Revolving around the Center

‘Revolving around the Center’ is a documentary style Podcast, regarding the Center for Yoga. It was one of the first yoga studios established in Los Angeles in 1969. The structure of the building was built in the 1920's- and has been a Masonic Temple, and a Fred Astaire Dance Studio before Ganga White transformed it into a yoga studio. It is a beloved space for thousands of people, where I taught for 14 years, and which closed its doors in 2020 due to the Pandemic. 

During the process of making the project, I was in touch with one of my students, Katharine DeShaw, who is a remarkable person, and skilled in large fundraising projects. It sparked a group of local students, teachers, neighbors and staff to reclaim the space, and they re-opened as a yoga studio in 2021.

My intention with this project was to create an oral history documenting this sacred space, its “golden era” and the people who loved it. There are 16 interviews (or episodes), featuring conversations with friends, teachers, music makers, students and staff members. It documents the history of the building, the poetry of space and the treasure of community. I wanted to know: what made this place beloved by so many- was it the people, or was it the space? What was it about this quirky building, with the creaks in the floorboards, hard-to-open-windows, winding staircase and unique architectural choices, that made this place special? What was it that I personally loved about this place, that I could sincerely call it my yoga home?

I’ll be transparent: I’m not entirely sure why I made this thing. I often think about taking it down. At this point, it served its purpose, which was to bring the Center back to life. But at the time of its creation, I remember there being an oddly piercing call to make it, even though this well beyond my skill set. I am not a trained film-maker, I’ve never done anything like this before. I felt at the time of its creation that although the Center for Yoga had closed its doors, it deserved to be celebrated, remembered and known. It was a true passion project- a one-stop-shop of amateur creation, driving intense perfectionism, bordering on obsession- to bring the Center to life through story, picture and video.

Sending HUGE waves of gratitude for all who have supported me in this project, and to the unbelievably incredible coordinated efforts to re-birth the Center. Thank YOU!!!!

Episode 1 - Lisa Walford

Episode 1 features a conversation with Lisa Walford. Her relationship to the Center dates back to the 1980's, where she took her first yoga class, and her teaching "was given its wings." She is a unique gem, a powerhouse, who holds both wisdom and experience. Lisa skillfully transforms embodied experience into language, and she stands as one of the most deservedly respected, influential teachers in contemporary yoga. 

Episode 2 - Fred Miller and Jan Halpern

Episode 2 features a conversation with Fred Miller and Jan Halpern, who i call “the keepers of history,” and who are both deeply interwoven into the fabric of the Center for Yoga community. Our conversation took us back into the origins of the building at 230 North Larchmont Boulevard, early Center for Yoga days, Frank White, Yoga Works and the enduring legacy which will continue to live on, even though the building is currently empty. Since this conversation was an investigation into the history of the Center, i decided to include historic photos of Hollywood, Larchmont Village, the shops, the street and how the building at 230 North Larchmont Boulevard changed through time.

Episode 3 - James Morrison and Rich Ferguson

Episode 4 - Jacqueline Kozak, Sally Lloyd and Katie Brownfield

Episode 4 features one of my favorite conversations with three very important women who worked at the Center- Jacqueline Kozak, Katie Brownfield and Sally Lloyd. It is my belief that during my 'era' of teaching at the Center, they were the 'heart' that brought the space to life. We share stories and memories- to recall beautiful, funny, weird, unique, and inspirational moments, chat about the real meaning behind 'the CFY ghosts', giggle like little children, alongside the profound impact that this space gave to each of us. They are dear friends, to whom i owe unbounded gratitude.

Episode 5 - Carmen Fitzgibbon

Episode 5 features a conversation with Carmen Fitzgibbon- my teacher, my mentor and my friend- who i believe was a “hidden gem” at the Center. i appreciate Carmen’s perspective on the closure of the Center, in the spirit of non-attachment - acknowledging what it was, the precious relationships that formed there, the treasure trove of memories, as it will always live in our memory, but letting it go- so that something new can happen in that space. She now resides on a farm, where she grew up - and her remote location explains the painterly-quality of our zoom call.

Episode 6 - Caleb Aschkynazo, Amy Lafond and Whitney Allen

Episode 6 features a conversation with Amy Lafond, Whitney Allen and Caleb Aschkynazo- who i feel are intricately woven into the fabric of Center for Yoga. They each generously share thoughts, memories, stories and impressions- the changes through almost 20 years of being there, the funny things that happened, the grieving process of its loss, and our shared relationship to the space and the community as "home."

CHAPTER 2

Please enjoy Episode 7, which is a TRAILER for CHAPTER 2. i have fresh new interviews - with Ashley Rideaux, Whitney Allen, Mela Butcher, Joe Kara, Sarah Ezrin, Pete Lee, Katie Brownfield- and a group of incredible women who met each other at CFY, and became a remarkable sisterhood of friends for over a decade. i put this trailer together- with bits of our conversations, stories, thoughts, memories- and insight into where i am in this process.

