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

Ep. 21: 75 min Level 1 Yoga Class at the Center for Yoga- Misfits!

Inspiring, spicy, fun, joyful and uplifting live and unplugged yoga classes taught by Pittsburgh yoga teacher Elsie Escobar. Classes range from strong beginners to advanced. They are 1hr or 1hr and 15 min.  Depending on the level and length of the individual class they may include all or some of the following: a theme, meditation, pranayama, warm ups, sun salutations, standing poses, arm balances, hip openers, thigh stretches, backbends, forward bends, cool down poses and relaxation.  Remember, the class is live and Elsie is teaching to what she sees. It's designed to include you into the class experience, to participate in deeper ways.  This is not a "flow" or "power yoga" class.  It includes power and flow, but more emphasis on alignment.  You never know what's coming but it always proves to be a blast! Strap on your seatbelts and go for the ride!
If you live in Pittsburgh or come for a visit Elsie is available for private instruction :) www.elsiesyogakula.com eyogaclass@gmail.com

Alternative Health

Health

Health & Fitness

Leave me feedback! eyogaclass@gmail.com or leave me a message on SpeakPipe
Come see me at the New Media Expo in January! 
Tenacious Gratitude
Thoughts?
I can tell you mine.
Tenacious didn’t quite feel “right” with me.
I felt that being tenacious was not something I aspired to be.
It’s too rough.
Too hard.
Too pushy.
Too manly.
I imagined the quintessential football player, the one that just stampedes over the competition regardless of anything else, bulldozing through pain, through obstacles, through physical harm - Raaaaaaaaaaah!!!!
I’m not that.
In fact, it kinda repulsed me.
I didn’t want to be known as tenacious.
And then I was introduced to Adeline Arjad from Chocbite by my awesome-sauce business powerhouse Erika Lyremark. Arlene said:
“Tenaciousness + Gratitude = Success”
And then it made sense.
This larger than life word that I had chosen not to align with at all, became more than my subjective cultural upbringing and life experience.
I let the word be.
Tenacious: not easily stopped or pulled apart. Firm. Strong. Seeking something valued or desired. Continuing for a LONG time.
Synonyms - devoted, faithful, relentless.
I recognized that I pushed away tenaciousness because I was afraid to commit and follow through.
Tenacious requires a deep, unwavering commitment to the things that you value and dream and I wasn’t willing to go that far.
I wanted an out. I wanted excuses. I didn’t want to do the work, not fully.
What if it didn’t work out?
What if what I stood behind or for changed?
What if I had to defend publicly what I stood for?
What if… …..I failed?
I’m ready - NOW - because of the magic of gratitude.
You simply cannot be tenacioustenacioustenacious. It’s unsustainable.
With gratitude thrown in the mix you’ve got a recipe for unwavering magic making.
Gratitude refuels and replenishes.
OMG this was perhaps the biggest lesson that I’ve learned.
Gratitude is like doing a personal and spiritual detox. It’s like drinking and eating your greens. It’s the fastest way to clear out the cruft left by the fire of tenacity.
I’m ready to embody tenacity. I’m ready to fuel it with the nectar of gratitude.
Do you want to join me?
How about practicing along and letting me know how tenacity mixed with gratitude felt in your body? Yeay or nay?
COME BACK FOR THE IMAGES AND POSSIBLE VIDEOS TO HELP YOU WITH THE SEQUENCE!

101 Tenacious Gratitude 90 Min Level 2 Yoga Class

It’s episode 100 of Elsie’s Yoga Class!
This is not a yoga asana class today, but my goodness what we have is serious yoga study and conversation.
This is super special because it’s the 100th episode and also my 6th year podcasting!!!
In order to celebrate I gathered two of my most influential teachers and we have incredible conversations about yoga and life.
The kinds of things that are shared are the best kind of yoga you can learn and be exposed to. Listening will undoubtedly take your asana practice to an unbelievable level.
I ask my teachers the questions that you guys most often write to me about which are:

Dealing with an at home yoga practice
Deepening your practice
Applying your practice
Transformative daily practice
Becoming a yoga teacher and the best way to go about it
Prenatal yoga and post natal/postpartum practices

In addition to all of that you will hear YOUR voices. I share your voices so you know that you are part of something so much bigger than this yoga podcast, so much more amazing.
Our kula, our tribe our community is in the entire world and across time and space.
You guys belong to a magical space and are in the cutting edge.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I certainly hope you enjoy! It is a super long episode, be warned :) Consider it a yoga workshop Elsie style ;)
Sign up for my newsletter: elsiesyogakula.com/newsletter

