Even devoted yogis are familiar with that sudden surge of anger when someone cuts you off in traffic. We all have had moments of experiencing the slow-build frustration of commuting to work during rush hour. Yogini and singer Kamini Natarajan believes that traditional Sanskrit mantras have a power that can be harnessed to help combat these and other daily stressors faced by the modern yogi. Her album, Chants for Meditation, is collaboration with composer and producer Ken Elkinson. They present mantras to guide the listener on a journey toward greater clarity and a calm state of mind.

Trained in Indian classical music from an early age, Kamini Natarajan has spent her life honing her musical and vocal talents. Chants for Meditation showcases these talents in three to four minute tracks, so you can listen to just one for a quick meditation or play the whole album for deeper relaxation.

Mantras in Chants for Meditation

While the mantras are in Sanskrit, the English title of each song provides a hint about the content of the words. For instance, “Tibet” is the popular Tibetan manta “Om Mani Padme Hum.” And “From Darkness to Light” is the “Om Asatoma” mantra, which literally invokes the transformation from darkness to light.

One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Peace.” This blends Kamini’s lulling vocals with some gentle but playful percussion. The music throughout is distinctively Indian. You’ll hear a variety of Hindustani instruments, especially in the tracks “Invocation,” “Om,” and “Return Journey.” The final track “Bliss” is an instrumental that provides the perfect introspective ending to this meditative symphony.

The next time you prepare for a potentially stressful drive, or whenever you’re ready to unwind, keep Chants for Meditation in mind. By listening to it you might transform that anger into peace.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Chants for Meditation by Kamini Natarajan appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

More yoga studios are including sound meditation classes on their schedules.  The healing, soul-soothing powers of instruments like singing bowls are becoming more accessible and widespread. It is an unbeatable experience to be  bathed in the vibrations of singing bowls a mere few feet away from your yoga mat as you lie in savasana. Michael and Jahna Perricone deliver the next best thing with their new release Toning: Ancient Tibetan Singing Bowls & Ethereal Voice. Comprised of four songs, Toning provides nearly an hour of beautiful meditative music. Toning offers the kind of transformational soundscape that instantly puts you into a calmer, clearer state of mind.

Music on Toning: Ancient Tibetan Singing Bowls and Ethereal Voice

The entire album is cohesive and could be played from start to finish enjoyably. At the same time, each song also has its own unique character. The album’s subtitle, Ancient Tibetan Singing Bowls and Ethereal Voice, is a perfect summation of what you can expect to hear. The voice and bowls are joined at times by other instruments—including guitar, flutes, and harp. This introduces just enough variety without distracting from the tranquility of Michael’s singing bowls and Jahna’s vocals.

Three of the songs are each close to 10 minutes long. These are perfect for a short meditation session or a luxurious savasana. They are my go-to choices for moments of stillness, both in my own practice and in the yoga classes I teach.

The track “Les Nuages,” which is French for “the clouds,” is appropriately reminiscent of European sacred music. “Les Nuages” conjures up images not only of clouds but also of church choirs and people in quiet prayer. “Dawn Extended” is nearly 30 minutes long. It is still as peaceful as the other soundscapes on the album. Yet at the same time, it takes the listener through a carefully choreographed variety of sounds. “Dawn Extended” has an effect like a journey along a long, meandering path. In fact, the album credits aptly describe each of the songs as “journeys.”

You don’t have to be a yoga instructor or even a meditation practitioner to enjoy this album. But take a listen. You just might find yourself being drawn into an internal meditative journey that leads you to unexpected places.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Toning: Ancient Tibetan Singing Bowls by Michael and Jahna Perricone appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Yoga can be intimidating to new students. Many people never set foot inside a yoga studio because of the preconceived notion that everyone there will be freakishly fit and flexible. Those who pass that initial hurdle and venture inside often find the Sanskrit and the Hindu deities a little overwhelming, or even at odds with their own culture and beliefs. Annmarie Rung, owner of Remix Yoga in Fountain Valley, recognized this obstacle. She wanted to provide a space that is accessible to those who have never done yoga but who could deeply benefit from its healing capacities.

