R&B Yoga transforms L.A.’s wellness culture with music and community

When Lauren Spearman first took a leap into the world of yoga, she was eager to find her place in a practice that, despite its growing popularity, left many feeling excluded—especially those who didn’t fit the traditional mold. “I got certified [as an instructor] when I was 21, but by the time I was 23, I just didn’t feel included at all in the yoga space.” 

Spearman is proudly Afro-Latina, with both Black and Mexican roots that inform her unique wellness journey. Reflecting on the early days of her yoga practice, she recalls a stark lack of diversity among instructors. “There weren’t as many teachers of color as there are now,” she shares. “Nobody was playing hip hop, nobody was playing rap, nobody was playing R&B, and I was like, let me just do it.” 

Determined to change the landscape, Spearman took matters into her own hands, infusing her classes with the sounds of her heritage and creating a space where her identity could truly be reflected. In 2016, at the age of 23, Spearman founded R&B Yoga in Chicago—a space that would offer something radically different. It was yoga for the people, where the beats of Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé blended with the calm of stretching and mindfulness. 

It wasn’t just about the poses; it was about creating a community that could show up as they were. What started as an idea for her friends quickly gained traction, and before she knew it, the classes she thought would only be a small gathering of just friends had turned into a movement. 

Relocating to Los Angeles, Spearman’s R&B Yoga classes are in high demand, often booking up quickly. Held on a rooftop in the Fashion District, the sessions offer sweeping views of downtown L.A. as a stunning backdrop. Each class features a live DJ, and participants embrace the energy of the day by donning their favorite gear, all inspired by the artist chosen to curate the session’s soundtrack.

One of the key elements of R&B Yoga is Spearman’s attention to cultural representation. It’s not just about the music—though the playlists, crafted with care and community input, are a central part of the experience. “I listen to what my students want,” she explains. “It’s about giving them what they feel connected to, whether it’s reggaetón or a set full of Kehlani tracks. It’s all about making people feel like this space is for them.”

This approach has struck a chord with many students, who often suggest new music and themes through a suggestion box. “Sometimes they put me on to new artists I didn’t even know about,” Spearman laughs. “But that’s what makes it special—it’s a community-driven experience.”

Spearman’s vision resonated with many who had felt the same way she had. For years, yoga had been a space dominated by thin, white and often affluent bodies. But Spearman was determined to break down these barriers. “Yoga is for everybody,” she says firmly.

When reflecting back on her own experiences, Spearman says she shouldn't have been the only Black and Latina woman in her yoga classes. She states that the lack of diversity in traditional yoga spaces led many to feel alienated from the practice. "I would talk to people who looked like me, and when I asked, 'Why don't you do yoga?' they would tell me, 'Because yoga is not for me.'"

Now, seven years after the inception of R&B Yoga, Spearman has found herself in Los Angeles, continuing to build on her success. “I didn’t know anything about L.A. when I came here,” Spearman admits, reflecting on her transition. 

"When I came to L.A., I knew it was important to learn the real L.A.—not just be one of those transplants who sticks to Hollywood or the usual spots," Spearman asserts.

Despite the challenges of moving to a new city, she says the transition was seamless because the community in L.A. has embraced her. She’s found herself serving a diverse and vibrant crowd, with students from all walks of life seeking a space where they can feel comfortable, safe and seen.

"It's been almost seven years now, and I’ve fallen in love with the city,” Spearman reflects on the deep connection she’s built with the community, adding, “It’s beautiful that I listened, became a part of the community, and now, I’m serving them. I think it’s so beautiful and positive.”

R&B Yoga has grown organically, attracting private clients, collaborations and even corporate partnerships. But for Spearman, the true success lies not in the number of clients or the fame she’s garnered, but in the relationships she’s built. “It was just an idea I had when I was 23 and I’m still reaping the benefits at 31.”

What has also contributed to the success of R&B Yoga is Spearman’s sense of spiritual alignment with her work. “I don’t chase anything. I know that everything that comes to me is meant to be,” she says. “I truly believe this is my purpose, and I’m walking in it. Every person I meet, every opportunity that comes my way, I know it’s divinely guided.”

As she looks toward the future, Spearman’s focus remains clear: to continue to build a space where people from all walks of life can come together, stretch, breathe and find peace. Whether through private classes or community collaborations, she is determined to keep creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and respected—just as they are.

For Spearman, the journey has only just begun, and the best is yet to come. "I just really thank God" she says with a smile. R&B Yoga has become more than just a class; it’s a movement that continues to evolve, one playlist, one stretch and one person at a time.

“That’s how you know you're really walking in your purpose” says Spearman, “it’s when you don’t have to try–I'm really doing what I'm supposed to do.”