“Another practice of mine is hiking, is getting into my legs and pounding my feet in the ground and climbing up the side of the mountain that brings me a lot of joy and therapy.”

“The love for asana is real, it was the gateway into this whole realm of yoga… and I inward transformation…how I felt I was shifting…and I loved that I could could have a belly and that I could have a level of softness and yet feel fiercely strong…I loved that combination…but that was in my late 20s, 30’s…so a lot of asana, a lot of fun times, but in the end, what really sustains me and softens my heart and my attitude and all of it, the stuff that sustains my practice on a daily basis when I leave the house is chanting to God..theres something to the vibration that really softens the harder edges that still exist in me.”

-Astrud Castillo, Episode 11, Homebodies Yoga Podcast 

Olivia mentions loving the classes at Boston Yoga Union. Check them out here. 

In this week’s episode, Rebecca talks about her intentions for the new year (don’t worry it’s only one word) and about finding balance in her asana practice. 

Then she sits down with Debbie Steingesser, a yoga instructor, dancer and crossfit and mobility coach. She talks (with great entusaimis!) all of the modalities that are part of her practice, and how to “train” for your yoga practice. 

Instagram, debbiestiengesser.com yoga for athletes, at the readystate.com 

In this week’s episode, Rebecca talks about her yoga practice being FUN again, and balancing stirum and sukum.

Then she sits down with Amy Whoa, a yogi, personal trainer, cycling instructor, graphic designer and all around force of nature. They dig into Amy’s daily rituals, how yoga helped her heal from multiple serious car accidents, and the importance of movement and how to listen to your body. Or as Amy says, “Give the mic to each body part.”

Find Amy Whoa at discowellness.com, and Amy Wo on social.  To find the mini yoga class Rebecca mentions at the top of the episode go to https://online.lovehiveyoga.com

In this episode, Rebecca talks about her practice making her feel capable even when she suspects she might be less than capable at being a mom of a toddler during a global pandemic. 

Then, she talks to Josh Ehrenreich about his personally crafted practice.  He meditates in the morning and has system (down to the minute!)  of asana, kettlebells and restorative in the evening. He talks about his practice being a way to cleanse from his day and the joy he finds in being embodied.  For Josh, “The most powerful thing is to do it again”.

Josh is a student of restorative yoga, and has created ultra light eye pillows in order to block out distractions without putting too much pressure on the delicate eye area. To buy one, or to access free restorative yoga classes, check out his site. 
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In this episode Rebecca talks about her new pranayama obsession and learning to shift her practice with the seasons.

Then, she talks to Brima Jah about everything the yoga practice brings to his full life as a yoga instructor and social worker.   He also talks about his budding love of Katonah yoga, a practice that endevears to keep you “in the center of your circumstance.”

When Rebecca mentions her practice is “boring” these days, Brima says, “When we have repetition and can be in the repetition, it helps us build fluency, and when we have fluency we feel more capable.”

To find out more about Brima, go to his website or find him on instagram at yogawithbrima.

In this episode Rebecca talks about trying challenging poses again and how meditation and asana and give clarity about anxiety.

Then, she talks to Valerie Starr. Valerie talks about her practice in all of the change in 2020, and how she digs up energy in herself. Rebecca and Valerie wax poetic about handstand and prasarita and talk about what running, asana and sitting still all have in common. 

I cannot recommend checking out Valerie’s classes enough! Her classes are the feel good sweaty yoga classes that are also thoughtful and incredibly well sequenced. She has a way of creating a sense of community (even through a screen!) that will stay with you well past class time. You can find her at Valeriestarryoga.com and lovehiveyoga.com

In this episode Rebecca talks about the tools she’s using to get out of a funk. (Hint, animal crackers and wine did not do the trick) 

Then, she talks to Inbal Meron. Inbal shares all the different modalities that have helped her connect to herself: yoga, meditation, pranayama, and even motherhood and non-violent communication. Inbal gives many tips on creating a sustainable and reasonable home practice no matter the tool you choose.

One of her best tips for people just starting out in a home yoga practice is to use sequences, “because without structure we can get lost on mat.” She mentions two books of sequences that she found really helpful, The Woman's Book of Yoga and Health: A Lifelong Guide to Wellness by Patricia Walden and 30 Essential Yoga Poses: For Beginning Students and Their Teachers by Judith Lasater .

In this episode Rebecca talks about meditation and gives a listener some advice about starting a daily meditation practice.

Then Rebecca and Rachel chat about Rachel’s always evolving relationship with her yoga practice as a studio owner and practitioner and the future of in person yoga classes.