Remix Yoga in Fountain Valley

The studio is simple and minimalistic. It features white walls and black floors in the front lobby and one long rectangular space for classes. Owner Annmarie Rung hopes that this space will allow students to feel safe and welcome in order to access their practice. She says, “Connecting to the breath is the most important part.”

The name “Remix” refers to the hybrid nature of the yoga classes taught here. The studio offers a traditional practice that is updated for the modern yogi. So far Remix offers 26 weekly classes, including Vinyasa Flow, Basic Flow (designed for beginners and those who want to focus on the basics), Pump N Pose (yoga with weights), and Stretch N Restore.

Annmarie has practiced vinyasa for many years. She recently hit a turning point in her practice when she discovered Kundalini Yoga. Annmarie says the healing that she’s garnered from Kundalini in the past year has been far greater than anything in her practice up to that point. When Annmarie experienced Kundalini Yoga firsthand, she wanted to share the practice. This is largely what drove her to open a studio.

On the schedule at Remix, you’ll find a Saturday morning Kundalini class as well as several “Ultimate Remix” classes throughout the week. This signature format combines Kundalini kriyas with Vinyasa and breath work. It is all set to contemporary music for a truly “old meets new” experience.

More information about Remix Yoga in Fountain Valley

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Remix Yoga in Fountain Valley appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

As of 2017, Nahko and Medicine for the People have released three studio albums. Each one is bursting with romping, feel-good anthems full of percussion and thought-provoking poetics. Throughout their body of work, their music has always felt multi-cultural, combining a variety of musical styles with Native American and Hawaiian wisdom. In his first solo album, My Name Is Bear, frontman Nahko Bear continues in this vein while allowing listeners a peek into his past.

The songs on this album, which he deems a “prequel,” were mostly written when he was between the ages of 18 and 21. Nahko then revisited the tunes in later years. They chronicle the musings, emotions, and epiphanies of his adolescence as he navigates through a pivotal period of self-discovery. Whatever our background and story, we can release to this journey.

My Name is Bear by Nahko Bear

As the title suggests, My Name Is Bear is an introduction of sorts. Even long-time fans will get to know Nahko in a different light when listening to this musical coming-of-age story. These twelve songs are punctuated by four short “interludes” taken from his personal audio journals. Overall, they tell the story of a young man leaving home, traveling cross country, falling in and out of love, and eventually meeting his birth mother.

The album reveals a softer, more pensive side of Nahko Bear. In many of the songs, an acoustic guitar or piano serve as simply accompaniments for his distinctive vocals. Several of the tracks like “Be Here Now” and “Goodnight Sun” pack that familiar folksy punch that Medicine for the People fans may expect.

Nahko Bear Dragonfly Music Video

Even on a first listen, certain songs are easy to sing along to. There are simple but strong reprises like “I’ll survive/This is resistance.” As you listen again, the more subtle lyrics reveal themselves. One example is the gorgeous imagery in the song “Hamakua”: “The quiet ohi’a (Hawaiian plant that grows on lava rock) gave me the fever to push through cracks and reach for light.”

Nahko Bear shares his Hope and Optimism

The album My Name Is Bear artfully captures the magic of being young and wanting to take on the world. In “Be Here Now,” Nahko sings, “So I started moving further west/Just me and my guitar and what we manifest.” While listening to Nahko’s words, we can see our own youthful optimism. The songs on My Name is Bear remind us to be present and to be hopeful, at any age.

Nahko Bear Touring with My Name is Bear

Nahko Bear is playing in LA at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood on November 11. Click here for more information about tickets. 

Click here to read Amy Dewhurt’s story about Nahko Bear in LA YOGA Magazine.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post My Name is Bear, Solo Album by Nahko Bear appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Orange County duo Mental Physix is comprised of DJs Crisanto Santa Ana and Dru Ali. Mental Physix have spent the past four years committed to being part of the community. Their work includes raising the bar for the experience of music within yoga classes. They’ve collaborated with an impressive list of teachers and studios and made appearances at yoga events across the country. A typical yoga class accompanied by Mental Physix will ease you into your practice with peaceful, ambient tracks before gradually picking up tempo. Their blend of world music and danceable beats keeps you motivated through chaturangas and sweaty standing sequences, then guides you seamlessly into the stillness of savasana.

