Brandy Brooks, (newest partner agent to the join the team!)
If our last issue was the food issue, then this one is all about moving your body—because honey, endorphins are just as good as a perfectly grilled cheeseburger or a crisp glass of white wine with hints of apple and honeysuckle. It’s called balance. And I’m happy to report that our little nook of the world has mastered it. For every great restaurant in NELA, there’s now a fitness studio around the corner ready to keep pace.
Women’s Self-Defense Class with Mickey at Ukiyo Academy
Last month, my girlfriends and I did what we always do—try something new as an excuse to hang out before our next “calendared” meetup. (It’s a whole thing, with Doodle polls single-handedly keeping our plans from going off the rails.)
In the height of that god-awful Eclipse Season—hi, I’m Brandy, astrology enthusiast!—one of us said, “We should probably start learning how to protect ourselves.” Five minutes later, another friend shared a ClassPass link for THE Women’s Self-Defense class at Ukiyo Academy in Glassell Park.
Ukiyo is a quaint, mom-and-pop dojo (no pun intended) owned by the husband-and-wife duo, Mickey Rimigio-Manese and Rafael Manese. Mickey’s idea to create a women-only class focused on quick-response techniques for potentially life-threatening situations was nothing short of brilliant.
In just an hour, my girlfriends and I learned about four different moves, including a “drop and dip” exit strategy and several ways to escape a wrist grab. I wholeheartedly recommend this class to anyone with daughters—or anyone looking to swap a typical “live, laugh, wine” night for a truly unique and educational experience with your favorite women.
Avenir (Glassel Park Location)
I recently took up Pilates because running just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Sure, I still caught endorphins from the sun, blasting music through my headphones, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow runners—but the monotony and loneliness of my scheduled runs started feeling like another obligation instead of something I looked forward to.
That’s where Pilates came in. I tried a few local studios and really enjoyed this new way of moving my body—but then I discovered Avenir, and my love for Pilates went to a whole new level. Avenir’s cool factor is just the beginning. The low, ambient lighting and vibey playlist feel like something you’d hear over drinks at Gold Line. The instructors genuinely care about your form and safety. And their only goal? To have you aggressively craving your next class—balancing on a bosu ball, lifting one heel and then the other, legs shaking, eyes squinting, making tiny adjustments with your knees until you’re up on both balls of your feet, completely engaged and exhilarated.
Body Dada (Highland Park Location)
You think you’re walking in for one thing, and five minutes later, you’re mentally cursing the instructor under your breath. Don’t let the feminine curves, soft mood lighting, and spa-like ambience fool you—once those curtains close, it’s a full-on booty, ab, and arm blaster, and the ten-minute warm-up feels like a rude awakening for what’s to come. Ballet-inspired, maybe—but it leans more toward a Jane Fonda workout video circa 1982… just without Jane Fonda. I’m not entirely sure I loved this class, but I’ll be donning a purple-and-pink striped leotard, getting a blowout, and going back next week to see if my feelings change.
Creatures, Plants and Coffee
If you’ve ever seen The Kids Are Alright, this nursery-meets-coffee-shop feels like it was pulled straight from that world—equal parts nature, caffeine, and surf-rock-dream-pop vibes setting the tone. A large white sunflower sign with a relaxed face peeks out from budding bougainvillea and potted marigolds, creating a warm welcome as you step inside. It’s the kind of place where plants and playlists mingle effortlessly, and on a crisp autumn day in sunny LA, there’s nowhere better to sip, browse, and linger.
🌊 Calling All Surfers! 🌊
Love surfing and want to give back? Los Angeles Courage Camps offers free surf lessons to kids across LA—over 1,500 youth served and 300 new families introduced to surfing and ocean education this summer alone!
Our mission: We believe in the ocean’s power to transform communities of color. One lesson, one child at a time, we’re expanding access to the waves for those who need it most.
✅ Free surf lessons for LA kids
✅ Summer programming wrapped—now seeking fall partners in education & mentorship
✅ Join us at our Deep Sea Prom Fundraiser on 12/6—we’re looking for sponsors, auction donations, and ocean-loving attendees!
From the mat to the dojo to the surfboard, this corner of LA is buzzing with ways to connect with your body, with your friends, and with your community. So take this as your sign to book that class you’ve been eyeing, aid a cause that moves you, or simply find a new spot to sip your coffee. Get out there and explore, NELA. The endorphins are waiting.
–Brandy Brooks, L34 Partner Agent
