Michael Imperioli. Jim Spellman, Getty Images

It’s another precarious pandemic morning. Michael Imperioli materializes on the Zoom screen. He leads the group in prayer, purifying breaths and a sitting meditation. He reads aloud long passages by the Tibetan Buddhist Lama, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Within one of them it states, “For such a commitment is not at all about saving oneself, rather you have something to give sentient beings, you have evolved yourself spiritually enough so you can give what you have gained to others. That’s the purpose of the Bodhisattva vow, you yourself become a teacher, while remaining a student, you are going to be the guide for this tour, and you yourself are going to be a tourist.”

In a later conversation, Imperioli says similar but in his own words, “It’s hilarious that most of these people got to know me as this psychotic, murderous, drug addict, and now they want to sit and meditate with me…I mean, listen, fame is such a bizarre thing. If you can at least turn people on to something meaningful, something that may somehow be beneficial, that’s good.”

The causes and conditions that led Michael to the meditation cushion, began all the way back in the Italian working-class neighborhood of Mt. Vernon, NY. As a kid he saw epics like the Ten Commandments and King of Kings. At about 6 or 7 years old, he was writing, directing, and acting in his own plays, casting cousins in their backyard barbeque debuts. He was the first in his large Catholic family to go to college, except he didn’t… “The night before I was supposed to leave, they were going to drive me upstate, my bags are packed, my mom was giving me some money to start a checking account when I got up there, and I just said, ‘I don’t want to go. I really want to go to acting school.” Imperioli remembers, “It was very hard, and abstract for them, but they understood.”

Tendrel

Michael dreamt of attending the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, like actors before him that he admired, but in a pre-internet era that was elusive. The family agreed he would go to college “in the city” while following his call. So the teen took a tour of Fordham at Lincoln Center, and NYU in Greenwich Village. Instead of taking a cab some 40 blocks to Grand Central he decided to walk back. He meandered down 15th Street where he saw Strasberg’s studio. Within those walls he met lifelong friends and creative collaborators like John Ventimiglia, Sharon Angela and Tom Gilroy. The 17-year-old became enraptured in the punk rebellion of 1980’s East Village. He went to raucous clubs off Canal Street, listened to Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Suicide, Television and early REM. He watched films by John Cassavetes and read books by Jack Kerouac. He hung around St Marks’ bookstore where he picked up a copy of the Buddhist scripture, The Diamond Sutra.

On Thursday afternoons actors would gather outside The Drama Bookshop to get a free flash of Backstage Newspaper so they could plan their service-job schedules around that week’s auditions. Michael repulses, “And you’d go to those horrendous auditions for sh*tty plays that didn’t pay any money. And your whole Saturday was just standing on line with literally hundreds of people for something they were putting up in some shi*thole that used to be a movie theater that they paid like a dollar to the city to buy.” For about six years the actor sustained the struggle, working as a cook, bartender, waiter, and busboy, voraciously studying, and refining his craft. He reflects, “In hindsight, those things are good I guess, because they build character and make you feel like you’ve earned something. And certainly, if you can go through those things unsuccessfully and not get the job and still persevere, and be really deluded about your own talent, to think that you’re going to succeed because the odds are so astronomically against success.”

Imperioli booked off-Broadway plays, and arthouse flicks. Mainstream audiences caught their first glimpse of him in John G. Avildsen’s film Lean On Me, about East Side High in Patterson. Yet it was in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 classic Goodfellas that Michael claimed his space in the mafia movie canon. The fresh-faced artist plays a small but pivotal role as Spider, a club attendant who gets callously killed by one of the leads. Some 30 years later he reflects, “Those scenes are really kind of where the story turns, where it becomes like, ‘Oh, wow, this is really sick.’” Michael’s performance left an impression on audiences and industry execs alike. He did the New York actor beat, with roles in Law and Order, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, The Basketball Diaries and more. Casting directors like Sheila Jaffe and Georgianne Walken called him in to read for anything that he was remotely right for. Of this time Imperioli recalls, “In my 20s basically, all I did was pursue acting. Really, everything else took a backseat to it: relationships, friendships, family, everything. I was very, very, very, very driven towards that. I really wanted to be not just an actor but be successful.”

Karma

Like many New Yorkers, Michael didn’t have a driver’s license, which didn’t stop him from saying he did, to secure a part in an upcoming HBO pilot. His first day on set, he met co-star James Gandolfini. He reminisces through laughter, “I was driving him, and I didn’t know how to drive, and they made me back up, doing dialogue, talking to him, yelling, I did it like ten times, finally I smashed into a tree, the airbags go off, it’s a brand new Lexus, the cars all messed up, and I don’t know what’s going to happen if I’m gonna get fired. He’s sitting next to me I barely know this guy, and I look over and he just starts cracking up hysterically and I’m like, ‘Alright –this is gonna be ok.’ And you know from there, I’ve acted with Jim more than I’ve acted with any other actor, probably more than I will act with any other actor.”

That pilot of course, was The Sopranos. Creator David Chase’s brainchild that The New Yorker magazine lauded as, “Television’s greatest achievement”. It ran 6, 6 ½ or 7 seasons depending on who you ask, advancing the medium not only by giving rise to the beloved antiheroes of today, but by introducing gabagool to American audiences. The alchemy of the ensemble cast was once-in-a-thousand-lifetimes kind of stuff, like a Springsteen-style fable in which the hometown underdogs win the World Series.

Michael breathed being into “Christopha” Moltisanti, an up-and-coming soldier of The Sopranos crime, family, who would go to hell for his boss. While his heroin-addicted character dreamt of being a Hollywood screenwriter (“You f*%cking D-Girl…!”), Imperioli actually wrote 5 episodes. Those range from the subtle Italian humor of referring to the underworld as an Irish bar, to horrific scenes that still haunt commuters twice daily. The record-breaking series collectively acquired almost every industry accolade and honor. For his embodiment of Christopher Moltisanti, Michael Imperioli received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In the live telecast speech he celebrated, “Being on The Sopranos is like the greatest thing in the world, for an actor. If this was the only thing I’d done, I’d be ok with that. Probably. To my collaborators on the show, you’re my family and my friends and I love every minute being with you guys. You’re the greatest and I love you all …”

Michael Imperioli and James Gandolfini at the Primetime Emmy Awards, @realmichaelimperioli Instagram

That palpable love, friendship and artistic expression answered a lot of questions for early-Imperioli. The one who followed his heart, had it stomped on for years before attaining the Earthly achievements he worked so hard for. But this gave ground to new questions, different kinds, for which there was no road map. He explains, “I’m married, started having kids, got on The Sopranos, which was a wonderful job, and I started making some money, and getting known to the public and to the industry and peers. I had a good family life and friends, and creatively fulfilled. And yet, there was still something — I was still kind of miserable at one point and had a lot of bad habits. And started looking into very different diverse spiritual paths. I didn’t really know what I wanted. I wanted some kind of spirituality but I also wanted the magic.”

His first stop on the spiritual-shopping tour was the works of Carlos Castaneda, an iconoclast who made space for etheric-thinking in the late 1960s. Michael reflects, “I was fascinated by the fact that a guy in our modern times fell into this ancient tradition of mysticism that had been kept from most of the world, a lineage that was very mysterious and romantic for sure, but there was something about the training, and this guy giving himself over to a spiritual path in a way, challenging his own perception of the world, his perception of himself, his ego. I went through all his books, and it led me towards some other spiritual paths”. Those included Christian Science, the Russian mysticism of Gurdjieff and Ouspenskii, Hinduism, Theosophy, Occultism, and more. The seeker says, “I studied with a shaman from Panama, that was really my last stop before I found Buddhism, and I believe she had a lot to do with setting me on my path.”

Dharma

Michael and his wife Victoria followed the clues down an alley off Canal Street, he retells, “It was only a few blocks from where we lived. And when we went in, my wife and I realized it was an afterhours club in the 80s that we used to go to before we had met. It was like the most decadent, sex, drugs, and rock and roll place. And now it’s a Dharma center.” It was “Jewel Heart” a space dedicated to Gelek Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist lama. Michael makes fun of himself, “ I kind of thought, ‘Well, now I’ll become Buddhist and everything will be ok. I didn’t really realize that there was work involved.”

Gelek Rinpoche gave Imperioli instruction for preliminary practices. He remembers, “I’m like 20 minutes a day, are you out of your mind?! There’s no way I’m going to be able to do this. There’s no way I’m going to be able to sit and meditate regularly. It’s not going to happen.” He didn’t yet know the old joke, “If you don’t have 20 minutes to meditate, you need 40.”. Or….that he was preparing to meet his teacher.

Garchen Institute Stupa, courtesy of Garchen Institute

Tibetan Buddhism

One of the tenets of Buddhism is the belief in reincarnation – that consciousness will re-enter the cycle of samsara (birth – life – death – rebirth) until it elevates out. In this tradition it’s quite common for lamas, monks, and other holy people to give clues to their loved ones about how to find them in their next lifetime. And for loved ones to look for their departed in the smiles of local youth. Such was the case when a young boy of 7, was recognized as his earlier incarnations in a Tibetan village in 1944. He was immediately entered into the monastery to receive the teachings and transmissions of His lineage in an unbroken succession. This being became known as His Eminence Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche. When He was 19 years old, He entered the requisite three-year spiritual retreat. However half-way through, His solace was broken. Communist China had invaded Tibet. They dropped bombs, shot meditating monks, sterilized women, and attempted to destroy all divinity in the country.

Buddhists take a vow of non-violence. However, there are causes and conditions in which the devoted are compelled to protect their three jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma (teachings) and The Sangha (community).

With this interest, the “Tensung Mak” was formed, an “Army for Protection of the Doctrine”. They fought for two years, likely enabling icons like His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Gelek Rinpoche and others to escape to India. The Tensung Mak finally surrendered when a forest they were hiding in, was lit on fire. Garchen Rinpoche, and others of the army, were interned at a prison. They were tortured and starved leading many to suicide, “the suffering was inconceivable” a survivor later states.

Garchen Rinpoche kept His mind on The Buddhadharma, and when the occasional breadcrumbs came, He thought, “I should give my food away. If I’m going to practice generosity, I should practice it now.” On His deathbed, He was filled with so much anger, He spit in a guard’s face. They tied Garchen Rinpoche’s frail and failing body onto a coffin and carried Him into the infirmary. There, the same guard implored, “I am not angry, but I have a request. You are young and very sharp. Eat food.” The young Rinpoche resisted, “If I’m going to eat, you have to give me as much as I can eat. Then I’ll really eat. Otherwise I won’t eat at all.” The guards gave Him (and only Him), all the food He needed, and within a month, His malnutrition was healed. An older holy man, named Khenpo Munsel was transferred into the prison where Garchen Rinpoche was held. He mentored the young man in the deepest teachings of the dharma. Rinpcohe spent the next 20 years practicing these in secret and meditating in the middle of the night.

When Garchen Rinpoche was released in 1979, He saw His beloved homeland in tatters. Despite governmental threats, He spent the next 15 years traversing the countryside to comfort His impoverished and anguished people. He dried their tears, listened to their prayers, and restored the lost hope of many. In 1993 Garchen Rinpoche visited His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet in India. His Holiness praised Garchen’s devotion, resilience and compassion, bestowing the revered and sacred Bodhisattva vows upon Him.

His Eminence Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche, courtesy of Garchen Institute

Taking Refuge

Back in TriBeCa in the 2000’s Michael and Victoria Imperioli had immersed themselves in the practice of Buddhism and opened their own dharma center. It’s there that His Eminence Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche entered their lives this lifetime. “He has the vibration of real flowing compassion, and it flows constant and unwavering.” Imperioli emotes. In July 2011, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet was in Washington, DC leading a large-scale Kalachakra (empowerment ceremony) for World Peace.

