West Hills, CA
I was on my way to a trailhead when I passed by Orcutt Ranch, a public garden, event space, and orchard. I’m glad I landed on this detour because I got a chance to meditate and absorb this peaceful atmosphere of citrus mist.

Malibu, CA
An afternoon at the spacious Zuma beach, listening to the waves, sitting with seagulls, and watching the passing cats clean up debris contributed to a peaceful beach meditation.

Malibu, CA
Each day this weekend before Meditation Teacher Training at the Mindry, I wandered around Malibu’s pockets of nature. I was able to meditate at a lagoon with little creatures and at a quiet beach with places to explore.

Malibu, CA
I found lil sea snails on the rocky shores of El Pescador State Beach. These guys were so pretty with shells in kelp green, opal iridescent, and matte blackish blue like muscles.

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Point Vicente is a secluded area in LA county with windy coastal drives, a lighthouse, and an arena for avid whale watchers. Here I enjoyed a meditation under the comfort of the overcast clouds.

Malibu, CA
A small park with a panoramic view, the Malibu Bluffs is a great spot to walk, enjoy the open body of water, and write.

San Marino, CA
The Huntington Botanical Gardens provided acres of peaceful nature. From the curated gardens to jungles and desert landscapes, I had to opportunity to practice the Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing.

Malibu, CA
It was a sixty-degree December day, pretty nice for a cruise through the canyons to the cold snap of the Pacific ocean. Zuma is a great beach for reading, wave-watching, and recharging my energetic batteries.

Los Angeles, CA
A hike through El Escorpión Park is great for climbing, hip opening, and a nap with a vast view of the San Fernando Valley. I feel beautiful, grounded, and spiritually connected to a mountain.

Manhattan Beach, CA
“Our age is retrospective.” says Emerson in Nature (1836), “The foregoing generations beheld God and nature face to face, we, through their eyes. Why should not we also enjoy an original relation to the universe?”

Malibu, CA
My family brought me to Point Dume, a magical cliff spot that encapsulates Malibu’s vast ocean view.

Van Nuys, CA
A rushing breeze wafts fresh eucalyptus all around as I walk past the golf course to Lake Balboa. On a Sunday afternoon, there are as many picnics as there are birds and you’ll see I photographed many types of birds. It’s a great gathering spot for families and bird watchers alike.

Thousand Oaks, CA
On my drive through Thousand Oaks, it was welcoming to see so many streets lined with tall trees, avenue names like Arboles, and an outdoor recreational community. From cacti, sage, rivers, and caves, Paradise Falls offers plenty of nature to tickle your fancy.

Santa Barbara, CA
The Seven Falls Trail was under construction but the view on the drive there was just as lovely. Arroyo Burro Beach gifted me with nature’s version of spa research. With my toes in the sand, collecting sea shells for my snails, and watching waves wash the earth, I experienced a similar relaxation.

Kenmore, WA
Between massage therapy and energy work, Craniosacral Therapy dedicates an hour to the fascia tissues around the head to restore the nervous system’s flow.

Tarzana, CA
An afternoon in the Caballero Canyon Trails refreshed my energy and comforted my soul. I found a secluded river where I could savor some deep breaths, engage in sensory awareness, and develop a flow through a little fun of my own.

Van Nuys, CA
Cranes and planes sore over the spacious park right in the heart of Van Nuys. The US Army Corps of Engineers built the dam for flood management and leased over 1,000 acres to the city to keep it free of urban overbuilding. It's a privilege that such a dense metropolitan carves space for wildlife, recreation, and natural beauty.

Granada Hills, CA
Dr. Mario A. DeCampos Trail has grassy fields and baby sunflowers covering its rolling hills. With an expansive view of the San Fernando Valley and huge gusts of winds caressing its slopes, I’m celebrating acceptance into a meditation teacher training program with an elated start pose.

Malibu, CA
Up a winding narrow road in the Santa Monica Mountains are several walking trails to explore. The one I followed led to a rock-lined labyrinth with an expansive view of the mountains, ocean, and skyline. I also photographed a few tiny creatures that maybe you can spot too.

Topanga, CA
Instead of a trailhead, google maps dropped me off in a quiet neighborhood in Topanga. Up a partially paved road, I discovered hilltop views, bed and breakfast mansions, and wild peacocks.