Maryam Hasnaa by Taliesin Gilkes-Bower

Finding Inspiration through Tweets

In the noisy world of social media, and of minute-by-minute news updates, it feels like the collective has tipped towards celebrating the sensational and controversial. So, it’s little wonder that we’ve become desensitized to things that would ordinarily hit us with great impact. But if switching off social media is not an option, how do we continue using it for the greater good over the long term? At a time when I wasn’t functioning at my greatest potential, after a car accident and surgery, I sought the support of a spiritual community and high vibration spiritual guides.

Spending so much time rehabilitating at home meant I turned to social media. I was immediately drawn to the Tweets of wellness coach Lala Delia. The Tweets spoke about high vibrations. Her retweets led me to medium Maryam Hasnaa, and so on. Adding spiritually-minded accounts to my list of followers was a good first step in turning my mindset around. If you’re looking for ways to inspire others through social media and community, TheSmallBusinessBlog.net has this guide to growing your Instagram safely.

The quartet below add different perspectives to my timeline. Perspectives that include self-care, vibrating higher, and intuition. (They continue to motivate, nurture, and guide me.) They also shared light, energy, and inspiration. This came at a time when my living in a state of higher consciousness and expanded awareness was needed the most.

Lalah Delia photo by Roneka Patterson

High Vibration Spiritual Guide/Wellness Coach/Writer
Lalah Delia

It’s been nearly 10 years since Lalah Delia embarked on her journey as spiritual writer and wellness educator. It is a path, she explains, that manifested through her own healing, awakening, and transformation. “I honor [it] to help others who are where I was, and for those who are ready to be well vibrationally, in mind, body, spirit, and soul.” On a quantum level, the concept of vibration refers to the pulsating energy within us and in the universe. To operate at a higher frequency, we must cleanse the body of unwanted energy and let in the good—love, compassion, kindness.

“Vibrating higher daily is how we align with The Divine, The Most High. [It is] how we come into our higher potential self and reality, and how we thrive and elevate as individuals, as communities, and as a world at large,” Lalah says. “Vibrating higher is how you take your power back.” Scrolling through Lala’s Twitter feed, you’ll reflexively press “like” on her near-daily reminders about amping your consciousness, spiritual healing, and yes, vibration. And a plus of being on social media is that her teachings are more accessible. Followers are free to ask her questions, seek advice, refer to one of her online classes, or catch a lifestream. Or, as she puts it, “just feel the day-to-day love I put into my work for them, in real time.”

Lalah Delia photo by Roneka Patterson

The Vitality of Self-Care

Asked about why self-care is so vital in the world right now, Lalah shares that “wellness allows us to show up and function and operate at higher level and potential—mentally, vibrationally, and spiritually. We aren’t much help to the collective if we’re un-well and our energy is focused on recovering from an un-well lifestyle and such. Changing the world starts within, at home, and with our own day-to-day choices.”

Connect with Lalah on Twitter @lalahdelia. And via her website, VibrateHigherDaily.com

Vex King

High Vibration Spiritual Guide/Mind Coach/Entrepreneur
Vex King

“I’m just a guy who likes to help people exercise new ways of thinking so that they can live a greater life,” Vex King says of his vocation, which he started professionally three years ago. Self-taught, Vex gained his training through books, videos, “casual conversations with the wise,” and his life experiences. “I didn’t really announce myself as a public figure who wanted to make a difference in this industry until 2015. However, prior to that, I was always spreading a positive message through different social media accounts.”

He is consistent in sharing nuggets of wisdom about everything from self-love to relationships in easy-to-digest Tweets. And perhaps most notable is his creation of the Good Vibes Only #GVO. It’s  a movement that he believes is key to living a better life. “Good vibes are simply higher states of vibration, and good vibes attract good things into our lives,” he says. “As obvious as it sounds, positivity is essential to living a good life.

We Transmit and Receive Vibrational Frequencies

We are all transmitters and receivers of vibrational frequencies, and the vibrations we put out are always pulling in stuff that’s vibrating at a similar frequency to us. Negative emotions vibrate at a lower pitch, while positive feelings such as joy and love vibrate at the highest. Whatever frequency we emit, the same or similar frequency is drawn to us. Send out joy, and you’ll get more things to feel joyful about!”

Inclined towards making a difference because of his difficult past—“I know how it feels to suffer or feel like you have no control over your life”—Vex’s mission is towards the betterment of this planet. But for his words to resonate, it’s essential that we be open to change: “You can only transmit genuine positive energy if you’re in a good place yourself. We constantly seek to change the world around us without focusing on creating a change within us, which will eventually manifest outwards.”

Connect with Vex on Twitter @VexKing. As well as on his website, bonvitastyle.com

Photo of Maryam Hasnaa by Taliesin Gilkes-Bower

High Vibration Spiritual Guide/Medium/Channeler
Maryam Hasnaa

Raised by spiritual teachers—her parents—Maryam Hasnaa writes that she was immersed into a world of mysticism, ceremony, and celebration since before she was born. It was in 2009, after her own spiritual awakening, that she began sharing her spiritual and psychic gifts online. “I started being a medium/channeler for information about the planetary awakening,” she says. “I work specifically with a collective of beings called Source (Oneness) and the archangels. Those are my primary guides as they are aspects of my higher self. My message is pretty simple, which is that we are in a time of a great shift in human consciousness where we are waking up to remember the truth of who we are.”

Reality, Creation, and Why We Are Here

She shares her knowledge of Akashic records—higher dimensional concepts and ancient wisdom—on her Twitter feed and in workshops as a way to help “people understand the nature of reality, creation, why we are here, how to do the inner work so that we may all be able to access deeper levels of clarity and divine truth.” Her works resonate with people who are extra-sensory, “meaning those who have gifts of seeing, telepathy, channeling, clairvoyance, being empaths, or highly sensitive to reading energy.”

