Hillary's Yoga Practice Podcast

One word for Christine is Grateful! YES, and I am to her as she was able to open my eyes to see past the rain and take in with great appreciation the view from my hotel room. We connected immediately when we met and it was so wonderful to connect to the heart of someone who shares the same feeling about life. Her sharing of her transition from NYC to BC is inspiring and a great support for anyone who may wonder what their practice can offer off the mat and she says is with clarity and warmth. Christine found her teacher in her heart within herself and now had to look inside even more than she thought which I can totally relate to in my own life as we can always delve deeper. Enjoy this part this of her journey in this conversation and remember that each of us are our own teacher.

Om Namah Sivaya Guruve - the first line to the Anusara Invocation

translation: I offer myself to Lord Shiva, the Auspicious One, who is the True Teacher within and without

please click the pic to be led to the store

I am excited to share with you - Hillary's Yoga Practice Podcast Store in beta. Please shop, support and enjoy the practice with these fun items I chose for you. (more to come)

• Vij's Indian Experience
• Phresh Spa + Wellness Club
• Ganesh The God of Obstacles

Taking our seat is sacred and pivotal to set one's intention while staying in our expanded heart. Asana, means posture as well as the posture of your heart (hrdyam). How we interact with ourselves and others is yoga while you read these next questions go into your heartspace and check in to see how are you aligning and keeping connection to the bigger heart that holds all of us. Please allow yourself to see how you keep connected to your heart (and disconnect) throughout your day while you interact with your life in every way - this is a great practice to learn how you align with yourself, others and the world.

PLEASE LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO YOGA PEEPS - ENJOY MY INTERVIEW WITH LARA HEDIN

• Pangea Organics
• The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy

Focal Point: Where energy is gathered, moves into and moves out of in every pose. There are 3 focal points: the upper palette, bottom of the heart, core of the pelvis. Each point is the metaphor for the heart as the focal point changes in each pose.

Sequence : All Levels

Sukasana - Easy Pose to All 4's then Downward Facing Dog

Down Dog Splits Lifting One Leg at a Time

Uttanasana - Standing fwd Bend

Then Take a Wider Stance with Hands Clasped Extended Over Your Head- Shoulder Opener

Tadasana - Mountain Pose

Urdvah Hastasana

Uttanasana - Extending fwd 4 times

Plank Pose - to Chattarunga - to Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose then Down Dog

Uttanasana to Urvah Hastasana

Surya Namaskar

Straight Leg Lunge to Crescent or Vira 1 - Warrior 1

Parvritta Parsvakonasana Variation with knee to floor with twist - Lift Leg Up if Possible

Surya Namaskar

Down Dog to Straight Leg Lunge

From the Lunge Straighten to Parsvottanasna Variation and Bend 3X

Surya Namaskar

Down Dog

Pigeon Prep to Thigh Stretch

Down Dog

Vashistasana - Side Plank Pose

Down Dog to Plank to Sphinx Pose

Salambasana Pose Variation 2x

Makrasana

Down Dog the hold ankle, calf or thigh for twist

Uttanasana

Supta Padangustasana

Meditation or Savasana

Namaste!

Special thanks to Elsie for Pics...

One word for Emily is curious! She is also dedicated and has found yoga helpful for her active lifestyle with marathons, triathlons and in her life. Every time she is in class she gives her best and really wants to learn why we do what we do in yoga to find the results she desires in her body to perform better while running. I love that Emily has really brought the teachings of yoga into her life by being present and appreciating every breath, appreciating her family, friends and the gifts in her life.

Yoga does help running - YEAH! She was 20 minutes better in her timing this marathon than her first one a year ago- way to go Emily. Her yoga practice has taught her to be in the moment as she is running seeing that every step is important which has enriched life for her in many ways appreciating how yoga supports her love of running. In her words - they go hand in hand.

Emily will be doing a triatholon for The Lukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training - to raise money for this cause this June

please click and sponsor her

• Anusara Yoga
• Yoga Breath known as Ujjayi Breath
• The benefits of Yoga for Runners
• Yoga for Geeks with Sara Pullman
• The Accidental Yogist
• The Run Podcast

Click to subscribe and Listen

This week March 15th I am interviewed by Lara of Yoga Peeps - it's a fun conversation she rocks yogini style!

