COMMUNITY // open doors
Samarasa Center
Echo Park
1030 N Alvarado St, LA
1.833.4AWAKEN; samarasacenter.com
Sister and brother duo, Susan and Nick Marrufo, opened Samarasa
Center, a safe space for self-inquiry in Echo Park, at the calendar’s edge of- Samarasa Center offers yoga, Pilates, meditation, study groups, and
community gatherings—all influenced by Susan’s teacher, Sri Prem Baba.
A humanitarian and spiritual master, “Baba is the pillar of this place.”
He personally blessed the newest yoga and Pilates studio to hit LA’s East
Side, as Samarasa will serve to be a center for Baba’s teachings.
Samarasa has an impressive line-up of world-renowned teachers in
the upcoming workshop and training schedule. For example, author
and Tantrik scholar Christopher Hareesh Wallis offers intellectual
discourse in June, Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Emmy award-winning
composer and musician (also a Krishna Das band member) David Nich-
tern will lead a mindfulness meditation teacher training this summer,
and Jovinna Chan graces Samarasa in July to teach meditative move-
ment and dance. Later this year, Samarasa co-owner Susan Marrufo
offers her six-week course on Yoga, Sex, and Death, a deep dive into the
tapestry of intimacy with Self.
Students can visit Samarasa Center to take group or private Pilates
sessions, yoga, and meditation classes, as well as specialty workshops
and teacher trainings. Samarasa offers physical, mental, and spiritual
practices for the multi-dimensional self. Susan says that the center is a
space “to drop the mask and do the deep work” of self-realization and
transformation.
By Marja Lankinen, founder and CEO of Yoga for Dancers, a yoga therapist and
commercial dancer in Los Angeles who travels the globe teaching yoga and medita-
tion: yogafordancers.comYoga NoHo
North Hollywood
5257 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood
818.761.1705; yoganoho.com
The bustling holistic wellness center and studio Yoga NoHo is under
new management. In Fall, 2017, former professional dancers Michelle
Rudy-Mirkovich and Karen Russell took on the revitalization.
Michelle learned her modus operandi is authentic community build-
ing. “I’ve been to a million studios in Los Angeles, and I was always
looking for community. When this opportunity [to take on ownership]
came my way, the students were talking to me, and the teachers knew
my name. I thought, ‘Oh, this is what I’m looking for!’ This is what the
previous owner had built.”
She is collaborating with her fellow dancer and friend of 30 years,
Karen Russell. They met on their first Broadway audition; since then
they’ve lived the rock ’n roll life and made the transition to yoga. Mi-
chelle’s credits include A Chorus Line The Movie, The Big Lebowski,
The Bodyguard, and touring with Cher. Karen has danced with legends
such as Madonna, Bette Midler, Michael Jackson, and Alice Cooper.
They intend to create a safe space without the frills of branding.
With teachers from Anusara, Vinyasa Flow, fitness, Yin, and Restor-
ative backgrounds, the throughline is kindness. “All of our teachers are
so different. All are so loving,” says Karen. With intentionally small
class sizes, students receive a personalized experience.
Yoga NoHo also features an in-house chiropractor, hypnotherapist,
naturopath, and massage therapist. Members receive discounts. With
new student offers like $30 for two weeks and $59 for one month, Karen
remarks, “We have the best prices in town!” It’s a great deal at a studio
that offers a personalized approach to health and wellness.By Marja Lankinen, founder and CEO of Yoga for Dancers, a yoga therapist
and commercial dancer in Los Angeles and travels the globe teaching yoga and
PHOTO BY HELLO JUNE FILMSmeditation: yogafordancers.com