Health & Fitness in Laguna Niguel

James Brown's yogic journey has taken him from the tobacco farms of Maryland to the California studio of acclaimed Ashtanga master and YogaWorks founder Maty Ezraty. Along the way, he helped scholars stay limber as American University's first Adjunct Professor of Yoga and served as a key contributor to YogaWorks' training manuals and teaching programs, now Director of Yoga Content for YogaWorks' teacher training worldwide. His patented curricula imbued more than 1,000 teachers from across the globe with the power necessary to lead classes to physical and spiritual fitness. Now, he brings his keen understanding of the intersections of ancient poses and contemporary culture to You and the Mat. The eco-conscious center’s hardwood-floored studio provides a space where yogis of all skill levels can stretch, bend, and strengthen their bodies during classes of seven days a week. From sunrise and prenatal yoga to yoga for fitness, each session on the schedule challenges students with intelligent instruction guided by one of 13 handpicked teachers.

While the studio is primarily known as an institute of yogic learning, it's also a haven for the visual and performing arts. An on-site gallery displays original work from local artists; past exhibits have included work from photographer Richard Seagraves, musician David Ryan Harris, and Robert Sturman.

MyGym Children's Fitness Center, which currently has more than 200 international locations, began more than 30 years ago as a structured place for children to safely play, acquire new skills, and romp off a sugar buzz. All classes are organized according to age level—starting as young as 6 months and skewing up to 3 years and 3 months—and designed to incorporate the latest physiological and psychological research. Tiny Tykes gets babies moving with help from their parents, Mighty Mites teaches toddlers self-reliance and beginning sports skills, and Champions—a class for kids aged 6 to 9—emphasizes the importance of using teamwork to master more complex sports skills and achieve group goals such as building a human pyramid to reach the cookie jar. MyGym's energetic instructors are experts at using music, dance, and gymnastics to build youngsters' strength and self-esteem while stimulating their giggle-plexes. The noncompetitive environment fosters creativity and hands-on activities boost children's learning retention and fun quotient.

Named one of the top five best Pilates studios in the OC in 2008 and 2009 by CityVoters, ABC Pilates molds muscles and tones tendons with a variety of classes and techniques. Mat flow classes combine traditional mat work with free weights, bands, and stability balls, improving your ability to walk while holding a chest freezer overhead. Rubber band enthusiasts can try TRX, a suspension system designed to increase strength using your own body weight. Zumba is a cardio carnival that blends Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a sweaty dance-off, and boot camp is an indoor/outdoor class that mixes cardio, body weight exercises, and interval and strength training. To build strength, flexibility, and balance while working the mind, take a yoga class.

Inside CrossFit Laguna Niguel, there's cheering, clapping, and yelling. There's also grunting, sweating, and the clamor of weights as they hit the floor. It's all part of an environment that sets exercisers up to succeed—as long as they're willing to charge into every session full-bore. Here, Workouts of the Day challenge muscles with CrossFit's always varied, always intense lineup of movements. Some of those movements are based in gymnastics, some in weightlifting. No matter the day's game plan, the facility's coaches remain nearby to infuse workouts with extra doses of motivation and direction.

A fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology since 1989, Lorrie Klein specializes in the artistic application of cosmetic dermatology. She and her experienced visage-refiners emphasize the individual appearance and needs of each patient while ensuring that each treatment is as comfortable as possible. Botox treatments, de-quirk asymmetrical eyebrows back into place ($25-$300,) retouch corners of the mouth ($80-$130,) and smooth contemplative forehead lines ($160-$260.) Dr Klein's laser hair removal services, employ Gentlease and GentleYAG lasers, which minimize black and brown hair while utilizing a cool spray to alleviate discomfort. The lasers zap underarms smooth for $99, and a lip/chin double defoliation is available for $150. Crystal microdermabrasion targets discolored or irregular patches of skin for $175 per treatment, forcing them to conform with the rest of your well-behaved skin cells. Sterile aluminum oxide crystals non-invasively reduce freckles, acne scars, and sun damage with no downtime later.

The trainers at Precision Fitness believe that achieving wellbeing is a deeply individual process. For this reason, they work only with small groups of students, avoiding the intimidating bustle that’s common at most gyms and instead facilitating focused, nonjudgmental sessions. The intimate setting allows them to create exercise regimens for patrons of all walks of life, from those with little gym experience to seasoned athletes or brides-to-be. Their programs typically involve a mix of cardiovascular and weight training, as well as nutrition tips for healthier long-term diets that don't just advise patrons to eat two apples a day. Though they embrace a private atmosphere during lessons, group activities outside of the gym, such as bowling outings and dinner parties, encourage a sense of community among their clients.