One Down Dog, Los Angeles

One Down Dog is not your typical yoga studio. Just look at its initials, which are a source of pride for the staff—as they announce on the space's site, "we embrace our odd-ness!" And the workouts themselves are anything but expected. Rather than requesting students to silently contemplate their muscles, the teachers lead yoga dance parties and classes that invite students to stretch and shimmy to upbeat playlists that might include tracks by Lupe Fiasco and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

The mind behind the unconventional operation belongs to Jessica Rosen, who turned a difficult youth into a career as a therapist. She discovered the healing power of yoga during her studies, and began to encourage the individuals she counseled to adopt the practice themselves. But she still wanted to do more—a wish that eventually inspired her to found One Down Dog. Today, Rosen continues to introduce others to yoga through classes, private sessions, and goal-coaching appointments, helping clients focus on a particular dream or simply gain the flexibility to wave to their very tall friends.