August 6, 2015

E-News from LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health Magazine

August 2015 | ISSUE 273

August 2015 Issue
On the cover: Model Rosy Hodge wearing Roxy Bikini
Shot Courtesy
Roxy // Roxy.com

From the Editor

More than once, I noticed I was in tears during a screening of the new feature film Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. The evocative combination of the beloved poet’s verses for seekers with the compelling animation from a variety of artists and uplifting song was the impetus for my tears. It’s a film I look forward to seeing again; fortunately it opens in LA Friday night, August 7. Liam Neeson’s smooth voice recites the verse and portrays a character whose philosophical speeches inspire an island full of villages and villagers. This fictional tale is a story that enlivens our relationship with both poetry and philosophy. Executive producer Salma Hayek voices another of the protagonists, and her passion for The Prophet’s poetry is a gift to us all.

Spiritual film may be a superfood for the mind, and this week another acclaimed author has an impact on the big screen. Writer Ben Decker shares his take on the film Paulo Coelho’s Best Film, a dramatized view of the writer’s life and creative struggles on the road to The Alchemist and other powerful best-selling works.

The body needs superfoods along with the mind. For this reason, Sophie Jaffe suggests adding superfood blends to salad dressings to super charge simple summer meals to strengthen energy and vitality. Try one of her recipes or experiment for yourself.

Here’s to Superfoods

Felicia Tomasko
Felicia Marie Tomasko

Felicia Marie Tomasko, RN
LA Yoga Magazine, Editor in Chief

Upcoming Events

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. Yoga Saturday. Teacher is the lovely & talented Cailey Smith.
Enjoy PRESSED JUICERY + COCO BAKES healthy treats after class! Ron Ronbinson. Santa Monica.

10:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M. Sound: The Ultimate Medicine, Level 1. Master sound-healer Satya Brat of India lectures and demonstrates hands on techniques to heal with singing bowls. Weekend intensive. All bowls provided for participants. Preregistration is required! $399. Soul Centered. 311 N. Montgomery St., Ojai.

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Yoga + Essential Oil Workshop. Experience power of nature through Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® Oils in the studio with Natalie Macam. We will layer eight essential oils and blends in response to stress, increased toxin levels, inflammation and autonomic nervous system imbalance. $30 Advance $40 At the Door. Malibu Beach Yoga. 29169 Heathercliff Rd., Malibu.

7:00 P.M. Kirtan with recording artist, Girish. Girish, an accomplished musician, invites his audience at his kirtan concert to participate by singing along, call and response chanting, and dancing. $35. Yoga Madre. 16 W Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

9:00 A.M – 10:00 A.M. Vionic Presents: YOGA ON THE PIER with Juliet Kaska. Join celebrity trainer Juliet Kaska Fitness for FREE yoga on the Santa Monica Pier. Presented by Vionic Shoes, the first 25 yogis to arrive will receive a free pair of Vionic flip flops! Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica.

12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Beach Cleanup. Let’s extend our love for the Earth and each other by activating our communities and taking direct action! We’re not only going to be making a massive impact immediately, but also setting an example to those in our communities that may not understand the importance of conscious living. Venice Beach, Venice.

We’re honored to be the sponsor of Yoga Chat with the Accidental Yogist on killradio.org every Tuesday from 5-7pm Pacific.

Last week’s theme was an eclectic one, with interviews with kirtan musicians Tina Malia and Jahnavi Harrison who talked about their new album releases, and an interview with Alx Uttermann, a follower of Sri Kaleshwar of the Shirdi Sai Baba lineage, who talked about the annual observance of Guru Purnima: Discovering the Music, Discovering the Guru

Yoga Chat features world music plus interviews with an eclectic group of guests: teachers, musicians, authors, filmmakers, chefs, health professionals, and many more.

Archived podcasts are available on iTunes and at yogachatshow.com.

Dance of Liberation Screening + Workshop August 22nd

As a spiritual leader, Parashakti has helped to transform many lives. In addition to soul healing and other supportive practices, she has developed and branded a ritualistic movement called Dance of Liberation™. Using the freeing power of blindfolds to help participants tap into their innermost visions, Parashakti has guided over 10,000 people on a spiritual journey through dance.

