A Healthy Village Review
Founded in 2013 in the San Fernando Valley of California by Judi and George Lyall, A Healthy Village is a Buddhist-based sober living environment for men. After working for years as general contractors for major utility corporations, the Lyalls realized that they were not fulfilling their purpose in life. They sold or gave away all their possessions and spent four months in India, traveling and searching for some meaning. Their goal was to find inner happiness and peace, and since George was in recovery, the idea of opening a sober living came to mind. Their realization is that true fulfillment comes from helping others and their mission is to help men in recovery find their own spiritual path. George has been sober 16 years and Judi is studying to be an addiction counselor.
Accommodations and Amenities
A Healthy Village operates one house in Studio City, and an apartment building in Valley Village. The Studio City location accommodates nine men, while Valley Village has 15 clients. At the Studio City house, clients are paired in fully furnished rooms. The house includes a private patio shrouded by trees, which features a table and chairs. The spacious interior is furnished with eclectic décor and has a living room, a dining room and a fully equipped kitchen.
Valley Village consists of three units, including a two-bedroom and a one-bedroom apartment. The facility has a private backyard, with a patio table and chairs. Clients share triple-occupancy wood-tiled rooms, which include bunk beds topped with comforters, dark wood dressers, and nightstands. Each apartment unit has a fully equipped kitchen.
Additionally, both facilities have meditation rooms with chairs, cushions and a collection of Buddha statues from around the world, including the Chinese Laughing Buddha or Hotei, who symbolizes prosperity and joy. Clients are responsible for their own groceries and meal preparation. Amenities include cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, heating and air conditioning.
The location is within close proximity of major freeways, 12-step meetings, major film studios, supermarkets, coffee shops and a plethora of other businesses. A house manager lives on the premises, and provides around the clock supervision. The 30-day cost for Valley Village is $800, while the 30-day cost for the Studio City house is $1800.
Rules and Regulations
A Healthy Village is highly selective when it comes to accepting new clients. A comprehensive interview is conducted to ensure that A Healthy Village is a proper fit. Preferably, clients have some sobriety under their belt, but all potential clients are admitted on a case-by-case basis. Requirements include attending the Buddhist-based house gathering and attending between three and seven 12-step or Refuge Recovery meetings, depending on their work status. Clients can use the house meeting towards their weekly meeting quota. The curfew is 11 pm, Mondays through Thursdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Extras
Clients are encouraged to participate at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science, a spiritual community that bases its principles on the metaphysical teachings of Ernest Holmes and his book, The Science of Mind. A Healthy Village offers four weekly yoga classes, as well as regular meditation which utilizes 11th step principles. Often clients meditate at various times, throughout the day.
A Healthy Village is a member of the Los Angeles County Sober Living Coalition, Sober Living Network, which enforces high standards in their sober living homes.
In Summary
A Healthy Village offers clients a unique sober living community by including Buddhist-based practices, meditation and yoga, as well as a 12-step protocol. Residents at A Healthy Village often are employed in the technical aspects of the film business. There is also a strong, tightly knit fellowship at A Healthy Village, which sounds like a wonderful opportunity for clients seeking a holistic approach in their recovery, as well as those wanting to live in a serene and beautiful environment.
A Healthy Village Location
Addressed unlisted for privacy of clients.
A Healthy Village Cost
$800-$1,800 (30 days). Reach A Healthy Village by phone at (818) 766-7006 or by email at judi@healthyvillage.com. Find A Healthy Village at Google+
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