Maryam is also a QHHT practitioner, which is a form of past-life hypnotherapy. She approaches her work esoterically, but makes an effort to make it palatable for people on all levels of awakening. “I try not to subscribe to labels and I tend to play whatever role is needed in the moment as a vessel for Spirit. I do subscribe to the ancient methodology of mystery school training which is the path of the initiate, one who has dedicated their life to this devotional path,” she says. “It is quite a destructive process to awaken as it destroys much of the illusion that our lives had been built upon. I am here really to raise the vibration of the planet so that ultimately we can access higher levels of joy, grace, compassion and forgiveness.”

Connect with Maryam on Twitter @maryamhasnaa. Find her website maryamhasnaa.com

Kylie Riordan

High Vibration Spiritual Guide/Kindness Catalyst/Poet/Mother/Father
Kylie Riordan

Kylie Riordan is author of When Soul is Life. She is also advanced pranic healer, angel intuitive, and student of clinical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy. Kylie has been steeped in the self-help and spirituality industries for over 10 years. Per her Twitter bio, she’s also a poet and a Kindness Catalyst. That is, “someone who wants to be an instigator of kindness, someone who starts the snowball effect of kindness becoming an integral part of our world, someone who will do everything in their power to make kindness trend.”

Love, beauty, and compassion emanate from Kylie’s Twitter feed. She started back at 140 characters, then a young mum with three little children. “I didn’t have much time for writing blogs,” she says. “I really love the Twitter forum now. In this day and age where everyone is busy, I can give words of love in an instant. It doesn’t take much away from my day to write the Tweet. But those few words might be powerful in the transformations of others.”

A Life Lived with Love is a Life Well Lived

Her life philosophy is “a life lived with love is a life well lived.” It can be achieved simply by incorporating moments of boredom, moments away from technology, and time to connect with loved ones. “I write in my book about how important virtues of kindness, love, compassion and forgiveness are for authentic happiness. I think they are essential for balance too.”

Given the current state of the world, why is kindness is so vital right now? “It is the only answer,” Kylie states. “The world won’t be changed unless we embody authentic kindness, unless we learn to have compassion, and unless we can understand our connection. We need to be kind in situations we aren’t normally kind in. We need to move past our comfort zone with kindness. With kindness, magic is possible.” In short, kindness reigns!

Connect with Kylie on Twitter @mindfulheal. And access her book When Soul is Life.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post 4 High Vibration Spiritual Guides on Social Media appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

9 Self-Care Tips to Remember When Scheduling Surgery

1. Eat Healthy-ish

“Let food be thy medicine” — Hippocrates’ centuries-old words still ring true today. During the week prior to surgery, Dr John Layke, a Beverly Hills-based reconstructive surgeon, advises his patients to hydrate, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and adopt a healthy diet.
 

Let food be thy medicine

 
Eating fewer packaged foods and more fresh produce means minimizing inflammation that can occur during the healing process. To wean myself off caffeine, I stocked up on Four Sigmatic lion’s mane and reishi mushroom elixir sachets, Beaming’s low-sugar green juices, and Tea Forté’s Sipscriptions herbal teas.
 

 
As for healthyish foods, some of my go-to’s include walnuts for omega-3 essential fatty acids, blueberries for antioxidants, apples for fiber, and kale salad topped with either an egg or vitamin-rich avocado.
 

2. Calm Your Mind

Getting a good night’s rest prior to any procedure gives the adrenal glands a break and reduces cortisol levels—one of the hormones that is part of our body’s stress response. But how about preparing for general anesthesia, something I’d personally never experienced but was scheduled to undergo?
 
Rather than crippling my mind with fear, I decided to take action. A few weeks prior to surgery, I sought the advice of yoga teacher Kia Miller, whose Kundalini practices on YogaGlo I enjoy. She recommended the following online classes: “Seven Waves Sat Nam Meditation,” “Breath to Become Fearless,” “So Hum Meditation,” and “Release and Let GO!” Practicing meditation and pranayama once a day helped to calm me down.
 

3. Take a Me Day

To curb over-thinking as my surgery date drew closer, I scheduled a pamper session at Burke Williams Day Spa in Hollywood, a one-stop shop for treatments, nail services, and blow-drys.
 

 
I am a big fan of their massage treatments. The positive creative visualization I practiced during that treatment helped immensely because prior to going under anesthesia the next day, I conjured those images and ended up falling into a deep sleep.
 

4. Dance as if Nobody’s Watching

OK, dancing might prove difficult after surgery, but don’t turn into a couch potato. “Ambulating, or moving about, as soon as possible is key,” Dr. Layke says. “Your body will secrete its own ‘pain medicine’ called endorphins.
 
This also helps patients reduce postoperative issues such as blood clots and breathing complications.” While yoga might seem like light exercise, even the simplest of practices can exacerbate inflammation (I tried it anyway against my doctor’s orders and don’t recommend it). When you’re feeling up to it, take to walking outdoors or on a treadmill instead.
 

5. Create a Healing Space

Turn the lights on, open the drapes, or do anything else that might ‘shock’ the body out of the dark hiding place patients typically retreat to after a procedure, says Dr Layke. This is similar to “sunlight therapy” which elevates the mood.
 
Invite nature indoors by bringing home a bunch of flowers or an indoor potted plant—the peace lily or Areca palm are good choices—to enliven the living space.
 

6. Invest in Comfort

My favorite prop during recovery was a wedge pillow. It helped me sit and sleep without overtaxing my back, neck, and shoulders all while reducing swelling thanks to gravity. Because bed rest meant lolling around in loungewear 24/7, I rotated a few comfortable and lightweight pieces.
 
Coyuchi makes organic cotton wraparound robes—ideal for less mobile patients—and terry pullovers that mix and match well with that all-time favorite staple: leggings. It’s true that you’ll get more wear out of dark items, but consider buying pastels and bolder colors: a pair of blue-and-red patterned yoga tights had an immediate brightening effect on my mood and complexion.
 

 

7. Stock Up on Words, Audio, & TV

Mentally, it’s always good to distract yourself by reading a book or binging on your favorite shows, says Dr. Layke. Heeding his advice, I read lots by Nora Ephron, leafed through magazines (including LA Yoga), listened to Rich Roll’s podcasts, and watched not only comedies — Silicon Valley is still a fave — but also documentaries like What The Health? and dark dramas including The Leftovers and Big Little Lies. Ironically, the latter got me through some sleepless nights.
 

