New year, new you, right? Not quite. It’s the same old us trying to wrap our heads around the fact that it’s already 2025. But there’s no denying that now’s a great time to tend to our health by checking out what our community has to offer.
Whether it’s revisiting old stomping grounds like Boyle Heights’ Evergreen jogging path or joining a dance, yoga or running club, many spaces on the Eastside can help improve your physical and mental health. We’ve rounded up eight spots to help you on your self-care journey.
Evergreen Cemetery Walking & Jogging Path
In an ideal world, we’d be walking distance to the beach and run along the ocean, sand beneath our toes providing a natural resistance while cold salty sprays of crashing waves allow us to go the distance. But in park poor Boyle Heights, softer running paths are harder to come by, which is why Evergreen Cemetery’s 1.4-mile brick red rubber walking and jogging path is a great alternative to pounding the pavement of our city streets.
The historic cemetery route has drawn walkers and joggers since the 1940s and in 2002, the Evergreen Jogging Path Coalition formed. Together with the Latino Urban Forum, in 2003 they succeeded at replacing cracked and broken sidewalks with the rubberized path. Despite its natural wear and tear and debris from parked RVs, it’s a relatively safe space for Boyle Heights residents to get their steps in while we wait for Calvary Cemetery’s proposed path.
- Location: 204 N. Evergreen Ave., Los Angeles, 90033
People’s Yoga
Since 2014, the Eastside’s only yoga studio has provided an inclusive, non-judgmental space to practice this beneficial ancient Indian practice. Las Cafeteras cofounder Leah Rose Gallegos and USC Price School adjunct Lauren Quan-Madrid met playing soccer with community-based soccer collective Futbolistas L.A. and decided to take their passion for yoga to the next level.
They opened a studio in East L.A. where a multigenerational majority Latinx crowd partake in the healing mind/body workout often dominated by white-owned spaces. Centered on breathing through life’s roller coaster ride, People’s Yoga instructors provide a refreshing spin to yoga. From body sculpting to flowing along killer Spotify mixes not often heard in a studio, this Eastside gem continues to give good vibes only.
- Location: 5161 Pomona Blvd., East L.A., 90022
- Website: www.peoplesyoga.org
The Wellness Center
General Hospital may have stopped providing beds for those in medical need, but the historic building has been offering the community health-based programming since 2014.
The infamous Art Deco hospital is now home to the The Wellness Center, which offers culturally sensitive bilingual services and resources, including healthy eating and cooking, Cal Fresh food assistance, yoga, Zumba, healthcare enrollment and mental health, homeless youth, legal, domestic violence and sexual assault, job, senior and immigration services.
- Location: 1200 N. State St. #1008, Los Angeles, 90033
- Hours: Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; (213) 784-9181
- Website: www.thewellnesscenterla.org
Boyle Heights Bridge Runners
Running solo is a great way to clear your mind and process daily events, but running in community increases stamina, provides a social outlet and is much safer. Join a run with the popular Boyle Heights Bridge Runners (BHBR) and see for yourself. What started in 2013 as a handful of folks motivating each other to run, has grown into a collective of runners that meet religiously every Wednesday night at Mariachi Plaza.
Open to all levels, participants choose from a two or three-mile cohort and run with a group of up to 70 runners. Runs typically start southbound on Boyle Avenue to Whittier Boulevard, where runners take in a beautiful downtown skyline as they cross the Sixth Street Viaduct to Alameda Street, circling back to Boyle Heights on the 1st Street Bridge.
- Meeting location: 1831 1st St., Los Angeles, 90033
- Meeting time: Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m.
- Instagram: @boyleheightsbridgerunners
Slow Runners L.A.
Running can be intimidating especially for first-timers, which is why easing into it with a crew like El Sereno’s Slow Runners L.A. is a great way to start your jogging journey.
This small, low-commitment club meets for short runs in front of El Sereno GreenGrocer and Delicias Bakery in Highland Park and for sunset walks at Debs Park and around the Rose Bowl. Promoting inclusivity and community, runs weave through Northeast L.A. and are open to all levels of runners.
This running group prides itself on moving the body without the pressure of speed or competition. Check their IG for meetup details.
- Meeting location: Various, including El Sereno Green Grocer, Delicias Bakery & Debs Park
- Meeting time: Varies
- Instagram: @slowrunnersla
Zumba at Ztrongteam Fitness
Sweat to the sounds of salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton with this señora favorite workout at Boyle Heights mom-and-pop gym Ztrongteam Fitness. Certified Zumba instructor Liz Meza teaches classes every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m.
This global dance fitness craze originated in Cali, Colombia, in the mid-1990s, after dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Pérez, who forgot his usual soundtrack for a class he was teaching, played a Latin dance mixtape he had in his car. Decades later, it continues to keep folks energized and engaged.
- Location: 2801 E. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, 90023
Running Mamis
Founded in 2018 by Proyecto Pastoral Executive Director Raquel Román Romero and Roosevelt High School teacher Jo Anna Mixpe Ley as a safe space for mothers to run with their babies in tow, Running Mamis has evolved into an intergenerational crew of mamas, abuelas, tías and community caretakers.
Originally created to avoid the threat of catcalls and cracked sidewalks, these committed runners are an official Nike LA running club, participate in marathons and encourage each other to meet their running goals. Members meet bi-monthly or weekly during training season and can choose to take it easy with a low-mileage run or go the distance with a longer run.
- Location: Check their IG for meetup details.
- Meeting time: Varies
- Instagram: @running.mamis
No Limits Fitness & Dance Center
Founded in 2013 by Mexico City native Ruby Patino, this East L.A. fitness and dance studio offers everything from Zumba and step aerobics to salsa and guaracha lessons.
Patino is a one-woman show, offering the community a welcoming space to get their workout on and partake in social dancing. If learning how to dance bachata and cumbia is on your bucket list, this is the place to come for affordable classes offered seven days a week. The tidy center has plenty of mirrors and room to move while you tap into your inner dancer.
- Location: 4516 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, 90022
- Instagram: @rubynolimits or call 626-862-5375 for class schedule
