Elsie's Yoga Class L Inspiration L Alignment L Connection

Authentic love is not a vague sentiment or a blind passion. It is an inner attitude that involves the whole human being. It is looking at others not to use them but to serve them. It is the ability to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and to suffer with those that are suffering. It is sharing what one possesses so that no one may continue to be deprived of what he needs. Love, in a word, is the gift of self. -Pope John Paul II YOU CAN STILL DONATE TO CORAZON DE VIDA! Join Victor and I for the Typical Mac User Live show on February 25th! You so don't need to watch the Oscars! The best moments will be replayed over and over and over for the week following Talkcast information: Talkcast Name: Typical Mac User Podcast Live (Talk MAC) Host: Victor Cajiao - typicalmacuser@gmail.com Phone number: (724) 444-7444 Talkcast ID: 3097 PIN: The phone number or 10-digit PIN you signed up with (you gotta sign up with Talkshoe!) Vic's Healing Through Dance Workshop THE SEQUENCE Hands and knees Downward Facing Dog (Adho

John Friend founder of Anusara Yoga John's Rockin' with Shakti Tour Heart Study Fantastic Organization which focuses on The Heart!!! The Dana on Mission Bay Yes...I totally spoiled myself. I figured, why not celebrate my 35th birthday a little more! Mind you, for whatever reason I got a great deal on the rooms and if any of you are ever around San Diego, maybe taking a little trip to Sea World, hey come on over here. They have been incredible. Really. Donate to Corazon de Vida! here's a link to my Evite for the Coconuts Legwarmers Charity Birthday Bash The Sequence: Downward Facing Dog High Lunge Downward Facing Dog Twist Uttanasana/Tadasana/Parvatasana Arms (arms interlaced above the head) Surya Namaskar x 3 Parsvakonasana Vira I Deep Lunge with Chattarunga Arms or Deep Lunge working head behind the knee Vashistasana Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back Handstands Tadasana into Standing Arch Back Downward Facing Dog Shoulder Alignment work Monkey Lunge Pigeon Prep Parsvotanasana Uttanasa

Sianna Sherman Hillary's Yoga Practice Episode 13 Coconuts and Legwarmers: February 18th 9:30am at Lululemon Athletica North Beverly please please please donate! www.elsiecharity.chipin.com it's for the kids!!!!! The Sequence: Adho Mukha Svanasana into Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana opening the hip Uttanasana/Ardha Uttanasana 1/2 Sunsalutes x 3 Surya Namaskar x 3 Crescent Pose Parsvakonasana Deep Lunge working head behind the knee Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana opening the hip Trikonasana Twisting Downward Facing Dog Handstand Handstand Demo with Lucy Bivins Handstands again (on ridgetops, maybe???) Tree Pose/Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana/Pigeon/Twisting Pigeon Vashistasana with Backbend Pigeon with Thigh Stretch Lunge with Thigh Stretch Child's pose Dhanurasana Ardha Bhekasana Setu Bandha Sarvangasana and/or Urdhva Dhanurasana x 3 Downward Facing Dog Parsvotanasana Uttanasana Easy Supine Twist Knees to Chest Savasana

This is all about my teacher Douglas Brooks, although I don't really speak about him in the class. I only try as best as I can to explain what this incredible philosophy is about. As I say during the class, and as Douglas has said many, many times before, "this is a practice that is learned from ear to ear, not from mouth to ear," so my explanation of it, is what I've 'heard.' I do my best to honor him through my words. As always I only hope to become clearer and more precise in the teachings. If you want to hear him, in his own voice, explain the philosophy check out this link where you can buy his Philosphy CD's: http://anusara.com/?pagerequested=subcategories&cat=10&page_number=1 and of course Douglas's actual site, so you can go to one of his philosophy workshops, he is not to be missed! http://rajanaka.com Hillary's Yoga Practice! subscribe to her podcast through itunes here The Sequence: Sukhasana with Parvatasana arms (arms interlaced above the head) Sukhasana with side stretch Downward Fac