8. Face Your Inner Monologue

Now is the time to take up free-writing in a journal and put things into perspective. Spending too much time looking inward made me anxious, and writing down my feelings and crazy thoughts allowed me to navigate unfamiliar terrain while facing obstacles head on.
 
In Sheryl Sandberg’s book Option B, she writes that journaling during a traumatic time became a key part of her recovery (Sandberg’s husband passed away unexpectedly). In addition, for six months each night before bedtime she made a list of three things she’d done well that day, no matter how basic the tasks were because often even accomplishing little things seemed like an achievement.
 

9. Thank Your Cheer Squad

Woe is me, right? During those seemingly endless hours of suffering, it’s easy to take support teams for granted: the surgeons, patient coordinators, husbands, wives, parents, friends; our sounding boards, need-it-now shoppers, and care givers.
 
Thanking them is important, an act I didn’t practice right away as I was too wrapped up in my own turmoil and self-analysis. But hindsight is 20/20, and it’s through the words of Marcel Proust— “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, for they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom” — that I grow from and live by.
 

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Self-Care Surrounding Surgery appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Another “green” eatery graces Los Angeles? Bring it! I say—and many seem to agree: Flower Child Santa Monica was busy when I visited on a recent May Sunday. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes made with locally sourced ingredients fit perfectly into the image of a health-obsessed LA.

Owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts, the group behind True Food Kitchen, Flower Child is located in what was once part of a larger Laemmle theatre (The theatre still stands next door, although smaller). The now split-level casual restaurant offers loft dining overlooking a ground level adorned with orbital light fittings, a colorful peace sign mural, banquettes, and tables topped with a single daisy. There’s a to-go counter, as well as bar and sidewalk seating.

The beautiful open kitchen invites customers to place orders counter-side from a menu comprised of salads ($9.25), bowls ($10.25), whole grain wraps (from $10), mix ‘n’ match sides (one $4; two, $7; three, $9), and protein add-ons (from $4).  Much of this menu is made to order and then brought to your table. Take the delicious Indian spiced cauliflower, lightly fried in grape seed oil, colored yellow from turmeric, and sweetened with dates and almonds. Or the whole wheat, flax, and chia seed wraps, made every day in a grand pita oven. The Bird is the Word wrap ($12) packs grilled chicken, broccoli, jack pepper cheese, and charred peppers—with a bit of heat.

Organic wines by the glass, local beer, and kombucha on tap make up the drinks menu, along with seasonal lemonades, myriad iced teas (including decaf), loose leaf hot teas, and coffee. I recommend the cappuccino made with almond milk by Cali-based Califia Farms. Of the few but tasty desserts, you can’t go wrong with the gluten-free brownie or chocolate-chip cookie. I say just grab them both before settling your order.

Flower Child Santa Monica is located at 1332 2nd Street, Suite B, Santa Monica 310-382-2901, iamaflowerchild.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Flower Child Santa Monica appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

What makes Chef Conness’s menu at Sausal so successful is that the dishes are authentic and modern at the same time. Throughout the menu, she incorporates local ingredients related to the produce of missionaries and the early Californios of Alta California (modern day California plus states to the east). “Our cuisine is based on local Native American foods, such as black walnuts, blackberries, pine nuts, chia seeds, prickly pear, as well as the foods that were brought here by the Spanish and Mexican people,” she says. “The Spanish brought figs, pears, olives and citrus; the Mexicans brought pumpkin, tomatoes, corn and chilis.”

Using wood fire and slow roasting techniques popularized by the rancheros’ communal feasts means that Sausal serves a variety of soulful dishes, from snacks to stews. The sophisticated drinks menu uses housemade infusions and small batch spirits – the Jalisco Pear (tequila, pear brandy, house allspice dram, lemon) is a smooth choice. Save room because the Spanish sticky date cake is worth the indulgence.

The Mariachi Mondays features an actual mariachi band along with chef specials. Come early for happy hour and $5 margaritas and check the website for Chef Anne’s dinner series.

Sausal, 219 Main St, El Segundo. 310-322-2721, sausal.com.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Sausal serves inspired cuisine in El Segundo appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The latest studio to be opened by juggernaut SoulCycle is in LA’s buzzed-about up-and-coming destination called Platform, an urban complex housed in Culver City’s Hayden Tract neighborhood. Platform is also the home of SoulCycle’s West Coast headquarters.

I visited the indoor cycling studio on a chilly morning in January. Driving along Washington Boulevard, east of the vibrant restaurant strip and historic Culver City Hotel, I approached Platform, whose four acres were still waiting to be filled with eateries, boutiques, and people. By April 2016, operating tenants will include Blue Bottle Coffee, Van Leeuwan Ice Cream, and Aesop, plus Sweetgreens’ HQ. A short trip via the (only) elevator to level two immediately thrust me into the SoulCycle world I’ve come to know and love: bright white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows splashed with the brand’s signature yellow bike-spoke decals, and neon-lit signs beaming positive affirmations. The lobby was buzzing with a mix of first timers and newly minted regulars. We filled up the class, and the session was as intense as any other, with choreographed moves on resistance bikes set to clubby music, except my instructor’s playlist also included Lincoln Park, U2, and Missy Elliot.

If you don’t live in the neighborhood, it will be easy to visit via the Expo Line light rail from Santa Monica to Culver City. The service is expected to start service in late May, and, yes, there’s a stop right by the Platform. With all the good things soon to be unveiled around it, SoulCycle’s latest studio is poised to become the city’s most bustling location soon.

8840 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

310-322-7685, soul-cycle.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post SoulCycle, Culver City appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

A casual corner spot with a customizable menu, good-for-you cocktails, and a sunny patio? Count me in! Owned by chef Jon Rollo (whose other half is Barry’s Boot Camp CEO Joey Gonzalez), this is the brand’s sixth opening in a portfolio that stretches from Costa Mesa to Century City.