Dance of Liberation™ places a great emphasis on the importance of lineage and listening to the Elders, following Parashakti’s intensive work with Native American healing practices and elders. But her own history, born with the Hebrew name Sigalit, to a Jewish family in Israel, begins to call her back. Having developed her career in the US, she realizes that in order to complete her own healing, she must return to Israel to reconnect with her father. He has undergone his own, very different spiritual journey, becoming a deeply religious Jew later in life, remarrying at age 40, and subsequently raising seven children. Parashakti seeks connection with him, but a deeper union between the two worlds doesn’t come easy.
Road to Bhakti Fest: See Awake in Palm Springs August 19

Pre-Bhakti Fest Special Screening of Awake: The Life of Yogananda in Palm Springs!

Pre Bhakti Fest Event: Urban Yoga Center Palm Springs presents an EXCLUSIVE screening of the feature film AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda.

Join us at Urban Yoga Center for an evening of yoga, food, commUNITY and screening of AWAKE, a powerful documentary about the Hindu mystic who brought yoga and meditation to the West.

Wednesday, August 19 Event Schedule:

6pm-6:45pm Yoga Class at Urban Yoga Center

6:45pm – 7:15pm Potluck Snacks + Door Prizes (TBD)

7:15pm > Yoga Field Trip! Car Pool + Caravan to movie theater (Palm Springs Stadium 9)

After movie head back to studio to pick up cars, dishes etc.

Tickets available at:
http://www.urbanyoga.org/

*** There will be NO door sales for movie tickets that evening for the movie. Please remember to purchase them online ASAP. We need a reservation quota for this screening to happen in Palm Springs and have until AUG 6 to meet minimum quota)

http://www.urbanyoga.org/

http://www.bhaktifest.com/

Tickets for the movie ONLY available at:
http://gathr.us/screening/12794

Read LA YOGA’s review of Awake here: http://layoga.com/entertainment/film-inspiration/film-review-awake-life-yogananda/

Going Deeper: Looking for Something More?

Many yogis lately have expressed a need for something deeper than a momentary reprieve on their mat. This is why I created Hypno Yoga LA and Studio City Hypnosis to help yogis and normal folk who suffer from stress, weight issues or habits they just can’t break. I create guaranteed hypnosis programs that help people live the life they deserve. Schedule a consultation to find out if you are a candidate:www.studiocityhypnosis.com

TONIGHT! See Paulo Coelho’s Best Story at Laemmle Music Hall

Global phenomenon Paulo Coelho was not always the best-selling inspirational author he is today. For decades he searched for his calling, just like the allegorical heroes in spiritual classics The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage. Growing up in Sao Paolo as a misunderstood young rebel, Coelho alternately flirted with death, escaped madness, experimented with drugs, survived torture, fell in and out of love, and made rock history in Brazil…all the while never giving up on his biggest dream: to triumph as a writer. A wild ride through a lifetime of stranger-than-fiction adventures, this profoundly moving film goes straight to the heart of the most beloved literary guru of our time, an everyman whose simple wish started small and grew to encompass the world. Tracing his journey from humble roots to eventual emergence as the prolific author of 30 books that have sold over 165 million copies, PAULO COELHO’S BEST STORY reveals the most unbelievable wonder of all: the man behind the masterpieces. For tickets please visit :http://www.laemmle.com/films/39579

The Prophet – Film Review

One of literature’s most beloved works (it has sold more than 100 million copies in 40 languages), Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, has now been made into an animated feature film. It is scheduled to be released onto big screens in LA and New York on August 7 (and nationwide August 21). The Prophet was an official selection at Cannes and premiered in North America at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2014.

Written and directed by The Lion King’s Roger Allers, the all-star cast includes Salma Hayek-Pinault, Liam Neeson, Alfred Molina, John Rhys-Davies, Quvenzhane Wallis, and Frank Langella. Yo-Yo Ma, Damien Rice, and Glen Hansard contributed music to the lush score that is combined with Gibran’s gorgeous poetry. Hayek, and the team’s, passion for the film is revealed in every frame. Acclaimed animators from around the world created an unparalleled dreamscape to illustrate an inspirational tale.

For more on The Prophet, click here.

Instead of Supersize, Try Superfoods in Your Salad

Sophie’s Philosophie blend is a delicious combination of superfood powders. She loves adding them to recipes like salad dressings as a way to provide a nutrient-rich boost to everyday foods. Whether you prefer creamy ranch or light vinaigrettes, one of the easiest ways to add superfoods to your favorite salads is to simply mix superfood powders directly into pre-made or homemade dressings.

