A Shala La

- 4369 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Introduction / Overview

In a region like Southern California, where wellness and fitness studios are abundant, A Shala La stands out as a sanctuary for those seeking a deeply traditional and transformative yoga experience. This is not your typical modern fusion or hot yoga studio; A Shala La is dedicated to the lineage of **Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga**, often referred to as a "shala" (a Sanskrit term meaning 'home' or 'school'). This focus offers a structured, disciplined, and profoundly personal approach to movement and breathwork that resonates with dedicated practitioners and committed beginners across Los Angeles.

Founded by Nina Collins, a teacher with decades of experience and a firm belief in the traditional Mysore method, A Shala La offers a practice rooted in the fundamental tradition of Ashtanga. The studio's commitment is to teaching yoga not just as a set of physical postures, but as a breathing practice—a moving meditation that cultivates inner focus and physical strength. This dedication to authenticity ensures students receive high-quality, individualized attention, regardless of their experience level.

The studio has a reputation for offering a supportive environment where real, measurable physical and mental changes occur. As one satisfied local user noted after starting the practice, they could "feel a difference in my hips and joints tremendously," underscoring the therapeutic and corrective power of the Ashtanga method when taught correctly.

Location and Accessibility

A Shala La is perfectly positioned in a convenient and vibrant part of Los Angeles, making it an accessible home for yoga practitioners residing in or commuting through neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Hollywood. Its location provides an easy-to-reach haven for daily practice, which is a cornerstone of the Ashtanga method.

Address:

4369 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029, USA

The studio's physical space reflects the simplicity and focus of the practice, providing a dedicated area for movement and concentration. While the Ashtanga practice often requires few amenities beyond the mat itself, A Shala La ensures basic comfort and necessity are covered for its devoted community:

• Restroom: Available for student comfort and essential use.
• Dedicated Practice Space: An environment conducive to deep concentration and personal sadhana (spiritual practice).

The studio proudly operates on a traditional model that encourages consistency and self-practice, allowing students to integrate yoga into their daily California routine effectively.

Services Offered

A Shala La’s primary offerings are centered exclusively on the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system, providing two distinct and complementary class formats that allow students to progress at their own pace.

• **Mysore Ashtanga (Self-Practice):** This is the traditional method of teaching Ashtanga. Students practice a set sequence of postures at their own individual pace, moving in synchronicity with their breath (vinyasa). The teacher, like Nina, provides one-on-one assistance, hands-on adjustments, and individually tailors the practice by adding new postures only when the student has mastered the preceding ones. This format is ideal for all levels, including beginners, as it provides a personalized practice within a group setting, allowing for deep focus and self-study.
• **Led Ashtanga (Primary Series):** In a Led class, the teacher guides all students through the entire sequence of the Primary Series at a uniform pace, using traditional Sanskrit counting. This practice is less about learning new postures and more about refining the rhythm, timing, and deep internal focus (Tristhana: breath, posture, gaze). It serves as an essential tool for students to check their personal rhythm and flow against a universal count, enhancing the meditative quality of the practice.
• Instruction for All Levels: Whether you are a complete beginner who has never stepped onto a yoga mat or a seasoned practitioner, the Mysore format provides a starting point that respects your current ability and slowly builds your practice posture by posture.

Features / Highlights

For local users seeking authentic and results-oriented yoga in Los Angeles, A Shala La offers several compelling highlights that define its unique identity and value.

• Emphasis on Ashtanga's Authenticity: The studio’s commitment to the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage, taught in the time-honored Mysore style, provides a depth of practice rarely found in commercial studios across California. This focus ensures a rigorous and effective physical and meditative practice.
• Personalized Instruction within a Group Setting: The **Mysore** method is the studio's cornerstone, offering students the benefits of a private lesson (individual guidance, adjustments, tailored sequencing) while enjoying the motivating energy of a group setting. This is critical for preventing injury and ensuring long-term progress.
• Focus on Transformation and Longevity: The practice is known for building not just external strength but deep internal awareness, leading to therapeutic benefits like improved joint health and flexibility, as evidenced by positive customer feedback about the difference felt in the hips and joints.
• Expert and Dedicated Founder/Instructor: Nina Collins’ deep experience and commitment to her own daily practice, studied under respected teachers, ensures that students are learning from a highly knowledgeable and dedicated source, passing on an understanding that yoga "transcends mere asana."
• New Space Excitement: The anticipation and energy surrounding the **new space** highlight the studio's ongoing growth and commitment to providing an inspiring and dedicated environment for its community in Los Angeles.

Contact Information

For those in the Los Angeles area ready to begin or deepen their traditional Ashtanga practice, A Shala La is accessible at the following location. Prospective students are typically encouraged to reach out to the studio directly to discuss the best way to begin the Mysore practice.

Address:

4369 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029, USA

Note: As a traditional shala focused on community and dedicated practice, initial contact is often best made through the studio's website or dedicated channels to establish the best start date and time for new students, ensuring they receive the individualized attention required for a strong foundation.

What is Worth Choosing

A Shala La is worth choosing for the discerning California resident who is seeking an authentic, challenging, and sustainable physical and mental practice. In an era where quick-fix fitness and inconsistent classes are common, this studio provides an anchor of tradition and commitment.

Firstly, you are choosing a **time-tested and transformative method**. The Ashtanga system, and specifically the **Mysore** style, is world-renowned for developing incredible strength, flexibility, and a laser-like focus. Unlike simply following an instructor's every word in a large class, the Mysore method empowers the student to internalize the practice. This deep engagement is what leads to tangible, long-term benefits for the body, including significant relief and improvement in common issues like hip and joint stiffness, as reported by practitioners.

Secondly, you gain access to **highly personalized, master-level instruction**. The founder, Nina Collins, is deeply immersed in the lineage, offering an unparalleled level of expertise. Beginners are not thrown into a complex sequence; instead, they are gently and progressively introduced to the practice one posture at a time. This one-on-one attention within the group setting ensures proper alignment and technique, minimizing injury and maximizing the profound benefits of the practice—an invaluable feature for anyone serious about their yoga journey in Los Angeles.

Finally, you are joining a **dedicated community**. The atmosphere of a shala fosters a unique camaraderie among students committed to a daily practice. It becomes more than just a place to exercise; it is a supportive community home, free from the superficiality that can sometimes plague the fitness scene, a place where people share a common goal of self-improvement and deep, moving meditation. For serious students and those looking for true mastery of a physical discipline, A Shala La provides the necessary structure, tradition, and expertise.

A Shala La

4369 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029, USA