Today we’d like to introduce you to Suze Yalof Schwartz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Suze. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was stressed out and my mother-in-law (who is a therapist) taught me a 3-minute breathing and visualization technique that instantly shifted me from stressed to calm. It was so simple and powerful and I wanted more! She suggested I learn how to meditate. This was November 2012. When I Googled for a place to learn to meditate, I realized that there were no easy options – it was either a major time commitment or too expensive. I am a mother of three, so I was looking for a quick fix. Think the Drybar (a blow dry hair salon) experience – walk in feeling icky and walk out feeling great in only 30 minutes. It turned out that not only was there no place to easily learn to meditate in Los Angeles, but there were no drop-in meditation studios anywhere! I couldn’t believe it! I told my husband that I was going to quit my job as a fashion editor and be the first to open up a clean, modern meditation studio that simplified the practice. He suggested that I learn to meditate first. That is honestly how it all began. The idea for Unplug came to me in a flash – the look, the concept, and the mission. The more I learned about the power of meditation, the more I realized that this is what I want to do with my life. Now, I not only have a place for myself to study with the best teachers, but I am delivering meditation in over 82 countries on the Unplug: Guided Meditation App in a much more accessible way than previously existed. We are amazed on a daily basis by the positive effect that our classes (both in studio and online) are having on people, from cancer patients to surgeons, writers, professional athletes, CEOs, stressed-out lawyers, mothers and even children. People travel from all over the country and world to experience Unplug. As of now, we have two physical studios in LA, a book called Unplug: A Simple Guide To Meditation For Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers that is published in 14 languages, and the Unplug: Guided Meditation app that is being used in 82 countries and was just featured in iTunes’ New Apps We Love.
Has it been a smooth road?
No one showed up for the first 6 months at the studio and my app developers almost quit on me because our app was getting too intricate – it is never easy BUT I love a challenge and I also absolutely love what I do and how it impacts others.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Unplug Meditation – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Unplug is the world’s first drop-in meditation studio. We have taken that experience and shared it with the world through our video classes and book that is translated in 14 languages. I am most proud of our 30-Day Meditation Challenge that has taken thousands of people who have never meditated and given them a daily practice that they love. Anyone can sign up here: www.unplug.com/30daymeditationchallenge.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the weather and the people in LA – they are both sunny and bright. The best healers and meditation teachers in the world are here and I love discovering them all. My least favorite thing is the 405 at 5:05 pm.
Pricing:
- 7-day free trial on the Unplug: Guided Meditation app, then either $7.99/month or $59.99/year
- $35 for 1 week of unlimited studio classes
- $15 for the Unplug book on Amazon
Contact Info:
- Address: 12401 Wilshire Blvd. #101, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Website: www.unplug.com
- Phone: 3108268899
- Email: info@unplugmeditation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unplugmeditation/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unplugmeditation/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/unplugmeditati?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/unplug-meditation-los-angeles
- Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unplug-guided-meditation/id1188080269?mt=8
Image Credit:
For Suze’s headshot: Brigitte Lacombe
For all other photos: David Young-Wolff
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
