Shakti Box Yoga

I recently held a Beginning Yoga and Reiki Workshop at Shakti Box Yoga Studio in Los Feliz (at the corner of Franklin and Vermont). The space is beautiful--and you get to look out on the Hollywood Hills while you practice! There's nothing like checking out the Griffith Observatory while you hold Warrior 2! And after you practice, there are a bunch of awesome shops and restaurants on Vermont...we had lunch at Fred 62, but Figaro and the Dresden are both right down the street too.

I did my teacher training with Edie and Nicole, two of the fabulous teachers at Shakti Box Yoga. They are both so supportive and knowledgeable, and have a great team of teachers with them. They are especially proud of their early morning Led Ashtanga classes ($15 suggested donation). Shakti energy is the feminine creative force and this studio is such an appropriate space to harness that energy. Check out their full summer schedule at www.shaktibox.com

Clear Your Sinuses With Reflexology aka When I Think About Me I Touch Myself

I had a cold and some sinus issues this week, and had to miss the Third Eye Blind concert in Ventura...bummer. But I've been massaging my hands and feet and now I am feeling way better. Squeezing the tops of the fingers and the middle of the toes can help relieve sinus pressure. Also try pinching the skin in between the fingers and toes.

Live Your Yoga Practice!

Let’s face it—times are pretty stressful right now and sometimes you just can’t get to yoga class as much as you’d like. Maybe you’re busy with work or kids, cutting down on expensive classes to save money, or just feeling too exhausted to drag yourself to the studio or the gym. First of all, don’t worry about it! Don’t feel guilty about not putting in the time at class, you can just decide right now to LIVE your yoga practice!

You don’t have to be stick thin or a flexible pretzel in order to be a great yogi or yogini. Just decide to be happy with where you are and look forward to finding more alignment in your practice and your daily life. On this blog I’ll put up short sequences that you can do at work, at home, while standing in line, etc. I’ll also feature yoga ideas for all different kinds of people and all different body types, yoga related music, stories, and poems, recipes, products, and much more! So if you are a beginner or a long-time yogi, I hope you’ll find something helpful here! I think the most important thing about yoga is to love yourself and find balance in your life. So this blog will be devoted to helping us all find some harmony and peace!

One of my yoga teaching gigs is teaching yoga in schools with a great organization called Sat Naam, which means I am truth (check out our website at http://www.satnaam.org/ ). And this week was our last week of school! We start every class by having the kids sit in Sukhasana (a comfortable cross-legged position, also called criss-cross applesauce for our kindergarteners), taking their hands to Gyan Mudra (like making the OK symbol with your hands, thumb and first finger touch), sitting with a tall spine, closing their eyes, and breathing in and out through their noses. Give this a try if you are feeling stressed out or if you just want to calm down and come back to your breath. Remember, when in doubt, just breathe!