All things related and happening in and around Los Angeles.
The Last Jewel of Southern California On a crisp spring morning, photographer Brett Leigh Dicks and I set out to document the diverse environment and open expanse of the Gaviota Coast. Arriving at Refugio State Beach just after sunrise, we encountered children playing where a chilly creek flowed into the ocean, flocks of sea birds [...]
A Yoga studio offers an anchor in a community or neighborhood, and City Yoga in West Hollywood, at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Fairfax has been holding a powerful space in the community since 1999. Opened as Southern California’s first Anusara studio, the now independent Yoga space has been operated by husband and [...]
An ashram in India is a place where people can retreat for physical, mental, and spiritual self-care. The Sanskrit word “ashram” can be translated into English to simply mean “shelter.” These are places where we can feel safe and at home—are key ingredients in one’s practice. Yoga Shelter in Studio City is a place that [...]
By Jessica Thomas It was a moment borne of dreams when Carrie Janell Hamner was hired at the age of 21 to be one of the Rockettes who make their home in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The precision dance group is an American entertainment institution. Carrie was hired on the spot (a [...]
Billy Asad begins at the edge and pushes on from there. A student of Yoga since the early1990s, Asad has made space at Los Angeles’ YogaWorks for nearly a decade. When he brings his practice to the people, his classes are always mat-to-mat with devoted students. Part guru, part coach, Asad has the ability to [...]
As yoga becomes more mainstream by the day, partnerships between charitable organizations and Yoga-driven endeavors raise funds and consciousness, even with humor. On November 16, the newly formed organization, Transforming the World Through Comedy, will launch a multiplatform global event to raise funds through comedy performances. This year’s catalytic philanthropy partner is the yogi-founded charity [...]
When he first arrived on the West Coast in 1925, Paramahansa Yogananda called Los Angeles “the Benares of America.” L.A. reminded him of India’s holiest city because a certain spiritual energy permeated the hot, dry air. He may have sensed that the growing town was destined to become the prime relay station for the processing [...]
In the 1950s, a religious order rooted in ancient Indian philosophies established a center in the hills of Montecito. Half a century later, the VEDANTA SOCIETY OF SANTA BARBARA Remains a serene retreat that embraces all faiths. SHANGRI-LA By Ann Louise Bardach God was not especially welcome in our New Jersey home. On the contrary, [...]
David Elliott: The Reluctant Healer by Sam Slovick The Kyoto Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is a portal today. Braced against the streets of chaos, the Little Toyko-5 star is pressed tightly against the homeless vortex of Skid Row. In a few hours, Reluctant Healer, David Elliott will incite another kind vortex here. A whirling [...]
Yasa Yoga now inhabits a Santa Barbara landmark “In Sanskrit, Yasa means "good-hearted," which is the spirit behind our mindful and balanced approach to practicing and teaching yoga at YASA Yoga,” says studio owner, Stephanie Besler. For the past five years, Stephanie and her husband Ryan Besler have been active yogis hosting teacher training programs, [...]