January 8, 2017

Meet Christine Burke of Liberation Yoga

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Burke.

Christine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My husband and I had fallen into yoga in New York (though we met years later in L.A.) as actors who were searching for something to support and enhance the mind, body, spirit connection within a busy city lifestyle. We both sought to stay connected to our authentic selves amidst the challenges faced when making a life as a performer. We moved to L.A. the same year (1996), still unknown to each other, and continued on a path of discovery through yoga. Ultimately we met (at a bakery) fell in love and began our yoga journey together at Center For Yoga in Larchmont. Through a series of events, some destiny, some seemingly random timing and some cosmic collision(!) we ended up managing the studio. Simultaneously we converted an old storefront in Silverlake into a theater – Salvation Theater. When the time came that Center For Yoga was to be sold to Yoga Works, we embarked on our own path to create the kind of studio that we felt was needed and in danger of becoming extinct. A truly independent studio run by practitioners (and myself a teacher) that would embrace all styles of yoga and all types of people. We wanted to create a sacred, genuine space of health, friendship, community and freedom. We found our space on La Brea in 2004 and Liberation Yoga was born. We have weathered many storms there and continue to do so. But always, like the lotus from the mud, Liberation has emerged pure and lovely. Like a candle that can be dimmed but not snuffed out, Liberation has stayed lit, thanks to the light and love of the students, teachers, and staff. We have been open for 13 years and we are blessed and honored to hold this space for the many wonderful souls who land here.

Has it been a smooth road?
Haha – well since you asked…as mentioned there were many hardships along the way. It has been truly ironic that while we created space for people to release their worry and diminish their stress, in many ways, it increased ours. Running a small business has its own inherent challenges but we have also faced issues that are unique to Liberation.

We survived a huge flood that took out all of our floors, the recession which flattened La Brea and left most storefronts empty, and many other hardships. We birthed a garden oasis in the middle of the city which is an outdoor space that is partially enclosed. This poses challenges ranging from city life finding it’s way into the garden, to weather struggles to name a few. Recently we have had to deal with sudden city permitting issues as well. Despite that, it remains a special and vibrant place for practice, gatherings, events, and meditation. There has also been a dramatic change in the way people practice yoga. With companies like Groupon, online classes, and studios popping up in L.A. on a daily basis, the climate has changed and the prices for yoga have both shot sky high and been downgraded at the same time. It’s hard to find footing when seeking to remain an option for students with varying income levels and needs. But it has been a wonderful challenge and only deepened our commitment to run the studio with the yogic principles as our foundation, and the students at the heart of all we do.

My spiritual practice has never been stronger or more alive than when tuning into the heartbeat of the studio and how important the studio is to so many who seek connection, health, joy and peace in the walls of Liberation.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Liberation Yoga – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We offer a range of classes, teacher training, workshops, kirtan, health seminars, free talks and many opportunities for personal growth and enhanced well-being. While these are not unusual in a yoga studio setting there is something unique to Liberation that is, for lack of a better explanation, in the atmosphere. All that we offer is taught and shared by teachers and guides with a high level of skill, experience, and passion. The studio is a comfortable place where people become more of who they are rather than feel they have to project some idea of who they should be. This is something that we are proud of though claim no credit for. We are known for this “vibe” and we cherish the freedom it brings and the relationships it fosters. Many connections are made at Liberation and it is not uncommon for people to meet and get married, form creative and work alliances and bond with a family and community that may have been missing in their lives. Liberation is known for caring, for listening, for being human and not wedded to policy but in service to the truth of a situation and what will serve the highest good. We also celebrate creativity on all levels and we have had a number of very special creative events at the studio including many kinds of live music, performance, art on our walls regularly, poetry nights and open mic talent show type gatherings, fundraisers for various causes and even “Pancake Night” in the garden to name a few. Liberation is always open as a place to explore, share, try things and heal. I believe what sets us apart is that this is the core of why we exist.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love LA. I am not afraid to say it! What I like least are obvious things – traffic and air quality. The other thing I like least is the popularity of talking bad about LA while living in it! Please, if you don’t like it, go somewhere you love so we aren’t so crowded

What I love about LA is that we now have a real downtown that feels like a city with incredible art, fantastic theater (yes, LA has theater too!), amazing restaurants and soon a metro system that will really work! I love that there are nooks and crannies to the city that could go undiscovered for years and then suddenly you find a whole new neighborhood of fun and intrigue. I have lived here for 20 years and the discoveries keep coming. Because I am a nature loving city dweller, I love that Griffith Park and the beaches, Topanga Canyon and The Angeles Forest are all within reach. I love Union Station, The Observatory, Silverlake, Echo Park (and the blooming lotus lake with paddle boats!) Frogtown, Koreatown, The Lake Shrine Temple in Pacific Palisades, The Self Realization Center In Hollywood ,Little India, Thai Town, and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. I love the Fairfax Flea market and the farmer’s markets and I love the people. The many many many different kinds of people making room for each other and mostly behaving well.

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