Biography

Garth McLean is a dedicated practitioner and certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. Based in Los Angeles, Garth teaches public classes at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles, Yoga Works (Westwood and Tarzana), Yoga at the Village (Glendale) and Equinox (West LA).

Garth studies annually with the Iyengar family in Pune, India. His determination and yoga practice motivate Garth to provide an uplifting, safe forum for a challenging, rewarding and transformative experience.  A certified Iyengar Yoga teacher (Intermediate Jr. III), Garth teaches locally and abroad having taught workshops throughout Europe and South East Asia.  He has served as a guest teacher at the France Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2009) and Spain Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2011).   He is a founding and current board member of the Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics group, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles that is dedicated to helping people manage diseases and conditions through the therapeutic applications of yoga.

You may recognize him from his numerous appearances in television commercials.  Blessed with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1996, Garth successfully manages his course of MS and a hectic schedule with a daily practice of Iyengar Yoga as presented by Yoga master, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.

Upon learning of his diagnosis, Garth was determined to get his symptoms in remission.  He immediately took to the daily practice of Iyengar Yoga, heeding his doctor’s advice to not overheat the body and Mr. Iyengar’s counsel to proceed with courage, caution and patience.  The results have been profound as he has been able to stabilize the condition, and keep his MS in remission.  Garth’s determination motivates him to provide a safe, uplifting forum for a challenging, rewarding and transformative experience for all students of yoga.

Check Class Schedule page for weekly updates and workshop schedule.

For inspiration, Garth looks to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra (II.16): “heyam dukham anagatam” which poignantly translates as: “the pains which are yet to come can and are to be avoided.”

BRIEF HISTORY:

Raised on the Canadian prairies, McLean relocated to NYC to study acting with the legendary Sandy Meisner at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. After working on stage and film in NY, he moved to Hollywood in the 90’s where he continues to garner roles in film and television. His interest in live theater remained strong and soon Garth began to produce local theatre and short films. His path led him to the study of the martial art Aikido under the guidance of Haruo Matsuoka Sensei, and action movie star Steven Seagal. By circumstance, he eventually went to work for Mr. Seagal.  The celebrity lifestyle catapulted him around the globe. Not to be deterred by a diagnosis of MS in 1996, Garth has written and continues to perform his solo play “Looking for Lightning” about his journey.