In a nearby hotel room, The Imperiolis took refuge and received vows, from Garchen Rinpoche, making Him their root lama (main teacher). Michael was given the refuge name, Konchog Zopa Sonam. Konchog is a family name (passed down through the lineage), Sonam means, “auspicious’ and “Zopa”, well, Zopa is the Tibetan word for Patience. Something the actor well-known for seamlessly delivering speedy dialogue never gave much mind to. He recalls, “When I took refuge and He gave me the name He said, ‘The key to your practice is patience, because when you lose your patience you lose your love.’’ At first this wisdom didn’t quite land, but the immenseness of the observation has expanded within the practitioner ever since.

Victoria Imperioli, Garchen Rinpoche, Michael Imperioli and White Tara, courtesy of Michael Imperioli

Over the last 15+ years, Konchog Zopa Sonam has allowed his Bodhicitta (mind of awareness) to ripen. His edges seemed to have softened, his view widened. The driven young artist has actualized into one with knowingness. Groundedness. Majesty. Despite his initial defiance, he relies on his daily Shamatha sitting practice, and as permissible much longer meditation retreats. “Becoming Buddhist is a path to really wake up from delusion” he assures. The seeker is committed to his practice, his teacher, his Buddhanature, and most distinguished these days, being of benefit to himself and others.

Michael Imperioli, His Holiness the XVII Karmapa Thaye Dorje and Victoria Imperioli, courtesy of Michael Imperioli

For The Benefit

In late 2019, something curious happened. Michael recounts, “I was really resistant to social media, and then I went on Instagram to help promote a TV show I was on. Then I realized, ‘Well, if I’m going to do it, I’m going to just turn people on to stuff that I like, art, music, movies, Buddhism.’ I started posting things about Buddha, and people started asking me how to meditate, and I would write back and give people meditation instructions. It was happening a lot, to the point where I was like, ‘Maybe I should make a video or something’. So, I asked my teacher, Garchen Rinpoche, I said, ‘A lot of these people that I’m communicating with want to learn how to meditate.’ And He said, “You don’t have to ask for my permission. If you want to benefit other people, go ahead and do it.’ I tried to do an Instagram Live session. It was a disaster. But through that, I met someone, and we started producing this Zoom webinar.”

The Zooms began as a simple seated mindfulness meditation. No talk of lamas or lineages, prayers or patience. Then there was a global pandemic, a social movement, an election, an insurrection, division, despair. The growing list of participants started asking Michael profound questions. They inquired about anxiety and depression, grief, dharma, karma, causes and conditions, sickness, suffering, old age and death. So he asked his teacher how to handle.

Garchen Rinpoche replied, “Just keep the focus on working with the mind. Because Buddha is not the name of a man, it’s the name of mind” With the calm candor, of a seasoned teacher, Michael relays this during an online meditation, “When you become aware of the fact you’re thinking, either go back to the breath, focus on where the breath is moving in and out of your nostrils right above your lip, or we use the visualization technique of the clear limitless unstained clear, blue, sky. The sky being the mind, the clouds representing the thoughts which arise from the sky and dissolve back into it. The third technique, which is a little harder, and usually takes a little more experience but you’ve been doing this a year now, is just by the fact of becoming aware of the thought, using mind to look at mind, to look at the fact that the mind is thinking, just let it be. And almost sink into that clarity of mind that recognizes it’s a thought…”

Michael Imperioli with Drupon Rinchen Dorje on retreat at Garchen Institute, courtesy of Michael Imperioli.

Bodhisattva

It’s now early 2022 – Michael’s Instagram account has become something of an online art-gallery where the masses come to learn about unsung cultural contributors; a curation that has been revered in magazines like Vice and GQ. His book, Woke Up This Morning with co-writer Steve Schirripa hit the New York Times bestseller list, and their Talking Sopranos podcast won a Webby. His punk band Zopa (sound familiar…?) released their debut album, and it’s just been announced Michael will co-star in the second season of Mike White’s HBO hit The White Lotus. Amidst all the excitement and activity, the father of three is complimented on his commitment to the digital Sangha that has developed; the group of students who religiously sign-on to sit with him. Michael deflects, “Yeah well, I’m happy to be there if people want to step onto this path. I’m not really – I guess I am kind of teaching, but I’m not a teacher. I’m more like a fellow student that has been around for a while and am kind of helping the other students out.”

“That’s the purpose of the Bodhisattva vow, you yourself become a teacher, while remaining a student, you are going to be the guide for this tour, and you yourself are going to be a tourist.”

This is the Way of the Bodhisattva.

Garchen Rinpoche and Michael Imperioli, courtesy of Michael Imperioli

Zopa On Tour

Michael’s Band Zopa is on tour in California this week;
2/8 Zopa @ The Chapel – San Francisco – click here for  tix + info.
2/9 Zopa @ Wayfarer – Costa Mesa/OC – click here tix + info.
2/10 Zopa @ Zebulon – Los Angeles – click here for tix + info.

To Learn More about Michael and Victoria Imperioli’s Zoom Meditations, check out his Instagram
@TheRealMichaelImperioli

To Learn More about Garchen Rinpoche go to: Garchen.net

Amy V Dewhurst

To Check Out Amy’s Work Go To; Sense + Color, You Can Reach Her At IG:  Amy_V_Dewhurst  + AmyVDewhurst@SenseAndColor.co #PutYourGoodWhereItWillDoTheMost

www.senseandcolor.co

The post Michael Imperioli: This is the Way of the Bodhisattva appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Empowerment through Words and Action: A Conversation with Kimberly Snyder

Kimberly, this is a very vulnerable book in which you are a lot of your story. What inspired you to write this book?

What were some of the challenges you faced while writing?

You mention your teacher Paramahansa Yogananda often in the pages. How did you find his teachings? What are some of the ways his teachings continue to inspire you?

Yogananda emphasizes meditation. How would you recommend some meditation practices for beginners?

What are some ways that you have found to continue to commit to a meditation practice and continue to be inspired by meditation?

One of your chapters is called, “You are a Powerhouse”. How do you continue to stay connected to your personal power?

Your conversation in the book about being a creator is meaningful. How do you continue to identify as a creator these days?

In the book, you frequently offer some journaling prompts for readers. How is journaling part of your personal practice?

What do you hope to inspire in others when reading your book?

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post You Are More Than You Think You Are: An Interview with Kimberly Snyder appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Elected into office in 2002, Congressman Tim Ryan has been exemplifying the qualities of a Spiritual Warrior for the past 20 years. The outspoken meditator who is for working families and choice, counts farmers and vegans among his closest friends. He’s brought emotional tools to the toughest vets, and inspired even his most conservative colleagues to try just one downward dog. Hailing from the 13th district of Ohio, a Georgetown University study recently listed the lawyer in the top 35 most bipartisan reps in the house. You may have seen him during the primaries on the Democratic presidential candidate debate stage explaining to the nation that we’re more alike than some may think.

I recently had the opportunity to do an extended on-camera with interview Congressman Tim Ryan. Here are 5 excerpts from that exchange.

1. On getting out the yoga vote…

“I tease my yoga friends all the time,
‘Oh you want to be one with the universe and sit on your mat and your cushion
but then you don’t want into politics.
I hate to break it to you, but that’s part of the universe.”

2. On how to approach the big issues…

“It’s really about getting to the root cause of what the problems are.
If you’re talking about education or mental health,
you really gotta focus in on trauma, and diet, nutrition and food.
You want to talk about climate,
the root cause really is what we’ve done to our soil and our agricultural practices.
So for me to push trauma-informed care, social and emotional learning,
these different techniques for our vets who are coming back so traumatized,
or regenerative agriculture for how we heal the planet,
it’s all about getting to the root cause of the problems
and having innovative solutions on how to really deal with it.”

3. On bravely bringing mindfulness and wellness resources to the Hill…

“Oh, I just said F*ck it, you know, (he laughs).

It was just, it needs to be done….there’s so much stress and anxiety and conflict,
and the staffers have a lot of pressure and stress too.
I wanted to just begin to open it up… and then that’s one way to affect policy.
If people are using this for their own personal wellbeing,
then when me or my staff says,
‘Hey, along those lines, we’re trying to get more money for social and emotional learning’
or some other program, there’s already a general awareness, like, ‘Wow, that really works.’

4. On making holistic healthcare, trauma-informed therapy and mindfulness programs available to veterans…

“I tell ya, I’m from Youngstown, Ohio,
I’ve seen some pretty burly Vietnam vets go through some of these programs
and just absolutely rave about it.
They wish they would have found it 30 or 40 years ago.
They got divorced, alienated from their kids,
and these programs are helping them heal themselves
and also start to heal those relationships and to me,
that’s what it’s all about and again; getting back to the healing.
Heal our vets, heal our kids, heal each other, heal the planet…
That’s kinda the underlying theme of the whole thing.

5. On recent Covid-related changes to work/life balance…

“Who knows, maybe this is an opportunity for us to really recognize
that slowing down, being with our families, having dinners together
that are home cooked, maybe this is the shift we need.
My mom used to say, ‘the Lord works in mysterious ways’.”

Learn More about Congressman Tim Ryan

Learn more about Congressman Tim Ryan.

Follow Tim Ryan on IG

Follow Tim Ryan on Twitter.

Amy V Dewhurst

To Check Out Amy’s Work Go To; Sense + Color, You Can Reach Her At IG:  Amy_V_Dewhurst  + AmyVDewhurst@SenseAndColor.co #PutYourGoodWhereItWillDoTheMost

www.senseandcolor.co

The post Congressman Tim Ryan: Spiritual Warrior appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Manifesting for Creatives: Putting Visualization into Action

Dillon Forte incorporates sacred geometry in his creative artistry. His work includes contemporary sacred geometry through tattooing, as well as fine art photography, painting, fashion, and design. In his approach to manifesting for creatives, he shares inspiring perspectives on seeing the world and our place and how we can take effective action from visualization to manifestation.

What is your mantra for manifestation or what you would describe as your personal Manifesting 101?

Manifesting 101: What you visualize you materialize. Well, it’s not that simple. But I like to live by that mantra for a variety of reasons. You may hear articles in lifestyle, wellness or even business-driven blogs buzzing about mindset and how it’s practically the magic wand for making your life 110% more successful. We live in a society driven by corporate-owned media that makes its money off pandering fear, death, failure and misfortunes in a world that seems practically setup to let you down. This can do a number on us creatives and business owners who are just trying to stay positive and focused after a year that…well, you know…kind of flipped us upside down, shook us around and dropped us down hoping to land feet first.

What are some of your personal practices for manifestation?

I’m glad to report that most of us made it out rejuvenated and ready to jump into creative action. As a tattoo artist, many of my ideas surrounding design and business efforts come to me through a mix of creative intuition, focus, time-blocking and most important–staying mindful. It’s hard to describe manifesting to someone who is not familiar with the idea, and many may watch ‘The Secret’ once and think that if we think hard enough about something it will appear. That multi-million-dollar house, a Tesla, or a dream job is just one thought-inspiring session away, right?

Well, let’s take a few steps back and explain. For those who practice yoga (assuming most of you reading this), you know that each session is just that, practice and an openness to reaching a new level. It’s a continued effort, without giving up and truly understanding that each day is a new chance to get 1% better at the things you are most passionate about.

What advice would you give around manifestation for creatives?

Where people begin to steer off path, is where manifesting comes in and can help immensely. Creatives do this often. They hit a stride and perhaps for a day, or even a week; they hit that creative block that takes wind of their sails. They begin to doubt their abilities and the negative self-talk begins to come into play.

The solution isn’t necessarily abiding to PMA [positive mental attitude]. This is more about keeping your focus, believing you are worthy of your dreams and remembering to go easy on yourself.

Society and media have taught creatives and entrepreneurs that if we don’t succeed within a short period of time, or if we haven’t reached a specific place in your life, then we are failures or not worthy of those incredible opportunities we all can achieve.

So yes, manifesting is a practice just like Yoga or any creative skill. It carries elements of mindset, practice, self-care, visualizing and maintaining a belief system that shows you are worthy regardless of any challenge, setback, or unforeseen delay. I preach this to creatives because so many of us live without certainty, or without a typical day job that has certain expectations, plans, and of course paydays. The creative can be a designer, musician, entrepreneur, or really anyone that must create to thrive, but understands that producing results is not everything in life.

Achieving a great manifesting practice relies on the daily mindset

that you can and will get to the destination you are targeting.