Ganesha’s Boom Baps

Mental Physix’s music has a way of intensifying the yoga buzz that you feel at the end of a good practice. For fans of their work, Mystic Recollections is a long-awaited debut album. Mystic Recollections perfectly showcases the talent and creativity of these two yogi-musicians.

The Music of Mystic Recollections by Mental Physix

The 10 tracks of Mystic Recollections take the listener on an aural journey to faraway places. Each of the tunes weaves together the sounds of Eastern instruments sitar, tablas, and sand rabab with powerful percussive beats. At the same time, the music takes the listener on a journey within by providing the perfect soundscape for a yoga practice, trance dance, or moving meditation.

Hyperspace

Stevin McNamara’s skillful guitar work appears in the gentle opening track “Gathering Medicine.” Then the song “Rockstar Sitars” picks up the pace with an irresistible beat that you can listen to again and again. It is sure to become a favorite on yoga playlists. Two of the tracks feature vocalist Mala Ganguly, who lends a distinctly Indian flavor to the fusion of sounds on this album, especially in the hypnotic “Ride into the Desert.” The title track “Mystic Recollections” manages to be both delicately mysterious as well as an accessible groove.

From start to finish, Mystic Recollections by Mental Physix is thoughtfully and artfully arranged to create a meaningful experience for the listener. Dive into this album ready to receive its offerings. You might just find that by the end, you’ll be operating at a higher vibration.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Mystic Recollections by Mental Physix appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

About Luminous Soul Tribe

Aris began teaching classes in May with the intention of contributing to this community through her own expertise—which includes prenatal yoga, kid’s yoga, and trauma-informed yoga.
 
The schedule now features 14 weekly classes, as well as special events like the Soul Sisters Circle, a monthly women’s gathering. While there’s an emphasis on specialty classes for moms and kids, you’ll also find options including “Be Luminous,” an all-levels Hatha class, and “Soul Flow,” a 90-minute Vinyasa class.
 
“I also cater to private clients,” says Aris, explaining that she loves to provide a therapeutic approach when working with her students. “I like that the space is small and can be a safe place for people to work through healing.”
 

The Studio Vibes

The studio, furnished with a sofa, curtains, and a bookshelf certainly feels cozy, almost as if you’re walking into someone’s home instead of into a business space. In fact, when you roll out your mat, you’re likely to be joined by Aris’s dog Hazel, who seems to love stretching as much as the human yogis at Luminous Soul Tribe do.
 
Reflecting on the name of the studio, Aris says, “In my own darkness, yoga has shed so much light in my life, and I’ve seen it shed so much light in other people’s lives.” More than anything, she hopes this space can become a home for a tribe of people who will support each other and connect through their shared love of the mind-body practice.
 
Going forward, Aris intends to indulge her “wanderlust heart” by hosting yoga retreats both locally and abroad. So, whether you’re a new mom, a yogi who loves to travel, or just someone who craves a personalized yoga practice, you can find your tribe here.
 

Check Out Luminous Soul Tribe!

Luminous Soul Tribe
1954 Placentia Ave. #109
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-438-0048
 

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Open Doors: Luminous Soul Tribe appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

About Yoga 108

The studio opened in mid-May and is currently offering seven daily classes of varying levels of Vinyasa. One room holds the non-heated classes while a second, slightly larger room contains infrared panels overhead, providing a cozy 90-degree temperature for yogis who enjoy a good sweat. Infrared heat warms your body without heating the air in the room, so you can still breathe easily.
 

“You still get to have a strong practice, and feel safe while you’re doing it.” -Theresa Devi

 
“You still get to have a strong practice,” Theresa says, “and feel safe while you’re doing it.” Their class schedules all levels classes as well as level one or level 2/3 options. The $10 lunch flow is just under an hour, perfect for a midday yoga break. In coming months, the schedule will expand to 16 classes per day and include other styles of yoga like yin and restorative as well as special events including workshops and kirtan (call-and-response devotional chanting).
 
Molly and Theresa hoped to lend a temple vibe to their space with little touches like arched doorways and elegantly painted walls inside the studios. Beyond the physical atmosphere, they present a genuine love for the devotional side of yoga through their teachings and their own personal practices. Both co-owners are committed to a two-hour daily practice of japa meditation, in which they repeat a mantra 108 times with the use of mala beads. In many traditions, 108 is a spiritual number, and the name Yoga 108 alludes to the spiritual depth of the teachings you’re likely to encounter in this studio.
 