A special thanks to Gayle and Kelsy for helping with our pic of hasta padagustasana over at City Yoga.

When we choose to soften and listen in our life, we begin to open up to a deeper place within ourselves that is powerful on its own without pushing it in any direction by paying close attention we flow into be-ing. Giving ourselves permission to connect to our inner voice and surroundings takes passive action - it's softer, more sensitive. This may be scary for some of us to allow the world to come to us but actually it takes us into parts of ourselves that may not be readily attuned. We all have this ability but it takes practice to see and be who we are. We have the freedom to ignore everything but if we take he time to soften, light a candle, say a prayer creating a sacred place we will uncover this grand energy that is closer to you than your breath.

Before you do you do your practice, I invite you to check in to see if you have the tendency to just push through and not listen to your body and perhaps you can deepen your awareness by creating a space to let the world come to you and receive.

CHECK OUT: Yoga Peeps on March 15th Lara Crestone interviewed me, bless her!

LULULEMON in Santa Monica this wed at 7pm till 8pm I am teaching class

Thank you Elsie for your sweet pics...

Sanskrit: Shakti - Energy, creativity, Ujjayi (triumphantly uprising)

Sequence: Level 1/2

All 4's

Down Dog

Uttanasana

Samasthiti

Urdvah Hastasana

Uttanasana

Deep Lunge with Longer Stance with Chattarunga Arms

Plank to Down dog to Plank to Downdog to Plank to Chattarunga to Cobra

Down dog to Uttananasana

Surya Namaskar

Uttanasana - walk arms to side twist

Surya Namaskar with Upward Facing Dog

Downward Facing Dog

Virabahdrasana One - Warrior One

Vinyasa to Second Side Warrior One

Down Dog to Uttanasana to Wide Uttanasana with Shoulder Stretch

Urdvah Hastasana

Uttanasana

Crescent Pose with Arms Flowing Up and Back to Anjali Mudra 3X

Jump and switch Second Side

Vinyasa

Down Dog to Vashistasana

Balasana to Down Dog

Vira 2 - Warrior 2 to Uttitha Parsvakonasana back to Vira 2 back to Uttita Parsvakonasana back to Vira 2

Vinyasa

Down Dog with Twist Holding Shin or Thigh of Opposite leg

Virasana with Ujjayi Breath

Runners Lunge

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana Prep - Pigeon Prep

Downward Facing Dog

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana Prep with twist

Hanumanasana - front splits (I said 2x but we didnt do it you can if you'd like)

Downward Facing Dog to Uttanasana

Sukasana Twist then Fold Forward then Switch Cross and then Do Both Sides Again with Fwd Fold

Happy Baby

Knees to Chest

Savasana

Namaste!

One word for Lisa is - Commitment! 40 days ago Lisa came to my class at City Yoga - this was her first and that is when she decided to partake in the 40 day for $140 program there. Looking at her I thought she has been doing this for many years it must of been her flexible mind and openness of being a healer that kept her in great shape. She came to all of my classes and was working through life's challenges and eventually I could see she became lighter as she found her freedom to be Herself! A beauty for sure and what a lovely woman who has utilized her practice in such a productive way. You will definitely tap into her authenticity as she shares honestly from her heart. Congrats to her for sticking to 40 days and perhaps you will be inspired to take on such an awesome commitment for your personal growth. YEAH!

• In Sikh Traditions it is used I also found a book that the Author Ilene Segalove who wrote a book about it.
• Dr. Judith Orloff - she is a master of intuition
• Chai Tea Recipe from Dr. Lad

PLEASE COME TO LULULEMON WED MARCH 7th @ 7pm FREE CLASS!

Photo Note: Lisa and I in a partner variation of Parvritta Janu Sirsasana with my puppy Mala and her fav bird toy

Karma (Action) is a word some of us refer to everyday to explain a boomerang of events that happen from what we do. We may even see it when we are getting a cup of coffee/tea in the morning on the counter a "Good Karma" cup inviting up to leave a tip. I have read that most philosophical schools say that karma is action and from what we do there is a response to our choices, ramifications or reactions. But when I delved deeper, I learned about the Wheel of Karma talking about life which says that being in the body means you have more work to do that you didn�t do in the last life - I did not like this at all in some way it says that life is a punishment.