Exactly 28 days till the Coconuts and Legwarmers Bash benefiting Corazon de Vida! Mark it on you new calendars! Sunday February 18 from 9:30-11:30am at the Beverly Hills Lululemon Store. bolsters blankets The Sequence Table Top Pose Downward Facing Dog/One legged Downward Facing Dog/High Lunge/High lunge with front leg straight Plank Downward Facing Dog/Uttanasana Tadasana Arm Salutes x 3 1/2 Sun Salutations x 2 Surya Namaskar C x 3 Crescent Balasana Table Top Pose/ One Leg, One Arm Table Top One Leg, One Arm Downward Facing Dog (listen to the podcast and follow what I say! ;) ) Lunge Twist Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back Deep Lunge with forearms on the ground Supine Hip Stretch or Figure Four Hip Stretch on the back/ Supine baby craddle Lunge with thigh stretch at the wall or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana 2 with a thigh stretch at the wall Supported Legs Up on the Wall or Supported Viparita Karani Pranayama (3 part breath) dirgha pranayama Savasana

My Coconut Legwarmer bash is on February 18th from 9:30- 11:30 am!!!!  At the Lululemon Store, come participate! The Charity that I have chosen is:   You need a blanket, or thick towel for this one Sequence: Table Top Pose Downward Facing Dog/ Plank Pose/ Downward Facing Dog Uttanasana into Ardha Uttanasana x 3 Tadasana Surya Namaskar x 2 High Lunge (jump switch sides) Crescent Pose Parsvakonasana into Trikonasana Ardha Chandrasana into Trikonasana Balasana Handstands Hasta Padangustasana Prep Standing Hip Stretch Navasana Prep (core work) Urdha Prasarita Padasana, upward extended feet pose (more core work) Downward Facing Dog Pigeon Prep Vajrasana with blanket behind the knees (knee, hamstring and calf opener) Virasana, possibly into Supta Virasana Setu Bandha Sarvangasana x 3 (or Urdhva Dhanurasana) Baddha Konasana Ardha Matsyendrasana Paschimotanasana Seated Meditation Savasana

How cute is Ganesh? I totally think this is the cutest picture ever! you can check out how incredible this guy's work is at ghee happy. I got his book and it's just fantastic. He has a wonderful was of drawing the hindu gods and also giving their individual myths. I believe this is a must have for any yogi who wants to know more and also any yoga teachers! cute as can be! links: my intro music 'movin' by Vic Hennegan  write a review in itunes digg (now you have to be a member of digg to digg me, so if you are not check out the site. it's a great community site where 'we' digg the stories that we believe are worth looking at, love the concept! you can dig my podcast in the podcast section, which is where you have to be a member of digg to do, as it's a very new addition to the site itself) the sequence: Downward Facing Dog Straight legged lunge Chattarunga pushups x 3 Downward Facing Dog Uttanasana/Ardha Uttanasana  x 3 Half Sun Salutes x 3 Surya Namaskar x 3 Crescent Pose (jump switch) Parsvakonasana Trikon

Merry Christmas!!!!! Honestly a crazy little class! Please, you will need 2 blocks for this class. If you do not have blocks you can use a thick bath towel or blanket, rolled up. Yeah, I go a little crazy about one of my most favorite Christmas stories (actually the tv show story, rudolph the red nosed reindeer and the island of the misfit toys). I was kinda surprised at how many people had no idea what I was talking about. You guys have to watch the show!!!! Rent it, buy it. You gotta have it for the holiday season! Plus, according to my wacky self, it has a pretty fun soundtrack ;) The Sequence: Hands and knees Downward Facing Dog One legged D0wn dog into a straight legged lunge Plank into Down Dog Uttanasana/Ardha Uttanasana x 3 Tadasana Arm Salutes x 3 Half sun salutes x 2 Surya Namaskar x 4 Parsvakonasana Parsvakonasana prep/variation Crescent Pose into Twisting high lunge Child's Pose Table Top Sequence: involves extending one leg back and opposite arm forward, from there moving into a back bend Twi

