FAQ

At Pür Joy Yoga, the intention is simple. Here we remind you that joy is innate and unconditional. Here your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellness matter. All are welcome here. It is our belief that community and individual healing go hand in hand. Feeling safe and at ease begins with dedicating time and space for you.

We are located at 7720 Sunset Blvd and are a part of the Sunset Therapy Spaces in West Hollywood, CA.

Sunset Therapy Spaces is a collective of therapists and wellness practitioners who work out of a beautiful home converted to therapeutic rooms nestled in one of Los Angeles’ most dynamic neighborhoods in West Hollywood. Pür Joy Yoga works out of this space.

There is ample street parking, both metered spots on Sunset and residential free parking on Genesee.

All private sessions that are offered are suitable for beginners. For special workshops and classes, the description will indicate if it is not suitable for beginners. We pride ourselves on accessibility. Yoga is for all bodies.

Somatic healing is a gentle, body-based approach to trauma therapy that honors the deep connection between mind and body. Instead of relying on talk therapy alone, somatic trauma healing invites you to reconnect with your body's wisdom, gently building sensory awareness of the sensations that arise as you heal.

In our heartfelt sessions, we walk alongside you as you release tension, stress, and discomfort that may have been held in the body for years. Somatic therapy often works with myofascial pain and stuck energy in the joints, tissues, and organs, physical patterns that talk therapy alone often can't reach. This mind body connection lies at the heart of somatic healing and somatic experiencing.

Many people find that somatic healing helps them feel more grounded, present, and at ease in their bodies. Clients often describe a greater sense of calm, reduced physical tension, and a renewed ability to navigate stress after working through somatic therapy.

Most clients came to me when psychotherapy was no longer working and they needed to be in their bodies.

We have found many of our clients have reached a point in their talk therapy where they need more support with getting into their bodies. We support body practices here.

Talk therapy works mostly through conversation and thought patterns. Somatic therapy starts with the body, using sensation, breath, and movement to help release stress and trauma that words alone can't always reach. Many clients find the two work beautifully together.

We do believe that access to healing and community care should be accessible. We may offer sliding scale for 1:1 somatic and yoga therapy sessions based on request. However, we are very much excited to offer all of our community events at a very accessible minimum rate. If for any reason you are unable to pay the minimum, we ask that you write to us and we'd be happy to comp you. We wish we could do this for free!

You should wear comfortable clothing. Bring water and a curious mind.

Come hydrated and allow 2-3 hours for digestion after large meals before you get here. We can always adjust a session even if you'd had a meal before our time together.

In short, good old fashioned yoga. Slower and longer holds would best classify his current style.

The creator of the space and teacher, Armen Menechyan, is a 500 hour certified yoga teacher with 250 additional hours of training in the growing field of Yoga Therapy and SATYA (Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement). Most sessions are offered through the therapeutic lens and are trauma-informed. His main practice is Iyengar yoga and learns from senior Iyengar teachers in the area.

He offers some public classes in Los Angeles and private group sessions if you are on his mailing list.

Always consult your physician first and inform the teacher of your injury before attending class. Good news is that most students and practitioners attend Pür Joy Yoga because of pain or discomfort.

Yes, one on one classes are the most Ideal way to get Individualized attention. You may choose to meet for 50 or 80 minute sessions. Our main objective is to meet the individual needs of our client based on their specific therapeutic needs which are often not addressed in group sessions.

Although we prefer to meet you at the space, we understand the convenience of meeting at your own space. We make exceptions and there is an additional rate for home visits. We ask that you have a mat, blocks and at the least a strap.

Events do often sell out. It is recommend to book in advance as our space is limited. We would hate to have to turn you away in the case the space is full.

Yes, we currently work with a few corporate and non-profit clients virtually.

Somatic healing is backed by a growing body of clinical research, especially for trauma-related conditions.

PTSD: The strongest evidence comes from a randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, where 63 participants with PTSD were randomly assigned to either 15 weeks of Somatic Experiencing or a waitlist group. Participants who received somatic therapy showed significant improvements in posttraumatic symptom severity, with effect sizes considered large by clinical standards, and these gains held up at follow-up.

Depression: That same PTSD trial also measured depression as a secondary outcome. It suggested that body-based approach doesn't just ease trauma symptoms, it can lift mood too.

Chronic Stress: Because somatic healing works directly with the nervous system, it's a natural fit for chronic stress. Somatic approaches help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and can lower cortisol levels tied to chronic stress.

Anxiety: While anxiety-specific trials are still emerging, somatic experiencing is understood to ease emotional distress, anxiety, and somatic complaints alongside PTSD symptoms.

It varies from person to person. Some clients feel noticeable relief within a few sessions, while others work with somatic therapy over several months for deeper, lasting change. We recommend starting with a one-off session to see if we are a right fit for each other.

Yes. Because somatic therapy works with the nervous system and areas like the fascia and joints, many clients experience real relief from chronic tension and pain, especially when stress or unresolved trauma is part of what's keeping the body guarded.

Sessions often begin with grounding, micromovements and breathwork, then gently guide you to notice sensations in your body as they arise. Your facilitator may invite slow movement or stillness, always at a pace your nervous system can handle.

Not necessarily. One of the gifts of somatic healing is that you don't have to relive or retell every detail. The body can process and release stored trauma even when the story isn't fully spoken aloud.