Today, I invite you to see how your life is a blessing and there is nothing to get out of but to go in and creatively step into your life, the world we want to live in by applying our intention with right action. I invite you to see that you did nothing wrong to be here but that the divine chose to be you and that you have the opportunity to enjoy being in this marvelous body.

Tantra offered me the perspective to see that we are not stuck in a yoga that is filled with dogma of what we have to do but that we choose what we do to create our life. Contemplate about life not being a set of rules to design your outcomes but that you can find your way to discover that many opportunities to change the way you are becoming even better using right action to live more fully on and off your mat.

• Buddist Definition of Karma
• The Bhagavad Gita
• A good version of the Bhagavad Gita to study by W. Sargeant
• Karma Cookie
• Dogma
• I said Kant but it was Kierkegaard
• My inversion Workshop Feb 28th in LA @ City Yoga
• Maha Mondo, Accidental Yogist, Cupcakes & Yoga, Bobbi Fabian
• Elsie's Yoga Class Podcast - check her out her classes are great!

Sanskrit: Dharma: personal duty, Seva: selfless service, Biga: seed

Sequence Level 1:

Balasana - Child's Pose

All 4's to Cat/Cow Pose

Down Dog

Straight leg lunge to Crescent Pose Prep

Plank to Salabasana then Cobra - Bhujangasana/Upward Facing Dog

Uttanasana up to Tadasana

Uttanasna to Crescent Pose

Vinyasa

Virabhadrasana II - Warrior II then to

Ostrich pose w/hands clasped behind back

Vinyasa

Uttitha Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle

Down Dog to Uttanasana to Samasthiti

Adho Mukha Vrksasana - Handstand

Down Dog to Trikonasana

Parsvottonasana

Down Dog

Virabhadrasana 1 - Warrior I to

Parvritta Parsvakonasana - Twisted Side Angel Pose

Downward Facing Dog

Pigeon Prep with Thigh Stretch

Agnistambasana - Fire Log Pose sweet elsie (sickled foot)

Purvottanasana - Table Top Pose 2X

Wild Thing Pose -

Setubhanda - Bridge Pose or Urdvah Dhanurasana - Upward Facing Bow(pics on the way with blanket)

Sukhasana Twist - Easy Seated Pose with Twist

Janu Sirsasana - Head to Knee

Agnistambasana - Fire Log

Balasana - Childs Pose

Savasana - Corpse

Namaste!

One word for Elena is - Poetic! When I was in NYC I had time to take an inspiring yoga class at Vira Yoga with friend and teacher Elena Brower. Amazing how energy is different in NY and LA, in NY on foot moving with people, LA in cars seperate from others - what a different dance on the coasts which offers great diversity in life. In class we moved our bodies and went deep into our breath focusing on our back body. It is crucial to listen, slow down and receive, boy am I happy for that reminder.

Happy 5th Birthday to Vira Yoga which is really exciting to be part of and auspicious to share my 5th year of teaching with. Now Elena is a wife, mother, teacher and business owner together we hear how yoga helps her to listen and how she experience's the world moving towards her.

• Yoga Zone, Ishta Yoga, Allen Finger
• Cyndi Lee, Om Yoga Center
• John Friend, Anusara Yoga

fun note: I had my camera but the battery was dead. Yeah! for technology and camera phones thanks to Boru for taking this sweet Tree Pose @ Vira

The yoga of Patanjali offers us Yoga Sutras including the 8 limbs of yoga. Within these 8 limbs are the Yamas (social inter-action with others) and Niyamas (inter-action we have with ourselves). There are 5 Yamas and 5 Niyamas making them kinda like the 10 commandments of Yoga. For this class I focused on 3 of the Niyamas - Tapas (effort), Svadhyaya (self-study) , and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to the divine). In life we mostly do, effort and forget to feel the connection to something bigger - when we take time to reflect or study we can see where we are with both. In yoga effort is important to get to the mat keep your arms strong in down dog but to leave space to soften even surrender to this greater energy. Through self-study on and off the mat using scriptures or any books that take you deeper one can see there tendency and make a choice to see balance of these actions.

