It is with great gratitude and respect that I write this review of Lake Shrine because I found it…read moreto be the best free experience that the Los Angeles Basin has to offer and this is not an exaggeration, nor is commentary sponsored by ad funds. I am feeling pure and substantial admiration and thus I will try to convey it on to page in hopes of celebrating the gift of serenity this place offered me without asking for anything in return, from me. The serenity that this place induced within me, so quickly and firmly, was so strong that I dared to think of scenarios that would challenge it. Meaning I was so in peace in the Lake Shrine grounds, that I wondered what would disturb this seemingly unshakable peace? And my mind went to a dark place. I will eventually know the heart-woe of being an orphan and I wondered if my biggest grief would be lessened in this environment. I know that this was a quirky maybe even macabre way of describing the grandiose peace of this place but I wanted to be honest to the experience because the serenity offered by this place was extreme and unique because I had never felt something quite like it. Thus the question becomes: How did this place achieve this new sense of peace/serenity within me? First, the ground themselves were tranquility in soft, barely moving stillness. As soon as I was walking down the 100 or so steps to get to the bottom of this sunlit, open-air cathedral I felt the calming colors of nature all around me, plus the absence of city sounds. Like the freeway was near the Shrine. And I could hear it. But the traffic was not a reminder of a city near, it was more like rumors of cities that were somewhere in the horizon but not near because the stress of these distant cities and their bills and heinous crime did not belong amongst the quietly pulsating, encompassing peace. As I walked the grounds, I saw koi fish and a swan swimming amongst its central lake that was clear as I hoped my mind would be while engaging in the meditative practices that this placed offer. In fact, in one of the videos I clipped I followed a white koi with my video camera. As it swam in the water that was not hit by sunlight the fish was white. As it continued to swim to the part of the lake that had water hit by sun, the koi fish turned a little bit green, like a turqouise shade. And I thought about why the fish would turn green, just slighthly? And that is is where I understood that the clear blue water and the yellow sunlight came together to make green. In fact, the play of light across the grounds was one of the reasons why I loved! this place. I took a picture of a tree drenched with sunlight. But to my eye, the tree did not get covered with sunlight, it was more adorned in sunlight. Like the green was present and the yellow light was present, but they did not become one, it was like the skin of a female was covered in golden lace. Take these moments and add the duo of mingling butterflies I spotted, the small but mighty waterfall, and all of the majestic roses around I feel great comfort in describing this place an Eden of curated nature. I was also fortunate enough to arrive at a time where I could wait an hour and attend one of their guided meditations, inside a windmill. And this was an experience that made me feel the power of meditation in full scope. At the end, the guide, asked all of us to say om three times. The first time I joined, the second time I did too, but in the third om I remained quiet. I heard the symphony of om's around me and together they made music that verberated within my skin. I did not feel goosebumps, instead I felt my skin shimmer with waves that come an in-rest mind. The meditation focused on feeling love from the heart and have it encompass us, our neighbors, our family, and all people who claim the world their earth. The words of the guide, the peace of the spot, the sounds that could not be heard but felt, made me feel like I was pulsating with love vibes that were being transmitted from me to all in golden, circular vibes. Like I said when I first started to write this Yelp, I am not exaggerating, those images and feelings came to my mind. What I fear is that I will visit this place a second time and not feel the wonders of my first visit. I mean that is a common situation, people will never feel the same pleasure they first felt, when they heard their favorite song. I asked a working gardener if he ever lost the love for the wondrous garden surrounding him. He said never. I hope he was right. I don't plan to go hear regularly, but enough for the peace to feel needed and true. I also took a tour of the garden with another guide. She described the lotus frame next to the lake as a "wallless temple" which made a lot of sense. I was at a pier not too long ago after my visit. And I was at the pier's edge facing the water and I realized this was also a wallless temple. I hope this Yelp is a peace pulse, too!

SRF Lake Shrine is a beautiful and deeply peaceful place to visit. Admission is free, but a…read morereservation is required in advance. The shrine honors many spiritual paths, with plaques and iconography representing different faiths, creating a sense of unity and respect. The lake is filled with huge koi fish, turtles, ducks, and swans, and the surrounding grounds are full of lush trees and colorful flowers. There are many lovely benches where you can sit, meditate, and simply enjoy the serene views. Being here feels incredibly calming and cleansing for the soul. Visitors can meditate inside the houseboat, which adds a very special and intimate experience. If you are spiritually sensitive or simply looking for a quiet, reflective place, this is highly recommended. There are restrooms on site, a small gift shop with items from India, and a small museum sharing the history of the shrine and the fellowship. The area itself is not large -- you can walk around the lake in about 15 minutes -- but it's a place meant to be experienced slowly, with time to pause and truly take it all in. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

They forgot to let me in on my first zoom. I'll try again but how unzen. I felt unseen and sad…read more Exactly why I need meditation.

Amazing teaching. TM has changed my life would highly recommend it. And this is the place to do it…read more! Monica was an amazing kind accepting instructor and answered all questions. She guides you through the learning and is always present.