The space occupies what used to be FEED Body & Soul. Walking in, you might recognize the large bar that anchors the dining room, yet the interior has been enlivened thanks to Jon’s designer touch – he sourced the eclectic lighting fixtures and Singer sewing machine stools from antique stores around Southern California. Everything on the menu is fresh, healthy, and organic, and most items can be tailored to individual diets. You can build your own salad or choose from specialty options like the brown rice-farro-quinoa West Coast Bowl. There are tacos, paninis, soups, and burgers, though perhaps the most indulgent of all is the brunch menu: French Toast with berries and agave is delicious, while the Protein Scramble – a mix that includes turkey bacon, mushrooms, and pico de gallo atop an egg white – will kickstart the day. Cocktails are infused with potent ingredients like activated charcoal (Greenleaf Mule) and bee pollen (The Bees Knees), and arrive beautifully presented with cuttings from the onsite chef’s garden. Who needs a cherry on top?

Greenleaf is set up for to-go orders, but with bar seating (there’s also a snack menu), cozy nooks, a beer and wine list, Portola coffee, and a range of locally made desserts — did I mention the patio?! – it’s a shame not to linger. This is a restaurant chain I’m in love with.

1239 Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA 90291
310-399-9400, greenleafchopshop.com
Photo by Tiffany Chien

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Like Moby, I’m a fan of Los Angeles’ architecture. Unlike Moby, I’m not a vegan, though I am partial to plant-based cuisine. So, when I learned that the world-famous musician had opened an organic vegan spot called Little Pine in an Art Deco building in Silver Lake, I was intrigued.

Built in 1946, the well-preserved building is characteristic of the Deco era, with stepped forms, geometric cutouts, and sweeping curves. When I visited for dinner one evening, the dining room was dimly lit with candles, yet I could make out its modern, minimalistic interior designed by local firm Studio Hus: wood beams lining the ceiling, tables fronting an L-shaped banquette strewn with throw pillows, and a dining niche wrapped in forest-scene wallpaper, perfect for the large group it was hosting. There’s a heated outdoor dining patio, as well as a small parking lot.

The tapas-style menu offers comfort foods though portions are substantial; meaning four dishes between two diners are plenty. Plates score high on flavor, texture, and satiability, especially the farro walnut salad with butternut squash, panzanella dressed in avocado vinaigrette, and pesto-brushed crostini topped with maitake mushrooms that deliciously tasted of garlic and thyme.  

As for drinks, there are vegan wines and beers, sparkling cocktails, and tea-based kombucha made by DTLA’s Better Booch (try the rose flavor). Pastry chef Kelli Nehls creates delicious desserts, especially the s’mores ganache, with a pillowy meringue made from whipped chickpea liquid. On the way out, I purchased a quirky cup from Little Pine’s small shop filled with books, pine-scented candles, and pet-inspired gifts – particularly apropos since 100% of the restaurant and shop’s profits support animal welfare organizations including Farm Sanctuary and PETA.

Little Pine Restaurant

2870 Rowena Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-741-8148

littlepinerestaurant.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Little Pine Restaurant appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When Akasha Richmond arrived in LA, she lived in an ashram on the corner of Fairfax and 3rd Streets. There she studied yoga, learned Indian cooking under Yogi Bhajan, and worked at Golden Temple, a restaurant frequented by Michael Jackson. A few decades later, including a 14-year stint as MJ’s personal chef, Richmond is now channeling her passion for India through a new restaurant venture called SAMBAR. Located a block away from her renowned Akasha restaurant in Culver City, SAMBAR is where she offers her personal twist on typical Indian dishes.

Named for a soupy Southern Indian stew (and the first Indian dish Richmond ever tried), SAMBAR’s menu is spiked with salty, spicy, sweet, sour, and hot flavors that reflect the mélange of spices found across the Indian subcontinent. In turn, California produce informs the seasonal menu.

Cheese Thali is an excellent starter: the platter of goat and cow paneer (fresh Indian cheese) comes with papadums, naan, spiced pistachios, pickled Meyer lemons, and delectable mango chutney flavored with mustard seeds. The Truck Stop Goat Curry — slow braised in cumin, tomato, onion, and goat yogurt sauce — is a crowd pleaser.  You can turn up the heat anytime with chili thali made of red chili powder, pickled jalapenos and malabar hot sauce. For balance, the gin-based Road to Rishikesh cocktail is mixed with aloe liqueur and holy basil bitters, and Rose of Jaipur punch is served in a silver goblet – both delicious palate refreshers. You might also try the Punjabi Mama greens and masala braised short ribs. If it’s chicken tikka masala you’re after, you won’t find it here; apparently, that is a British invention.

SAMBAR is open for lunch Tuesday to Friday, and dinner Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday. 9531 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232, 310-558-8800, sambarcc.com.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

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

Entrepreneur Bill Armour’s Burke Williams Day Spa opened its 10th beautiful location in September 2015 at the hip new Village in Westfield Topanga.

Although the spa is located steps from a haven of retail, its discreet location on Level Two with convenient parking means you can easily bypass the frenzy. A serene lobby leads to a lounge area decorated in soothing whites and blues. There’s a Garden Room, fashioned with ivy and retro swivel chairs that offers mini arm and foot pamper services; also an aromatherapy counter where you can personalize massage oils based on numerology or a positive intention (and take home custom bath salts). The results-oriented Radiance facial, using Eminence and H2V, the spa’s exclusive skin care line, is fantastic.

In a Burke Williams first, this location launched an in-spa salon called Style, meaning a super sleek blow dry caps a perfect spa day.

Burke Williams Day Spa, Village at Westfield Topanga, 6256 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Suite 2250, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, 818-200-0260, burkewilliamsspa.com

TATA HARPER   

Tata Harper’s eponymous skin care line pushes natural beauty into the next realm. A 1,200 acre farm in Vermont serves as the operation’s headquarters, where Tata works with chemists, botanists, and biologists to produce high-tech formulations packed with powerful ingredients that are free of synthetics, fillers, and gluten. Some of the best sellers are Concentrated Brightening Essence ($125), a beta hydroxy Resurfacing Mask ($55), and Rejuvenating Serum ($95). TataHarperSkinCare.com

Buy Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask here.

