Self-Care in the City: Los Angeles
In a city of 4 million people (many of whom spend an hour or more commuting each day) we’ve rounded up some of our favorite self-care spots that are totally worth crossing the 405 for:
Olympic Spa —
Situated in the heart of Koreatown, Olympic is a not-to-be-missed self-love sanctuary. For less than a Coconut Cult yogurt at Erewhon, general admission gets you access to the entire spa -- which includes everything from a mugwort-infused hot tub to a himalayan salt rock sauna to a meditation room with a heated jade floor. And for those wanting to make an entire day of it, they even have a cafe in the back with pressed juices, gluten-free treats, and a full menu of freshly prepared Korean dishes. Should you wish to treat yourself to other services, they have a full menu of spa services ranging from massages to scrubs.
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine —
Tucked away just off PCH in Pacific Palisades, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is one of LA’s hidden gems. If you need time in nature (or just some space from all the hustle), this is your spot for soulful quiet and inspiring meditation. Plan to stay a few hours so you can fully explore the dynamic beauty of this sacred oasis.
Sanctum —
Situated in the heart of Venice Beach, Sanctum is an urban sanctuary that’s a perfect place to get reconnected with your full self. With classes on topics ranging from breathwork to shamanic sound healings taking place almost every night of the week, there is truly something for everyone. Peruse their inspiring schedule here.
The NOW —
Hold off booking those flights to Tulum and instead head to one of The NOW’s several LA locations. A massage mecca modeled after the Coqui Coqui spa, The NOW offers memberships for frequent massage lovers, as well as drop-in rates for those who need to get that knot out, like, now. Arrive early and enjoy complimentary tea in their bliss-inducing, candle-lit lounge.
WMN Space —
Whether it’s a birthing class or her massively popular WMN space circles, what Paula Mallis has created with WMN Space is a modern womb, a place to prepare women for birthing children, as well as creative visions. For those interested in exploring the self-care of connection within this community, Paula hosts women’s circles every two weeks, and various healing-oriented workshops throughout the month. Jasmin Jenkins is an intuitive connector and community builder based in Los Angeles. She was most recently the Head of Partnerships at THINX, and is currently consulting with mission driven startups. You can find her at The Class, over The Standard.