection ,” Bond Gallen notes . From the September opening through the end of the year , artist and photographer Karen Redding ’ s work was on full display . Transitioning into 2024 , Steven Lustig ’ s charcoal drawings now adorn the walls of both the fitness studio and boutique . In a few months , a new artist will be swapped in . g

LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 25