InYoga Center is a modern yoga studio and boutique located in the heart of Valley Village – the old home of Dutton's Books.
With more than 1,600 square feet of practice area, In Yoga has the largest practice room in the San Fernando Valley. InYoga features private, spacious spa-like bathrooms for men and women, complete with changing areas and showers. InYoga has a full-service boutique, offering clothing, props, books, jewelry -- and more. There’s also a lounge area with coffee, tea, fruit and light snacks. Both the studio and boutique are professionally managed, with state-of-the-art systems, software and equipment designed especially for yoga businesses. InYoga Center is an independent, privately-held, women-owned business.
Julie Buckner – Chief Executive Officer
Julie Buckner is chief executive officer of InYoga Center. Uniting and bringing into alignment her entrepreneurial endeavors, dedication to service and commitment to personal and spiritual growth, Julie has launched InYoga. InYoga is the result of Julie’s experience in two distinct and seemingly divergent disciplines, cultivating a symbiotic relationship between her political consulting and yoga practice – strategic savvy and steady mind.
An LA native, Julie has 20 years experience in business management, strategic planning, corporate communications and marketing. Julie continues to maintain a thriving political and public affairs consulting practice. Last year, along with partner Celia Fischer, Julie founded Laurel Canyon Media Group; Julie is LCMG’s president. Previously, Julie and Celia have worked on campaigns at the national, state and local levels on behalf of myriad candidates and clients, including President Bill Clinton, California Senator Barbara Boxer, LA City Controller Wendy Greuel and former LA Unified School Board Member Marlene Canter, among many others. Julie is recognized as an accomplished strategist and spokesperson for corporations and executives, political campaigns and candidates, and public officials at the national, state and local levels. She has appeared on national TV, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, and numerous local TV and radio news & public affairs programs. Over the years, Julie has been a go-to source for national and statewide press; she’s been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, People, Newsweek, Time, Los Angeles Times, Calbuzz, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee and the San Jose Mercury News. She continues her political consulting career while serving as InYoga’s CEO.
Julie began her yoga journey in 1989 while living in New York as a college student; over the years, she has studied Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara and other forms of yoga in Washington DC, the San Francisco Bay area and throughout LA at YogaWorks, Yoga Time, Golden Bridge, Angel City, Rising Lotus and Black Dog. In addition to her daily yoga practice, Julie enjoys cooking, gardening, Farmers' Markets, travel, rock climbing, interior design, and fashion (shoes, especially). An LA-native and original Valley Girl, she is a cum laude graduate of UC Berkeley, and has two sons – Sawyer, 12, and Mays, 7; both attend Oakwood School. Her children’s school, home, yoga studio and political consulting office are all located within walking distance to InYoga Center.
Kelly Simonsen – Chief Operating Officer
Kelly Simonsen is InYoga Center’s chief operating officer. Kelly oversees all day-to-day business, financial, human resources and marketing operations for InYoga. With a background in strategic communications and project management, Kelly is uniquely suited to run InYoga.
Prior to joining InYoga, Kelly was an executive with GolinHarris, a national public relations firm. Kelly and Julie have a strong working relationship and deep friendship. In 2006, Kelly helped Julie start-up and launch another business, Collabor8: Julie Buckner & Associates, a communications and public affairs consulting firm. At GolinHarris & Collabor8, Kelly’s work focused on the areas of healthcare, environmental and energy issues. She also has a background in retail sales and store management.
Kelly has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Pepperdine University. She studied International Relations in Florence, Italy her sophomore year, and served as president of Phi Sigma Tau, the Philosophy Honors Society. Kelly’s interests and talents are many – culinary adventures (most recently a raw vegan cleanse), new & emerging technologies, graphic design, tennis and photography. Julie introduced Kelly to yoga when they first worked together, taking classes at Angel City, Rising Lotus and Black Dog, and privates in Julie’s home. Before InYoga opened, Kelly practiced at Center for Yoga, walking distance from her home in Los Angeles.
Caitlin Reid
Caitlin joined InYoga within the first few weeks of InYoga Center’s opening day – and we are so blessed to have her! Also multi-talented (and multi-tasking), Caitlin helps manage the “front of house” with Erin and Whitney. Caitlin is one of InYoga’s teachers, with her Gentle Yoga classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. She also assists Julie with the studio’s workshop program and schedule, and supports our marketing and outreach efforts.
A graduate of Emerson College, Caitlin has been practicing yoga since 2004 and is a lifelong dancer. She found yoga when a foot injury temporarily kept her from dancing. She began practicing in the Anusara and Iyengar styles and eventually found her way to Kripalu yoga and became certified as a Kripalu teacher in 2010. Caitlin also lives in Valley Village.
Erin O’Bright
Erin is one of the first people you’ll meet at InYoga. She has been involved with InYoga since its inception, and she was instrumental in helping to get our doors open. In addition to working the front desk, Erin also has the responsibility of managing InYoga’s facilities. Erin grew up in Orange County and graduated from Golden West College. Also a friend and neighbor of Julie’s, Erin has been practicing yoga steadily and seriously for the last four years. Erin has a background in personal fitness, as a trainer and leading “mommy & me” programs in the park. Erin lives with her son, Braden, in Valley Village – and she knows almost everyone in the ‘hood.
Whitney Kaufman
Whitney (and her mom) were among the first of InYoga’s students. When not taking class (or being a fabulous theater actress), she also works the front desk with a big smile and an open heart. Whitney grew up in Studio City, graduated from Chapman University, and again lives in the neighborhood. Whitney began practicing yoga in her early teens and is a familiar face at many studios in the Los Angeles area. We are lucky to have Whitney with us.
T: 818/508-8040
E: info@inyogacenter.com