Yoga 108
242 E 3rd St.
Long Beach, CA 90802
562-980-0444
yoga108studio.com
 

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Open Doors: Yoga 108 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When deciding on a name for her studio, Elizabeth Olive Bolla chose Olive not merely because it’s her middle name but also because when spoken out loud, Olive Yoga sounds like “all of yoga.”

The name suggests that when you come to take a class, you’ll be doing more than practicing postures; you’ll be learning about the deeper layers of yoga. “I want to really teach the eight limbed path,” says Elizabeth, as evidenced by the names eight limbs displayed in Sanskrit on the stairs leading up to the second floor studio.

Olive Yoga, which has been open since January 2016, offers a combination of meditation classes, stronger classes like “Core Flow” and “Power Detox,” gentler classes like “Restorative
Rejuvenation” and “Yin Fusion” and classes that represent different styles like “Kundalini Blend.”

Regardless of the style being taught, Elizabeth says she and the other teachers, “focus on alignment-based, breath-based, spiritual-based yoga.” They also like to get off their mats and walk the room while teaching, encouraging you as a student to rely less on visual feedback and instead look within and feel your practice. The large studio room allows you plenty of space to roll out your mat on the hardwood floors and find an hour to 90 minutes of inner peace.

An eclectic collection of candles and singing bowls line the ledge beneath the wide windows at the front of the room, which adds to the coziness that you feel as soon as you enter the front lobby. Hot tea and seating comfort if you choose to linger after class, and there’s even a massage therapist who operates out of an attached room.

Elizabeth has already hosted a handful of workshops and events including sound baths, ecstatic dance, and Full Moon/New Moon circles. She has plans for much more to come, notably a Friday night kirtan jam so the community can explore the devotional side of the practice. “Let’s just practice yoga,” she says, “and be present and peaceful and compassionate and loving, so we can spread it out!”

Olive Yoga, 244 Pine Ave, Long Beach
562.533.0324
oliveyoga.me

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Olive Yoga in Long Beach appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Ra Yoga’s flagship studio in Costa Mesa has been around and thriving for just over five years. Those who are fortunate enough to call it their “home studio” will eagerly offer commentary about their favorite classes and teachers, how beautiful the space is, or how Ra Yoga has transformed their practice.

What inevitably follows is recognition of that special something that every studio strives for yet few truly succeed in creating: a sense of community. Owners Bobby Kittleman and Jenny Vande Hei have been committed to the Ra Yoga community since day one, which led them to open a second studio this year, located in Newport Beach. For them, the new studio was about creating more opportunity for everyone—students, teachers, and staff.

Now with the two studios, there are over 200 classes per week and more than 50 instructors, so students can always find something on the schedule to suit their mood. There are standard classes like Vinyasa, Meditation, Yin Yoga, Ra-storative Yoga, and Prenatal Yoga, as well as the more unique ones like Yogalates, Strength (yoga with weights), Hot Ra (heated to 105?), and Budokon, which blends elements of Hatha yoga and martial arts. Bobby says they want teachers to have the freedom to express themselves, and for every teacher’s unique style to be celebrated. “Somebody who teaches strength is just as good and as valuable as somebody who teaches prenatal” he says “and vice versa.”

The culture and offerings at Ra Yoga are constantly evolving. “Yoga in and of itself is evolution” Jenny says. “As we grow, we continue to transform and change things. If nothing changes, we haven’t grown personally, spiritually, or physically.” The evolution of the studio has included a comprehensive 200-hour teacher training, innovative workshops, retreats, and specialized training modules.

As Ra Yoga begins to spread its roots in Newport Beach, Bobby and Jenny want to stay true to their vision and reinforce the three pillars of creativity, authenticity, and community. When you step foot in the new studio you’ll recognize that signature “Ra-some” vibe, from the visuals of the space (a front desk wrapped in tree bark and walls decorated with mountains and trees) to the high energy and high quality of the classes.