My first attempt at an Enhanced Podcast! For those of you who don't know what that is, it's an podcast that as you listen to it on itunes (sorry those of you who have a different podcatcher! itunes is free though, if you don't have it!) you can see pictures and even access the links that I talk about on the podcast straight from itunes! Check it out! What all this means is that as you listen to this specific podcast, there will be chapter markers within the podcast, kinda like the markers that you have on a CD when you move from song to song. If you don't have time to listen to the whole thing or maybe want to skip a specific charity you can just press the forward button and you will move straight to the next chapter. Kinda nifty! I tried it last night and it totally worked! Another cool thing is that if any of the charities reach out to you and you just have to go find out about the charity the moment that you are listening to me talk about it, there is a link already there for you to link to! You can go to

I turned it up a notch. This specific class on the schedule at the studio says a level 1-2 class, but I went a little bit more ;) The pace of this class is a bit faster than I usually teach. I also didn't do too many alignment principles through the vinyasa sequences, it was much more about moving with the breath and just opening up the body. I was inspired by a class that I had taken earlier in the week taught by one of my yogi friends, William Duprey. Y'all have to check out his website, he's just great! Still taking requests for charities! So click here, and let me know what you think! or call me at 206 666 4439 down dog uttanasana/ardha uttanasana x 3 tadasana with parvatasana arms 1/2 sun salutations x 3 sun salutation X 3 Crescent Pose Parsvakonasana On right leg only! Monkey Lunge Vira I/Vira II Crescent Pose/Lunge twist Ardha Chandrasana/Trikonasana Vashistasana Uttanasana/Utkatasana into twisting Utkatasana On the left side! Monkey Lunge Vira I/Vira II Crescent Pose/Lunge twist Ardha Chandrasana/Tri

My fantastic intro music Vic Hennegan 'Movin' Charity post link, please go there and write down your passions, what do you believe in?  Take action!  Write a post there or you can send me a voice feedback at 206 666 4439 Chris Arcucci's mighty blog link to the post I spoke about in class The Sequence: hands and knees Downward Facing Dog Eka Pada Downward Facing Dog high lunge Downward Facing Dog Uttanasana Tadasana Arm Salutations x 4 More warm ups! Sun Salutations x 2 Crescent Pose L Pose at the wall on forearms x 2 child's pose Parsvakonasana Prasarita Padotanasana Vira II Prasarita Padotanasana Tadasana Tree Pose Uttanasana deep lunge pigeon Balasana Ardha Bhekasana Dhanurasana x 3 Balasana Supta Padangustasana sequence Savasana

Happy December! my intro music, 'Movin' by Vic Hennegan. The link to the charity post so you can post your charity passion: http://elsieyogakula.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/looking-for-a-charity/ Lululemon Athletica Lululemon Ambassador program Sequence: Downward Facing Dog Eka Pada Downward Facing Dog into high lunge into a hamstring stretch Uttanasana into Ardha Uttanasana x 3 Surya Namaskar x 3 Parsvakonasana Trikonasana Crescent Pose into Lunge Twist Down Dog Twist Ardha Chandrasana Anjane Asana (shoulder alignment work) Salabasana with arms interlaced behind the back Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back Pincha Mayurasana Prep (L pose at the wall on the forearms with a block in between the hands) Pincha Mayurasana Standing Hip Stretch (shrub pose) x 2 Hasta Padangustasana with both hands Deep Hip Stretch on Forearms Vashistasana Eka Pada Rajakapotasana prep Lunge with thigh Stretch Eka Pada Rajakapotasana Prep with thigh stretch (mermaid variation if you want) Setu Bandha Sarvangasana Urdhva Dh