Sanskrit: Chin mudra or Om mudra

Sequence Level 2 :

Downward facing dog with split and twist

Straight leg lunge

Down Dog

Uttanasana

Urdvah Hastasana

Shoulder opener hands clasped behind back then fold fwd to Uttanasana

Plank to Vinyasa

Crescent Pose

Vinyasa

Utthita Parsvakonasana - Stage one, full pose or bounded variation-

Vinyasa going thru Chattarunga back through to Down Dog

Trikonasana

Prasarita Padottonasana - hands clasped

Uttanasana

Malasana - (garland) to Bakasana - crane also known as crow

then back to Malasana

Uttanasana

Samasthiti

Vinyasa

Plank to Vashistasana -

Down Dog

Parsvottonasana to Parvritta Parsvottonasana (w/blocks or not)

Down Dog

Vashistasana - second stage leg lifted or with tree pose legs-

Down Dog

Eka Pada Rajakapostasana - pigeon prep then to a Twisted variation

Down Dog

Anjanasana Thigh Stretch -

Setubhanda - bridge pose

Urdvah Dhanurasana 3X - with choice of eka pada (one foot) and eka hasta (one hand) for #3

Supine Twist

Baddha Konasana

Triangamukha Paschimottonasana

Sukasana

Meditation

Savasana

Namaste!

One word for Elsie is - Authentic! I have known Elsie for five of her 35 years on this planet. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her YEAH!!!! And I must say our connection becomes deeper all the time as we grow and share together - she is a great friend, teacher and student. Elsie is always true to herself and takes time to steep in her heart before she makes choices to take action. I love her for all of her inspiration as she is who taught me how to do a podcast (rockin yogitechy) but kept space for me to teach myself as well. Sharing yoga with her is one of my favorite things to do. Her students are lucky to have her healing heart and conscious mind to guide them in their practice.

• PLEASE SIGN UP FOR Elsie's Yoga Classes in iTUNES & CHECK OUT HER SITE!!!!
• Lululemon
• Chip in to help this charity for Elsie's B'day Celebration - CORAZON DI VIDA
• Our location for the interview with calypso music was @ - The Center for Yoga - Yoga Works
• Now I teach at the time that we practiced at City Yoga

Being responsible and taking care of our bills, our car, our bodies is part of yoga and action. If we ignore what we have to do then when we want to experience other delights in life there can be difficulty and even a disconnect without the foundation being cared for. Nitya karma is exactly that keeping all the ducks in a row, being accountable which the universe does all the time. Kaamya karma is where we play with what we want to do (desire) within the support of these boundaries. One is stability which offers freedom to express as the other opens us to explore the wonders of life with its duties and desires.

Traditionally the definition can be read through these links: Nitya Karmas and Kaamya Karmas.

How I am using these words is in relation to our everyday life outside of Hindu life which translates quite nicely. This was how I was taught by my teacher, Dr. Douglas Brooks.

Links: Elsie's Yoga Kula , High Road Tee's (in photos) , Yoga Chocolate

My puppy Mala -

Sanskrit: Karma - action , Prana - life force

Sequence Level 2:

Downward Facing Dog

Downward Facing Dog Splits

Uttanasana

Ardha Uttananasana

Sun Salutations also known as Vinyasa

Crescent Pose

Vinyasa

Utthita Parsvakonasana

Vinyasa

Ardha Chandrasana to Trikonasana

Prasarita Paddottonasana with Clasped Hands Behind You into a Twist to Each Side

Uttanasana

Pada Hastasana -

Hasta Padangustasana

Uttasana

Samasthiti

L-Pose at the Wall

Balasana - Childs Pose

Baddha Parsavakonasana - Bound Extended Side Angle Pose

Downward Facing Dog

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana Prep - Pigeon Prep

Downward Facing Dog

Anjaneasana Thigh Stretch - Low Lunge with Thigh Stretch

Dhanurasana 2X - Bow Pose

Parsva Dhanurasana

Parvritta Balasana - Twisted Childs Pose

Extended Childs Pose

Navasana - Boat Pose to

Ardha Navasana - 1/2 Boat Pose

Setubhanda - Bridge Pose

Supta Padangustasana

Meditatation

Savasana