Ra Yoga
1617 Westcliff Dr. Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 612-7905
rayoga.com

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Ra Yoga in Newport Beach appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

After changing locations several times since its initial opening in 2012, Rise Yoga HB is happy to open its doors to yogis and spiritual seekers in a larger, more permanent space. When owner Christelle Reigner opened the original studio, she felt compelled to share her passion for the practice. Specifically, she wanted to reach people who need healing. “I wanted to emphasize the healing aspect of yoga, not just strength and flexibility, because there’s so much more. I wanted to make it accessible to all levels of students because I feel like it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been practicing or even if you’re brand new to yoga. Everyone in the community can experience the benefits.”

For this reason, Rise Yoga HB offers Yin Yoga almost every day in addition to Vinyasa Flow and Power Vinyasa Flow classes. Christelle says there is an emphasis on strengthening in a calm way, through stillness and attention to the breath. She believes that when students experience being in the present, they are aligning with truth. “When students walk out of the studio with that energy of truth, their whole lives start changing. The workout is why they think they come here, but they leave with so much more.”

Unique offerings at Rise Yoga HB include the Clean and Lean program, a two-week food cleanse in which students learn how to make over their diets to minimize toxicity and maximize health. The studio also prioritizes one-on-one yoga sessions, with an option of a half-hour session for $39. Newer students are encouraged to try this so they feel more comfortable when entering the group classes. The teachers here hope that in joining the Rise Yoga HB community you will “rise” up to your highest potential; so when you come, be sure to tell your friends and family you are “going to Rise.”  

Rise Yoga HB

16582 Gothard St., Suite M

Huntington Beach, CA 92647

714-465-9606

riseyogahb.com

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Rise Yoga HB appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

At Inner Space Yoga in downtown Santa Ana, surrounded by the simplicity of four white walls and a sturdy cork floor, you can discover for yourself what the practice brings.

The studio opened in October as part of “The Roost,” a mixed-use development that also includes restaurants and retail. Inner Space Yoga’s schedule consists of meditation, an array of Hatha and Vinyasa classes for all levels (including Candlelight Flow), Kundalini Bliss, Outer Space Yoga (aka kids yoga), Baby and Me practices, and a handful of other specialty classes. Meditation lunchtime classes are offered for $9 for a single class with discounts for a series. Owner Marta Novials says she intends the studio “to be very community focused and to have open ears to what the community might need.” Possible future additions to the schedule include deaf yoga, LGBT yoga, and yoga for kids on the spectrum.

Marta is thrilled about the potential of bringing yoga to an area that is underserved when it comes to wellness. She says Santa Ana has developed significantly in terms of restaurants, bars, and nightlife in recent years, but “still doesn’t have many healthful, community oriented businesses.” With a fun, friendly vibe, an outdoor patio for post-yoga socializing, an ice cream shop next door serving vegan flavors, and a team of experienced teachers, Inner Space is making itself a resource for yoga and mindfulness practices in this evolving cityscape. Two week of yoga for $30 available to students new to Inner Space is available until April 2016.

Inner Space Yoga

607 East Santa Ana Blvd.

Santa Ana, CA 92701

323-356-8953

exploreinnerspace.com

by Alisha Kali Shakti, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast: yogawithalisha.com.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Inner Space Yoga opens in Santa Ana appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Although the practice of yoga inherently helps us to feel more beautiful and confident in our own bodies, sometimes the images of idealized beauty surrounding us can have the opposite effect. Instead of perpetuating this culture by catering to just a certain body type, Fit Gal’s Closet is taking an inclusive approach. This women’s-only fitness and leisure wear boutique in La Quinta the Palm Springs area opened in February 2015 and sells clothing for every “fit gal” from size XS to XXL. Owner Marci Falldorf says, “The idea behind the store was to have something for everybody.” Everyone who works at the shop believes in this and takes the time to help shoppers find the right fit matching function with fashion.

Whether your favorite way to break a sweat is on the mat or on the golf course, tennis court, running path, barre class, bike, or gym, this store has something for your workout, as well as a selection of casual loungewear, skirts, and dresses. Fit Gal’s Closet also offers instructors and studio owners a 15% discount on all merchandise, which includes clothing from popular brands including Prana, Lucy, Soybu, and Zobha.