Tell us more about this manifestation mindset and putting it into action.

Lastly, let’s talk visualizing. Let’s say you booked an exciting vacation, but it’s two weeks away and you’re feeling a bit stuck in whatever it is you’re up to. You know that feeling, you think about that vacation coming up and all of a sudden you spring to life and feel a bit of euphoria in your body. That is visualizing, and that is part of what manifesting can do for you even if that “vacation” isn’t booked yet. This applies to everything else, being creative, starting businesses, taking a new journey in life or whatever it is you want. This is the practice of visualizing the finish line, putting in the work and of course keeping a mindset that is always reminding yourself that the goal is achievable and deserving.

Bob Bradley

Bob Bradley has spent the past 14 years as a public relations and marketing professional, telling the stories of hundreds of clients in multiple industries. He has owned and has been aligned with multiple growth phase startups, in addition to working for established brands and agencies. Bob is also a musician and writer, recently releasing his first book Public Relations For Musicians and announced his follow-up book Public Relations For Small Businesses for a Summer 21′ release.

The post LA Tattoo Artist Dillon Forte Discusses Manifesting for Creatives appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

ROOTS, ROCK, RAMA!

Love is the strongest medicine -Neem Karoli Baba

“I’m here to sing kirtan, to lead kirtan, to share kirtan, sing the names of God, play music,” says Jai Uttal. He’s talking as he loads his gear into the First Unitarian Church in Portland, Oregon, for sound check. His performance will be the culmination of a three-day workshop called “Love in the Time of Chaos.”

Vital at 67 years old, Jai Uttal is nimble. “There are no sings of stopping anytime soon,” he laughs, and then laughs again. “Traveling is really hard for me,” he sits behind his harmonium center stage on a makeshift meditation cushion, sorting through a tangle of cords with his guitar on his lap. A big statue of Hanuman on the floor in front of him oversees the proceedings.

Moaning for God

“Being in front of an audience is really hard for me,” he says earnestly. “Because every time I’m about to go on a trip I’m moaning. During the kirtan, I’m moaning. Moaning for God!” he laughs, then laughs again. “I’m being honest,” he says.

Music and spiritual practice became concomitant when Jai met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, in 1971. The Indian saint and teacher Neem Karoli Baba was a proponent of Bhakti Yoga through kirtan (call-and-response chanting of sacred mantras). This practice would become the center of Jai’s musical and spiritual life.

Jai Uttal and the Field of Grace

Jai Uttal navigates in a field of grace, leaving a river of smiles in his wake as a general course of action. He has cleaved his legacy in devotion over the last five decades. Over these years, he has been chanting in small rooms and on big stages at festivals around the world, raising our vibration one mantra at a time.

He has released an endless stream of music since his first offering, Footprints, in 1990. With an acquired magnetism, he’s cultivated a substantial global following.

Sam Slovick

Award-winning journalist, documentary director and long-term LA Yoga contributor Sam Slovick is the director, writer and producer of the Radicalized documentary, currently working on the Kirtan Road Dogs documentary.

samslovick.com

The post Kirtan Road Dog Jai Uttal on Devotion appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Surf Pro Laird Hamilton is a badass. You might know him as the biggest big wave surfer. Or as one of the innovators of such crossover sports as stand-up paddle boarding and tow-in surfing. Maybe he’s on your radar as the creator of a line of revolutionary superfood products.

And then there’s the performance apparel that bears his name. To some, he is Gabby Reece’s husband. If you are a member of a small subculture in Malibu or Kauai, you know him as Izabella, Reece, and Brody Jo’s dad.

There are certain people throughout history who can claim the title “iconoclast.” These are individualists who care little for how tradition or status quo dictate the way things should be done; out-of-the-box thinkers who look at every situation as an opportunity to innovate, and radicals who are compelled to find a better way to do something…or a better something to do.

Branson, Jobs, Warhol, Gandhi…you know the type. Laird Hamilton is one of those. So much so that he is the subject of a new documentary by filmmaker Rory Kennedy called, Take Every Wave.

I’ve watched the film twice now in its entirety and I’ve even gone back over some passages repeatedly, each time, savoring the spectacular footage as well as the riveting testimonials of a bunch of the world’s best surfers and an assortment of related characters.

About Laird Hamilton

His unconventional upbringing laid the foundation for an attitude Laird calls, “part coping mechanism, part strategy.” By the time Laird was born in San Francisco in 1964, his father had split.

As part of a research study, his mother, Joanne, gave birth at UCSF in an experimental sphere filled with saltwater designed to ease labor. It was a proper birth for a future waterman. When Laird was still an infant, Joanne fled the big city and moved to the North Shore of Oahu where they could connect with nature and live more freely. It was the height of the Gidget era and surf culture was in full bloom.

When Laird was a young child, he was playing on the beach and happened to meet Bill Hamilton, a legendary pro-surfer and bachelor (at the time). They had an instant chemistry and became unlikely companions. Laird took Bill home to meet his mother, and the two ended up marrying.

Bill adopted Laird. The family moved to Kauai and had another baby, a little brother for Laird named Lyon. For the boys, who were much taller and blonder than their predominantly native classmates, school was not easy. They were ostracized as “haoles”—a derogatory term for non-natives. Laird became rebellious.

We Got to Chat with Laird Hamilton. Here’s What He Has to Say:

“Hey listen,” Laird says to me over the phone as he is driving down the coast in his black Land Rover, “if there are people that don’t like me for the way I was born, which is something I had no control over (at least that I know of right now), then why would it bother me if I do something that upsets them?

I became almost devoid of peer pressure at that point and I had a tendency to be a contrary—to want to go the exact opposite direction of what is considered the direction that everybody is or should go. I often cite Thoreau, ‘Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty and the obedient shall be slaves.’ “

“Thoreau, nice one Laird.” I’m actually not sure if I said that aloud or in my own head. I’m still trying to keep my fangirl crush in check at this point. There is so much that impresses me about this man, the most obvious is the way he handles the ocean.

“Tell me about this defining moment in Take Every Wave when you guys are finally successfully getting towed into Jaws and it’s a game changer. You’re surfing Pe’ahi and the distinction is made between riding the giants and surfing them. Is that something that you were aware of in that moment, sort of a distinction you made, were you able to actually navigate those waves and have some sovereignty as you surfed them?” This one I know I am asking aloud, and he responds.

“Up until that point we had been at the mercy of the power of the conditions of the wave. All of a sudden we were able to match power with power. It put us in a position that we could actually perform beyond strictly survival mode, which up until that point had been the only way that we could ever be in those extreme situations. I avoid the concept of ‘conquering’ the wave, because you don’t conquer something that powerful, that majestic, something that superior; you don’t conquer it but you gently exist in harmony with it. That’s something that can’t happen when you are simply surviving.”

“That’s a metaphor for life,” I offer.

“Amen,” he laughs.

“So Laird, do you feel that you’re at a point at 53…” I’ve already confessed that he is exactly eight weeks older than me, “Do you feel like you’re at a point where you’re able to dance with life in a way that feels more harmonious, less survival?”

“Living is a dangerous game and dying is easy. It’s surviving that’s difficult. The ocean teaches you as soon as you get a little bit proud, that’s when you get hammered. But the truth is, yes, at 53, when unforeseen situations arise they don’t have the tendency to derail me like they would when I was 20 or 30. The use of stillness helps. I think it’s easy to overreact to things and as you get more time at this game of living, you start to realize that maybe you don’t need to overreact. It doesn’t mean you don’t feel it but you can wait to act. In the military they say, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” I like that. That’s a metaphor for life.”

“You sound like a yogi, Laird. What role does yoga play in your life?”

“The relationship with yoga is an intimate relationship with oneself. It’s about being consciously connected to yourself, to your body, to your breath. I hear people say, ‘I do yoga to be more flexible.’ Actually no, you should do yoga to be more connected to your body, to be able to say, ‘Hey, this is my quad and my hamstring and my Achilles, and this position is what makes me aware of the connection of all parts.

“Yoga is a discipline that really isolates those relationships and connects you to your body on an important level. I’ve spent time doing different types of yoga over the years. Right now I give a substantial amount of my time to my breathwork. It’s all about the underwater training, the ice, the heat, and the breath.”

The relationship with yoga is an intimate relationship with oneself. It’s about being consciously connected to yourself, to your body, to your breath.

He is talking about his personal practice as well as the XPTlife fitness program he runs with Gabby.

Intense underwater workouts on the floor of the pool with weights, followed by extreme sauna and ice training. To my non-athletic self, it looks like some sort of Navy Seal torture training. But no one makes more out of the experience of living in a human body than Laird. No one stretches the limits of what a human body is capable of like Laird. It’s that thing he has about him. I am suddenly aware of how little I know about my own body by comparison.

So I say to him, “It’s amazing how little we know about the way our body works. Maybe because you are a lifelong athlete you have more knowledge than most of us, but if you ask a hundred people where their liver is located in their body, I’m not sure that even 25% would know.”

There’s something about self-awareness that makes you desire less, that makes you less interested in searching for things outside of yourself. You begin to find that most of what you need is right inside.

“Yes, that’s true,” he says, “Ultimately I just ask people to breathe. I’ll say, ‘Hey, breathe for me.’ I’m so often amazed by how people breathe—or don’t. I’ll say, ‘Have you breathed?! Breathe like you need it, like it’s the most important thing you’re going to do. Breathe like it means something.’ Then I watch them and think, Wow that doesn’t have a lot of meaning. I use breath to bring people back into themselves. There’s something about self-awareness that makes you desire less, that makes you less interested in searching for things outside of yourself. You begin to find that most of what you need is right inside.”

Breathe like you need it, like it’s the most important thing you’re going to do. Breathe like it means something.

“What are your three top fitness tips for regular folk?” To be honest, I am not sure Laird has ever seen the likes of regular folk. He’s been surrounded by athletes his entire life.

“The most obvious to me that many people have an issue with is hydration. It is essential to be properly hydrated. Drink as good a water as you can, with minerals. Next is breathwork. You can get a lot of benefits quickly, it’s readily available, there’s a thousand ways you can do it. Then, I would say, go out and learn something new. Go out and try new things you’ve never done, and tell me if you don’t benefit from that.”

He’s talking about the Buddhist concept of Beginner’s Mind. As long as we’re comfortable, we’re not going to grow. At this point, I’m not sure if I am talking to a surfer, a fitness guru, or a spiritual teacher. There is a human side to this man, I saw it in the film. He’s a husband and a father to three daughters. He’s got a big heart and I want to connect with it. I take the obvious way in.

“Laird, it’s hard to talk to you without mentioning Gabby. There’s a beautiful moment in the film where Gabby is speaking over some very sweet footage of your wedding. She says that she has a tremendous amount of respect for you and for your dedication to the ocean. That she knows you love her as much as the ocean, and that there is an unspoken understanding that she will never ask you to choose.”

He jumps right in and I can hear the love in his voice. “Gabby is just incredible. Because my mother was such an amazing woman, such a hardworking, intelligent woman, it was the beginning of my training to be able to first of all be with a woman like Gabby, because I have such respect, you know. Her strength gives me stability. I get power from knowing that she is there for me. It gives me great strength knowing that she’s behind me and I rely on her, her intuition, and all of her other skills. I think ultimately a man is not complete without a woman. It’s not always the same way with women. I think they don’t need us the way we need them.”

Swoon. Heart connection achieved. I ask him what else is important to him.

“To have a positive effect on people. Whether we just go paddling, have an experience in the ocean, develop a relationship with the ocean, or through XPTlife, by giving them an experience that changes their lives, or my superfood coffee creamer that improves the quality of everyday life and makes them healthier. I enjoy being able to help if someone is sick, or hurt, or searching for some sort of life change. I get joy from inspiring someone to believe in themselves, to follow their dreams. My film, the superfood, the clothing line…everything I do is authentic to me, and my beliefs, and meant to be something that improves your experience of life.”

“Speaking of clothing, Laird…boxers, briefs, or commando?” Yes, I asked that aloud.

