Age of Aquarius | Yoga, Humanity, and Rebuilding LA

Humans of LA

In early January, the inhabitants of Los Angeles showed up for each other in a way that didn't surprise Angelenos, but did seem to shake up the preconceived notions many held about our beloved city. A place where the creative outcasts from a variety of backgrounds come to find inspiration, like-minded collaboration, and innovative creation, LA gets a bad wrap for crushing dreams when they don't come true. Underneath the "starving artist" mythos and the glitz and glamour of dreams fulfilled is a hard-working community that will do anything for their neighbors, even in times of collective crisis. From organizing in the streets for human rights to organizing GoFundMes, collecting necessities, and sharing resources for those impacted by the wildfires, Los Angeles stands a reminder of what makes us yogis and what makes us human – unbreakable kindness, compassion, and connection. The relief effort was rooted in humanity and connection, showing that we're much more than the Hollywood sign – we're lots of little communities that create one big force of nature – a mere 56 years after the song was released, maybe this is the moment an "Age of Aquarius" dawns in our backyard and beyond.

One little part of the whole, ODD reinforces these shared human and Aquarian qualities; we received your countless messages of concern for the teachers, staff, and students impacted by the wildfires, as well as your messages of support for the resources we shared to aid in recovery. We remain here for you, mindfully and intentionally, prioritizing love, patience, and dedication to uplift our fellow humans. As Patanjali suggests in Yoga Sutra 1.33, we must meet suffering with compassion, and in Yoga Sutra 2.16, we must avoid destructive responses to suffering, like blame and guilt. With that simple guidance, we rebuild our community one day, one compassionate step, and one down dog at a time.

How to Help

In January, we hosted daily donation-based classes to raise funds for the ODD community members directly affected by the wildfires, and you showed up on your mats with purpose to raise a total of $5000+ in one week.  You also supported the cause by dropping  canned goods and non-perishables at our studios to be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. If you'd still like to contribute and have the ability to do so, we're collecting donations via GoFundMe through the end of the month. Beyond financial support, you can continue to show up to class, share, listen, and strengthen the bonds of community. The stronger our bond, the better able we are to face challenges that come our way as we rebuild an even better community and city.

How to Care For Yourself So You Can Care for Others (aka Aquarius Season Happenings)

• New Class: YOGA NIDRA w/ Mel Mah every Monday at 8:30pm in Eagle Rock. Nervous system, meet your new bestie for deep relaxation and self awareness (with a side of creative inspiration and sleep support).
• 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Spring Session: Deepen your knowledge of anatomy, asana, and philosophy while cultivating lifelong friendships and strengthening the bonds in the ODD community. Learn more at an info session on Wednesday, January 29th at 7pm in Echo Park. *$525 Savings with Early Bird Registration - extended to February 15
• January Specials Extended to February 15: Practice feeling good for a full year - for less! Get 12 months of Unlimited+ for the price of 10 or save $10 / class with a 20 pack.
• Practice Feeling Human February Challenge begins February 1: Given how this year began, it's only human to have fallen behind on your ambitious wellness goals. Commit to getting on the mat regularly this month and reinforce (or restart) your 2025 goals, so you can feel the benefits of a consistent practice and show up as your best human self.
• Sound Bath in Eagle Rock: Take time to bathe in the vibrations of the chakras, release tension, and carry a blissful natural high with you into your busy week. On Sunday, February 9th at 5:30pm, join Joycie to explore how our contributions to humanity's evolution can lead to self actualization in Aquarius season, a time known for innovation, social justice, big picture thinking, and authenticity.
• ODDGIVES | FUBU FLOW FOR ALL: In honor of Black History Month, our weekly Black community class, FUBU FLOW, opens to all. Members and allies of the community will experience a culturally-inspired FLOW w/ Courtney Sauls and proceeds will support the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective's mission to build care systems for black communities. Tuesday, February 18 at 5:30pm.

Pisces Season: Sneak Peek

• Book an adventure and have something to look forward to: there are still a few spots left for Dylan Wallace's Summer-Solstice-inspired journey through the chakras at an idyllic Tuscan retreat, Step Into the Sun. If your vibes are more tropical than Tuscan, we also have spots available to activate your inner power in a Costa Rican paradise with Cindy Godell and Audrey Guedelekian. Join the next info session for Empower the Spirit on Wednesday, February 19 at 7pm in Echo Park to learn more about the teachers, itinerary, accommodations, payment plans, excursions, and more.
• You don't have to care about Valentine's Day to celebrate love in all its forms! We're hosting events through the end of Aquarius season and into Pisces season to inspire love and connection. Enrollment will open soon for our MINDFUL MIXER dating event co-hosted by Necterine, the "next-gen dating app" designed to help you find and cultivate authentic connections. If you're looking for connection in a totally unexpected way, we're also hosting HEAD OVER HEELS, a partnered acroyoga workshop with our resident strength specialist, Audrey Guedelekian, on Saturday, February 22 at 1:30pm in Echo Park.

Playlist of the Season

Born on January 26, 2013, One Down Dog is a creative, innovative, and progressive Aquarius. Whether or not you're into astrology, interpreting these qualities can provide helpful context for how we connect with each other. We all possess amazing human qualities to varying degrees, so, while we're quite similar, we can acknowledge that we all bring unique gifts that fit together like a puzzle of personality and collective consciousness.

Click to listen to our Aquarius Themed Playlist

Asana of the Season

Malasana, or Garland Pose, reinforces our connection to each other, promotes self acceptance, and releases emotional blockages by stimulating the root chakra – the seat of family, community, and security. It's physical benefits are: 

• Improves posture, flexibility, and circulation
• Strengthens lower body and pelvic floor
• Aids digestion
• Reduces back pain

Here's a Quick Guide to Getting into Malasana:

1. Stand with your feet at the left and right edge of your mat.
2. Bend your knees and drop your seat into a deep squat.
3. Feet may turn slightly at an angle.
4. Bring your arms inside your knees, pressing palms together in anjali mudra and pressing your upper arms and thighs into each other for stability.
5. Keep your chest lifted, spine straight, butt toward the floor, and shoulders relaxed.
6. Straighten the legs to come out of the pose.

Pro tip: You can sit on a block or two to support your spine or place the heels on a blanket to keep you from putting too much pressure forward, rather than downward.

Pranayama of the Season

One of the simplest breath techniques with practical applications beyond yoga, 4-7-8 is often taught to help breathe through stressful situations and anxiety. Here's how:

1. Arrive in a comfortable seat.
2. Exhale completely through parted lips.
3. Close the lips and inhale steadily for a count of 4.
4. Hold at the top of the breath for a count of 7.
5. Exhale again through parted lips for a count of 8.
6. Repeat.

Sutra of the Season 

Here in LA, we watched humans show up in beautiful ways to support neighboring humans in a dark time. It's not the first time our city of angels has been challenged, and it certainly won't be the last. Rather than give in to the suffering, we banded together to move through the pain with grace, understanding, and support for one another. We lived the sutras, and it paid off!