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

Hi Curt, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting FlowGarden Yoga wasn’t so much a business decision as it was a calling. After years of personal transformation—through martial arts, Buddhist practice, sobriety, and travel—I reached a point where it felt natural to offer what had helped me most in life: healing, presence, and connection.

The seed was planted while I was working on a TV show abroad. Despite the demanding schedule, I began leading sunrise yoga and meditation for the casting crew. It wasn’t planned—it just happened organically. When I came home, I knew I wanted to continue sharing that experience with others, especially those seeking peace or purpose.

At first, it was simple: I taught my wife and her friends yoga each morning in her open-air hair studio. Then it grew. I built a tent in our backyard and turned the space into what is now FlowGarden Yoga—a place rooted in authenticity, community, and nature.

This wasn’t about chasing money or building a brand. It was about creating something real. A sanctuary for others like me—people who’ve been through things, who are seeking, healing, or just needing to reconnect with themselves and the earth. FlowGarden is the expression of my own journey home.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been a creator. Whether it was cutting hair, playing music, designing spaces, or teaching martial arts and yoga—it all comes from the same place: a deep urge to express beauty, truth, and transformation.

My professional journey has taken a lot of forms. I’ve been an Emmy-winning hairstylist, an actor, a singer and musician, a black belt in Shotokan karate, a landscape and interior designer, and now the founder of FlowGarden Yoga. Each path taught me something essential—and none of them were easy. But I’ve always believed that real art, real beauty, and real healing are born from challenge.

I didn’t grow up with much structure. I moved around a lot as a kid, got exposed to the streets early, and lost my dad young. I barely made it out of that world, but I did—thanks to a mix of martial arts, creativity, and later, Buddhism and sobriety. The turning point came in my 30s, after a house fire, the end of a marriage, and a total spiritual collapse. That’s when I began to rebuild—not just my life, but myself.

What sets me apart is that I don’t separate the art from the healing. For me, designing a backyard sanctuary, creating a yoga space, performing music, or leading meditation are all one thing: ways to bring people home to themselves.

FlowGarden Yoga is the culmination of everything I’ve ever loved and learned. It’s not just a place to do yoga. It’s a living, breathing work of art—an intentional space built from the ground up to nurture mind, body, and soul. I designed it myself, from the landscape to the tent to the energy it holds. And now I’m inviting some of the best teachers in the world to share this space with our community.

What I’m most proud of is that it’s real. There’s no corporate agenda here, no manufactured vibe. Just nature, healing, and people who care. I’ve lived a lot of lives—on set, on stage, behind the chair, on the mat—and I’ve poured all of that into FlowGarden.

What I want the world to know is this: no matter where you come from, how far you’ve fallen, or how lost you’ve felt—your story isn’t over. Your pain can become your purpose. And with enough love, honesty, and vision, you can build something beautiful from the ashes.

That’s what I’ve done. That’s what FlowGarden is.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Ultimate Week in LA with Curt – A Soulful FlowGarden Experience

DAY 1 – FlowGarden Welcome + Home Vibes
• Morning: Ground the trip with a yoga + sound bath session at FlowGarden Yoga under the tent, surrounded by nature.
• Midday: Smoothies, tea, and a nourishing homemade brunch in the garden.
• Afternoon: Ease into the vibe—infrared sauna, pool time, sun lounging, Jacuzzi chats.
• Evening: Sunset walk through the hills, followed by a backyard firepit dinner with acoustic music and deep conversation under the stars.

DAY 2 – LA Magic + Hidden Gems
• Morning: Breakfast at Republique or Dialog Cafe.
• Late Morning: Walk up Griffith Trail to the Observatory for sweeping views.
• Afternoon: Explore downtown—check out The Broad, The Last Bookstore, and Hauser & Wirth gallery.
• Evening: Dinner at Gracias Madre (plant-based Mexican in West Hollywood), then cocktails at Bar Flores or Death & Co. If the vibe’s right, finish with live music at Hotel Café.