“I like briefs. I used to sleep in my surf shorts. Gabby said I wasn’t allowed to anymore. I would literally sleep in surf shorts so I could just get up in the morning and go. Commando’s a little rough for a surfer—a little vulnerable. Definitely not boxers, I like the long brief, it’s like shorts.”

I can hear through the ambient noise on the phone that he has reached his destination. My time is almost up. I say, “Close your eyes and take a deep breath for a minute. As a person, as a man, what lights you up?” I hear the breath he’s been talking about. And then…

“Which side of me? I mean as a man, as a purely mortal, physical creature—Gabby. As a dad, my daughters…the way they put their hand on my hair. The giant waves. I’m not that complex. Things that light me up you can’t buy. I can’t buy Gabby, I can’t buy my children, I can’t buy my friends. I can’t buy hard work, and I can’t buy a giant wave. Maybe in the future, I might be able to buy a giant wave,” he laughs, “At that point I’d probably spend everything I had almost.”

For More about Laird Hamilton:

The documentary Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and will be opening in select theaters starting September 29.

For more information about Laird Hamilton including his XPTlife program, visit his website.

Check out his line of coffee, superfood creamer, superfood hydrators, and more here and see his clothing online.

Laird Hamilton’s wife Gabrielle (Gabby) Reece is a professional volleyball player, sports announcer, model, and actress.

Zoe Kors

Zoë Kors is a writer, speaker, and coach. She is the founder of The Big Libido, Pussy Project, and other programs which cultivate a women’s rights, empowerment, and self-expression. Zoë is the former Senior Editor and Creative Director of LA Yoga Magazine and Origin Magazine. She is a certified Co-Active Coach and has a thriving private practice. Zoë’s work reflects her extensive study of Tantra, Zen Buddhism, meditation, yoga, breathwork, and other Eastern disciplines, which she blends with more process-oriented modalities of Western psychotherapy and Co-Active Coaching. http://www.zoekors.com

www.zoekors.com

The post Surf Pro Laird Hamilton on The Power of Big Waves and the Power of Stillness appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Yoga teacher Elise Joan is one of the people featured on the upcoming reality show Yoga Girls. This photo shoot with photographer Lindsey Childs was filmed for the show. (Clothing by Solo Sol Movement)

Yoga Teaching Meets Reality TV with Yoga Girls

As yoga continues to be part of the modern world and as each one of us negotiates the ideas and ideals of yoga in the times we live in, Yoga Girls, a yoga reality show–is about to be broadcast on the airwaves.
 
Yoga Girls premieres on Z Living Sunday, September 24. We connected with the yoga teachers who are the cast members of Yoga Girls (yep there are some guys). They shared their practice, what inspires them and what viewers can expect from the show.
 

Yoga Teachers on Yoga Girls

Jesse Schein

What inspires me most these days is my practice towards being completely present with the moment I’m in. To let go of distractions and the exterior world and dive in to the interior world. To INQUIRE deeply with what is going on inside. I call this practicing NOWNESS…
 
My approach is uncomplicated. Invite yourself to pay attention to your breath and observe your thoughts and feelings. Use the physical practice as a tool to inquire with in. With Yoga Girls, I hope people can laugh at me and with me. I hope people will be inspired to practice yoga. If you want to get to know yourself practice yoga! All you need is your breath and we can take it from there…
 

Sophie Jaffe

Yoga is a full body + soul experience. You can find yoga in all movements, including high intensity workouts. My approach is keeping it spiritual by connecting to the deeper “why” of what you’re needing and wanting from the practice and your life. Focusing only on the physical asana only is not fulfilling enough to sustain a practice. A full practice can even be 10 minutes if it’s connected enough. I hope people from all over the world will be inspired to create their own yoga practice.
 
In addition,  I hope people watching Yoga Girls also realize that yoga practitioners and teachers are humans with real issues, problems and struggles. We are just guides. We are not any better or worse than anyone else who is stepping on their mat. I hope people walk away from the show and want to look at their lives and where they could make little shifts to be kinder and have more awareness.
 

Jackie Smyth

I’m a coach as well as a yoga teacher. One of my favorite qualities in my teaching is that I love to learn how the brain operates and what truly creates change in the mind.  I believe that yoga can change your life, and I use the body to get to the mind.
 
Through this series, I hope people understand that regardless of the situation, you can create the reality you want. Yoga did and does have a direct domino effect in my life. Yes, of course, on my mat, but it has also brought me the greatest adventures and gifts.
 
It’s also been a catalyst to me seeing who I show up with. This includes in good days when it’s easy, and when the water starts to boil. Yoga’s given me a life of adventure, and that’s all I want to give away.
 

Koya Webb

My practice inspires me to be grateful for every breath. I truly feel that yoga is unity. Because of this, my approach focuses on unity with the spirit within and connecting with the spirit within others. With Yoga Girls, I hope people will Get Loved Up daily and be inspired to use social media to spread positive messages that uplift humanity.
 

Vytas Baskauskas

I am inspired by how great yoga still makes me feel, even after 20 years of practicing. My approach to the practice is simple and straightforward. Nothing fancy. With Yoga Girls, I hope viewers will see that yoga isn’t about perfection or performance. It is about authenticity, growth and meeting yourself exactly where you are at, both on and off the mat.
 

Calvin Corzine

I’m constantly inspired by how helpful the practice is both physically and in other aspects of our lives. My approach to yoga is logical and straight-forward.
 

Caley Joyner

In watching Yoga Girls, I hope people learn that whatever chaos may come up, your yoga practice can support you through it in a very deep way. It’s the foundation for response instead of reaction, for awareness instead of ignorance, for connecting instead of building walls or running away.
 
Yoga is a powerful tool. People need something that’s effective at helping us relieve some of the pressures that we experience in today’s society. It is important to me to do whatever I can do to encourage and inspire others of their immense power.
 
I am also committed to reminding people that while we can never be perfect, we can make aware and conscious decisions, and move towards a collective planetary upgrade.
 

Elise Joan

My practice is all about a willingness to keep coming to the mat over and over to get my mind right and my heart elevated. I practice releasing what no longer serves me with each exhale, and inhaling all that I want to create when I show up as my best self.
 
While watching Yoga Girls, I hope people will learn that yoga is for everyone. I want them to learn that most of ‘yoga’ is what we do and how we live OFF the mat.  I hope people see that yoga is more than an impressive physical practice, and that the mental and emotional journey yoga takes us on is available to ALL of us. This is truly even more important than the physical postures.
 

Sadie Nardini

My approach to yoga is being innovative! I love to offer people of any yoga style (or no yoga style!) fresh ways to get next-level fit in way less time–all while having actual fun. I hope with this new series, viewers will see me living my life as a free spirit, an artist and a pioneer of health and fitness.
 
Through this, I hope people become inspired to rock who they are in their own unique and incredible ways. Life is hard enough. We need a Tribe of supportive friends all along the way. I think that Yoga Girls will provide another helping hand — and a few laughs too — to let viewers see how yogis handle being both human–and spiritual–at the same time.
 

When and How to Watch

If you’re curious, tune in when Yoga Girls premieres Sunday, September 24 at 8pm ET on Z Living.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Yoga Teaching Meets Reality TV with Yoga Girls appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Russell Simmons at Tantris. Photographed by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer

A Studio as a Home for Devotion

Russell Simmons is a visionary on the move. Co-founder of Def Jam Records, early promoter and pioneer in the hip hop movement, famous philanthropist, prolific author, television and film producer, and entrepreneur with multiple businesses, Russell is also a devoted yogi with more than 20 years of practice. Along with a dedicated team, Russell spent years searching for a location in Los Angeles where he could build a center for the way he wants to practice—which combines a heated vinyasa flow with an in-class emphasis on philosophy, including the eight limbs of yoga and the ethical precepts known as the yamas and niyamas. At the end of 2016, Russell opened Tantris Center for Yoga Science Studio and Boutique on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.

Russell Simmons at Tantris photographed by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer. Clothing by Tantris. Mala by Jen Stock Designs

On one of the walls of the boutique, the three pillars of the studio’s philosophy are boldly painted: Devotional Study, Daily Practice, and Karmic Duty. The name of the studio is derived from the Sanskrit words tantra or tantric, yet it is a new word that evokes these tools for spiritual evolution. The home for these practices is a gorgeous space that spans two floors and since the stairs are painted with lines from the Yoga Sutras—you can literally walk your talk as you climb from the boutique to the two studio spaces, spa-style bathrooms, and sunny lounge.

The inviting boutique features Russell’s innovative Tantris yoga clothing line—also the result of years of development (the men’s line is on its way this Spring). In addition, a number of other lifestyle brands can be found including Jen Stock Designs, Sattva Collection, Ria Ray, and J Lew Bags. An expanded style bar with blow outs and more is reopening in March. Coffee, tea, juices, and more are available at the tonic bar.

Photograph of Tantris Boutique by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer

While the setting certainly has its share of bling, everything about the space pays homage to Russell’s commitment to the devotional practices of yoga. From larger-than-life images of his teachers Sharon Gannon and David Life (founders of devotion-steeped Jivamukti in NYC), to portraits of teachers such as Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi) prominently hung in the lounge, to an upstairs hallway covered in images of temples, scenes from India, and the chariot of Bhagavad Gita heroes Krishna and Arjuna, to altars in the studio themselves. For Russell, all of this is yoga and he is a man on a mission to share the benefits of what he sees as his moving prayer with as many people as possible. The address on Sunset Boulevard is only the beginning.

Russell Simmons at Tantris Photographed by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer. Clothing by Tantris/Argyleculture. Mala by Jen Stock Designs.

LA YOGA: You’ve been working on this studio for years.

Russell Simmons: It’s a process that took years. Even though I’m a Jivamukti student, I started to like practicing in the heat, which I did when I was traveling, in places like Hong Kong, Australia, and then here in Los Angeles. I noticed that a lot of yogis, didn’t like the heat very much because of their experience with that whole kind of aggressive vibe that came from Bikram and those that borrowed from his inspiration. There was very little devotional talk before or after the class. I wanted to practice in a heated studio with devotion. For me, yoga is my moving prayer, and I was looking for something that reflected this: A devotional place surrounded by people whose goal is to achieve yoga.

In the teacher training at Jivamukti, we studied The Yoga Sutra, the Bhagavad Gita, Textbook of Yoga Psychology (by Ramamurti Mishra), three books by Yogananda, anatomy, Sanskrit, sequencing and the rest. I was surrounded by teachers. I had a teacher training scholarship that I paid for for many years. They’re also all vegan. We all fall short in so many different ways but one of the most abusive things human beings do is eat animals and participate in the slaughter of 200 billion animals.

LA YOGA: You emphasize the importance of devotion. How are you setting up your commitment to devotion within the Tantris community?

RS: At Tantris, it’s fun but devotional at the same time. We’re not going to preach, but we take the goal, the journey, seriously. We’ll begin and end classes with chanting and in between, the teachers, who have studied philosophy, will talk about the theme of the month.

We’ll be featuring different musicians, different playlists, like Krishna Das and Kanye West. I mean, everyone likes Krishna Das. You play “Mere Guru Dev” in savasana and people are going to let go. This is nada yoga, devotional music, played by the melody king. I doesn’t even matter if you know what he’s saying. Krishna Das is my man, I don’t always know what he is singing about. When I first heard that song, I felt like I was an A&R Director, and I said “Oh my God! What was that?” It was during a class at Jivamukti. I said, “That’s gotta play forever!” I felt like I did when I first heard Bobby Womack or Dr Dre, something when I was like “I know that’s a hit” and in our little yoga circle it is.

I want to do some events to draw people in to devotional practices so that they can experience them and know that there is something they’d been missing. You know you have this experience of stillness after a physical practice of asana. It sets in, this feeling of how great it is, and then you hear that there are other tools to get you there such as meditation, practicing the other eight limbs of yoga which includes the yamas and niyamas (the ethical precepts), the asanas (the poses), and how you breathe.

At the studio, I want my teachers to be smarter than I am for sure. I’ve written many books and they’ve all been taken from basic yoga philosophy and yogic science. I think Super Rich is probably the most instructive of my books. It’s really yoga.

