Wellness & Beauty Finalist: Space for Meditation in L.A. As the New Year approaches, many of us set out goals that we want to accomplish to improve ourselves. For many of us that includes losing weight and eating better, for others it means leaving the job that makes you unhappy and pursuing your passions, etc. Whatever it is use this time to search inside yourself and discover what is TRULY important to you. As the old saying goes: “Tomorrow is promised to no one.” Let’s make the most of each and every day!

Happy New Year! Here is to a Happy and Healthy 2009.

HELP! I’m a hypocrite! I have studied meditation in India. I have attended an 11-day silent meditation retreat in No Cal. And yet I do NOT meditate. Nope, not even once a week (nevermind the two hours a day my teachers insist on). I just cannot seem to get into the habit here at home. What is a soul seeker to do?

As Dr. Robert Maurer states in his book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Maurer might suggest meditating for just one little-ole minute every day for a week, adding one minute to your time each consecutive week until you reach 30 minutes. Slow and steady wins the race.
But each person’s “single step” could be totally different. If you are interested in adding meditation to your daily do’s, perhaps your first step might be to sign up for a mediation class once a week. The accountability to a group of peers (and a set schedule) might just be enough to keep you on track. To help you along the way, I have included a List of Meditation Centers right here in L.A

If you know of a meditation class or center not mentioned on this list, comment below (by clicking on “Thread with Us”) and we’ll add it to the bunch. Also, feel free to share your opinion with us. Have you taken a meditation class in L.A.? Did you like it? Why or why no

Meditation Centers in Los Angeles

• Ananda Meditation Center. Type: Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi). Location: 3774 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505.
• The Insight Center. Type: Specializes in teaching professionals and the general public. Location: 1404 Greenfield Ave. #1, Westwood, CA 90025. Learn more about L.A. Dharma (located at The Insight Center) here.
• Kadampa Meditation Center California. Type: Mahayana Buddhist school. Location: 1492 Blake Avenue, Echo Park-ish, 90031.
• Prajnaparamita Buddhist Center. Type: Kadampa Buddhism taught by Westerners. Primary Location: 2809 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, 90405. Satellite locations in Culver City, Malibu, Topanga & Westwood.
• Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens. Type: Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness. Location: 3500 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90018.
• Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center. Type: Free, Self-Realization/Kundalini. Location: 4565 Sherman Oaks Avenue, Sherman Oaks, 91403.
• Self-Realization Fellowship. Type: Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Location 1: 17190 Sunset Blvd. Pacific Palisades, 90273. Location 2: 4860 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, 90027.
• Shambhala Meditation Center. Type: Form of Tibetan Buddhism. Primary Location: 963 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, 90041. Westside Location: 1001A Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, 90401.
• Yoga Works. Type: Yoga center with monthly meditation workshops. Nine locations in L.A.: View all here.

Tags: meditate, meditate in LA, meditation, meditation center, yoga, yogaworks