Why I Started Kija Yoga

When I started Kija Yoga, the intention was simple: to create a quiet, private space where people could practice in an environment that feels grounded, focused, and genuinely supportive.

After more than a decade of personal practice and years of teaching, I began to notice how easy it is to feel disconnected in larger studio settings. Classes often move quickly, rooms can feel crowded, and students can go unseen in the process. I wanted to create something more intentional- a space where people could slow down and develop a deeper relationship with their practice over time.

Classes at Kija Yoga are intentionally kept small so that each student can receive more individualized attention and support. My teaching is rooted in traditional Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga, with an emphasis on alignment, awareness, breath, and refinement. Rather than rushing through movement, the focus is on building understanding and learning how to move with greater control, presence, and connection to the body.

My training was shaped through traditional methods, including extended study in India, and those experiences deeply influenced the way I view yoga today. While modern yoga classes can be energizing and enjoyable, I’ve always felt that many of the distractions often surrounding them- loud music, fast pacing, dark rooms, colorful lights- can pull attention away from the deeper work of the practice. The real work in yoga happens in the challenge, in the patience, and in learning to stay present rather than constantly seeking the next moment. It happens in learning to sit with discomfort, breathe through it, and remain aware within it.

Environment matters. The space we practice in influences the quality of our attention, our nervous system, and our ability to truly connect inward. I wanted Kija Yoga to feel simple and grounded- a space where people could slow down and practice without unnecessary distraction.

My background in movement began early through gymnastics and cheerleading, though yoga entered my life much later while I was living and working in Washington, D.C. What began as a way to reset eventually became a complete shift in direction. Those experiences continue to shape the way I teach today.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to lead classes, workshops, and residencies all around the world. In 2024, after spending extended time abroad, I returned home to Los Angeles and opened Kija Yoga, a small home-based studio designed to feel personal, intentional, and welcoming.

As a small business owner, I’m still learning and continuing to shape this space as it evolves. I’m deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and trust that students have already brought into it. Thank you for being here at the beginning.

Carmen Kija