Tantris Resident Yoga Scholar and Continuing Education Coordinator Danielle Tatik wearing clothing by Tantris. Photographed by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer

LA YOGA: So you’re a yoga devotee; what inspired you to go to your first yoga class?

RS: My intern Emma Watts—who is now Vice Chairman of 20th Century Fox Film—took me to a class around 22 years ago. It was a transformation obviously. I went in there for the cute girls, and then I came out high as fuck.

Steve Ross was my first teacher (who also teaches at Tantris offering “Happy Yoga” classes); I love him. I mean how could you not? He’s playing The Police in class; I mean you gotta show up, right? He’s been a raw foodist as long as some of his students have been alive. I met Eckhart Tolle through Steve, when Eckhart living in his backyard in a shack. He asked, “Would you like to spend some time?” and we sat and meditated for a bit. I gave Oprah Eckhart’s book after that.

I can take credit for teaching Oprah and Ellen Degeneres how to meditate. I figure that’s my purpose – to give people who’ve got big mouths yoga! Big mouths influence people.

LA YOGA: You talk a lot about the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM); what brought you to meditation?

RS: I was meditating because of yoga. Then I went to Africa to meditate with some students who each have their own personal mantras and they talked to me about it. When we came back, Bob Roth (Executive Director of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace) came to me when he was making a video for the students. He explained Transcendental Meditation (TM) and I took my first TM course years ago.

Because of that mantra, and because of a teacher like Bob Roth—who is so still himself that he puts his spirit on you when you meditate with him and when he teaches you— I use that mantra daily.

Just recently, I was with Bob in Chicago with students in schools in the hood meditating. We had beautifully still experiences with these students who have such stress and trauma to deal with. It is amazing for them to have meditation—they call it quiet time—in schools. I support it and I’m on the Advisory Board of the David Lynch Foundation.

All the different types of meditation work. It’s okay to just have a mantra, candle-gazing is fine, whatever suits you. I think people gravitate to their own mantra and their practice.

LA YOGA: With your busy schedule, how do you fit in your own practice?

RS: There is nothing more important than my practice. If I were in here with world leaders like Putin and Obama and I was negotiating a deal I’d say, “That’s the last class of the day, ya’ll gotta figure this out,” and I’d leave. You have to take care of the first chakra first.

For more information about Tantris Center for Yogic Science and Tantris Clothing, visit: tantris.com

Photograph by Jeff Skeirik/Rawtographer

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Russell Simmons builds the studio Tantris as a Temple for Practice appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Lisa Garr From Well-Read Radio Host to Inspirational Author

For 15 years, Lisa Garr has served as the energetic, vivacious, and intelligent host of “The Aware Show,” a radio program with several million listeners worldwide. More than 1,500 guests, many of them authors, have made appearances on the air with Garr, chosen for their alignment with the show’s mission,“To communicate messages that inspire positive growth and change.”

The show emerged as a result of her quest to recover her own health after a devastating cycling accident, near-death experience and debilitating brain injury. It’s a story she has finally told in her own newly released best-seller, Becoming Aware: How to Repattern Your Brain and Revitalize Your Life. Becoming Aware is a combination of personal story and practical techniques for brain recovery and brain health, complete with embedded QR codes and downloadable multimedia material.

The book offers something of the roadmap Lisa followed on her own quest for health. She says, “I started the show to engage in conscious conversations and learn something new every day.” These everyday practices are integral to the ability of the brain to heal itself. Fifteen years in, she’s still engaged in conscious conversations, learning, and using her daily routine as a source of boosting brain health. Her go-to practices include morning exercise to push the reset button and wake up her brain, consistent high-quality nutrition, meaningful connections with family members including her daughter, trying out new activities (ping pong breaks with her husband is a current workday diversion), and listening to audio programs at night related to current areas of research.

LA YOGA: What finally convinced you to write your own book?

Lisa Garr: The President of Hay House, Reid Tracy, has always been a mentor of mine. He mentioned how satisfying the process of writing my story would be for me and he strongly suggested I write my book. When Reid suggests something, you are smart if you listen. It took me a while to complete the process and now that I the book is out, I fully understand what he meant. It is a cathartic process to put your story on paper, share it with the world, and see how many people your experience can help. I now give the same advice: Put your story on paper and experience how it feels!

LA YOGA: What are some books or authors that have been strong influences for you?

Lisa Garr: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza, Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain, and The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer. I have over 1,000 books on my shelves that I am always pulling from for research.

LA YOGA: What are you reading now?

Lisa Garr: The Brain that Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge; this is my go-to reference guide. Dr. Doidge is a neuroscience researcher who talks about the brain’s ability to heal itself.

LA YOGA: Where would you suggest someone begin reading on the spiritual path?

Lisa Garr: The Conversations with God series by Neale Donald Walsch is both conversational and truthful. A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson is a staple when it comes to A Course in Miracles.

The Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer by Gregg Braden is a small book that describes the ancient prayer of “praying as if.” This is an ancient Mayan practice; they would go out into the field and perform a rain dance with an attitude that it was already pouring. Reverend Michael Beckwith talks about this as a process that you approach as a quantum leap into the practice realized, praying as if the solution is already in place. This shift in perspective actually had the potential to change the cascade of neurotransmitters that are released.

LA YOGA: What has been meaningful for you as you’ve been telling your own story?

Lisa Garr: Watching people implement practices, make connections, and experience synchronicities. I know there are meditation teachers who have been teaching these ideas for years. I’m a practical, working parent and find that there are practical methods to implement these life-changing techniques.

For more information on The Aware Show and Becoming Aware, visit: theawareshow.com.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Lisa Garr’s Summer Reading Guide appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When I first met Zhena, I have to be honest, I was intimidated and a bit jealous. Here was a woman who had everything I wanted and everything “my lizard brain” (as she calls it) was programmed to resent. But within five minutes of meeting her, she had successfully—and with love—helped me see through to my higher self and understand that what she was about was so much better than the petty, competitive patriarchal paradigm so many of us women have been living in. She is, to me at least, what a modern-day woman living from her feminine without giving up her powerful self looks like.

She is an entrepreneur, an author, a publisher, a mom, and most decidedly a woman in all her glory and an inspiration to women all over the world as to what is possible. I read her book Life By The Cup: Inspiration for a Purpose-filled Life and was simply blown away by her story.

It was 1999 and she was broke, with a very sick baby and no health insurance, a time when many of us would have given up hope. But Zhena dug deep into her soul and started a Tea Company (Zhena’s Gypsy Tea) literally out of thin air and few herbs from her garden. That tea company went on to become not only a multi-million dollar success story, but a company that revolutionized the tea industry. That’s not bad for a single mom without a college degree. When she began selling her teas to major companies she decided this wasn’t going to be just another company, this was going to be a fully fair trade company that approached business from a holistic perspective. Against all odds, that is what she did. That approach, that we should create businesses and communities that support each other’s health and well-being, wasn’t as popular—or as marketable—when she started as it is today. So what she did was downright amazing.

For Zhena, there wasn’t any other way and that was how she was the moment I met her. I appreciated her spunk and the fire in her heart and her warmth and honesty. She wasn’t a woo woo mama, nor was she a hard ass, she was both, beautifully combined into what I think the world needs right now. Women who stand for Women and for Men, Women who stand for humanity and the planet. A woman who is standing firmly in what it truly means to be feminine.

It’s a big paradigm shift for me, this idea of being in service, not that I don’t want to help people and care about the planet, but what Zhena embodies is more than that, it’s an unshakable commitment to refusing to live any other way, moment by moment, in every aspect of her life. As she calls it, living love in detail. This is why we are here, to experience love in the fullest of glories, in Technicolor and 3D in service to each other. I can’t imagine another way to be.

Check out my video interview with Zhena to hear more about Changing competition into Curiosity, Living life in detail, and The Heroine’s journey.  lifeunscripted.tv

Betsy Chasse is an author  (Tipping Sacred Cows) and film maker (What The Bleep Do We Know?!, Song of the New Earth). Find out more at: betsychasse.net.

Zhena and I co-host a new weekly talk show with Natalie Ledwell and Cindy Ertman called Wake Up! You can find it on Poptv which is available on most cable carriers. For more information, visit: wakeuptv.com.

Betsy Chasse

Betsy Chasse is an award winning filmmaker (What The Bleep Do We Know?!, Song of the New Earth, Pregnant In America) and best selling author (Tipping Sacred Cows, It Came Out of My Vagina, Now What?! – A book on Conscious Parenting) You can learn more about her at www.betsychasse.net

betsychasse.net

The post Life Unscripted: Zhena Muzyka appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When he first became a student, Tenzin Gyatso, most commonly known as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, admits that he was a reluctant one. This admission may be surprising to most of us—to hear that a person with a sincere interest in the depths of not only Buddhist teachings, but also psychology, modern science and neuroscience, the preservation of Tibetan culture, and the proliferation of a system of secular ethics—began as a reluctant student. There is hope for all of us. Of course, to put it in context, the Dalai Lama was merely six years old when his studies began in earnest.

From a child who was mostly interested in play, something shifted for the Dalai Lama as a teenager. He says he developed a genuine interest in study, prayer, and meditation, a genuine interest in studying the texts he was first introduced to as a child, and a genuine interest in developing the analytical mind. His dedication is an inspiration for all of us. It is a dedication that has made a powerful impact on the planet as a whole. His Holiness’ personal persistence offers a luminous example. He is a role model, as he himself offers the humor, laughter, dedication to service and study—and the irrepressible hope that he asks people to share with each other.

This year His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama celebrates his 80th birthday. And he’s been invited to the kind of party that you just might expect for a world leader: A Call for Compassion. This includes a global campaign as well as a Global Compassion Summit that will take place in Orange County in July. In advance of his visit, the spiritual leader of Tibet took some time to speak to a small group of journalists via videoconference during which he spoke about how yoga teachers can cultivate compassion, his meditation and yoga practice, and the three commitments that are the guiding light in his life and actions. During the conversation, he easily and often broke into his famous laughter.

“I usually tell people I have three commitments,” the Dalai Lama said. First and foremost is the promotion of basic human values or secular ethics. It is a topic he speaks on frequently and he is careful to clarify that the use of the term secular is delicate and includes a large dose of respect for all of humanity: believers and nonbelievers, those who identify with religion and those who do not. These ethics include the practices of love, openness, affection, compassion, friendliness, and warm-heartedness. These are values that transcend religious dogma and are integral to the health, well-being, and happiness of everyone on the planet. “In all the major religions,” he said, “the main message is love. In order to seriously practice love, it is also necessary to practice forgiveness and tolerance.” The Dalai Lama is an outspoken advocate for the importance of this simple yet profound practices of compassion, love, friendliness, forgiveness, and tolerance; they benefit humanity collectively and they benefit us as individuals. He warned us that constant anger and fear, the antithesis of these values, may actually diminish the ability of our immune systems to function at peak capacity. With a more compassionate heart and mind, he said, a person’s physical health becomes better and a person’s inner beauty shines forth.

“In all the major religions, the main message is love. In order to seriously practice love, it is also necessary to practice forgiveness with tolerance.”

 

The second of his life’s commitments is the promotion of religious harmony. In his daily life, he emphasizes the importance of tolerance and open-heartedness in every conversation and every speaking engagement.

His third commitment is the preservation of Tibetan culture (including Tibetan Buddhism); he describes this culture as being a culture of peace, nonviolence, and ultimately, a culture of compassion. Part of this has manifested over the past 30 years through the Dalai Lama’s passion for bringing together scientists, psychologists, and Buddhist leaders in serious discussion to advance thought and provide what His Holiness refers to as mutual enrichment and mutual benefit. He refers to the similarities among the Buddhist concepts of emptiness and the revelations of quantum physics.

The anchor for all of the Dalai Lama’s efforts in the world—as well as his ability to be a role model, an example for all of us—is found within the strength, dedication, and consistency of his meditation practice. Since the 1970s, he said, he rises in the morning at 3am to meditate. He described his practice as one that includes prayer and the study of textbooks. He said that his meditation practice includes some analysis that is both internal and external, and a focus on inner peace as well as some time focusing on emptiness. What has his meditation taught him? One lesson he shared with us is that, “destructive emotions are based on wrong perception.” Our projections, our emotions, our grasping, influence how we perceive our experiences and our viewpoint. A great deal of negativity is mental projection, he said.