Beginning this fall, the store will offer specialty classes such as PiYo and yoga for golf. If you don’t live in the desert region, you’re not missing out as you can peruse the Fit Gal’s inventory online. You’ll find some affordable prices and versatile outfits to add flair to your practice.

Fit Gal’s Closet

79785 Hwy 111 #102, La Quinta

760-347-8708

fitgalscloset.com

by Alisha Kali Shakti, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast: yogawithalisha.com

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Fit Gal’s Closet appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

On top of a full schedule of yoga classes ranging from “Square One Beginner’s Flow” to prenatal, restorative, and Vinyasa, yoga squared has a unique offering: babysitting for every single weekday class. Owner Casey Merkling struggled to find the balance in her own life after having a child, feeling like there weren’t enough hours in a day to teach yoga, be a mother, and carve out time for a personal practice. Knowing she wasn’t alone in this, she created Orange County’s parent-friendly yoga studio. At yoga squared, parents can enjoy a peaceful practice while their kids explore toys, books, and games in the playroom under the supervision of babysitters. As Casey says, “Parents can refill their own cup and then pour it back into their kids. When you’re able to take time for yourself, you’re able to be such a better parent.”

Casey also believes that including your children in the activities you love is the key to creating strong family bonds. Since opening the studio in August, she has already hosted a toddler yoga workshop. Casey plans to host more events where parents can share the joy of yoga with their kids, as well as family-friendly events such as potlucks.

Other highlights include monthly free yoga classes for veterans and an upcoming day of beauty and wellness, with proceeds going to a charity for victims of human trafficking. Casey also looks forward to hosting her 200-hour teacher training program—Shanti Shanti Yoga School—and workshops she developed including yoga of self-acceptance and yoga for a healthy body image. “The first time I ever felt truly confident was on my yoga mat,” she says. “I don’t think I ever would have felt that if I hadn’t found yoga, and I want to share that feeling with anyone who will let me.”

Whether you’re a parent or just a yogi looking for a new spot to develop your practice, you’ll find something to love at this studio, a cozy loft in the heart of Old Town Tustin.

yoga squared, Tustin – An Orange County Yoga Studio

195 El Camino Real, Suite 201, Tustin

714-625-7230

yogasquaredstudio.com

by Alisha Kali Shakti, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast: yogawithalisha.com

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post yoga squared, Tustin appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

If you’re a one-stop shopper navigating the world of fitness, add YogaCycle in Redondo Beach to your favorite South Bay destinations. Co-owners Hugo and Zaneta Auler are both former athletes whose personal experiences with yoga as a healing modality have influenced the creation of their new studio.

They offer yoga and indoor cycling, as well as Brazilian boot camp high intensity workouts. With 45 or 60 minute classes, including some that offer 30 minutes of yoga and 30 minutes of cycling, the schedule provides options for those who are short on time yet long on ambition. Along with the classes on the schedule, some other perks of this sleek, spacious studio are the abundance of parking, showers, and changing rooms for yogis on the go. An added perk are the nutritious snacks and drinks from nearby Source Café.

Instructors at YogaCycle emphasize both fun and safety. Many of the indoor cycling instructors are former athletes who know how to coach their students on proper form in order to minimize injury. “Our focus,” Hugo says, “is to put people on the right path from the beginning—from their very first class.” Each class is appropriate for all levels of student as the instructors offer options to modify or ramp up the workout. For cyclists who crave relief for tight muscles or yogis seeking improved core strength and overall fitness, YogaCycle’s schedule offers a proper cross-training solution. And if you’ve got the travel bug, keep this studio on your radar as Hugo and Zaneta are planning YogaCycle European retreats combining yoga, cycling, and sightseeing.

YogaCycle

2015 Manhattan Beach Blvd. suite 110
Redondo Beach

424-456–4161

yogacycle.com

By Alisha Kali Shakti, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast: yogawithalisha.com.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post YogaCycle, Redondo Beach appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When Lionela Torriero, owner of Infinite You Meditation Studio, first saw the space where she now hosts daily meditation classes and monthly workshops, she knew there was something special about the energy there. She has since transformed that space into a sanctuary for aspiring meditators of all ages and spiritual backgrounds. Lionela, who has utilized meditation to find greater wellbeing and purpose in her own life, hopes that the studio can offer the same life-changing results to its students.