Awesome place to go. I love to go to the events that they have. Sound baths are really great.read more

Down from The Bay visiting the bestie and Valley Salt Cave was on our "Try Something New"…read moreitinerary. Took the drive from the thorn, and we are glad we did. I had secured the private cave prior to our arrival which was smarty, just like me. This is the type of care I would consider doing on a regular, because it was just that relaxing. Between Warren who was my first point of contact when securing the cave, to in person hello from Keri upon our arrival. I was pretty satisfied. I'll give this place 4 thumbs up and breathe in breathe out!!

I love this place and come every Friday and Saturday to spend all day working and meditating. The…read moreview of the field is so peaceful. I love to sit by the waterfall and work from that place. Also on the cool day I sit in administrative house and work from the library. I would highly recommend it to everyone who wants to find balance.

*HOURS: The hours listed here are wrong. The hours (per the website) are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm…read more Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. They also close occasionally so check the website before coming as they post updates. This is the specific website for this location: https://yogananda.org/locations-international-headquarters#Visiting%20Hours. The website is also wrong here but I've contacted Yelp about making the changes. This is the international headquarters of the Self-Realization Fellowship. The organization was started by Paramahansa Yogananda, a Hindu monk and guru, who was very influential in introducing yoga to the West. The SRF is a spiritual organization that doesn't teach Hinduism but focuses on the specific teachings of Yogananda. They have many locations throughout the world and a few in the Los Angeles area. Their Lake Shrine location in the Pacific Palisades is particularly beautiful. This location is much smaller but it is still lovely and peaceful. Yogananda established the headquarters in 1925 and lived and worked here for more than 20 years. The meditation garden is charming with a variety of little enclaves and multiple benches. It's a nice place to come meditate, read, or just get away and think (or not think). The visitor's center and main building are currently closed. I understand that there are some exhibits relating to Yogananda's life here. I don't know when they intend to reopen this area. I encountered a staff member who was very nice. They do have some rules about not sitting on the grass, FYI. There were plenty of benches though. Ample parking along the road once you enter their gated area. LA is a stressful city so having access to serene places like this is so valuable. Thank you to the SRF for granting that access to the public for free.

I had attempted to go to an in person class here a while back but street parking was difficult to…read morefind so I ended up driving away. When I looked at the class schedule online I noticed they have live digital classes. Awesome! Now, I was so happy I could do my meditation class at home and not have to worry about parking or traffic. For me, this was the perfect situation! I chose the Miracle Meditation class. I emailed the front desk and they signed me up. Super easy. The class was a half hour long. I was e-mailed the Zoom link 15 minutes before class. Super easy. No technical issues. When I logged on I was relieved that they had already turned off my camera and microphone so I didn't have to worry about doing that. The class started right on time. Shayna was the teacher. She was very calming. We started with some breathing exercises and then did a meditation on the crescent moon and the rising sun. The class was relaxing and a nice way to start my morning. If you don't live close or you are a busy person like me I suggest trying out the digital classes at Unplug Meditation. It will ground you, improve your mental health, and increase your focus.

The Vibe: You stay in the room, but everything moves. (This…read moreis the new theater. And yeah, it's your show.) The Space: There's a clear progression. Entry: A natural, open atrium Walk-in: Clean, gallery-like Meditation Room: Darker, softer, low to the ground. It mirrors the journey you're about to take. The Classes - Camila's Breathwork & Sound Bath: The container opened with a theme: Prune the plant. Remove what's dead so what's alive can expand. Breathwork: Open-mouth breath pattern. Belly chest (inhale, inhale) Exhale In Sync. Rhythmic. Effective. At some point, the music carried the message: You don't wait for life to change to feel better. You shift first. What you choose internally is what gets reflected back to you. (https://youtu.be/2GzFRyZxIkY?si=OwRNUXb_GPzBCMLH) Then Ruthie's Time Travel Meditation: We started with a slow body relaxation...feet to crown, and somewhere along the way...you disappear (ahhhh, yaaaaaaas!). Blissed out. The only thing that really stayed was the question: "What truly matters to you?" And the answer didn't come as thinking. It came as knowing. The Container: Both instructors clearly explained what to expect. Which translates to: Safety. Relaxation. Letting go. Feeling. Practical Notes: Wear something you can fully relax in (you're lying down most of the time) Expect emotional + physical release (it's not just "relaxing") Great if you're feeling full, overwhelmed, or in transition This is more inner work than "class" Bring a journal and markers for insight! Water Station (a must!) Free street parking and/or metered parking Wisdom: Clarity isn't found. It's what's left when you let go.

Let me start off by saying I did not come here myself, rather I was planning a birthday party for…read moremy wife to have a relaxing day with a few close friends as a break from the chaos of our 3 little ones. I researched several spas, reached out to a couple, but Jana with Lotus Home was by far the most communicative. She responded to my emails with questions quickly. she took care of all the planning since decor is not my strong suit, and I didn't want my wife to have to think about anything. Jana put together a schedule where everyone got their treatments at the same times, so they were able to also relax and enjoy the facility together. When the car dropped my wife and her friends back off at my house, you could see how relaxed all of them were, just in their faces and bodies. I've heard from them all that the service and experience was next level and they will all go back when they want some pampering. Most importantly, the wife LOVED it, the service and attention was top notch. The treatments were calming, the food was plentiful, and the beverages were perfect. The Decorations were above and beyond and her friends have told her we need a floating fruit try for our hot tub at home now. I would 110% recommend this place, especially if you're looking for a private and relaxing event for a spouse or yourself. the cost is more than reasonable for what you're getting. They will plan everything for you, or will happily work with you if you want to plan it too. Thanks Jana, you made 40 my wife's best birthday yet.