Ep 100 From student to yoga teacher and yoga teacher training with Naime Jezzeny and daily ayurvedic practices and postpartum care with Cate Stillman

I just wrote a post called When The World Doesn’t See You As You See Yourself, which was the basis for this episode.
The execution of embodiment, which to me = action is what I feel in my humble opinion is a giant factor in creating lasting embedded change in our lives and something that most of us lack.
We think a ton and don’t actually do anything.
I know that I stay a lot in my head. I have the knowledge. I know what needs to be done. I am fired up and completely in, and yet for a huge percentage of the times, I stay in my head.
In that last post I spoke of your yoga practice being 1/2 deep focus and 1/2 pure enjoyment. This is a teaching that was so succinctly encapsulated and driven home by Dr. Claudia Welch in one of the amazing calls in Cate Stillman’s and Dr. Welch’s Healthy Hormone’s Course.
(If you guys are interested, I cannot even begin to explain how life changing this course is)
Dr. Welch described this focus and enjoyment concept regarding meditation and as she explained it, I realized that this is applicable to everything, particularly if you are looking to create a specific outcome aka transformation.
I knew I was missing pieces of this puzzle…
So, in an effort to embody, I created a yoga class that began to get those concepts from the brain, into the body.
How do you practice focus and enjoyment in your practice? What does it feel like?
This week’s class is 37 minutes in length. I consider it to be about a level 1–2 class, and I feel beginners can absolutely give it a go.
This class is perfect for an early morning, mid afternoon, or evening class to get you back in alignment with yourself, particularly if you’re feeling out of sorts or if you are working on getting yourself to deepen the why of your yoga practice.
PS. I’m creating a mentoring yoga-life program, incorporating ayurveda, asana, and simple in-the-world practices to sweetly upgrade your life. Divine Moxie all the way baby! Stay on the list or JOIN MY NEWSLETTER aka The Divine Moxie League!

Ep 99 37 min Level 1-2 Yoga Class Shine Within As You Shine Without

Oh what a story do I have to tell in this episode! At least you know what’s it’s going to be all about looking at the artwork for this post.
That image was taken very soon after I walked through my door after I got held up. I found both of my girls immersed in watching My Neighbor Totoro one of our family’s favorites. Such dichotomy.
You can of course listen to me tell the story of the whole event in the class. There is a 5 minute intro and then the class begins with me telling the story of how I got held by a young man with a gun a block away from my house.
Crazy!
This is a great class to practice when you are feeling ungrounded, defeated and/or a little scared. It’ll help you get your moxie on and help you reconnect to your strength!
I mention two links in the intro:
Yogidetox My free newsletter which is The Divine Moxie League HQ
Also, do to the tragic events this week in Boston and in Texas I wrote this deeply personal piece that I’d love for you to check out: Surviving Terror- A Personal Story
Let me know what you think! email me at eyogaclass@gmail.com or call me at 310 651 6238!

Ep 98 30 min Level 2 yoga class Brighten Your Inner Moxie

When was the last time you invested in yourself?
I’m not talking about buying something, whether it be a yoga class, a workshop or even a nice new outfit. I’m talking about taking some REAL time to be with yourself, to feel your body, to listen to what’s going on in your heart and in your head.
When was the last time you did this right smack in the midst of holiday season? Particularly when you weren’t feeling your best….?
Then this class is for you!
Practice along and….

Reconnect with yourself.
Ground you energy so you don’t end up saying or doing something you totally don’t want to do.
Empower yourself to take care of yourself in the best way possible
Feel Good! Get your yoga high on right when you need it the most!

So get going and practice yoga at your own time and yet be part of something much greater 
Goodies and Inspiration Mentioned in the Intro

Wanna support the podcast? Buy the Elsie’s Yoga Class App! Get if for your iPhone/iPad orAndroid.
Love Floracopeia as much as I do, get 25% of your first purchase using coupon code yogeek HEREor get this amazing Breathe Blend to support your respiratory system! I am a proud affiliate 
The amazing Cate Stillman’s Evolve Your Winter’s Traditions eCourse. So good.
You up for working privately with me? Get the deets HERE.
If you want to stay connected, sign up for my Newsletter please, I'd love to get to know you better!


Ep. 21: 75 min Level 1 Yoga Class at the Center for Yoga- Misfits!

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