A terrific class. I had quite a bit of experience with Zen meditation, but found Sandy's Vipassana…read moreapproach to be more rewarding, with near immediate results: greater clarity, focus, and ability to let go of unhelpful, negative thoughts and attitudes. Sandy is a great presenter of the theory and practice of mindfulness meditation, witty and entertaining, and proved willing to go the extra mile to accommodate students' schedules. Highly recommended.

Sandy is an amazing, patient and insightful teacher. I particularly appreciated his insights into…read morethe physiological health benefits of meditation. I took so much away from the course, and feel that I've left away with the most important tools for self care.

CLOSED -- I received this, via email, in response to my query below:…read more Is this location closing permanently, as I've seen reported? If so, when and why? Shambhala L. of Shambhala Meditation Center - Los Angeles Business Owner Hi, We have closed all our locations in Los Angeles but continue to meet online. All programs and classes are currently held online via zoom. We will be sending updates periodically via email. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please sign up here: https://la.shambhala.org/sign-up/ Check our monthly calendar for updated information on online meditation programs and activities: https://la.shambhala.org/monthly-calendar/ We hope to open another location in the future! Los Angeles Shambhala I wonder how much the recent and ongoing controversies surrounding Shambhala had an impact on the organization, as well as the obvious pandemic issues.

Good morning, Los Angeles! I thought I'd write an update with more detail for people who have…read morenever been here before. The Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles is part of an international community of meditators founded in the 70s by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and now headed by his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Shambhala is dedicated to the practices of sitting meditation and "meditation in action", incorporating dharma arts and other contemplative disciplines with the view of creating enlightened society. Shambhala offers many opportunities for people new to meditation to sit with an instructor one-to-one or with a group of fellow newbies. If you're new to the practice and you'd like individual instruction, I suggest coming on Sunday morning anytime between 9:00 AM and noon. (The closer to 9:00 AM, the better.) You can receive brief instruction in sitting and walking meditation and then join the group for all or part of the group practice. Public group practice also happens on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, and you can receive individual instruction at that time as well. If you'd prefer to meet other beginners and learn to meditate in a group setting, you can come to the monthly "Learn to Meditate" night, the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Other Thursday night programs focus on teachings by Pema Chodron, noted Shambhala Buddhist teacher, author and practitioner, or introductory dharma talks from senior students of Shambhala. If the initial instruction sparks interest and you want to go deeper, Shambhala is a feast of teachings. They offer a number of weekend and evening programs in meditation and contemplative arts such as flower arranging, archery, writing...there is something for everybody here. The Shambhala Training program is a particularly potent path of meditation study and practice, done over a series of weekends. It's not necessary (or even an advantage) to be a Buddhist in order to learn to meditate...Shambhala welcomes all.

What a sweet, lovely store that I finally stumbled into after passing by it many times. My favorite…read morerestaurant is just a couple of doors down and now that they open a little earlier, Aum & Garden was still open when my significant other and I walked by last week. We decided to stop in to check it out and I'm so glad we did. We were greeted immediately by Jerome, who was extremely welcoming. He told us a little bit about the store and its history. We let him know that it was our first time stopping in and wanted to see what types of items they sold. There are many, many fun items and I look forward to stopping by again to take a longer look at the great offerings that they have. I had a chance to spot a fun crystal that will be perfect to give a friend that recently opened a new business. The crystal is a selenite mini egg which is good for purification and new beginnings. There are many different crystals available, at many price points. If you are looking for some, this is a great place to shop!

A beautiful and calming store with incredibly friendly and warm/welcoming service. An incredible…read moreselection of spiritual gifts with a wide price range. Really good value on beautiful items. I'll definitely be back.

This guided meditation is very individualized and very private, yet the most awakening experience…read moreyou will ever have. I could not have discovered my insecurities or the way I grieve from losing my mother. I would not have not known my how my habits affect how I live life without looking from within and being honest with myself of the thoughts that run through my mind. Definitely worth trying!

From the owner: Utilizing tried and true practices developed in South Korea, we offer our clients guided meditation…read morecourses. By expanding perspective and understanding the mind, we'll work diligently with you to develop your relationship with your true self and guide you to a less stressful life. We can virtually host our clients, so your appointment can be from the comfort of your home, a nice park, or anywhere you can find reliable internet connection. If you're ready to find peace, release stress, understand yourself better, and develop a healthier state of being, then we're ready to help.

