Class: Unplug Clarity

Location: Brentwood

Work-out: Meditation

Difficulty: Level 3

Next day soreness: 0

Duration: 45 min

Sweat Level: No sweat

Parking: Street parking

Amenities: Complimentary fruit water and tea, swag for purchase

Requirements for class: Wear whatever is comfortable.

This studio was so serene and pleasant. As soon as you walk in, there is light aromatherapy and an overall calm ambiance. The staff are very friendly and wonderful and the facilities are very clean.

This was my first meditation class, and it was a lot harder than I expected. This obviously was not a physically challenging class, but mentally, it requires a lot of focus. I am pretty sure I did the mediation part incorrectly because I found myself continuously falling asleep, which is the opposite of what you’re supposed to do in meditation. The environment in the meditation room is very relaxing. There is light music playing with dimmed lights and comfortable cushions you sit or lay down on. The instructor sits on a platform at the front of the room and instructs you at the beginning of the class, but does not talk through the class. In the middle, everyone silently meditates (which is where I had issues staying awake). The class I went to, “Clarity,” is designed to help you discover peace, balance, equanimity and contentment as you explore different states of awareness. Natalie, the instructor, told us to let our thoughts pass by like clouds while we observe them without getting into them. That was my main takeaway from the class. We were supposed to gain awareness around one idea, but because I kept falling asleep, I’m not sure I succeeded.

The benefits of meditation are not a secret, so I plan on going back maybe when I’m a little more well-rested to give this another try.