Meditation is not the Dalai Lama’s only practice. Amidst laughter, he demonstrated for us his daily practice of alternate nostril breathing and other breathing practices, to which he attributed the health of his lungs at the age of 80. He lamented, though, at 80, that his once active physical yoga practice has become more difficult. But the emphasis on breath, which many practitioners believe to be one of the more important parts of yoga, is an essential part of His Holiness’ daily routine. As he said, he practices to, “breathe for a healthy body, and through that, a healthy mind.”

The Dalai Lama shared his view of yoga, “Yoga practice brings, besides physical health, a calm mind. The calm mind is the basis of all spiritual practice if you sincerely practice.”

When I asked him how yoga teachers can cultivate compassion for themselves and their students, his answer was deceptively simple. It embraced a viewpoint that is related to the very definition of the word yoga as union. He asked us to consider ourselves to be a human being, with the same mind, emotions, problems, and potential as the other seven billion human beings. He asked us to think about how to emphasize inner peace, to utilize human intelligence, and to see in our innate compassionate nature, a perspective that comes from fully seeing and realizing our connectivity.

There is some measure of recognizing this connectivity that drives this great teacher’s passion and purpose. It is the cornerstone for his upcoming visit to California. His commitment to compassion is a shining light for all of us. And with it, he is giving us the charge to accompany our actions and intentions in our life #withcompassion.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Talking to The Dalai Lama about Compassion Before his 80th Birthday appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Life Unscripted: Daniel Ladinsky sits down with Betsy Chasse to talk about Rumi, Hafiz, and his journey as a book author

I was first introduced to the Sufi poet Hafiz in a yoga class.  I can’t even remember to poem the teacher read, but it spoke to me, and I immediately sought out this Hafiz guy.  I came across The Gift by Hafiz and someone named Daniel Ladinsky.  Of the many wonderful poems in the book, one grabbed me:

What do sad people have in common?

It seems that have all built a shrine to the past

And often go there and do a strange wail

and worship

What is the beginning of happiness?

To stop being so religious like that.

Brilliant, straightforward and spot on . . .  I mean, doesn’t that just sum up the whole spiritual journey?  Stop living in the past, let go of your beliefs about what you think IS and live in the moment?  It was both stern and a little bit cheeky, but could a guy living in the 1300s really write that?  I expected something much more esoteric and flowery, and well, you know, 1300s-like.

Hafiz is a 14th century Persian poet whose works are highly regarded in Persian literature, used in songs, and portrayed in art.  He is a legend.  His poems are memorized by Persians in most Iranian homes, even today.

Hafiz was also a rebel, wanting his people to be lifted up from ignorance and tyranny.  At one point, the powers that be wanted to erase him from history, but his words so profoundly touched and inspired the people, that his legacy has lived on for centuries.

The Gift was translated by Daniel Ladinsky, and I reached out to him to obtain permission to use the poem in my book.  Daniel, like Hafiz, has a rebellious side, mixed in with a knack for making you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.  He agreed to let me use the poem, and I invited him to LA to get to know the man behind some of the world’s most beloved poems and poets.

My first impression of Daniel is of a rugged mountain man with a twinkle in his eye that says, “Maybe don’t take everything I say so seriously, but then again maybe you should.”  Daniel is every bit of what I expected who brings Rumi and Hafiz to life, all three can leave you breathless and on your knees with a giggle in your heart.

I learned that he was inspired by the mystery of God and mysticism at an early age, having had his first mystical experience by the time he was five.  He suffered with severe stuttering as a child, which sent him deep within, shying away from the outer world.  Daniel made his way through a special school and eventually to college where he spent most of his time alone in the desert in search of that God he once met as a child.

On one of his adventures, he came across the book God Speaks by Meher Baba, who would eventually lead him to Rumi and Hafiz.  That book, which, at first, left him more baffled than enlightened, sent him on a quest that started a the Mexican border, landed him in South Carolina, then to India (with the intimate disciples and family of Avatar Meher Baba), and into our hearts through his translations of Rumi and Hafiz and other poet-saints.  Watch our interview to discover what caused Daniel to make a left turn at the border.

Daniel Ladinsky is one of the most successful writers in the world who works with poetry.  Ladinsky’s six books are all in print with Penguin: A Year With Hafiz, The Gift, Love Poems From God, The Subject Tonight Is Love, I Heard God Laughing and his most recent Rumi collection, The Purity of Desire.

Follow Daniel Ladinsky on Twitter @cowgirlhaiku and watch for his YouTube Channel.

Betsy is an author (Tipping Sacred Cows, Metanoia- A Transformative Change of Heart, and books related to her film What The Bleep Do We Know?.  She has produced other award-winning documentaries, including Song of the New Earth and Pregnant In America.  She is currently in production on a new film, The Empty Womb — An exploration in the creative potential of the masculine and feminine.  Betsychasse.net

Betsy Chasse

Betsy Chasse is an award winning filmmaker (What The Bleep Do We Know?!, Song of the New Earth, Pregnant In America) and best selling author (Tipping Sacred Cows, It Came Out of My Vagina, Now What?! – A book on Conscious Parenting) You can learn more about her at www.betsychasse.net

betsychasse.net

The post Life Unscripted: Daniel Ladinsky appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

My favorite memories of working with Wyclef Jean involve numerous occasions of him stopping by my office for a visit that began as a business meeting and then became a dance party.  At the time, he had just released his solo album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book.  It included some of my favorite songs: “Perfect Gentleman,” “The Red Light District,” and “911” (with Mary J Blige).  In those days, I shared a large office with my good friend Andrea Kline at the Sony Music headquarters at 550 Madison Avenue in NYC.  Wyclef Jean would stop by looking for updates on how his songs were doing on the radio. And before you knew it, he would be putting on a private concert for us.  If you have ever seen Clef perform, you would understand why he would immediately have us on our feet dancing and singing.

Wyclef Jean and his Journey

Wyclef’s life has been an interesting journey.  He was born in Haiti and moved to Brooklyn at the age of nine.  When living in the projects, his mom noticed his talent for music, and at a young age bought him a guitar.  She wanted to encourage him to follow his passion and stay out of trouble.  Boy did that pay off!!  Funny side note: the first song he learned to play was Steve Martin’s “King Tut.”

When he was a teenager, his family moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he went to high school.  It was there that he teamed up with his cousin Pras and friend Lauryn Hill, and created the iconic music group, The Fugees.  Their biggest singles were “Ready or Not” and their remake of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.”  The band went on to sell over 15 million albums worldwide and their notoriety launched successful solo careers for all three artists.

Wyclef is also a featured performer in several hit songs including: Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and Santana’s “Maria Maria.”  His incredible song with  Avicii is called “Divine Sorrow;” definitely put it on your workout playlist.  His album, Clefication, was released in Fall, 2015. In 2018, he is performing on The Carnival Tour.

Wyclef is also politically active in addition to being a legendary rapper, musician, and producer.  In 2010, Wyclef ran for the President of Haiti, but shortly after his campaign began, he was disqualified since he had not lived in Haiti the previous five years.  Nonetheless, he remains active to this day in a number of charitable causes supporting his country.

Wyclef Jean and Workouts

I always love spending time with Wyclef.  On a recent visit to LA, he took me through his workout.  I admit it: he kicked my butt!  What makes his workouts fun is he feels that the best place to exercise is anywhere you find yourself.  Since we were at my friend’s house, we moved the furniture out of the room for a workout that included everything from acro yoga, gymnastics, push ups, tricep dips off the couch, relay races across the living room, and sit ups to Wyclef lifting me up onto his shoulders while doing squats!  He even taught me how to walk on my hands, which is something he always did when we traveled together. 

I like to tell people that working out should be enjoyable.  Find something you like doing and get your body moving rather than making it a dreaded chore on your to do list.  Get out and have fun!  And, as Wyclef taught me, you can exercise anywhere!

Wyclef Jean, Fruit, and Smoothies

As far as food, Wyclef Jean continues the habits he learned from his mother while growing up in Haiti. Eat from the earth and choose organic.  This includes staying away from processed and manufactured foods.  To stay healthy on the road, he travels with his own juicer, and I had the pleasure of learning his technique.  As I was rushing to chop the fruit, he taught me to slow down and enjoy the process.  Even the washing and chipping of the fruit is part of the experience, so slow down and enjoy.  He turned our juicing session into a dance party, just as he did with our business meetings.  He danced, moved his hips, and even sang “Hips Don’t Life.”  I took his advice and enjoyed the experience.  Oh, and the juice (pineapple, mango, apple, and orange), it was delicious.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: Wyclef Jean appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

I will always remember the first conversation I had with Jared Leto. We originally met in NYC in 2008 when I was working with his former management company, The Firm. I took him to do a radio interview at Z100. At the time, Jared had just finished filming the movie Chapter 27 where he played Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon. He had to gain 60 pounds for the role.

The details of how he did it have stayed with me. Jared would set his alarm in the middle of the night, wake up, and then eat cereal, ice cream, and pizza. And he would eat so much food that he would sleep propped up with pillows or in a recliner so he wouldn’t have excruciating heartburn. He became so sick from the rapid weight gain that he could barely walk, and would use a wheelchair to move around the set. Jared developed gout, said his body was continually in pain; he felt toxic, lethargic and depressed. This quick dose of reality revealed just how miserable life can be if you don’t take care of yourself.

In contrast, Jared Leto playing the role of himself means that he must operate at the top of his game. Jared is one of the biggest rock stars in the world as the lead singer/guitarist for the band, Thirty Seconds to Mars (who recently I had the pleasure of working with again).

Jared is such an incredible actor that in March 2014, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the acclaimed film Dallas Buyers Club. In many of his movies, he has some sort of dramatic physical issue, or extreme weight gain or weight loss. For example, in Requiem for a Dream, he plays a heroin junkie whose arm becomes infected and is amputated. In Fight Club, his beautiful face is beaten beyond recognition. He is badly burned in Panic Room. Then in American Psycho, he is brutally murdered with an axe. For Chapter 27, he gained 62 pounds. When it came to both Dallas Buyers Club and Requiem for a Dream, he lost 40 pounds for each film. According to Jared, “I enjoy the challenge of a physical role.”

Jared’s 2012 documentary, Artifact, is a mind-blowing saga about greed and art. It is the must-see true story of how his record label tried to sue his band for 30 million dollars. Having grown up in the music business, I knew the people being interviewed and found the movie particularly fascinating. The story detailed in Artifact inspired Thirty Seconds to Mars’ album, Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams, which had three big radio hit singles (including my favorite “Do or Die”).

Jared Leto’s Healthy Habits

After our initial conversation about the horrors of Jared’s weight gain, I couldn’t WAIT to learn his healthy secrets. First: Jared loves to work out in nature (especially hiking and snowboarding). We have this love in common, which explains why we frequently run into each other while hiking in the Hollywood Hills. While exercising outdoors, you can easily reconnect with your center by taking in the surrounding beauty, which is also a form of mindful meditation.

In addition, Jared meditates daily, allowing him to maximize his creativity and encourage his growth as an artist. We also have this love in common; meditation is game-changing and some of the most successful people I know have a strong mediation practice. To support his practice, Jared is a fan of the Headspace meditation app. When on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jared is known for his high-energy performances running on stage, climbing up poles, and practically hanging from ceilings.

When it comes to his diet, Jared is a vegan, or as close as he can be. In 2014 he was named PETA’s World Sexiest Vegetarian. I found it ironic, that Thirty Second to Mars’ 2014 with Linkin Park was called the Carnivores Tour. Fortunately for Jared and band, a vegan chef was backstage. Jared’s favorite foods are popcorn, vegetables, and hot chocolate made with almond milk.

Jared is one of the hardest working, most inspirational, coolest, and nicest artists I have ever met who makes the world a better place by sharing his art with us. He agrees with my philosophy “Being healthy is not a choice, it’s a lifestyle.”