Peace and tranquility on earth. I surprised my honey with a spa day and what an absolute treat it…read morewas. From the jump, Jana greeted us with genuine warmth. I made some last minute add-ons to the initial order and Lotus home was incredibly accomodating. Jana and her team work tirelessly to ensure a most zen and pampering experience. Couples massage: Jen and Jade were beyond professional and relatable. They first sat us down and asked if we'd had massages before, if there were any spots they should avoid or focus on. We had an actual conversation prior to the treatment and their delivery was spot on. I so appreciate how Jen and Jade allowed us to enjoy our massage in silence. And every so often, when I had a comment, they chimed in and laughed with my honey and I! Then back to silent enjoyment. Through the entire massage, I felt they were very present, engaging, professional, and kind. Couples facial: Amanda and Tamara were so knowledgeable and skilled in their craft! Every question that my sweetheart and I had regarding skincare, Amanda and Tamara answered. Personally, it can be a jarring experience for me, having someone work so closely to my face. But Tamara's energy was inviting and safe and she was so gentle! After the facial, Amanda and Tamara checked in with how my sweetheart and I were feeling and gave us privacy to slowly get ready for our next experience. Pool/Hot tub: Is there truly a better way to end the day than to soak in a hot tub with palm trees and cabanas? I think not. Part of the deal was a beverage tray and floating food tray. First, Jana knew that my sweetheart and I don't drink alcohol, so Jana prepared non-alcoholic champagne! This was a special treat for us, as normally, we simply deny the alcohol and swallow the cost (that's already included in the deal). It was incredibly thoughtful of Jana to have something else prepared for us to enjoy. Along with the non-alcoholic champagne, she prepared clarifying mint tea, coffee, and sparkling mineral water. So refreshing as we floated in bliss. Then came the food tray. Oh. My. Droooooool. Tiramisu birthday cake, the biggest raspberry macaron, a quarter pineapple artfully displayed in the shell, crisp green grapes, literally the best turkey/bacon sandwich, and a delectable grilled chicken salad. Y'all, literally every single bite was top-tier. To top off the surprise, turns out Jana is the masterchef behind this amazing spread! Everything she does is done with intention and the client's experience in mind. I was simultaneously blown away and deep in serenity. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

I came here in late September for a soundbath experience to celebrate a friend's birthday. I was…read morevaguely familiar of what soundbaths were like, and it was truly a restorative experience! It takes place in a private residence in the Malibu so you're not given the address until a few days before your scheduled appointment. Kirscha and Luca were very nice and welcoming; they led us to the area where they conducted the soundbath and it was spacious, clean, and I felt very comfortable. Rather than give everything away about the experience, I will say this: it was truly relaxing! I wasn't sure what to expect; there were areas where they didn't physically touch me, but I felt tenderness in the area the next day (the vibrations from the soundbath affect tense areas in the body). After it was over, I felt very mellow and at ease. In terms of price, I would say this one is on the higher end, but your experience is worth it as you look at the view- the expanse of the ocean, the crisp fresh ocean breeze, I really had a lovely time.

Me and my girls came here for a zen experience...Full reset. All I can say is that this was well…read moreworth it! Ocean views, not to mention the ambiance was excellent. Overall just a magical experience. Will definitely be returning!

Wow!!! This place is absolutely amazing. This review has been long overdue. My hubby and I visited…read morethis place last Oct. 25th and we had the Transformative Trio package. We truly felt rejuvenated/recharged. The place is clean and we love its aesthetic harmony. Its ambience is reflective of the services they provide-- truly soothing and relaxing. Good place to decompress. Sam was also very helpful and courteous. She was attentive to our needs. Would definitely come back!

Holy moly this place is great! I absolutely love coming here. Yesterday was our second time there…read moreand we made sure to take advantage of their special deal -- the meditation pod, lounger and tune table for $75. Wowzers! Everyone needs this in their life! You get to pick which type of meditation you want for each (guided, not-guided, inward, outward, etc) -- I opted for ASCEND and VITALITY this time, both guided meditations and they were phenomenal. The staff are so friendly and kind. We also got to meet Jane who was just wrapping up her sound bath with tuning forks who went above and beyond to chat with us and not only show us her whole setup, but thoroughly explain how each bowl, fork etc effects the body and aura. We will 100% be coming back for her sound baths!!! Huge fans now! I cannot recommend TBR highly enough. Everyone needs an experience like this in their lives. The world will be a better place if we all went there! (Pics of the pod and lounger included. Couldn't photograph the tune bed because it was in use, lol!)