Om Shanti STFU: Local Yoga Studio Owner Hates L.A. Residents, Thinks We're Vain and Full of Botox

Here at LAist, we like to support local businesses. We like to see them thrive, because we love our city and we want our people to do well.

What, then, are we supposed to make of a man who owns a business in Brentwood but spends an entire interview with the Huffington Post trash-talking L.A. residents, judging the very people who allow him to earn a livelihood, and promoting some of the worst stereotypes of Angelenos?

And what, additionally, are we to do when this person happens to be the owner of a yoga studio, a place where one might assume that his students come to feel free from the judgment that accompanies city living (any city, it should be noted, not just L.A.)?

Well, we're going to get pissed, that's what. Steve Ross is the owner of Maha Yoga in Brentwood, and here are a few choice excerpts of his interview:

Support for LAist comes from

Become a sponsor

If LA were a yoga position, what might she be? Down Dog with a cell phone in the left hand and a Kombucha and/or mirror in the right hand… or Happy Baby Pose, which many know by my nickname for it, Happy Boyfriend Pose! [Editor's note: we don't know what this means, but we really hope it doesn't mean what we think it might mean.]. ...

Do you have a meal that reminds you of Los Angeles?
A banana, coconut water, blueberry smoothie -- with a generous topping of Botox.

How do you choose the music to play in your yoga classes?
UCLA girls tell me what to play… and Elvis appears to me and tells me to play rap.

...

Why do you love Los Angeles?
I love LA because of its casual ability to undermine any true creativity. And it has nice weather.

Why do you hate Los Angeles?
I don't hate LA, I just hate the people that live here :)

So! Anyone out there frequent Ross' studio? Because in summary, you should know that he hates you, that you undermine creativity, and that he assumes that you're shot up with Botox and would prefer to be doing yoga while admiring yourself in the mirror. Also, we're not entirely sure, but we think that he might be sexualizing you while you do Happy Baby pose with your legs spread up in the air.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like exactly the kind of thing I'm hoping to find in a yoga class: judgment, derision and possibly leering.

In case you want to know a little more about this mystery man, his bio on the Maha Yoga website is full of love and spirituality:

Steve Ross has practiced various styles of yoga for his entire adult life and has been an instructor for over twenty years...He is honored to have the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with other spiritual seekers. [Ed note, again: unless you're from L.A.]... Although some practitioners of yoga take themselves very, very seriously, the true goal of yoga is the permanent and unbroken awareness of the deepest joy and happiness possible...I unite music and yoga in an enjoyable way for people to experience yoga that transcends tradition, promotes joy, and serves as an adjunct for healing.

We tried calling over to Maha Yoga to get a comment from Ross, but the mailbox was full (possibly with people wondering why their yoga instructor just announced his abject disgust for them) and an email request for clarification of the remarks has also gone unanswered.

So, here's our message: Steve, if you're reading this, we'd welcome an explanation for your hateful, insulting and, frankly, creepy remarks. And also, as for the last line of your interview -- that you don't live in Hawaii because it's too expensive -- well, I'm sure that if you stand by your comments on HuffPo, someone in L.A. would be happy to help you find a nice, comfy place away from this city that you so despise.

Keep up with LAist

Om Shanti STFU: Local Yoga Studio Owner Hates L.A. Residents, Thinks We're Vain and Full of Botox