Kim Roberts & Ashtanga Yoga

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Erin and I have been absent from TheGymCrashers for a few weeks because we were fortunate enough to go on a yoga/meditation retreat in Phuket, Thailand as a part of our Doctorate program. If you are interested in this type of experience, then we highly recommend contacting Kim Roberts and setting something up. She is simply amazing!

The experience: This yoga and meditation retreat was truly amazing!! It far and away surpassed my expectations. I attribute much of this to Kim Roberts and her gracious leadership. She was able to take a group of students who ranged from beginners to advanced yogis and make it a personal growth experience for each one of us. I am amazed at her ability to introduce seemingly simple concepts (like compassion) and explore them in such a way that induced new insights and inspired me to think and behave in ways I have never considered. Using mindfulness, I gained an awareness of my thought patterns and how these thoughts impact my mental and physical health. When I arrived I had little meditation experience. Now, I have a deeper understanding of the numerous benefits that a meditation practice provides. In addition, I feel confident leading myself and others through a practice of mindfulness. This is a tool that benefits me personally and professionally. In just one week, Kim helped strengthen my body, my soul, and my mind. What a fantastic gift! So, it is with deep, sincere, and unwavering gratitude that I say: Thank you, Kim. You have touched my life and I feel truly blessed to have crossed paths with you. I hope that I am fortunate enough to be in your presence again someday. Namaste.

http://www.ashtanga.com/html/bio_roberts_kimberly.html
http://www.papayayoga.com

For more information on this experience see blog: http://thailandstudyabroad2013.blogspot.com

YogaWorks – Westwood

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YogaWorks Westwood
Workout Burn Level
I found it to be a good mix of challenge

Affordability
On the expensive side but offer different packages

Overall Experience
Lovely!

Surprisingly, there is a lack of yoga studios in Westwood. This leaves us with only a few options when we want to get a good stretch in before our night classes. One studio that we keep going back to is YogaWorks. YogaWorks is a chain of yoga studios that can be found all over Northern and Southern California and in New York too. We have posted about the YogaWorks in Santa Monica, a nice studio on the Westside.

The YogaWorks studio in Westwood is easy to overlook as you walk by on the street. Parking can be a challenge in this neighborhood, so show up early and be prepared to drive around. They have a parking lot, but I think you have to pay to park there, so I never have. Here is a picture of their outside patio and parking lot:

The studio is upstairs and the lobby is full of all kinds of enticing retail for the yoginis who love to shop. There are two large-sized yoga studios; both have beautiful big windows, giving the rooms lots of natural light.

They have a pilates studio, as well!

We usually crash the Graduate Teacher classes . . . because they are cheaper. These instructors are working on their hours to get their Instructor Certification. That means they are often motivated to do an excellent job. These Graduate Teacher classes are generally pretty quiet, so it is nice place for a beginner yogini to crash.

Pros of the workout: Lots of class times and different class options, large studios, nice selection of retail, friendly staff and instructors

Cons of the workout: Parking can be tough, on the expensive side

All the details:

1256 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

(310) 234-1200

http://www.yogaworks.com/Locations/California%20-%20South/Los%20Angeles/Westwood.aspx

Laughing Frog Yoga

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Laughing Frog Yoga
Workout Burn Level
Nice mix of classes with moderate burn

Affordability
$15 to drop in. Community class $8!

Overall Experience
I keep trying to get back there for another class!

The experience: Erin and I noticed this studio when we were crashing ElliptiFit next door. This studio is located in a strip mall, so the look of the outside of does not do justice to the zen found inside.

There are only small signs, so it is an easy studio to miss.

Laughing Frog is flooded in nice, natural lighting with beautiful sky-lights and natural wood ceiling. It feels like you step out of LA for a little while. Simple, but very pleasant.

We crashed an afternoon community class with Pia ($8 is such a steal!). She was excellent! I wasn’t sure what to expect because there were only three of us in the class. Pia came to each of us and modified our body to push us further into the poses. Then she gave each of us mini-massages! Awesome!

Erin and I walked into Laughing Frog tense, irritated and stressed and walked out relaxed, happy and a little bit stronger. We have been back to see Pia a few times already. In fact, I think I’m going to go see Pia today! This is a great class to crash if you are a beginner to yoga because Pia does an excellent job of explaining the poses and helping your body if you need/want it.

Pros of the workout: Serene room with natural light, great price, excellent instructor, free parking lot

Cons of the workout: none

All the dirty details:

11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #208

Los Angeles CA, 90025

LaughingFrogYOGA@gmail.com

818.434.6705

Westridge Trail at Mandeville Canyon Park

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Westridge Trail
Workout Burn Level
Prepare for some hills

Affordability
Free!!

Overall Experience
Wonderful day on a fun trail!

The experience: We had friends visiting us from out of town so we took the opportunity to hike a trail we had never explored before. After driving through some winding residential streets we quickly found ourselves near the entrance to the Westridge Trail at the Mandeville Canyon Park. There is a small parking lot at the entrance, but it was full that day. So, we parked for free on the street.

Photo Jan 23, 12 13 11 PM

There are a few different trail options from this start point. We chose the San Vicente Mountain Park trail. The trail starts out as a slow climb on a dirt trail.

After a short climb, the trail opened up to views of the Pacific Ocean and Westside. It was an eerily smoggy day in Los Angeles, not exactly the LA we were hoping to show off to our friends.

We brought the kids and our old dog along, so getting in a long workout up some of the steeper hills was out of the question. Fortunately, this trail was easy enough that we had some good family fun on it before it got too steep for us.

Erin and I discussed the idea of coming back here to run the trails, which would be a good workout for sure. We just signed up for an Olympic triathlon (in October), so I’m sure a lot of running is in our future! Must start training for that challenge now!

Next time you get tired of the trendy Runyon Canyon, head over to Westridge and explore, you won’t regret it!

There are so many trails to explore here and we didn’t get too far with the kids and old dog. So, hopefully we can go back and update this with a full trail report! These trails are also dirt bike friendly!

All the details:

2652 Westridge Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

U Studio

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U Studio
Workout Burn Level
Good for all levels

Affordability
$17 to drop in, not too bad

Overall Experience
Good instructor & good company makes for good class!

The experience: It is a rare event when I can spend some quality time with two of my favorite people, my Mom and my Auntie Gale. So I was super excited when I convinced my dad to babysit so we could go on a yoga date to U Studio on Wilshire! It was a Sunday afternoon and we found parking right in front of the building . . . no charge for parking at the meters on Sunday!! Woo hoo!! The front door was locked, so we walked around back. The back door was locked. Hmmm. Just when we started wondering if we were in the right place, the instructor came by and let us in.

The studio is on the 5^th floor of an old building. The views from the windows are breathtaking! I could see downtown and the Hollywood sign, panoramic-style.

It was especially nice since I recently had Lasik eye surgery, so I could see everything crystal clear! AMAZING!!

I learned that our instructor, Andrea, is a Lululemon Ambassador. She had an infectious energy, very upbeat, and positive. I can understand why she had so many regulars who came to the class.

This was a challenging class, but not too over-the-top. Just enough to be sore, but not so crazy that I was dripping in sweat. My mom and auntie seemed to enjoy it, as well. I would definitely go back again!

This is a fairly small studio, so make sure to get there early to ensure you get a spot.

Pros of the workout: Great mix of people of all ages, excellent workout, beautiful old building, panoramic views, friendly instructor

Cons if the workout: none

All the details: I let my mom borrow my mat, so I was happy they had mats to use there. Also, they sell water for $1. Bathroom is one floor down.

5410 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, LA, CA 90036

http://www.ustudioyoga.com