KORA ORGANICS

In 2013, Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr launched Kora Organics, a skin and body care line grounded in her mantra, “What you put on your skin soaks in. Use organic.” Key product ingredients include vitamin-rich noni (Enriched Body Lotion, $54), chamomile (Recovery Eye Gel, $59), and rosehip oil which is an all around miracle cure for lightening dark spots and soothing dry skin (Luxurious Rosehip Facial Oil, $54). New for 2016: Age-Defying Phytox™ Oil ($65) with acai and rose otto. koraorganics.com
 

CAN CAN PARLEUR, an Organic Nail & Foot Spa

Of the numerous nail salons located on Melrose Avenue between La Brea and Fairfax, none has offered natural services until now. In October 2015, CarolAnn Shapiro opened Can Can Parleur, a Parisian-inspired organic nail and foot spa that pampers without the chemicals. Seventy percent of what you put on your skin and nails gets absorbed into the body, she tells me as I settle in for a pedicure using Bio Seaweed Gel, a long lasting, nontoxic nail polish line. Interestingly, the service is also water free, a decision CarolAnn made based on hygiene and conserving water. (Did you know that every pedicure uses 15 gallons of water?) I hardly miss the soak: after my toenails are painted and dried, my feet are exfoliated, buffed, and moisturized with handmade lotions scented with wild lavender and citrus. Manicures are also available using only 5-Free and 7-Free polishes by Butter London, Treat, and Smith & Colt. Bio Seaweed Gel pedicure $50, cancanparleur.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Natural Beauty in Los Angeles appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

On Golden Globes Sunday I took a class at the newest Barry’s Bootcamp in Hollywood, located along the Walk of Fame where I thought I might spot a celebrity. Instead, I faced my own reflection which, after 10 minutes of intense cardio, was slick with sweat – or was I glowing? Under the red lights of the dimly lit room, I couldn’t be sure. But that’s the whole point of this fitness phenomenon – you work hard, look halfway decent doing it, and get hooked on the results.

Barry’s Bootcamp has evolved from one studio in West Hollywood to 21 locations across America, Norway, and the UK. The new 4,500-square-foot Hollywood flagship is the largest on the West Coast to date, with a shiny rectangular interior that reflects the brand’s formula of having one mirror-clad side lined with treadmills, and the rest of the space dedicated to floor exercises. Depending on the day, classes switch between cardio and reps that target the arms, abs, butt, chest and/or legs. Weekends focus on the whole body – my 60-minute session alternated 10-minute jog-run-sprints on the treadmill with arm weights, pushups, squats, and abs. Muscles quivered but there was no denying the endorphin high.

That day, I was surrounded by workout rock stars who never gave up. They reminded me to push a little harder, while Alex, the instructor, kept us in the zone with a hip-hop-plus-pop playlist. I hardly looked at my watch, the class moved so quickly. Watch out world, Barry’s Bootcamp might become my regular thing!

Single class: $28, packages available. Reserve classes at barrysbootcamp.com.

6201 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 110, Hollywood CA 90028. 

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Barry’s Bootcamp debuts its Hollywood flagship appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

It may sound miraculous, yet practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have long understood the benefits of cordyceps, also known as “vegetable caterpillar.” Taken topically or orally, the unique herb has been shown to increase oxygen intake, energy levels, and blood flow. It is a powerful antioxidant and immune system modulator. Traditionally found in the wilds of Tibet and Bhutan, cordyceps are now cultivated in other ares of the world for consistency and affordability.

A ‘shroom that comes in many forms, here are our top picks:

Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

“I learned about the energy and skin-enhancing qualities of the cordyceps mushroom with the help of a TCM practitioner in Shanghai,” says founder of the eponymous skincare line Bobbi Brown. Brown incorporates the ingredient into the lightweight Intensive Skin Serum Foundation, which, over time, energizes the skin and helps it look smoother, lifted, more even-toned, and radiant. bobbibrowncosmetics.com, 1 fl oz $62,

Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Fask Mask, Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins

Harvard-trained pioneer of integrative medicine Dr. Andrew Weil recommends cordyceps for a natural energy boost. As an ingredient in his Mega-Mushroom skincare, it enhances the ability of mitochondria in the cells to produce the energy source called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) which helps the skin function more effectively, particularly to assist the body’s protective barrier defend against environmental stressors. origins.com, 3.4 fl oz $38

Cordyceps Drink Mix, Four Sigma Foods

The Finish founder of Four Sigma Foods, Tero Isokauppila, says cordyceps can increase cellular ATP levels by up to 50%. The mushroom is also an adaptogen, making this instant Cordyceps (using cultivated Cs-4 strain) a welcome mid-afternoon addition to hot water or a smoothie. The taste? Pleasant, thanks to stevia and licorice root. foursigmafoods.com, 20 Packets $35

Munchable Cordyceps, Dragon Herbs

More chewy than crunchy, these edible strands are cultivated in a clean environment on organic brown rice with cultures from a high quality source. While it is less expensive than the wild source from Tibet or Bhutan, it contains an even richer concentration of the active ingredient cordycepin. Try adding a few strands to soup or tea to enhance overall energy and well-being. dragonherbs.com, $29

Z Peel at exhale, Santa Monica

Probably the loveliest peel in LA, this treatment uses a Japanese mushroom enzyme mask made by ActiFirm to dissolve dead skin cells while stimulating blood flow and natural detoxification. Therapist Nadia Lambert was super gentle with my extractions before applying a toning mask followed by a light moisturizer. Sixty minutes later, my clearer skin emitted a lovely glow. I’ve already booked my next appointment. -M.C., exhalespa.com, $200

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Mushroom Magic: Cordyceps appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Created by professional ballet dancer and Pilates instructor Jennifer Williams and her brand-developer husband Deric, Pop Physique is a modernized version of the Lotte Berk Method—a mélange of strength training, dance, barre, and Hatha yoga founded in the 1950s. The 60-minute choreographed class tones and sculpts with a warm-up of planks and push-ups, which then progress into exercises focused on the core, upper, and lower bodies. By using props including light weights, Pilates balls, ballet barre, and straps, you can expect to improve posture and thigh muscle shake (a good thing) in just one class.