Update! I had to rerecord my intro cause of some technical dificulties, so if you happen to have gotten the old file, obviously there are no markers (if you don't know what I'm talking about, no worries, not important) My intro music: Vic Hennegan the picture in the file, the dish that I made for Thanksgiving.  I just thought it looked sooooo pretty :)    This is the first episode that i edited in Garage Band and I was able to put in markers/chapters, so for those of you who have an ipod (honestly, i don't know if it works on other mp3 players) or you play the file on your computer you will be able to see the poses marked on the file!  I'm hoping to insert photos along with the markers also, very very soon!  Let me know how this new format works for you guys :) Now you can skip the intro all together and just go straight to the class!   The Sequence warm ups Crescent Pose vinyasa X 3 Parsvakonasana Parsvakonasana with arms interlaced behind the back (I've heard this called humble warrior, as your head is bowe

I got a new Macbook!  I am so excited!  I didn't edit my podcast on my new Macbook, I'll try to figure it out next week, but I'm certainly so very happy!!! Just to let you all know, especially for those who will be in Los Angeles for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, I'm going to be teaching one class on Thanksgiving day, 10:30am- 12pm (all levels)  at Bala Yoga and on Friday, my usual class at 12-1:30pm (all levels) at Bala Yoga and at 2:30-4pm (Level 1) at Yoga Works the Center for YogaIf you are around I would love to see you!The Sequence:Downward Facing Doghigh lungePlank Vinyasa (moving 3" to the ground) x 3UttanasanaSun Salutations x 3Crescent PoseParsvakonasanaVira IITrikonasana/Ardha Chandrasana/Standing Splits with hips squared variationUttanasanaL-Pose at the wall or HandstandTree Pose/Vira III/Standing Splits with hips squared variation/deep lunge with forearms on the groundDownward Facing dogPigeon Lunge with thigh stretchUrdhva Dhanurasana or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana x 3Ardha MatsyendrasanaBaddha

Just a short little notice telling y'all that I don't have a computer!  She is in the hospital with a 50/50 chance to live.  I do hope to be able to get a class out by next weekend, with my sweet old computer or maybe a fancy new one, who knows!  Much gratitude to all of you who are listening out there! Just to share:  My friend Victor Cajiao, from the typical pc user, typical mac user and immigration tales podcast is truly and angel.  He has been helping me diagnose the problem with my computer.  He talked me through all the steps that I needed to take to make sure that all my info was backed up.  He gave me hints as to what software to buy and also what kind of external hardrive.  After giving him an update of what was going on with me he offered to record me on skype telling you all what's up (which is what you hear on this weeks update).  He added the music and edited it for me!  Tell me that's not the sweetest thing ever!  I have thanked him so much already and I guess I just ask for some of you to check

It's the first time that I've done a class like this one, especially for Level 1, it's a bit harder, as seated postures tend to be a bit more difficult for beginners, and yet they do give you just another opportunity to experience the depth of this practice.  Please have a bolster, blanket, towel, hard cushion, or meditation bench, close by while you practice to sit on while practicing pranayama and meditation!  Lots of focusing on the breath and a sweet meditation at the end.  Please guys, let me know what you think! Links:  to buy Douglas's CD about the yoga sutras! http://www.matrikayoga.com/Results.cfm?category=4 Have fun :)  THE SEQUENCE: table top pose downward facing dog into one legged down dog into a high lunge plank into baby chattarunga dandasana (only bending the elbows 3") X 3 surya namaskar x 2 Parsavakonasana with vinyasa (plank, chattarunga dandasana, cobra) Balasana Downward Facing Dog Vira 2 with vinyasa Crescent Pose with vinyasa Balasana Sitting to breathe Downward Facing Dog Straight legg