DAY 3 – Malibu + Lake Shrine Magic
• Morning: Drive down PCH to Malibu.
• First Stop: Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine—a sacred sanctuary around a spring-fed lake, complete with waterfalls, gardens, meditation benches, and a shrine that holds a portion of Gandhi’s ashes. This place miraculously survived the Malibu fires, and feels like walking through divine protection.
• Brunch: Oceanfront dining at Malibu Farm Pier Café.
• Afternoon: Hike Solstice Canyon or relax at El Matador Beach.
• Evening: Dinner at Nobu Malibu for a luxury sunset experience.

DAY 4 – Creative Expression + Downtown Flow
• Morning: Easy start—journaling, painting, or just stillness at home.
• Midday: Lunch in Silver Lake or Echo Park. Maybe vegan sushi at Shojin.
• Afternoon: Explore the Arts District—street art, boutiques, cafes.
• Evening: Dinner at Bestia or Bavel—elevated flavors, unforgettable atmosphere.
• Late Night: Rooftop drinks, speakeasy adventure, or a backyard jam session with close friends.

DAY 5 – Spiritual Recharge in Ojai
• Morning: Road trip to Ojai, a sacred valley with high vibrational energy.
• Midday: Organic lunch at Farmer and the Cook or Hip Vegan Cafe.
• Afternoon: Visit Meditation Mount, do a walking meditation, or book a healing session or massage.
• Evening: Dinner at The Dutchess—a unique Burmese-Californian fusion spot. Stay overnight in a peaceful casita surrounded by trees and stars.

DAY 6 – Desert Pilgrimage to Joshua Tree
• Morning: Early drive out to Joshua Tree.
• Day: Hike Hidden Valley, explore the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Art Museum, and if we plan it right, experience a sound bath at The Integratron.
• Evening: Tacos, margaritas, and a front-row seat to the Milky Way. Silent night in the desert.

DAY 7 – Return + Integration
• Morning: Back to FlowGarden. A final yoga and meditation session under the trees.
• Midday: Reflection, tea ceremony, journaling in the garden.
• Evening: A closing celebration dinner under the tent with good friends, candles, music, and heartfelt stories.

Bonus Add-Ons (Time Permitting):
• Topanga Canyon: Earthy energy, mystical shops, great hikes.
• Venice + Abbot Kinney: Bohemian buzz, people-watching, art and fashion.
• Huntington Gardens: A breathtaking botanical, art, and library experience.
• Santa Barbara Day Trip: Wine tasting and ocean views if the mood strikes.

In Summary:

This isn’t just a tour—it’s a curated experience of soulful luxury, deep connection, and sacred beauty. FlowGarden is the heart of it all—where the energy is grounded, the people are real, and the magic flows from within.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely—this kind of recognition is important, because FlowGarden Yoga, and the person I’ve become, wouldn’t exist without the people who showed up for me at key moments in life.

First, my mom deserves a huge shoutout. Her love has always been unconditional, even when I was lost, making mistakes, or chasing something she didn’t fully understand. She’s been a rock—supporting me emotionally, financially at times, and always believing in my capacity to transform. After losing my brother, her strength only deepened. She’s one of the most powerful women I’ve ever known.

Second, I have to acknowledge the community I found in 12-step recovery. That program, and the people in it, gave me the structure, humility, and spiritual foundation to turn my life around. It taught me that vulnerability is strength, that healing is possible, and that we all rise when we help others.

Martial arts teachers like Sensei Mark Zaleski, and later, Buddhist mentors and monks I met in temples across Asia, shaped my understanding of discipline, presence, and compassion. Those lessons still echo in every yoga class I teach today.

And finally, I want to give credit to the early students—my wife and her friends—who showed up every morning, even when it was just us in a little open-air hair studio. They gave me the confidence to trust the process and start FlowGarden Yoga. They were the roots before anything bloomed.

So, yeah—this isn’t a solo story. It’s woven with a lot of love, patience, and faith from others. FlowGarden is a reflection of that collective journey.

Website: https://FlowGardenYoga.com

Instagram: @FlowGardenYoga

Linkedin: Curt Darling

Facebook: @FlowGardenYoga

Yelp: FlowGardenYoga & Meditation

Other: Tik tok @BodhiMind

Image Credits
Curt Darling

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