“It’s not an easy process,” she says. “Meditation looks like it’s easy. You just close your eyes…but it takes practice, dedication, and some knowledge.” Infinite You is equipped to offer that knowledge with a team of certified meditation practitioners and psychologists. While the daily meditation classes are universally beneficial for everyone, the workshops offer in-depth knowledge for students with specific issues and interests.

When you visit the studio, you’ll be welcomed into a tranquil space with a circle of meditation cushions, as well as chairs for those who aren’t comfortable sitting on the floor. After 45 minutes of gentle music and a variety of guided mindfulness techniques, you can’t help but walk out feeling better than when you arrived, as the photographs in the front lobby suggest. They feature Melina, Lionela’s teenage daughter, exhibiting a range of negative emotions that one might experience “before” meditation, as well as the look of radiant joy that happens “after.” Melina, who is currently completing her meditation training, intends to teach classes specifically for teenagers at Infinite You, spreading this powerful practice of awareness to the next generation.

Infinite You Meditation Studio

234 E. 17th St. Suite 113

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

949-873-5134

infiniteyoumeditation.com

By Alisha Kali Shakti, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast: yogawithalisha.com.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Infinite You Meditation Studio appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Inspired by the renowned Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City, mother and daughter team Patricia Griffith and Jessica Susolik set out to create a similar spiritual community in Orange County. Jessica says her visits to Agape transformed her life and her relationships and she felt it was vital for her to provide an equally rich spiritual home for her own children.

For their community, Jessica and her mother enlisted the help of Dr. Janette Freeman, who now spearheads Soul Center OC’s devotional and educational offerings. Each Sunday, Janette leads a half hour guided meditation followed by a sermon aimed at helping people live more mindfully and joyously. She says, “We all get better when we’re surrounded by positive, like-minded people who accept us for who we are.” She helps to foster this consciousness crowd by preaching the universal messages of unity and love. People of all religious backgrounds are welcome to join in these empowering Sunday services, which always feature the kind of upbeat, positive music you would want to hear on the radio.

Janette’s teachings, which blend her knowledge of religion, psychology, and meditation, extend into her class series, which offer attendees the chance for deeper, transformative inner work.

A member of the Agape Association of Communities, Soul Center OC is inclusive and non-dogmatic. Its founders agree that it’s become so much more than just a center; it has become all about the “beauty of community.”

Soul Center OC

The Newport Coast Community Center

6401 San Joaquin Hills Road

Newport Coast, CA 92657 (temporary location)

949-675-5543

soulcenteroc.com

by Alisha Kali Shakti, a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Soul Center OC appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Better Living Yoga believes in Yoga After 40

Better Living Yoga, which opened in 2014, caters to students of a certain age: 40 years and beyond. As the name of their studio suggests, owners Danielle Allard and David Webster are on a mission to improve their students’ lives by making yoga a more comfortable and accessible practice. Longtime friends who met through yoga teacher training, the duo belong to this demographic. They found that classes geared towards a younger crowd were often a potential risk for them and their peers; their solution was to create a studio with teachers who can tailor each class for the individual needs of the students.

Though all ages are welcome, Danielle says “The classes focus on structure and alignment. Safety is a key word.” This makes them idea for beginners as well as seniors, along with people utilizing yoga while coping with disease or recovering from injury.

Better Living Yoga offers a setting where practitioners can enjoy a diverse schedule of classes and workshops without competition. The spacious studio includes two classrooms and a massage room, and is of course fully equipped with props to modify each student’s practice as needed. As David says, “The students are trying the best they can, and when they need to rest, they rest.” He and Danielle believe strongly in the anti-aging and health-enhancing benefits of yoga and even in the short time since their studio opened, they have seen those benefits reflected in the vitality of their students.

Open Doors Better Living Yoga
27792 Aliso Creek Road, B140
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949)425-YOGA (9642)

Alicia Kali Shakti is a yoga teacher, world traveler, bookworm, and handstand enthusiast.

Alisha Maxine

Alisha Maxine is a yoga teacher, climber, world traveler, and handstand enthusiast.

www.yogawithalisha.com

The post Better Living Yoga: Yoga After 40 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.