I was so happy to find Jenna a year ago when I was seeking help getting more flexible and strong…read moreafter a diagnosis of Lyme disease four years ago. Over the last four years, my illness had hijacked my body, and my once flexible frame had turned rigid with disuse. Lyme caused muscle stiffness, pain, and gripping, and had made it so that muscles easily strained. So, I backed off of most physical activity for a long time. I wasn't ready to return to the full class format, worrying that in a class, I wouldn't get the special care I needed in my unique situation. Through Covid I was also worried about Long Covid either triggering a Lyme flare, or adding to my issues, so overall a class was a no-go for me. I finally found exactly what I needed in Jenna's private sessions. She helped me gently move and stretch at first, just to get my body from concrete to hard rubber! Then, using her particular understanding of chronic illness, she added in deeper stretching and strength-building when she felt I was ready, helping my body loosen up and even just get used to the movements again. Over the last year, I have grown to feel so much more capable of activity, and she has given me a lifelong guide to stretching that is made just for me! This is something I will treasure forever... Thank you, Jenna, for everything you do!!

Jenna is a fabulous teacher. I am a rank beginner and her patience, thoroughness and attention to…read moredetail in all the poses is wonderful. I do in person and her studio is immaculate. She is an "on-time" person so lessons are punctual. Add to that Jenna is a fun person so lessons are enjoyable on that level as well.

Beautiful Buddhist temple but I took out a star because I came here for a meditation class, but…read morethere was no one present when I arrived. I waited, and waited for an hour and I even tried knocking on some doors, but no one answered. So, I just walked around the temple grounds, enjoying the beautiful tree and the Buddhas. Would love to try their meditation class one day!

Good place primarily serving the Sri Lankan community. Mostly involved with traditional customs and…read morerituals in Buddhism. Although there was one western monk having a regular meditation program. Good to check if the program is still going on before visiting.

I've been coming to ARTHA for several months now, and I still love it just as much as when I first…read morestarted. It's become a regular part of my self-care routine. I've tried a mix of classes and services -- from challenging Pilates to deeply relaxing yin sessions and sound baths -- and each one offers something a little different depending on what I need that day. I also love that the infrared sauna sessions are set up in your own private room, which makes the experience feel even more relaxing and personal. They also do a great job of creating a sense of community. From time to time, they host special weekend events with thoughtful touches like goodie bags and guest sponsors, which makes you feel really valued as a member. I've even joined one of their group hikes, which was such a fun way to connect outside the studio. They've also brought in guest instructors for things like dance and Zumba-style classes, which keeps things fresh and interesting. What really keeps me coming back is the overall experience. The space is always clean, calm, and beautifully maintained, and I love how easy it is to just show up -- mats, towels, and props are all provided. Parking in the back is also a huge plus, especially for LA. I've found myself telling friends about it and inviting them as my guests, which says a lot. It genuinely feels like a little wellness sanctuary, and I'm really glad I found this place.

My experience with Artha ended very poorly after several years of association with the facility…read more I received numerous promotional messages encouraging trial visits, so I attended both the West LA and Studio City locations to determine which classes and schedule worked best before committing to a long-term membership. This is a normal step for anyone evaluating a fitness or wellness membership. Later, management accused me of violating their policies simply for attending both locations and permanently revoked my access. The explanation provided was inconsistent with the promotional outreach they themselves sent encouraging trial participation. The situation escalated further when I accompanied a referred guest using a guest pass that had been given to me by another member. Instead of handling the matter professionally or discussing it in good faith, "Miguel" imposed a permanent ban and stated he would not correspond further. The lack of flexibility, unwillingness to review context, and overall tone from management was disappointing for a business that markets itself as a community-oriented wellness space. Potential members should carefully review all policies and be aware that enforcement may be strict and final regardless of circumstances.

Breathwork Plus is a true gem. From the moment you step through the door, you walk in an atmosphere…read moreof tranquility and warmth that instantly put you at ease. The instructors here are not only highly skilled but also incredibly nurturing and attentive. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi, they offer personalized guidance to help you deepen your practice and find inner peace. Their gentle corrections and encouraging words create a supportive environment where you feel comfortable exploring your limits and challenging yourself. The variety of classes offered caters to every preference and ability level. From yoga, Breathwork, and to sound bath, there's something for everyone here. Each class is thoughtfully designed to cultivate strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and centered. One of the highlights of this studio is you'll always feel like you're part of a welcoming family. Overall, this studio is a safe haven for both mind and body. It's a place where you can escape the hustle and stress of daily life, reconnect with yourself, and leave feeling refreshed and inspired. I can't recommend it highly enough! I'm so glad I found Breathwork Plus.

I took a Breathwork/Sound Bath class with Julia and had the most incredible time. Julie was more…read morethan helpful with walking me through what to expect, how to do the proper techniques, and made me feel at peace. The studio is so cute and their provided mats are very high quality. I'm so happy to have found this little gem of a wellness center right in Studio City. The prices are fair and the instructors are extremely genuine. I'm excited to continue my wellness journey with Breathwork Plus!