Gypsy Yoga
Anahatha Lara Sackey and Brian E. Plaster joined forces to create OLM, or Original Live Music for Original Live Movement. This unique gypsy Yoga studio travels around California sharing a one-of-a-kind Yoga experience. During the hour long Hatha-style practice, the OLM experience invites you to embrace all of your senses and encourages you to explore and find yourself. With Brian’s original live music and Anahatha’s signature movement instruction, the five-part class will challenge your body, mind and spirit like no other Yoga class you have encountered. At OLM, you will find yourself facing your fears, realizing and claiming your power, and celebrating the movement of your body through meditation and Yoga.
Anahatha Lara Sackey and Brian E. Plaster
After every class, there is an optional fifteen minutes dedicated to sharing your experience with fellow yogis and yoginis. “Often the transformation that can happen at an OLM class is profound and needs processing,” says Anahatha. “Here is when and where the magic happens for me because I get to receive the blessing of learning what the essence of my students is and what their own inner OLM (Original Live Movement/Music) is.” Stay tuned for regular monthly OLM classes that will be hosted at Ajaya Yoga in Laguna Beach and Universal Glass boutique in Garden Grove. OLM also plans to expand their list of permanent venues to the north Orange County area. OLM Yoga Project, Ajaya Yoga, 31658 Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 and Universal Glass, 12951 Old Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840. ajayayoga.com; olmyogaproject.com –– Melissa Chua
Yoga and Indoor Cycling in West Hollywood
Studio owner Meaghan Townsend paired up Yoga and cycling classes to create West Hollywood’s new place to work up a sweat. UP DOG YOGA + CYCLING, located on Santa Monica Boulevard, offers a full schedule of Yoga classes for all levels and a number of cycling classes daily all throughout the day. As a seasoned yogini and Yoga teacher, Townsend always loved helping others connect to their bodies and experienced that through Yoga. She says her best friend, Adam Goldstein had a similar feeling while teaching cycling, so the “fusion was a natural progression.”
Up Dog Yoga & Cycling
Up Dog’s Yoga practice varies in style. For those with a more active lifestyle and previous Yoga experience, Up Dog’s “Full Blast” classes will challenge and deepen your practice. “Wake Up Dog” morning classes will do just that – wake you up and get you flowing in a 60-minute session. Whether you want to break a sweat or wind down from a stressful day, Up Dog is well-equipped with classes for everyone. Get your heart rate going and burn around 450 calories in a 45-minute indoor cycling class. “At Up Dog, we have awesome classes and events that guarantee you’ll have fun doing it,” Townsend says. “I always wanted to build a space where the community could come together and get stronger.” Up Dog Yoga + Cycling, 8599 Santa Monica Bl. West Hollywood, CA 90069. updogfitness.com –– Melissa Chua
Karuna Yoga Moving – Not Yet
Word has been that Karuna Yoga in Los Feliz is getting ready to move. They’ve announced that they will be in their current location on Hillhurst Avenue through the end of April. Stay tuned for more news. Karuna Yoga, 1939 1/2 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. karunayoga.net –– Felicia M. Tomasko
Creativity in the Heart of Downtown
The fifth chakra (throat chakra) represents creativity, community and freedom of expression, so it’s no wonder Downtown LA’s latest Yoga spot is named CHAKRA5. Studio owner McKenna Rowe says these are the qualities a Yoga studio should reflect. Chakra5 is a creative approach integrating music and technology for people to bond in a Yoga practice, she says. With Chakra5’s newest location at the Packard Lofts near the Staples Center, Rowe hopes to attract community members including local artists and musicians. Her vision is to showcase new sounds from local artists with live DJs to enhance her energetic Yoga practice.
McKenna Rowe of Chakra5
Being a singer, DJ and composer, music is a big part of Rowe’s life, which is why she feels, “Music is a vital and essential part of a Yoga class.” Regardless of if there’s a live DJ spinning or a recorded playlist on tap, Chakra5’s music is carefully selected to promote eclectic and indie beats from up and coming artists near and far. Chakra5’s unique mobile Yoga labs are meant to be easily accessible whether it’s traveling to your own home or to a studio near you. Chakra5 also offers private workshops at schools and businesses. In addition, Chakra5 reaches out to the community by promoting local businesses as well as partnering with rising musicians. Enjoy a colorful playlist or a live DJ while doing Yoga in a fun, comfortable and encouraging environment. The Chakra5 Yoga Lab@ the Packard Lofts, 1000 S. Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90015. chakra5.la –– Melissa Chua
Kundalini in Echo Park
Photographer and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, Stephen Stickler decided to transform his working photo studio into Echo Park’s new Yoga oasis. In an area where Yoga studios are few and far between, ECHO PARK YOGA recently launched fourteen new classes. This space was originally a bowling alley in the Jensen’s Recreation Center, but from photo studio to Yoga studio, Stickler’s new venture is quickly becoming the community’s new Yoga center. “It’s mostly a community service and an opportunity to teach Yoga, which I enjoy doing,” says Stickler.
Echo Park Yoga
Echo Park Yoga offers different styles including Kundalini, Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga. As Stickler says, “Yoga is Yoga,” so he wanted to provide a blend of styles without focusing on a particular one. Whether you’re in need of a boot camp style Kundalini workout, a more meditative practice or something in between, Echo Park Yoga has something for everyone. Practice your favorite asanas next to a blazing fireplace during the night classes. You’ll also want to try the vibrational healing classes and relax to the sounds of the gong being played by Stickler. Echo Park Yoga, 1161 Logan St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. echoparkyoga.com –– Melissa Chua
Melissa Chua is a journalist who loves checking out new Yoga studios and healing centers when she’s not writing: m.chua13@gmail.com
By Melissa Chua & Felicia M. Tomasko, RN
Melissa Chua is an LA-based writer who enjoys inversions and playing around with arm balancing poses. m.chua13@gmail.com