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.

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.

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.

Casa Kallpa Healing Center is a special place you instantly feel the good energy when you walk in…read morethe doors. So many great offerings. Highly recommend going to experience it for yourself!

I spent an amazing time there and will be back again. Leslie is nice, sweet and has a lot of…read moreknowledge in everything related to spirituality. I definitely recommend this place

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.

I love this place! I asked the universe to help me get back into exercising and in shape, and…read moresomehow, through a Neighbor, I ended up coming to this class, and it's been three months, and it is exactly what I needed. It has helped me balance, energy, my body, I feel stronger, it's exactly what I needed, and I hope others have a chance to benefit from this awesome exercise program.

After being diagnosed with a vascular necrosis of the hips - which requires a bilateral hip…read morereplacement. I decided to give tai chi a try. The practices and disciplines at this center has been life changing. I'm forever grateful to the instructors.

Pad Thai ($8) - This is one of the most flavorful Pad Thai I've ever had. It had the perfect…read morebalance of sweet and savory. Adding chili oil was chef's kiss. Spicy Basil Tofu ($8) - This was also so flavorful and the tofu was fried well.

Hands down the most reasonably priced Thai food you'll find in the area! Wat Thai food court is…read moreonly open on the weekends, and it does get quite busy quite early. We arrived a little past 10 and were very fortunate to find a parking spot as the lot was just about completely full (there are attendants that help you out with the parking). Make sure to bring cash, as that's your main method of payment. You exchange your cash for colored tokens at a booth, and use the tokens to purchase food from the different stalls. If you have tokens left over, you can exchange them back for cash. There are so many food stalls and they all look like they have delicious food! I got a picture of my Pad Thai, but also ordered some fried rice and other foods to go. I thought the Pad Thai was very flavorful, and really can't be beaten for $8. There are lots of outdoor benches (covered) where you can sit and enjoy your food, and I also saw a lot of people getting food to go. Felt like an authentic night market. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!

Some people just have an aura and presence that puts a smile on your face and makes your body chill…read moreout and heart reconnect with your inner joy. I've only had two encounters with Kevin and I already get the sense he is a rare soul who has been through so much in life and transmuted his inner pain into beautiful healing energy to share with others. He is inspiring yet so down-to-earth and easy to relate to! Thank you Kevin for your healing touch/energy and I look forward to growing together in this lifetime!

I've worked with Kevin for many years now, and my life has drastically changed since. The massage…read moreis extremely different from anything you can imagine and one of the best experiences I've had. I highly recommend it.

I absolutely love Yoga NoHo! It is such a beautiful, welcoming studio with an incredible sense of…read morecommunity. Every teacher is knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping their students grow. I recently completed Yoga NoHo's teacher training program, and it was truly life-changing. The program is intensive and filled with so much valuable information, guidance, and wisdom. It not only teaches you how to become a confident and well-rounded yoga instructor, but it also takes you on a powerful journey of learning more about yourself. I cannot recommend Yoga NoHo enough. This is my yoga studio in Los Angeles, and I feel so grateful to be part of this community!

The Vibe: Self Check-In * You check yourself in…read more Tap the screen. Walk inside. (That wasn't the only self check-in happening.) The Guide: Carolina Pelayo * Hot Vinyasa Flow * The room was already warm, dark, candle-lit, & peppermint in the air. Carolina invited us to notice our own energy... Maybe even our neighbor's. Then she asked us to ask ourselves: "What do I need from my practice today?" (Good question.) Then... We breathed. We flowed. Somewhere between Skandasanas and a one-legged vinyasa... I accidentally kicked a young man behind me in the head. He smiled. "It's okay." We kept flowing. Carolina closed class the same way she opened it - with intention - inviting us to carry the energy we created into the rest of our week. The Tribe: * A stranger helped me check in. Another smiled after I kicked him. Carolina held the whole room with warmth. A pretty good description of the community. Space & Place: * Dark. Cozy. Hot. (My kind of room.) Private bathroom inside the yoga room. Cubbies for your things. Free parking garage if you get there early. Street parking worked just fine for me. The Takeaway: * The studio had a self check-in. So did the class. Only one required a touchscreen.

I had a wonderful first experience at The Wellness of OZ. I hadn't done much yoga since before the…read morepandemic and came in with some shoulder pain, and Maya was incredibly kind, attentive, and intuitive. Since I was the only person in class, she tailored the session into a lighter vinyasa flow that felt exactly right. The studio was very clean and peaceful, and Maya's energy was calm and grounding. I left with my shoulder feeling better and feeling genuinely relaxed. I'll definitely be back.

Of course this place is recommended…read more My past experiences have been influential, positive, groundbreaking, kind, motivational. After several workshops with different instructors, my mind broadened about what yoga is. I learned a lot about yoga here. I genuinely like and appreciate the soulful yoga sessions. I'll be back to deepen my yoga practice.