The founders’ strong sense of design and a playful wink to retro-chic are evident in everything from advertising to interior design to the color of the hand weights. The Tetris-like configuration of the Larchmont studio speaks to its former function as a house. The lobby pops with black-and-white pattern floor tiles and blush-colored reception desk, a MOCA-worthy neon sign “J’Adore Barre” hanging in the chill-out area, and the mirrored L-shaped studio comfortably fits up to 20 students. Around the corner, the changing area features a wall where you can “pop your selfie.”

If you’re a fan of Pop Physique, it’s wonderful to experience this newly outfitted setting. Still a Pop virgin? Taking a class in this shiny new studio is a perfect introduction.

POP PHYSIQUE, Larchmont

527 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

323-665-7777

popphysique.com

Marina Chetner is an Australian freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post POP PHYSIQUE Larchmont appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

After a decade of success in Mexico, the brand’s first US barBasanti outpost opened in April 2015. Upon entering the red tiled space you’ll be confronted with floor-to-ceiling cubed shelving filled with canisters containing over 50 loose-leaf teas from India, China, and Japan. To personalize the experience, a tactile display allows customers to see, smell, and touch the green, white, or black tea combinations prior to choosing their brew. Taste profiles range from the Blue Moon, a flavored white tea blended with freeze-dried cranberries and rose petals; to the Nest Ruby, a specially fermented tea made of long-living, pressed pu erh.

For the more adventurous, there is a lengthy menu of chai teas; tea espressos, which are brewed in the tea-espresso machine; matcha teas like the delicious Tiger Matcha, a blend of white tea, coconut, green matcha powder, and milk (I chose almond); and frozen blended yogurt teas whose dairy base can either be mixed with matcha and banana, chai and mango, or rooibos and chocolate.

Beware of the treats! Pairing the red velvet white chocolate brownie by Be Luscious Cookies with a fragrant Blue Moon tea-espresso could become a weekly cheat treat.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post barBasanti Tea Bar appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Walking is more my speed, though every time I take an indoor cycling class I emerge feeling victorious, wondering when I will make it my regular beat. Such was my experience after a 45-minute class at SoulCycle’s newest location in Hollywood.

On Hollywood Boulevard, by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there’s a new apartment block called Eastown LA whose ground level is an ode to wellness. Here you’ll find a juice bar, gourmet salad chop shop, bootcamp studio, and SoulCycle. Opened in April 2015, the Hollywood outpost is the brand’s largest in LA and is already as busy as any of its other six studios dotted between Malibu and Pasadena. At 8:30 am on Saturday, nearly all of the 65 seats were filled by a surprisingly upbeat crowd of guys and gals. Led by the super-fit Pixie, our class cycled to a killer playlist, moving the upper body to core-focused choreography and hand weights. Progressively amping up the resistance, we broke a good sweat. I made ample use of all water breaks.

Was my soul uplifted? Yes. Was the class tough? Definitely, but it felt less intense thanks to the dimly-lit studio and music that kept me in the zone. In addition, Pixie’s motivational coaching was subtle enough to help me find strength in the struggle. “LA, get out of your own way,” she exclaimed at one point, helping me pick up the pace. As for everyone else? All I can say is this: LA, you’re one fit bunch of people!

SoulCycle Hollywood

6201 Hollywood Boulevard, LA, 90028, 323-462-7685, soul-cycle.com

Marina Chetner is an Australian freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post SoulCycle Hollywood appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

With locations in two of the city’s hottest neighborhoods (Venice and Larchmont), it comes as no surprise that Cafe Gratitude recently opened its doors in Los Angeles’ burgeoning Downtown. This third LA spot is tucked into a 4,200-square-foot corner of the Yards at One Santa Fe, a mixed-use complex in the Industrial Arts District, which, come lunchtime, teems with artists, entrepreneurs, and other creatives.

The 11-year-old brand is loved for its organic plant-based dishes named after affirmations. The intention is for the guest to order by stating “I Am…” followed by their desired dish. It’s not unusual for diners to erupt into a fit of giggles while declaring how “Fresh,” “Giving,” and “Ecstatic” they are. (Translated, that’d be an order of grilled asparagus with hempseed hollandaise sauce; ancient grain flatbread; and oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with maple miso glaze.)  Menu highlights include “Open-Hearted” buckwheat flax pancakes; “Yo Soy Feliz” portobello mushroom tostada—a tasty riff on guacamole; and new dinner dishes like the “Abundant” artisanal antipasto plate with cultured macadamia cheese and white truffle, and “Dynamic” garnet yam and cauliflower samosas.

In a first for Cafe Gratitude, Executive Chef Dreux Ellis has introduced a three-course prix fixe tasting menu that can be paired with wine or house made sodas—a concept that has rolled out to the other café locations.

While there are plenty of reasons to drive downtown these days, Cafe Gratitude keeps it grounded with the question that informs their philosophy: What are you grateful for?

Café Gratitude, Los Angeles Arts District

300 South Santa Fe Avenue, Suite A

Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-929-558, cafegratitude.com

Marina Chetner is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Café Gratitude, DTLA Arts District Opening appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Not only is this indoor cycling studio premiering a new-to-E! reality TV show, Spun Out, in July, but it opened its second outpost in March. The Cycle {Beach} House brings to Santa Monica all that West Hollywood flagship fans have grown to love about the brand—a 45-minute calorie-torching high intensity interval training workout; pedaling to a pumping playlist in a dimly lit studio as an amped up instructor yells motivational sayings like, “Get what you want out of life. Breathe in that intention and exhale it out to the world.”