  Very excited to hear from some of you guys, and looking forward to more :) The theme is all about the kula, whoooopeeee! Links: fitness rocks (y'all must listen to the interview I did with Dr. Monte, it was a blast to do) Victor's Podcasts: typical pc user, typical mac user, immigration tales My student Kim's blog feedback! 206 666 4439 please write me a review in itunes, I would oh so appreciate it! The Sequence: Adho Mukha Svanasana into Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana/Downward Facing Dog into one legged Downward Facing Dog Uttanasana into Ardha Uttanasana x 3 Half Sun Salutations x 2 Sun Salutations x 2 Straight legged lunge then straightening the leg Sun Salutation Parsvakonasana Vira II Demo of Pincha Mayurasana Prep Pincha Mayurasana or Pincha Mayurasana Prep Tree Pose Trikonasana into Ardha Chandrasana into twisting lunge pose Vashistasana Pigeon Prep Hanumanasana Pigeon with a thigh stretch Plank on the fronts of the toes into Chattarunga on the fronts of the toes High cobra on fingertips Raja Kapo

My great intro and outro music, 'Movin' by Vic Hennegan Links: Joshua Yuchasz 'This I Believe' Essay About 'This I Believe' Asperger Syndrome links (so we can be more educated, i think) http://www.aspergers.com/ , http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html Blocks: http://www.yoga.com/store/Subcategory.asp?Category_ID=246, http://www.yogaaccessories.com/YogaBlock4.asp?gclid=CLLIkOCmjYgCFQvlYAodCDAeBg My Space Page! THE SEQUENCE: Downward facing dog Straight legged lunge uttanasana into ardha uttanasana Parvatasana arms/arms interlaced above the head 1/2 Sun Salutations Vinyasa working on lunges and plank Tadasana (inner body bright) Sun Salutation working on plank shoulder alignment Tadasana (shoulder alignment discussion) Sun Salutation working on shoulder principles Downward facing dog working on shoulder principles Crescent Pose Child's pose Demo: (shoulder alignment work from all fours into downward facing dog) Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back Deep lunge (forearms to the floor) P

I'm back in Los Angeles! Happy to be back and at the same time wanting just as much to be back with my family. I came back to my incredible students whose faces and passion make it all worth it :) My theme this week had to do with one of my favorite podcasts, "The Bitterest Pill." If you want to hear the whole thing, which I truly suggest you do, you must go to thebitterestpill.com and check out episode #85, it's amazing. Another podcast that I mention is Fitness Rocks. This podcast is by Dr. Monte, who is sooooo passionate about health and wellness it's really worth listening to. He gives you the facts about physiology, nutrition, studies that are being conducted or have been conducted about fat, food, diseases, you name it. Be informed! Fitness truly rocks. Oh yes, the yoga blankets, check out some of these sites: http://www.yogaaccessories.com/YogaBlankets.asp http://www.yogaprops.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=yp&Category_Code=1_3_blankets The Sequence hands and knees Adho Mukh

I'm still in El Salvador so this is a class that I had recorded on August 25. A basic Level 1-2 class which runs about 50 min, with the theme of Faith, in sanskrit Shraddha :) Links: http://www.lululemon.com/beverlyhills/northbeverly northbeverly-store@lululemon.com (the email address to rsvp to for the Lululemon Opening Party on October 12th from 6-10pm) Also the living Sun Salutation Project on Santa Monica Blvd: Gather at the North Beverly Store, 334 N. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills, 90211, at 4:30pm. We will do the Salutations from about 5-6pm. Please wear black clothes, top and bottom! Sequence: Warm ups 1/2 sunsalutes x 3 Sun Salutations x 3 Crescent Pose, jump switch Vira II into Reverse Vira Vira I Trikonasana/Ardha Chandrasana/Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana with squared hips/Deep lunge on forearms Pigeon Ardha Bhekasana Lunge with thigh stretch Cobra on fingertips x 2 Child's Pose Ardha Matsyendrasana Hasta Padangustasana easy twist