Episode 8 - Diana Beardsley

I am very excited to share with you Episode 8, which features a remarkable conversation with Diana Beardsley. I believe she holds one of the longest relationships with the Center for Yoga, having been a part of the community since the 1970’s, practiced in the original space (when it was located on the other side of Larchmont) and taught fairly consistently until the closure of CFY in 2020. She offers brilliant observations of the space, its origin as a Masonic Temple, Ganga White's vision, its eclectic convergence of many traditions, and its revered position as the pioneer school of yoga in Los Angeles. She is an extraordinary person, filled with knowledge, insight, grace and humor.

Episode 9 - Mela Butcher

Episode 9 features a treasured conversation with Mela Butcher, an exquisite mentor, healer and yoga teacher who had the unique position of hosting her Center for Ayurveda within the CFY building. She describes the Center as the 'Grandmother practicing space for yoga in Los Angeles,' and generously shares her thoughts, memories, and insights.

Episode 10 - Ashley Rideaux

Episode 10 features a fantastic conversation with Ashley Rideaux. She is a remarkable person, a rare treasure on this Earth, and it is because of the Center that we are friends. A world traveler, Ashley has many talents, and excels at all that she does- as a yoga teacher, actress, writer, director, and artist. As a yoga teacher, she gifts to her students her unique perspective and knowledge, inter-mingling the relationship of traditional asana methods with her personal approach and authentic presence.

She was actually the first person that I interviewed on Sunday September 27, 2020, when the closure of the Center had just happened. I didn't really know what this project was, but I was grateful that Ashley allowed me to 'practice' with her. That interview was great, but the recording was raw and incomplete. I realized that I would need to interview her again, and was able to do that six months later. Pardon my imperfectness. Cuteness Warning: this interview contains special appearances with her adorable dog Augie.

Episode 11 - Joe Kara

Episode 11 features a marvelous conversation with Joe Kara. I am deeply appreciative of Joe for providing most of the videos and photos used in this podcast series. We share our gratitude for the value of these documents, and the moments that were captured through them. There were many key elements that made the Center a beloved place. We recall individuals who stood out as cornerstones of the community, and discuss the significance of live music, in particular the percussionists, who accompanied many of Joe's classes. The Center was a place for healing and transformation, and its community anchored the businesses on Larchmont.

Episode 12 - “The Yogis.”

Episode 12: “The Yogis.” I interviewed this amazing group of women, who met each other in 2009 during a teacher training program at the Center for Yoga. Shannon Hoppenstedt, Erin Peluso, Masha Sapron, Elena Schuber, and Jodie Gatt developed an incredible sisterhood in the decade they have been friends. Their story is inspirational, and speaks to the importance of shared community space. Would we have met each other had this space not existed?

Episode 13 - Whitney Allen (returns)

I have enjoyed all of these conversations, but Episode 13 with Whitney Allen is one of my favorites in this podcast series. Whitney taught at the Center for 17 years, and is an intricate piece of the Center's fabric. She shares her experiences with profound love, humor and sensitivity. Whitney is friends with many of her students, and as much as Whitney helps her students, they have helped her through some of the most challenging times in her life.

Episode 14 - Patti Lewis, Joan Hyman and Jeanne Heileman

Episode 14 features a lovely conversation with Patti Lewis, Joan Hyman and Jeanne Heileman, who have all been pillars at CFY for at least the past 15 years. They each generously describe how they found the Center, what they love about it and its enduring strengths, of which we will all be able to celebrate with its reopening in late August.

Episode 15 - Sarah Ezrin and Pete Lee

Episode 15 features a fantastic conversation with Pete Lee and Sarah Ezrin, who reminisce about the power of the Center for Yoga. They describe how the building and the community gave them permission to evolve in the process of authenticity. This was such a fun conversation, to share memories with depth and humor.

Episode 16 - “The Organizers” Katharine Deshaw, Jae Yoo, and Michael Barton.

It is with great joy to share Episode 16, which tells the story of how the Center is returning, after closing its doors due to the Pandemic in 2020. Katharine DeShaw, Michael Barton and Jae Yoo are three local yogis who share a deep love for this space. They combine their personal expertise and passion to bring the Center back to life. I am profoundly appreciative to them, and the expanding team of people who are joining their efforts, for all they have done and continue to do.

I have questioned myself many times on the relevance of this project. I have given uncountable hours, dedication and perfectionism bordering on obsession- not sure of the purpose or effect. There was no money in this- no job, no boss, no time-line- and no trained skills either- but there was a clear inner-calling that I had to follow. The Center's rebirth is the treasure, and I am humbled and profoundly grateful to have been the seed of this. It is with great honor that they call me "the spark."