Cycle House Santa Monica is located across the road from Palisades Park and around the corner from Santa Monica Place. The industrial-looking 4,000-square-foot studio is decorated in its trademark black and green colors: there’s a 48-seat cycling room, dimmable LED lights, showers, a fitness boutique, free post-workout snacks like apples and bananas, and validated parking. The cycle-celebs from the Melrose location—including Chief Ride Officer Nichelle Hines; her instructor-brother, Aaron Hines; apparel director and instructor Nick Hounslow; as well as the founders and owners, Adam and Lara Gillman—are sometimes spotted on the Westside.

The first class is $18 with online registration (includes shoe rental and towels). Packages and gift certificates are available. For every class taken, the studio donates two meals to those in need. Don’t forget to bring your bottle and fill up on unlimited alkaline water. And, with the Pacific Ocean just steps away, it would be wise to also pack your beach gear.

Cycle {Beach} House

1541 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401

310-394-4800, cyclehousela.com

Marina Chetner is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Cycle House Santa Monica appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Spa Review: Island Mud Treatment at Paradise Point Resort and Spa, San Diego

If you can’t find a mud pool, head for the spa.  Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego offers a Hawaiian-inspired Island Mud Treatment using ingredients sourced seasonally from mineral-rich clays.  Following an all-over dry-glove exfoliation, your therapist will paint layers of warm mud from toe to toe, before cocooning you in a wrap.  While your feet are massaged, the mud does its magic, supporting detoxification and renewal of the skin.  After showering, you’ll feel rejuvenated thanks to the salt and mineral infusion.  What’s more, your skin will feel and look more taught.

Island Mud Treatment, $130

paradisepoint.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Spa Review: Paradise Point Resort and Spa San Diego appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Turning to all-natural is the new, holistic approach to skincare, and plant-based ingredients make a powerful impact when it comes to restoring radiance and balance.  To honor Earth Day on April 22, we’ve selected some earth-and-skin-friendly beauty products that are both fresh and functional.

LUSH, Herbalism

This face and body cleanser is great for troubled skin.  Ground almonds exfoliate, rice vinegar absorbs excess oil, and the added mix of sage oil, rose flower extract, and nettle gives the green cleanser a sweet, herbaceous smell.

$13.95, 8.5OZ, lush.com

G.M. Collin Bio Organique, Eye Contour Cream

A best seller in the Bio Organique line, the eye cream is formulated with eco-certified Spanish lavender oil and organic buckwheat seed extract to reduce eye puffiness, smooth lines, and restore radiance to eye contours.  Free of mineral oils, parabens, and silicones.

$48, 0.5 OZ, www.gmcollin.com

Balanced Guru, Balm Me

Perfect for the handbag, this multifunctional organic balm is good for all skin types.  Enriched with coconut oil, cocoa butter, argan, and rosehip oils, this salve can be applied to the face, lips, body, and/or toes whenever needed.  Safe for expectant mothers, nursing mothers, and children.

$18.99, 1.5 OZ, balancedguru.com

Bella Organics, Dead Sea Mineral Mud Mask

Those struggling with psoriasis, eczema, and acne can benefit from this Dead Sea mud mask.  it layers on smoothly and it’s helpful for detoxifying the skin.  Also in the mix: organic aloe vera juice and oil, organic tea tree essential oil, organic geranium, and organic perilla seed oil to keep skin supple.

$19.95, 2.0 OZ, lovebellaorganics.com

SKINAGAIN, Youth Anti-Wrinkle Brightening Cream

This is a vegan-friendly “facelift” primer free of gluten, paragons, and negativity that diminishes dark spots and lines.  It’s best applied while declaring the affirmation, “I am grateful for being vibrant and beautiful no matter my age.  The glow of my young appreciative heart expresses itself onto my skin.” What’s not to love about that?

$64, 1.0 OZ, skinagain.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Earthy Beauty: All Natural Beauty Products appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Enter Beaming for a feel-good high.  Whether it is the store name that makes you smile, the healthy food, or the shop’s positive energy, this place is a mood lifter.

Founded in 2011 by Lisa Odenweller, Beaming was inspired by preventative health expert and cancer survivor Kris Carr.  Led by a food is medicine concept, Lisa married her passion for health with Institute of Integration Nutrition studies to launch a year-long online raw-food cleansing pilot program with top holistic chef and cleansing expert Adina Niemerow.  Its success paved the way for the first Beaming store, which opened in Del Mar in 2012.

The Santa Monica flagship opened in January, 2015 (a Brentwood satellite opened in December, 2014).  The sunny spot sells an array of organic, gluten-free and dairy-free goodness for on-the-go or in-store eating.  There are cold-pressed juices; tubs of San Diego-made Millie’s Gelato; power shots; fresh salads; and entrees like coconut ceviche; smoothies (try the spicy libido-boosting Sexy Myan with maca); plus tasty baked treats including a divine Banana Chocolate Chip Bread.  A retail wall displays bags of super foods, beauty products, nut butters, books, and more.  True to its roots, eight calorie-controlled cleanses — they include superfood snacks, soups, and smoothies — are available in-store and can be shipped nationally.

Perhaps the best metaphor for the brand is its Radiance Juice.  Sweet from the pears, exotic from its rosewater and schizandra berries, and nutrient-rich thanks to spinach, cucumber, lemon, and chlorophyll, the tasty elixir will leave you, well . . . beaming.

BEAMING, Santa Monica
1426 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-299-7622
livebeaming.com

Marina Chetner is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Beaming: Organic, Gluten-free and Dairy-free in Santa Monica appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Relax overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Island Spa Catalina in Avalon.

Just a 15-minute helicopter ride, an hour ferry ride, or a leisurely sail from Long Beach rests the beautiful paradise Catalina Island, a popular getaway now made even more appealing thanks to the new 15,000-square foot Island Spa Catalina. Located in the historic El Encanto building in Avalon, the pièce de résistance of the gracious space is its top-floor vista deck overlooking million-dollar views of the Pacific—the perfect spot to relax with a glass of champagne. That is, if you can tear yourself away from the two-story Silver Peaks treatment suite—the most luxurious of the nine treatment rooms—after a Sage Stone Purification Ritual or a massage, facial, or body treatment of your choosing. The spa also offers a wellness café (Encanto Cafe), a welcoming courtyard, and a soaking pool.

