Exhale Twice in Santa Monica
Santa Monica makes room for another EXHALE Spa located at the Fairmont Hotel & Bungalows on Wilshire Boulevard. The green hotel partnered with Exhale when it wanted to build a spa that caters to each guest holistically. At the Fairmont, Exhale boasts massages and facials using organic and additive-free products, private yoga and core fusion classes as well as pool-side pedicures for hotel guests. Exhale also hosts seminars and retreats about incorporating wellness in everyday life. Exhale at the Fairmont Hotel & Bungalows, 101 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA. 90401. exhalespa.com –– Melissa Chua
Ayurveda in San Diego
Holistic centers sprout across California, but AYURVEDIC INTEGRATED WELLNESS is one of the few that combines the medical systems of Ayurveda and modern Western medicine. Owner Parmela Sawhney MD (pictured) is a family practitioner with more than twenty years experience as well as a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. The wellness office offers medical consultations and Ayurvedic mindbody treatments. The Shirodhara (dripping of warm oil on the forehead) calms the nervous system and alleviates stress. Panchakarma (five actions), a five-to-seven-day detoxification program,will be offered soon. Sawhney says Ayurveda “is a healthier way to treat patients from the root cause as opposed to Western medicine where we just treat the symptoms.” Ayurvedic Integrated Wellness, 1222 1st St., Coronado, CA. 92118. (619) 435 – 4488; ayurvedicintegrated.com –– MC
Vegan and Macrobiotic, from Japan to LA
J’S KITCHEN made its first debut in the United States bringing vegan, organic and macrobiotic cuisine to Abbot Kinney in Venice. Owner and chef Kumico Ueki expanded her Japanese restaurant chain to the health-conscious golden state. J’s Kitchen offers fresh options with a deli menu that changes daily. Ueki’s favorite menu items, which coincided with Japanese customers’ favorites, are the tempeh BLT, teriyaki sandwich and the vegetable curry. “Everything is made from scratch with so much love put into it,” says Ueki. “When people think about healthy eating, they think it’s not tasty, but everything here is really delicious,” she says. J’s Kitchen, 1239 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA. 90291. (310) 450 – 5119. js-kitchen.com – MC
Margo Marrone
90210: Organic Pharmacy
Los Angeles is the prime spot for THE ORGANIC PHARMACY’S first U.S. location because inner health and organic products are concepts that Californians are familiar with already, says TOP founder Margo Marrone (pictured). The Organic Pharmacy is a London-based natural health and beauty haven where herbs and homeopathic remedies are used combined with expert advice and top quality ingredients to restore the body to its optimum state. TOP is equipped with an onsite clinic as well as beauty rooms where you can get a full body scan and the pharmacy’s signature facial. Winter must-haves include: the ultra dry skin cream, antioxidant face lift serum and the double rose ultra face cream, which works as a daytime moisturizer, and the immune tonic to fight those horrible winter colds. The Organic Pharmacy, 453 N. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills, CA. 90210. (310) 272 – 7275. theorganicpharmacy.com–– MC
Two Hearts Yoga
Two Hearts Yoga
Black Dog Yoga in Sherman Oaks paves the way for sister studio, TWO HEARTS YOGA, located a few doors down. Black Dog owner Peter Barnett and Two Hearts owner Georgina O’Farrill, shared the vision of creating a “satellite or sister studio” that would support and be supported by the main studio, and simultaneously create a real sense of community. Two Hearts acts as Black Dog’s counterpart catering to kids, moms and moms-to-be. Two Hearts studio offers classes in pre-natal and post-natal, mommy and me, toddler yoga, and yoga for fertility and menopause. Two Hearts perpetuates a sense of community with family yoga and drop-off classes. “The common experience [of family yoga] opens avenues to bring families closer utilizing yoga in a fun and creative way,” says O’Farrill. Drop-off classes allow adult yogis to maintain their practice while their kids do the same in a fun and nurturing environment. Two Hearts Yoga, 4454 Van Nuys Bl. Suite 215, Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403. twoheartsyoga.com –– MC
Siddhar Wisdom in LA
On an unassuming West LA street, a temple lies behind what seems like an ordinary front door. Within any of us, there is a temple, but when this particular front door is opened, the visitor steps onto sacred grand inspired by the wisdom of the Siddhars and spiritual teacher Tapasyogi Nandhi’s (pictured) deep practice. The walls of the ARIVEN TURIYA SAKTI TEMPLE are graced with pictures of Nandhi’s pilgrimages to sacred sites around the Indian subcontinent, his meditation inspired spiritual art and images of saints and deities. The backyard fire pit is the site of yagnas (fire ceremonies) lovingly performed on auspicious occasions. Bowing to a pair of the hugging saint Amma’s slippers, Nandhi taught recent visitors the sound of the feminine Om. The temple is open to the public for satsang, Turiya Yoga, sacred fires and pujas (worship) on the new and full moon and other teachings and ceremonies. Tapasyogi Nandhi is committed to seva, selfless service, through the support of animal sanctuaries and is the voice behind the powerful CD, Cave of the Siddhars. Regular temple hours, Monday – Sunday (except Thursday), 6:30 – 8:15 P.M. Make reservation before attending. Ariven Turiya Sakti Temple. (310) 451 – 7377. ariven.net; nandhi.com –– FMT
Eric Paskel
UKarma
Eric Paskel (pictured) brings a sense of joy and a love of spirited movement into his signature blend of yoga-based martial arts, dance and asana. XFlowsion, popularized through his energetic and lively DVD series, Midwestern yoga studios and wide-ranging client base, has now landed at UKARMA in the Valley. Before flinging opening the doors of UKarma, Paskel overcame adversity in his own life, and worked successfully as an actor before earning a masters degree in psychology. Throughout his journey, his commitment to the transformational potential of yoga has been unwavering. These passions and education come together in Paskel’s desire to help people create transformation: body, mind and soul. His belief in the strength of community shines forth in the creation of the studio, classes and ethos at UKarma. Without pre-designated levels, the classes are set up to allow students to find their own comfort zone and work at their own pace throughout the practice – while having fun. UKarma, 13920 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA. xflowsion.com;ukarma.com –– FMT
Melissa Chua is a graduate of California State University-Northridge’s journalism program whose passions include traveling and meeting new yogis. M.chua13@gmail.com
By Melissa Chu
