Elsie's Yoga Class

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 - [email protected]
• 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 Mukha Svanasana)

One legged Downward Facing Dog with hip squared (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Child's Pose (Balasana)

One legged Downward Facing Dog opening the hip into a high lunge into straightening out the front leg

Uttanasana

Uttanasana into Ardha Uttanasana x 3

Surya Namaskar C x 2

Tadasana with Parvatasana arms (arms interlaced above the head)

Surya Namaskar A

Lunge Twist

Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back

Parsvakonasana

Prasarita Padotanasana

Parsvakonasana (yes..AGAIN ;) )

Prasarita Padotanasana

Hasta Padangustasana Prep

some discussion about alignment in this pose

Hasta Padangustasana Prep II (possibly straightening leg into full pose)

Squat (with arms overhead!)

urdhva prasarita padasana

half navasana with feet on the floor

marichyasana III

cobra on fingertips

salabasana with arms and legs up

gomukhasana

down dog with hip opening and leg bent!

deep lunge on forearms

child's pose

salabasana variations

dhanurasana

twisted child's pose

happy baby

Savasana

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

Uttanasana

Lunge with thigh stretch (eka pada rajakapotasana II thigh stretch)

Bridge Pose and/or Urdhva Dhanurasana x 4

Upavistha Konasana into Parsva Upavishta Konasana

Paschimottanasana

Supine Easy Twist

Tadasana

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 Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Child's Pose (Balasana)

Downward Facing Dog

Straight Legged Lunge into straightening the front leg

Uttanasana

Half Sun Salutation

Sun Salutations x 2

Crescent Pose

Demo of Pincha Mayurasana (me jabbering for a while, then you guys get to go at it for quite a while, try to do the full pose 3x)

Pincha Mayurasana

Tree pose with Eagle arms (Vrksanana with Garundasana arms)

Tadasana into a lateral side stretches (sometimes referred to as Crescent Moon)

Vashistasana Prep (with front leg forward)

Lunge Twist

Child's pose

Twisting Side Angle Pose Prep (Pavrita Parvakonasana Prep)

Deep Lunge with elbows on the ground

Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back

Parsvotanasana

Malasana

Uttanasana

Seated Baby Craddle (check out Stage 1 and the Stage 2, choose accordingly) Oh yeah, how bizarre do I look in the stage 1 pic, geez :)

Easy seated twist (Sukhasana Twist)

Krounchasana Variation into a Krounchasana variation Twist

On the back! yeay!!!

Pranayama, Natural Breath

Savasana

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

Trikonasana

Vira II

Uttanasana

Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana with hips squared (standing splits with hips squared) I use this as a prep for handstand

Wide stance Uttanasana with arms interlaced behind the back

Malasana

Uttanasana

Handstand

Pigeon

Pavrita Parsvotanasana

Salabasana with arms interlaced behind the back

Pigeon with thigh stretch

Lunge with thigh stretch

Cobra on fingertips x 2

Urdhva Dhanurasana x 3

Marychiasana III into Eka Pada Gomukha Paschimottanasana

Baddha Konasana

Ardha Matsyendrasana

Supine twist

savasana!

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

Twisted Child Pose

L Pose at the Wall

Deep lunge on the forearms

Pigeon Prep

Eka Pada Bhekasana

Dhanurasana

EXPLANATION AND DEMO: shoulder alignment discussion, plugging in the armbones for urdhva dhanurasana

demo with John

Urdhva Dhanurasana with blocks x 3

Uttanasana

Sukhasana twist

Easy supine twist

Supta Padangustasana

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 the website as you listen! Oh, technology. I hope it works :) Enjoy

CHARITIES

Breast Cancer Research

American Red Cross

Boys and Girls Club of America

ALS

Corazon de Vida

One World Family Fund

The Youth Leadership Training Program: You can contact Satatma directly, [email protected]

Mother Om Mission

American Lung Association

The Amanda Foundation

other stuff:

Ayurveda, my dear friend and teacher Arun, what is ayurvedic medicine

fun Pink Buys

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/Trikonasana Vashistasana Child's Pose Twisted Child fun new pose (crazy twisting down dog variation) Pic is on it's way pigeon prep deep lunge with thigh stretch dhanurasana cobra on ridgetops x2 sukhasana twist diamond pose