A short walk down the promenade, the Descanso Beach Club is readying for its spring 2015 debut. Like the spa, it is owned by the Santa Catalina Island Company. The club’s centerpiece is the 13,000-square foot clubhouse; this is an integral part of an ongoing $8 million renovation. On the ground floor, Descanso Fresh, a gourmet espresso bar and ice cream shop, will serve fresh-made pizza, bakery goods, ice cream, and coffee drinks. Waterfront presidential beach cabanas furnished in teak with a refrigerator and flat-screen TV are available for rent. Start planning now for that summer soirée!

Island Spa Catalina
877-778-6454
163 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704

Marina Chetner is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Island Spa Catalina appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo Credit – Marie Buck

There’s something about Montana Avenue in the morning. While most of storefronts continue to sleep, a few early risers roll up the shutters and open their doors to user in the bright light. The street feels peaceful and alive, all at the same time. On a recent Wednesday just before 8:00 am, I strolled past the early birds sipping on coffees at Groundwork before reaching Kye’s, a new spot offering good-for-you food.

Kye’s recently joined the ranks of casual restaurant concepts serving fast healthy fare. Owner Jeanne Cheng, who holds degrees in both traditional and holistic medicine, says, “I hope that our tasty and convenient experience satisfies the customer who is looking for both the yin (nourishment) and the yang (enjoyment) of eating.” The shop, named after her son, serves four categories of the signature KyeRito – essentially a large sushi handroll served in a “slip wrap” cellophane to preserve the freshness of its surrounding green shell. Seated at the wood-paneled bar under a yellow sunburst that graces the feature wall, I indulged in an organic green juice and Breakfast KyeRito – the filling of pinto beans, green eggs, pico de gallo, chipotle cream, and corn tortilla chips was encased in white rice and crispy nori. I felt satiated until the early afternoon.

Kye’s is open from 7 am on Tuesdays through Sundays, which means Mondays call for a sleep-in.

1518 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-395-5937, kyesmontana.com

Marina Chetner is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Kye’s casual take on fast healthy food appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

by Rudy Mettia

UDAYA Entertainment

This is one gutsy yoga DVD. The box set contains 13 discs, which amounts to 36 pose tips and 13 hour-long yoga classes taught by ex-Marine-turned-yoga-instructor, Rudy Mettia. Most classes take place in a studio setting, where Mettia leads about 15 taut and toned students in his zany style, made all the more entertaining by his quirky sense of humor and deep Southern drawl.

Each disc offers a themed Power Yoga-based class. Once you’ve run through one cycle of discs, return and proceed to work up from the introductory Gathering class (performed in what looks like a Coliseum), choosing discs based on what your body needs. To work on the shoulders, pop in disc two, called Responsible Warrior, and expand with Eagle Arms, Dolphin Push Ups and Planks. If you’re looking for a heat-inducing flow, disc five, Fluid Warrior, will test your abilities in a sweaty Vinyasa. My favorite class is on disc four, Gentle Warrior, for its Yin approach and emphasis on long holds in forward bends. Check out the bonus CD for the yoga class performed in a forest.

Yoga Warrior 365 offers variety, provides useful insights, and is captivating with every viewing. Although Mettia sounds like a tough guy on paper, it’s evident that he loves to teach yoga—and has a good time while doing so.

Reviewed by Marina Chetner, a freelance writer and Managing Editor of Find Bliss Los Angeles. Findbliss.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post DVD Review: Yoga Warrior 365 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Illustrations by Mary-Margaret Mitchell

AZIAM Books

Some of the most lasting childhood memories are shaped by books. Do you remember that feeling of awe inspired by a magical tale, or of being instantly transported to a faraway place through a vibrant illustration? Hardly a kid, I felt that childlike sense of wonder while reading Guruji’s Gift, one of four titles in Alanna Zabel’s collection of children’s books.

Alanna is the founder of AZIAM Yoga, holds a BA in Psychology and Child Development, and teaches yoga to adults (singer Adam Levine was a student) as well as kids. Her discovery tale about Ashtanga Yoga founder Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois, aka Guruji, depicts his life journey; from practicing yoga with Sri T. Krishnamacharya, to finding his bliss through teaching — and helping others uncover the same.

The beautiful watercolors accompanying the words are the handiwork of Mary-Margaret Mitchell—they’re as much a joy to look at as the story is to read. The detail in the Hindu iconography of the Ganesha elephant and Goddess Krishna is wonderful; I found myself tracing their lines, as if doing so would uncover hidden meaning.

Guruji’s Gift  is an evocative way to get kids (and adults!) interested in the meaning of yoga. As Alanna wrote in the preface, “If you give purely from your heart / You will grow endless fields of flowers.” This little book is a testament to that.

Reviewed by Marina Chetner, a freelance writer and Managing Editor of Find Bliss Los Angeles. Findbliss.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Book Review: Guruji’s Gift appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Prior to meeting Rajashree, Aviva High School (part of Aviva Family and Children’s Services) had been teaching yoga to at-risk Angeleno teen girls in a makeshift space, making it difficult for students to relax and focus. With the help of Rajashree’s daughter, Laju (also a yoga teacher), two former storage rooms were overhauled and converted into a serene setting. The color palette was chosen for its warmth and symbolism. As Laju explained, “Reds and oranges represent energy and the sun, which hold a symbolic meaning when practicing yoga. Sun salutations are traditionally done at the beginning of the class to bless and energize one’s practice until the very end.” She chose specific mandala artwork for the wall décor; they hang on acoustical panels that insulate the studio. Rajashree outfitted the space further with Flotex flooring, durable yoga mats, yoga blocks, and straps.

Completed in June, the Rajashree Choudhury Yoga Studio has been embraced by students and will continue to empower them with yoga’s positive health benefits.

Aviva Family and Children’s Services

7120 Franklin Ave

Los Angeles, CA

(323) 876-0550

Avivacenter.org

By Marina Chetner, Writer and Managing Editor of Find Bliss Los Angeles. Linkedin.com/in/marinachetner Twitter: @mchetner

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Rajashree Choudhury Yoga Studio appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.