Unplug studio in West LA makes meditation fast, affordable

WEST LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KABC) -- Meditation is known to clear the mind, lower blood pressure and fight depression. But finding a place to practice can be a tough order.

"I wanted to find a place where I could go to meditate that was easy, quick, affordable, chic and simple, and I could trust the instructors," said Suze Yalof Schwartz of Unplug Meditation in West L.A.

But Schwartz couldn't find that combo, so she opened her own studio -- something she calls the Dry Bar of meditation.

Not quite a drive-thru, in terms of ease, but a quick and scientific fix that takes the new age aura out of it.

"No Buddahs. There would be no incense. It would be very clean and modern," said Schwartz.

Meditation expert Laurie Cousins said it doesn't have to be complicated.

"The mind is designed to think. It's how we work with it, right? And, so, we work with it in a way that's kind, that's open ... suspending the judgment," said Cousins.

She offers this for daily practice.

"Many times throughout the day, you can just pause and listen to the sounds going on. Focus on your breathing, and that helps to slow us down," she said.

As an adult, you no doubt have your fair share of daily tension. Well, as it turns out in this stressful life, kids have it too. So it's important for them to learn the A-B-C's of mindfulness.

"We talked about, like, the three gates. Which is, like, what to do when you're trying to make a decision," said Leah Totsubo of Los Angeles. "So, like, is it nice? Is it kind? Is it necessary?"

Beyond normal stresses, Unplug offers a meditation session for traffic. Meditation expert Jane Garnett explains the acronym A-D-D.

"A is accept the situation. Accept that you're stuck in traffic. D is devices off. The other D is do your meditation," said Garnett.

Which goes like this:

"Inhale for five (seconds), hold for five (seconds) and exhale for five (seconds). And you can do that five times, and it will calm down your system," she said.

The first class is free, and then there is a $20 drop-in charge. Prices goes down by buying a block of classes.