We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Adona and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While we were traveling through India we were impressed with many of the guest houses we stayed in. The hospitality we were shown by our hosts and the people we met in shared kitchens and dining halls created a sense of belonging while in a foreign land. We have been weary travelers and wanted to create a space, a kind of refuge for all travelers and locals where they could find a sense of calm.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My businesses are more of a lifestyle. I just happen to have practiced yoga for 16 years and met a man who had been teaching yoga for over 25 years. Together, we host yoga classes out of our home, which was bought in 2019 with the intention of creating a space where we would hold our own daily yoga and music practices. Through our world travels it was a fantasy to be able to host guests and share a lifestyle that has allowed us the peace of mind to pursue any creative outlet we were called to. Once we had our yoga studio dialed in, I gravitated more to the kitchen where my bread baking workshops are held. Both the yoga classes and workshops were easily facilitated via the AirBnB Experiences app. We do not offer accommodations but rather an experience for tourists coming to visit the the Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree area. Those who book their stay through AirBnB are recommended unique things to do, we are among many hosts offering an authentic experience in the high desert. The most difficult path to setting up these businesses was quitting my corporate job to fully engage in my passions. Once that hurdle was overcome, the success flowed naturally as we were already doing these things, like I said – lifestyle.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our favorite spot in the high desert is Blackrock Campground. Considered part of Joshua Tree National Park, but without the lines to enter and free access, this area has miles and miles of hiking trails with peaks that offer some of the most stunning sunset views around. We hike in Blackrock nearly every day. As for food, the best hummus and falafel around is by far Yucca Kabob, a small Mediterranean eatery owned by a local Jordanian family and the BEST pizza in the high desert is at Tost Pizza. The owner, Robe is a humble and passionate entrepreneur who puts all is love into each pie. The best bakery in town is Luna Sourdough, providing the perfect little cafe for neighbors, owned by a husband-wife duo with their daughter.
The usual haunts that are fun and worth a trip are obviously into Joshua Tree National Park, but we recommend the East entrance that is less crowded and takes you by the Cholla Cactus Garden. Pioneertown was an old western movie set from the 1940s that kept the old western facade but is home to a few local businesses and famous Pappy & Harriets. If you are looking for more of a local watering hole, Red Dog on the opposite end of Pioneertown is the quintessential desert saloon with tasty veggie tacos.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My success is most prominently attributed to my partner, Alan. He is known amongst our friends and neighbors as having wildly spectacular ideas and is the instigator in my decision to leave my former corporate job and work for myself. He is the back bone of Yucca Yoga as his lifestyle is a natural embodiment of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali (our favorite version with commentary by Sachidananda). Reading this book nearly daily and sharing the yogic philosophy with my partner have assisted in the clarity of mind required to follow a creative outlet that blossomed into a business. Not only did Alan dream up our home sanctuary and yoga studio, but he also encouraged me to delve into my bread baking endeavor, Nice Loaves. He has supported the growth of my small grassroots cottage bakery with as much love and attention as I have myself. Also, providing live entertainment while I host bread baking workshops.

Website: http://linktr.ee/yuccayoga

Instagram: @yuccayoga_ , @niceloaves

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuccayoga.ca.5/

Other: Booking for yoga and bread baking can be found by searching Experiences in your AirBnB app or reaching out via Instagram!

Image Credits
Alan Siegel

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