Meet Mary Lou Di Muro | Owner, Yoga Nest Venice
We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Lou Di Muro and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mary Lou, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At the heart of what we’re doing is a shared vision between Mary Lou Di Muro and Yogiraj Utkarsh Sanjanwala—to help spark a genuine revival of community, culture, and wellbeing in Venice, starting with the Venice Pier and Washington Square. We’re building grassroots community with global impact.
In collaboration with the Venice Pier Association, we’ve been actively working to re-energize this historic area through intentional community activations. What was once an underutilized space is now beginning to come alive again through yoga, music, and gatherings that bring people together in a meaningful way.
One of the biggest expressions of this has been the Venice Yoga Festival, which has become a powerful anchor for the community. It’s not just a wellness event—it’s a platform that brings together local residents, artists, small businesses, and visitors into one shared experience. On the days of the festival, local businesses around the pier have seen a 25–30% increase in revenue, which speaks to the real economic impact of creating thoughtful, community-centered events. It’s helping bring foot traffic back, supporting small businesses, and contributing to the overall revitalization of the area.
Beyond the festival, we’re continuing this momentum through regular yoga and meditation classes, accessible workshops, and collaborations that keep the space active and welcoming. A key focus has been making these tools more affordable and inclusive—through donation-based offerings and low-cost programs—so that wellbeing is not something exclusive, but something the wider community can access.
Mary Lou, through Yoga Nest Venice, has created a strong local foundation and a true community hub. Yogiraj Utkarsh Sanjanwala, as CEO of the World Yoga Federation, brings a global vision rooted in authentic lineage. The title “Yogiraj” is extremely rare—meaning Master among Yogis – traditionally given only to masters who have undergone deep training within the Guru–Shishya lineage and are entrusted with carrying forward the true essence of yoga. It’s not something commonly seen in the modern yoga world—there are very few globally, and virtually none in Los Angeles. That combination of authentic tradition and global leadership, alongside Mary Lou’s local community building, is what makes this collaboration so unique—bridging grassroots activation with a larger global movement.
What’s been most powerful is seeing how this work creates a ripple effect—more community-led events, more collaboration between local groups, and a renewed sense of energy in the area. It’s not just about yoga; it’s about bringing people back into shared spaces, supporting local economies, and fostering a deeper sense of connection.
Ultimately, this is about more than individual wellbeing. It’s about helping revive a place, strengthen a community, and create a model for how wellness, culture, and local collaboration can come together to make a tangible impact.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets my work apart is the focus on building real community, not just offering classes. Through Yoga Nest Venice, my intention has always been to create a space where people feel welcome, connected, and supported—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
A big turning point came through connecting with Yogiraj Utkarsh Sanjanwala and the World Yoga Federation. What started as a simple email turned into a meaningful collaboration that brought deeper authenticity and a global perspective into what we were building.
From there, things grew into classes, community activations, and events like the Venice Yoga Festival and our work with the Venice Pier Association. It hasn’t been easy—working across LA County, Beaches & Harbors, the City, permits, sponsors, and multiple stakeholders requires patience and persistence. One of the biggest challenges has been bringing together different perspectives and finding alignment, but that’s also been the most rewarding part—creating a sense of collective harmony.
What I’m most proud of is seeing it all come together—people connecting, the space coming alive, and the community truly benefiting. It’s shown me that when you stay committed to collaboration and purpose, real impact follows.
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?
If a friend was visiting, I’d honestly just keep them in Venice—we have everything here. I’d start the day with a walk along the Venice Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney, grab coffee at a local spot, and just let them feel the energy of the neighborhood. Venice has always been a magnet for artists, creatives, and free thinkers—it has this spirit you can’t really replicate anywhere else.
We’d spend time around the Venice Pier and Washington Square, especially with everything happening there now through our community events and the Venice Yoga Festival. It’s becoming a beautiful gathering space again—people practicing, listening to music, connecting—it really feels alive.
From there, I’d take them through the Venice Canals for a quieter moment, then explore the incredible murals and street art around the area. Artists like Jules Muck and so many others have turned Venice into an open-air gallery—you’ll find amazing walls everywhere you look. We’d stop by the Venice Skate Park, check out Muscle Beach, and walk through the Venice Circle area—each spot has its own unique energy and history.
Venice also carries this deep creative legacy—you can feel the presence of people like Jim Morrison and The Doors, along with generations of musicians, poets, and artists who shaped this place into what it is today.
Sunrise or sunset at the Venice Pier is a must—it’s one of those magical moments where you can sometimes even spot dolphins, and just feel completely present.
And to end the day, I’d bring them to a kirtan at Yoga Nest Venice—the flagship studio of the World Yoga Federation. It’s the perfect way to close the loop: music, community, and a deeper sense of connection that really captures what Venice is all about.
What makes Venice special isn’t just the places—it’s the mix of people, creativity, and freedom. You don’t really “do” Venice, you experience it.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a special shoutout to Yogiraj Utkarsh Sanjanwala and the World Yoga Federation. What started as a simple, almost chance email turned into something truly meaningful. There was an immediate alignment in vision—around authenticity, community, and bringing deeper, more traditional teachings of yoga into a modern, accessible space.
Yogiraj Utkarsh brings a rare depth to this work. His lineage, his role as CEO of the World Yoga Federation, and even his connection to Stanford—where he’s been teaching and sharing these practices—add a level of credibility and perspective that you don’t often come across. It’s not just about classes; it’s about bringing forward a more complete understanding of yoga and meditation in a way that people can actually integrate into their lives.
That one email led to a series of collaborations—from regular classes to larger community activations like the Venice Yoga Festival—and it continues to evolve. It’s been a reminder of how powerful it can be when the right people connect at the right time, with a shared intention to create something that genuinely serves the community.
Website: https://www.yoganestvenice.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoganestvenice/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogaNestVenice/
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