Lemon Pesto Marinade or Salad Dressing

1/2 cup raw walnuts

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 tsp chopped garlic

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 cup fresh basil (1 large handful)

2 tsp white miso paste (which is naturally salty)

1 tsp green dream powder (Philosophie)

For the complete salad recipe and more superfood suggestions, click here: http://layoga.com/food-home/healthy-eating/add-superfoods-to-your-salad/

Rockstar Health & Fitness with Nathan Sykes

“Kiss Me Quick” by Nathan Sykes is tearing up the charts. Between gigs and appearances, he takes the time to focus on his health and fitness. What are his secrets? Lori Rischer sat down with artist Nathan Sykes to discuss his approach to wellness. It includes choosing lemon and cayenne juice or water rather than soda to take care of his voice, and lots of walking to take care of his body. Check out more of his story and watch the video interview here:http://layoga.com/inspiration/artists-musicians/rockstar-health-and-fitness-nathan-sykes/

Venica Beach Clean Up

JOIN US AFTER ACTIV888 AS WE BEAUTIFY VENICE BEACH! Let’s extend our love for the Earth and each other by activating our communities and taking direct action! We’re not only going to be making a massive impact immediately, but also setting an example to those in our communities that may not understand the importance of conscious living.We will be providing a small covered shade structure which will be easily seen and accessed on the sand where Rose Ave meets Venice Beach. Meet up with us there and we will be providing you with a general area to be cleaned, bag, and gloves. Festival attire is encouraged!! Learn more here.

Accessible Yoga Conference in Santa Barbara

Conference founder Jivana Heyman, one of the co-owners of the Santa Barbara Yoga Center, offers this advice for people who want to increase the accessibility of their yoga classes. It is advice we would all do well to remember, “ Offer Inspiration instead of competition. Generally, when teaching we offer a form of a pose to the whole class, and then if an individual student is struggling we offer them a “modification.” Consider a different approach: teach the whole class a modified form of a pose, then offer individual students other variations. Or, offer a few different variations of a pose and have the students choose which they want to practice. Remember, students want to please you and can be competitive, so they will often try to do the most challenging form you offer. Be conscious of your language in suggesting that one variation is more “advanced” than another. What is “advanced” Yoga anyway? My teacher, Swami Satchidananda, used to say that “Yoga is not just standing on your head, as many people think, but learning how to stand on your own two feet.” Read more here: http://layoga.com/practice/yoga-therapy/opening-the-door-to-yoga-students-with-disabilities/. Sign up for the Accessible Yoga Conference September 12-13 here: http://www.accessibleyoga.org

IG Getaway

Experience practice with teachers from around the world in a signature Los Angeles experience. Join teachers including Laura Sykora, Robert Sturman, Dylan Werner, Irene Pappas, Acro Yoga Jam, Mackenzie Miller, Bryce Yoga, Cuchira, and Irene Pappas for yoga classes and special events. Meditate at Lake Shrine, hike in Pacific Palisades, eat at great restaurants, visit the beach, and savor spa moments. Three different registration package options are available. Choose to play August 22-23, August 24-26, or dive in August 22-26. For more information, visit: http://www.iggetaway.com

Cultivating Meaning and Happiness through Mindfulness and Yoga

Many of us would benefit from learning how to dis-identify with the mental chatter in our heads and cultivate equanimity and non-reactivity. These qualities help us make healthy, long-term decisions and engender loving, positive, secure, and supportive attachments to other people. We must learn to transcend any blunt tools we developed over the years — negative self-talk, over-reactions, judgments, facades, fears, expectations, passive-aggressive behavior — and replace them with precise tools such as authentic communications, loving relationships, balanced lifestyles, commitments to personal integrity, and yoga and/or meditation practices.

In this workshop we will explore specific practices that bode favorably for creating meaning and happiness in our lives. We will determine our long-term goals and the skills we should cultivate to realize them. There will be all-level vinyasa flow yoga classes as well as restorative yoga classes, and we will practice myriad mindfulness meditations to cultivate non-reactivity in order to reduce drama and de-escalate conflicts. Most importantly, we will learn how to replace the resentments that our minds create with gratitude. Please bring a yoga mat.

LA Yoga App On Your Phone and Tablet

We are excited to announce the LA Yoga app is now available for Apple and Android devices.

The app is a free download, and each issue is only $.99 or the entire year for $9.99.

Peruse the 2015 Teacher Training Guide on the LA YOGA App platform

Read the entire yoga teacher training guide through our interactive app platform with enhanced social media sharing and live links to programs and websites. Read stories on your mobile device or tablet and take LA YOGA with you anywhere for your research and inspiration.

Get your LA Yoga app now.