Jared Leto Shares a Vegan Recipe

Organic Buckwheat Pancakes

Ingredients

2/3 cup Arrowhead Mills buckwheat pancake and waffle mix
1 egg substitute
2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup almond milk (For thicker pancakes, use less liquid. For thinner pancakes, use more liquid.)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients and stir only until lumps disappear.
2. Cook on preheated (375 – 400 degrees) lightly oiled griddle or pan, turning when bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to dry.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness with Jared Leto appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

We met on a wild adventure in India. The irony is we live a mile apart in LA, but destiny had our paths crossing nearly 10,000 miles away from home.  As we shared our life-changing journey exploring the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Delhi, I discovered she was a top fashion designer. I was already well aware of the famous dresses from her line, Black Halo. One of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets, her clothes are designed to make you look five pounds thinner and two inches taller with her expert cuts and high-end material. They are the perfect “day-to-dinner” or “boardroom-to-bar” dresses because they are elegant, yet powerful and sexy.

Black Halo Designs

Needless to say, my closet is now packed full of her designs, and I receive more compliments on her clothes than any of the other designers I wear. I heard the best compliment last week when I was in NYC wearing her cobalt blue, Jackie O dress. A gentleman approached me and said, “That dress is stunning and just screams, ‘You’d better have serious game to even approach me’.” I laughed and immediately texted Laurel to tell her it should be the tagline for Black Halo’s line of evening dresses, Black Halo Eve by Laurel Berman.

Laurel Berman of Black Halo and her Healthy Lifestyle

Since traveling through India together, Laurel has become one of my best friends—so I know firsthand how committed she is to a healthy lifestyle. Her favorite workout out is yoga, which she practices four to five times a week. She also rollerblades for four hours every other Saturday. When she travels, she visits her favorite yoga spots in each city, and sometimes sends her rollerblades on ahead to her hotel so she can cruise through Central Park or Golden Gate Park and enjoy the outdoors.

Laurel Berman and her Favorite Asanas

Humble Warrior:  Because she loves forward folds—and this one is more active. She drops her head to release the tension in her neck and shoulders anytime stress begins to build; when needed, she even deepens the release by adding eagle arms to the forward fold. She told me the stretch is amazing. I just tried it and she’s right!

Tumbling Tree:  I love the name of this pose, which is basically moving from Warrior 3 to standing splits without falling. She loves the balancing aspect of the pose, and says that when the body is in balance, it colors every aspect of your life, creating balance throughout.

Laurel loves the transitions in her practice, the poses between the poses. She focuses on the breath to keep them smooth and purposeful without falling out of the pose during exit and entry. This represents another skill that helps her in her daily life…flowing smoothly through life’s transitions is easier once you master it on the mat. The main reason why she loves the practice of yoga is how it benefits the mind; having more control over her thoughts and emotions—not letting them run wild helps in her fast-paced professional and personal life. She moves through life with grace and style thanks to her yoga practice, healthy lifestyle…and great wardrobe!

Laurel Berman Black Halo Designer’s Favorite Veggie Recipe

Tijuana Tacos with homemade roasted salsa

• 4 corn tortillas
• 2 goat cheese slices halved or 1 cup grated cashew nut cheese
• 1 whole organic avocado quartered
• 2 cups shredded organic cabbage
• 12 organic cherry tomatoes

1. Place cheese-covered tortillas flat on racks in conventional or toaster oven, set to broil.
2. Remove tortillas once cheese is completely melted or bubbling, add one quarter of avocado and 1/2 cup shredded cabbage, cover with roasted salsa.
3. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and cilantro.
4. Perfect served with fresh cucumber and jicama spears.

Roasted salsa

• 4 large organic beefsteak tomatoes
• 6 jalapeño peppers
• 1 clove raw organic garlic
• 1 tablespoon organic pink Himalayan salt

1. Place all tomatoes and jalapeños on dry skillet over high heat until evenly blackened on all sides.
2. Toss all ingredients into the blender and blend until chunky smooth.

Yields 2 cups medium hot fresh delicious salsa.

Be sure and check out BlackHalo.com for her latest arrivals. I can tell you firsthand your quality of life will improve when you wear her clothes.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness with Laurel Berman of Black Halo appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Artist Lindsey Stirling

Some people are born with a talent so amazing, it seems to come from another world.  I was recently introduced to a girl with that kind of gift, and was blown away by what I discovered. Lindsey Stirling is definitely one of those people. Several years ago, I worked with the legendary guitarist, Carlos Santana, and Lindsey does with her violin what Carlos does with his guitar…makes it sing!

When I was researching her music and fans, I couldn’t believe what I found. Lindsey Stirling has more YouTube subscribers than Katy Perry or Justin Timberlake. She has racked up over 700 million views on her videos. Her 2014 album Shatter Me debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200, which by the way, is a staggering accomplishment, especially for an artist not signed to a major record label.

When she tours, Lindsey’s show is incredibly high-energy, as she spends the entire 90 minutes dancing, twirling, back-bending, twisting, and balancing—all while playing the violin.

Lindsey Stirling, Energy, and Dancing to EDM

All this provides a full workout for her six nights a week. Her dancers have taught her how to stretch  before taking the stage. Another pre-show warm up for her fingers is to play the scales on her violin (just like singers warm up their voice). When home, she loves to put on her headphones and run or dance around the house while listening to EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and some of her favorite artists like The Clash, Cash Cash, Skrillex, Zedd, Paramore, and Ellie Golding.

According to Lindsey, “The way you treat your body is a reflection of how happy you are. It is so important to treat it kindly.” People ask her all the time, “How do you get so much energy?” To which she answers, “I live a very healthy lifestyle. No alcohol, no drugs, no cigarettes, no fried foods, and no caffeine. I try not to pump my body full of chemicals, which just weighs you down.”

Lindsey and the Dancing Violin

If you catch  Lindsey’s live performance you will see there is nothing weighing her down; she has been nicknamed the “dancing violinist” for a reason. Be sure to pick up her latest album and her new single “Shatter Me.” You too will appreciate why I am fascinated with her music.

Sleepy Banana Muffin Smoothie

Here is one of Lindsey’s favorite ways to start her day.

All measuring and preparation is done the night before you enjoy this delectable breakfast.

Dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

•      1 cup non-dairy milk + 1/4 cup for blending
•      1 frozen banana
•      2 TBSP uncontaminated regular oats
•      1 TBSP raisins
•      1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
•      1 TBSP raw walnuts
•      pinch of ground cinnamon

Optional toppings: coconut, raisins, walnuts, or chocolate chips

Instructions:

1.       Night before: Combine all ingredients (except the frozen banana and 1/4 cup milk) in a glass or plastic container. Stir to combine and place in fridge.
2.       Morning: Pour contents of container into blender, add banana and additional milk, blend until smooth.

More from Lindsey

Learn more about this remarkable artist at LindseyStirling.com

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: Lindsey Stirling appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

LP and Yoga

I spoke with her manager, who is a close friend, to see if there was anyway I could spend a few minutes with her, or maybe share a yoga class. Since we both have crazy schedules, I figured it would be next to impossible to set something up…and then two days later a “coincidence” happened. As I was about to begin my morning yoga class with one of my favorite teachers, Joan Hyman,  I turned around and guess who was literally right next to me in class? You guessed it, LP!!  We quickly laughed about the crazy twist of fate that had us side-by-side on our mats that morning. You learn a lot about someone through their yoga practice.

What I learned about LP that day was that she is incredibly strong with a powerful, yet peaceful, presence. I was definitely impressed and inspired by her practice, just as I am by her music. With her powerful and unique voice, she has been described as a cross between Jeff Buckley, Florence & the Machine, and Janis Joplin with a style and sound all her own. She is equally gifted as a songwriter and has written songs for artists like: Christina Aguilera and Rihanna (including the song “Cheers, “which I worked at Island Def Jam Music Group. It was a big hit!).

LP and Health and Fitness

When it comes to her health and fitness routine, we have a lot in common. Our favorite exercise activities are yoga and hiking. Depending on her schedule, LP tries to practice yoga three to six days a week and hike at least twice. When she is traveling, she takes her yoga mat on the road and streams the class from her favorite teachers…or hits local studios. The yoga pose she enjoys the most is triangle (same as me) because it doesn’t take a lot of effort and you feel the benefits throughout your body. It’s also good for working tight hamstrings. In addition, we have similar eating habits which are basically vegan with occasional fish, eggs, and cheese (as I like to call it a “veg-aquarium”). Her daily dietary supplement is Green Vibrance which she calls her “back up nutrition,” ensuring sure she gets all the greens and probiotics she needs.

According to LP, “If you are on this earth you have to take care of yourself; you want your life to be the best it can possibly be.”  We all benefit when someone with this much talent operates at the top of her game. Be sure to pick up her latest single, “Night Like This”, my favorite LP song, “Into the Wild” (which you will recognize from the Citibank commercial) and her new album, Forever For Now, ASAP! You will see what I mean about her mind-blowing talent.

LP and Veggie Recipes

Her favorite vegan recipe:

Lentil Dahl

Ingredients

one large onion

2 cloves garlic

2 heaping teaspoons turmeric

2-3 teaspoons ginger, grated or finely chopped

2-3 tablespoons coconut oil

one whole green chili, grated, or cayenne pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos to taste

3 bay leaves

2 cups lentils

optional:

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped

3-4 handfuls baby spinach

Instructions 

Soak in the lentils in spring water for at least 30 minutes (soaking decreases cooking time).

Cook onion and garlic in 2-3 TBSP coconut oil over med heat until soft.

Turn down heat and spices and cook for five minutes.

Add lentils with enough water to cover them, and heat to a boil, then simmer until soft.

Add spinach and fresh cilantro if desired.

Stir every ten minutes until done. Usually takes about 30 minutes to cook.

Serve hot and top with fresh coriander if desired.

More About LP

Learn more about LP and her 2018 album Lost on You and her current tour at: IAMLP.com

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: LP appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

His energy was calming, positive, powerful, and inspiring. Deepak is the author of over 75 books in 35 different languages and 25 of them have hit the NY Times bestseller list. One of my favorites (and I have read many) is The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

I also love his new book What Are You Hungry For? It is an amazing account of our relationship with food. The premise is that if your life is not fulfilled, you are not going to fill it through your stomach (which many people try to do). What are You Hungry For? offers insight into the damage done to the body from the toxins in our food, and provides ideas for a healthier lifestyle. When my friend Felicia, who handles his PR, offered me the opportunity to chat with him at his book signing at LYFE Kitchen in Culver City, I was astounded! I have been a big fan of his work for years. He has single-handedly improved the quality of life for millions of people around the world. It was so much fun talking to him and if given the time, I would have asked him a million questions.

Here is what I learned about his personal healthy lifestyle and practices: He walks a minimum of 10 miles a day (up to 20 miles), gets plenty of sleep, meditates twice a day and eats healthy, organic food. His other advice was to stay away from anything toxic: no toxic relationships, food, or environments. Avoid them all!

We also discussed a few other interesting lifestyle-related facts, like how food manufacturers hire scientists to make processed food more addictive with just the right combinations of sugar, fat, salt, and preservatives. We can avoid this by eating organic and non-processed foods. Also, when we are present in the moment while eating (and not multi-tasking), we metabolize food differently. We digest the food much more efficiently and significantly increase what we absorb so we are better nourished.

Here is a great vegan recipe from his new bestseller, What Are You Hungry For?

Sautéed Greens and Cabbage

Serves 4-6 people

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

2 bunches Swiss chard or kale

1 small head cabbage

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a wok and saute the ginger and turmeric for about 40 seconds. Add the Swiss chard or kale and cabbage and toss over high heat for about four minutes. Sprinkle with coriander, salt, and pepper and stir to coat the vegetables. Add 1/8 cup water, cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until done to taste.

