I was on a volcano in Bali, doing sunrise yoga, when I found out that Michael Jackson died. Fast forward nine years and I’m practicing yoga at Liberate Hollywood. This is the former Hollywood Sounds Recording Studio, where MJ recorded some of his most legendary hits. “Man in the Mirror” has never sounded so good.

Expanding Liberation in LA

Cristina Dam has owned Liberate Emporium in Los Feliz since 2010. She expanded the idea of liberation by taking over the old Hollywood Sound Recording Studios last year and rebranded it under the name Liberate Hollywood. Cristina transformed the former recording space into a place where “spirituality and creativity” unite.

Liberate Hollywood is a shop, space for events and classes, and somewhere you can receive healing services including Reiki, hypnotherapy, and readings. They offer meditation classes seven days a week and yoga six days a week. More classes are coming soon.

The space is one of the most unique locations where I’ve ever practiced yoga. More than 3,000 pounds of crystals were used in the walls and floors when owner Cristina remodeled the place. She says “The crystals add an extra energy and vibration that facilitate creative energy.” There is definitely a vibe when you walk into the place. You instantly feel like you’re somewhere special.

Rockstar Magical Flow

I’ve been attending the class Rockstar Magical Flow yoga with Lori Rischer on Thursdays at 7AM.  We actually do yoga IN the studio where The Doors, Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, and Donna Summer all recorded. Their hits pop up in the yoga flow playlist.  I think it was at least 22% easier to hold warrior pose while listening to “She Works Hard For Her Money.” Donna’s spirit was with me!  Lori Rischer‘s class is intimate, with personalized instruction, and won’t completely destroy you (or your hair) before going into work.  Other yoga classes include Oracle Yin Yoga and Crystal Infrared Flow.

Liberate Hollywood

Liberate Hollywood had their soft opening October, 2017. They are planning their Grand Opening for Summer, 2018.  Stop by for some of the most unique meditation and yoga experiences in the city, if not the world. Chill out with a sound bath while shopping for friends’ birthdays—or for yourself!  In addition to the regular schedule, special events such as motivational speakers, trainings, workshops and live performances happen regularly. For example, in March, more than 100 young women packed into Liberate for the inaugural “Her Music Club” with panels and performances. Look for more events and view the complete schedule online.

Where to Find Liberate Hollywood

Liberate Hollywood
6365 Selma Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
323-745-0495
www.liberatehollywood.com

Julie Pilat

Julie Pilat works in music and tech in Los Angeles. She also is the founder and host of The Idea Fountain: Life Changing Conversations interview series. www.theideafountain.co

www.theideafountain.co

The post Open Doors Liberate Hollywood appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo of Andrea Marcum by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer. Clothing by K-Deer. Jewelry by Gogh Jewelry Design. Location: Goorus Yoga in Pacific Palisades

Yoga Teacher Andrea Marcum encourages Acceptance

Yoga teacher Andrea Marcum offers classes that are known as being some of the toughest in town. I landed in her class 1000% by peer pressure. In my early days of yoga, when I could hardly hold a Warrior 2 for more than five breaths, I used to fix my gaze on Julio’s tattoos in class as a distraction. He was a regular, with beautiful full sleeves of artwork up and down his arms, a hugely punk rock attitude with a no-F’s-given vibe. In some classes, he would even stay in savasana the entire class.  No kidding, the entire 90 minute class he would be in savasana, and it didn’t seem to bother the teacher one bit.

Years later, I learned that when Julio was getting sober he faced each day with torturous withdrawals and Andrea’s class was a safe haven. He knew that even if he didn’t do one downward dog, just by laying on the floor he was doing something positive and on his way to recovery.  It was some of the most important mat work I’ve ever witnessed. It was also just a tiny glimpse into how life-changing Andrea’s classes could be. That level of acceptance, awakening, and ahimsa (nonviolence or compassion) is woven throughout my favorite new book, Close To Om. A book that just happens to be written by my teacher, Andrea Marcum.

What to Read in Close to Om by Andrea Marcum

If you’re trying to decide whether you want to read an autobiography, a love story, meditation guide, comedy, workout guide, or bit of a history book — look no more!  You can find it all here.  Andrea Marcum has created a masterpiece that flows through her life, laughs, and sun salutations. Marcum formally owned U Studio Yoga in Miracle Mile before shutting it down to travel the world as a yogi ambassador and retreat leader. She’s back in LA (when not still circumnavigating the globe in the name of yoga) teaching at YogaWorks.

Marcum describes Close to OM as, “Instruction designed more for the every person than it is for the select few who can effortlessly tie their bodies into a bow and always appear to have their shit together.” It comes with adorably accurate stick figure sequences and an online @OM companion piece that connects you to a community of readers as well as to more ideas and yoga-based challenges from Marcum.

Read an excerpt from Close to Om that describes the importance of savasana and how we need to stop in order to get started. 

I laughed out loud when Andrea told stories of creating space and making room for her soulmate, Dom.  The Yoga Sutras 101 gave me a new level of understanding of terms like pratyahara (internal gaze or withdrawal of the senses) that are often shouted out in classes.  The encouragement in every chapter helped me forgive myself for all my craziness and never being able to balance in crow…. yet!

Find out more about Close To Om and Andrea Marcum’s teaching visit: andreamarcum.com

Julie Pilat

Julie Pilat works in music and tech in Los Angeles. She also is the founder and host of The Idea Fountain: Life Changing Conversations interview series. www.theideafountain.co

www.theideafountain.co

The post Close to Om by Andrea Marcum offers laughter and accessible instruction appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.