Lori Rischer is a music business executive, the KIIS-FM health and fitness spokesperson, and a yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com, keyword “Rockstar” or LoriRischer.com

Photo credit: Jeremiah Sullivan.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: Deepak Chopra appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The time I spent working with Enrique was some of the most fun of my career so far. Together, Fernando and Enrique were beyond hilarious and they were the biggest pranksters I’ve ever met. I spent several overnight plane flights with them, sleeping with one eye open with my cell phone under lock and key. You can never be too careful when they are around! I have some classic stories about working with him and still find myself laughing at the memories.

Global Superstar Enrique Iglesias

Enrique is a global superstar, having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. He is a multi-platinum selling artist in almost every country. In the U.S., he has a total of 69 #1 songs including 24 #1 singles on the Billboard Latin Songs Chart and 11 #1 singles on the Dance Club Chart. This rating beat out Michael Jackson for the most #1 singles on the Dance chart in Billboard history.

The Health and Fitness Lifestyle

Enrique lives an active lifestyle and loves playing sports, surfing, and swimming in the ocean. (He conveniently has a house in Miami.) Enrique told me, “I actually don’t have a specific routine. I mostly do push-ups and bench presses when I am at home. When I am on the road, I go to the gym to exercise. My shows are very active and provide a lot of cardio exercise.”

Enrique adds, “The main thing I believe in is eating healthy and playing sports to be active. Do something you enjoy, even a swim in the ocean.” I know his favorite food is spaghetti with bolognese sauce. It’s filling and packed with nutrients, especially this vegetarian version.

Enrique’s Vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese

• 6 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or spaghetti squash, if desired
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 onions, diced
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 4 baby carrots, grated
• 3 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 8 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups cooked brown lentils
• 1 teaspoon tamari
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup tofu, cubed
• 1 teaspoon extra tamari or 1/2 teaspoon vegetable salt
• 3/4 cup almonds, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook the spaghetti or the spaghetti squash.
2. Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan. Add the garlic and onions and sauté, stirring for three-four minutes. Then add the red and green pepper, mushrooms, and carrots and sauté for three-four minutes. Next add the tomatoes, brown lentils, tamari, parsley, and herbs and cook for five minutes until heated. Sprinkle a little tamari on the tofu squares and heat the extra two teaspoons of oil in a separate (preferably non-stick) pan. Lightly sauté the tofu squares until they are lightly colored on each side.
3. Drain the spaghetti and distribute on a plate. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti, scatter the tofu on top, and sprinkle with the chopped almonds.

Being one of the biggest superstars in the world (I’ve seen it first hand, his fans go crazy!), Enrique continues to deliver a quality product. In order to do this, he stays at the top of his game. “I think it’s most important to stay healthy for your own well-being and peace of mind,” he says. “You just feel better.”

Be sure and pick up his single, “Heart Attack” on iTunes.
For more information visit EnriqueIglesias.com.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: Enrique Iglesias appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

OneRepublic has also experienced success with their singles, Good Life, All the Right Moves, Secrets, Stop and Stare, Feel Again and their latest song If I Lose Myself.  You can expect more since their new album, Native, will be released March 26.

Lead singer Ryan Tedder is also one of today’s hottest Top 40 producers and songwriters. Along with writing all the music for OneRepublic, some of his other hits include Beyonce’s Halo, Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone, Leona Lewis’s Bleeding Love, and two of Adele’s recent songs, Turning Tables and Rumor Has It.

I had the privilege of being on OneRepublic’s management team in the early stages of their career and spent a lot of quality time traveling with them, so I know first-hand the band’s emphasis on a healthy lifestyle.

Here is an inside look:  

While they are traveling, Ryan Tedder keeps up his exercise routine. If it’s warm outside, he loves to run. “The best way to see a city is by foot and we always stay in an interesting part of town,” says Tedder. “Whether it’s Berlin, Denmark, Paris, or Dallas, I like to explore the city while I get my cardio exercise.”  If it’s cold outside, he likes the Insanity Fit Test, which includes a lot of high intensity jumping, push-ups, high kicks, plank, and other similar poses.

Guitar player Zach Filkins shares his favorite power breakfast which includes:
Organic yogurt
Scrambled eggs, mixed with egg whites
Oatmeal (Zach always packs instant oatmeal when they are traveling.)

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KIIS-FM health & fitness spokesperson, and yoga instructor.  Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or:  LoriRischer.com Here is a link to Ryan giving me all the details, while we were backstage at a recent TV performance: 

Zach was one of our guests on Season 1 of Rockstar Health & Fitness.  Watch this episode to learn more about his power breakfast, and his favorite workout with a weight plate.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: OneRepublic appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo by David Bergman

No doubt about it……time flies!  It seems like only yesterday that I was in high school with feathered hair watching Bon Jovi from the front row.

Now instead of simply sitting in the audience singing along, I’ve helped spearhead the band’s US radio promotion and marketing campaign for the last few years.  During this time, I’ve also had a front row view of the band’s health and fitness routine.

Jon Bon Jovi & Band Health & Fitness

Staying healthy while meeting the demands of the road is not an easy thing to do!  While on tour, the band travels with a multi-talented healthcare professional who is an expert nutritionist, trainer, and chiropractor.  Some of the band’s other must-haves include: acupuncture for overall wellness, cold laser therapy to ease inflammation, water, and vitamins.  Nutrition is also important to the guys. Some of Jon’s favorite healthy foods are grilled fish, low-fat Greek yogurt, almonds, fresh fruit, and protein bars.

Jon Bon Jovi is an avid runner and will usually run six days a week.  Don’t be surprised to see the rock star throw on his hat and sunglasses for some fresh air and cardio when he’s on tour.  In addition, he lifts weights, and does core strengthening and balance/stability exercises. This routine helps him keep up the same stage moves he had when I was in high school.

My favorite fitness comment was from Jon’s longtime band mate Richie Sambora.  We were talking about exercise and I asked him if he did yoga. He replied: “$#*@ no – I’m from Jersey!!”  We had a good laugh at the classic rock star moment. Clearly, these New Jersey boys are doing something right because they have been at the top of their game for over 30 years.  Bon Jovi continues to deliver #1 albums and hit singles, and they sell out stadiums around the world.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: Jon Bon Jovi appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When I began my career in the music business, I was just out of college and living in New York City. One of the first artists I had the honor to work with was Melissa. Throughout her career, she has won an Academy Award, numerous Grammys, and has sold millions of albums. Some of my favorite songs by Melissa include: “Come to My Window,” “Bring Me Some Water,” “Similar Features,” and “I’m The Only One.” From her latest album, 4th Street Feeling, I love “Disaster” and “Fallen Up.”

Whenever Melissa and I are together, we trade healthy secrets; we’ve also learned that we both love yoga and hiking—my favorite combo. While on tour, Melissa maintains a gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free diet and takes time on a regular basis for her yoga practice. She shared with us some of her favorite yoga poses and why they hold a special place in her practice.

1. Tree: I love finding my balance. It can apply to everything in my life.

2. Down Dog: Simple, yes, but it works every part of my body in one pose.

3. Pigeon: If I can do this, I can do anything.

4. Half Lord of The Fishes: I love the feeling it gives me in my spine.

5. Pranayama: Understanding my breathing is extremely important to me.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

This dairy and gluten-free recipe is easy to make and one of Melissa’s favorites:

Ingredients

1 avocado (soft and ripe)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup

6 tablespoons milk (coconut, almond or any preferred milk)

Directions

1. Cut avocado in half and remove pit. Scoop out flesh and put it in in the blender along with remaining ingredients.

2. Process until smooth, occasionally scraping down sides. Serve immediately or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KIIS-FM health & fitness spokesperson, and yoga instructor.  Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or:  LoriRischer.com

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness: Melissa Etheridge appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

I have had the privilege of seeing it happen, not just once, but twice with the band Neon Trees. Both of their multi-platinum singles, “Animal,” which you may recognize from the Las Vegas tourism commercial, and “Everybody Talks” from the Buick commercial where it showed the band performing the hook of the song on a tour bus, rose straight to the Number One spot on numerous charts. I have spent a lot of time on the road doing press and promotion with the band, including a recent fun adventure in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

A healthy lifestyle is important to all of the band members; none of them drinks alcohol or caffeine, or smokes. Since lead singer Tyler Glenn follows a vegan diet, he prepares a wide variety of delicious and healthy recipes.  Here is one that he showed me when he was a recent guest on Rockstar Health & Fitness:

Tyler Glen’s Road Ready Vegan Mexi Scramble

Ingredients:

1 block of extra firm tofu

Half package of soyrizo (any brand)

¼ cup nutritional yeast

½ cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo

½ cup black beans

Daiya vegan shredded cheese (pepper jack or cheddar)

Olive oil

Season to taste with any of the following:

1 tsp garlic salt

Salt and pepper to taste

Hot sauce to taste

Optional garnish:

Avocado slices

Tofutti sour cream

Directions:

Heat a small amount of olive oil in skillet.

Place block of tofu in skillet and use a fork to mash to a crumbly consistency.

Add soyrizo and mix together over medium heat.

Add nutritional yeast, seasonings, salsa, and hot sauce to tofu and soyrizo mixture and blend.

Add black beans and daiya cheese.

Cook scramble until lightly pan-fried and daiya cheese melts.

Garnish as desired with avocado slices and/or Tofutti sour cream.

Tyler also does a lot of stretching, regular cardio, and works out with a kettle bell. His bandmate and guitar player, Chris, loves to run. To keep it fun, he listens to the Zombie app while he’s running. Neon Trees drummer, Elaine, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy; soon after, she was back on the road and in great shape. Elaine works out regularly with a combination of cardio and weights. When we were in Mexico, she was in the gym doing the Insanity^® high-intensity interval workout. The band was recently on the road opening for Maroon 5 and playing in front of sold-out arenas.  I love watching Neon Trees evolve into classic rock stars. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of their journey! Watch for new music coming soon.

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KISS-FM health and fitness spokesperson, and yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities Check out her weekly blog at KISSFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or: LoriRischer.com. 

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness – Neon Trees appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

You probably have her songs in your playlists without even realizing it. Her songwriting credits include hits like: Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart,” Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” Celine Dion’s “Because You Love Me,” LeAnn Rimes’s “How Do I Live,” Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” and the song for which Cher won a recent Golden Globe, “You Haven’t Seen The Last of Me.” Diane has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards (one year she had written the songs for both the oldest and youngest artists nominated in the same category: Justin Bieber and Cher), and was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Currently, she is working with artists like Adele, Taylor Swift, JoJo, the Civil Wars, and Halestorm.

Diane is a legend in the music business. I have seen people moved to tears when they randomly meet her on the streets of Paris or in boutiques in NYC. We have had adventures all over the world and I know firsthand that a healthy lifestyle is incredibly important to her.

Because of her love for animals and involvement with animal-related nonprofits, she is a vegetarian. She has a giant heart and one time even bought a cow that she had seen in the newspaper, which had been on its way to slaughter! The cow now lives free and happy at an animal sanctuary. A significant component of her healthy lifestyle is a plant-based diet. We have eaten at almost every vegan restaurant in LA; one of our favorites is Crossroads. Diane works out regularly and is a big fan of yoga. Her office has a gym where she works out with a trainer several times a week, including with the elliptical and weights. She says it plain and simple, “A healthy lifestyle is important because it is fu*king important to stay healthy.” When Diane is operating at the top of her game, the entire world benefits through her music!

Watch Lori’s interview with Diane.

Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese 

(recipe from J. Scot Jones at Crossroads Restaurant)

Serves 6

1 red onion, diced into 1/2 inch pieces

2 carrots, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces

3 celery ribs, diced into 1/2 inch pieces

2 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp nutmeg

4 pieces of field roast Italian-style vegan sausage, crumbled

6 cups of your favorite marinara sauce

1 tbsp Earth balance vegan margarine

1 cup dry white wine

salt and pepper to taste

1. In large pot, add Earth balance and crumbled vegan sausage. Saute till browned.

2. Add diced onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and nutmeg. Saute for three minutes.

3. Add white wine and marinara and reduce for 25 minutes.

4. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Lori Rischer is a music business executive and is currently part of the powerhouse team at Island Def Jam Music Group. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on iHeartRadio http://www.iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness/.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health & Fitness – Diane Warren appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.