Angela Kukhahn and Aimee Donahue’s Yoga Retreat to White Lotus May30-Jun 2nd 2013

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Join Aimee’ Donahue and I Thursday May 30th to Sunday June 2nd for our 2nd annual yoga retreat! Relax and renew during this dynamic yet restorative long weekend of yoga in beautiful Santa Barbara. We are in a new inspiring setting this year at the White Lotus Retreat Center.


 I am really excited to help you deepen your practice on this retreat that is a joyful integration of all that we love! Teaching, practicing and sharing yoga come together in a magical way with amazing people to make this a unforgettable experience.


Two asana classes daily, workshops, pranayama, meditation, discussions, massage, gourmet vegetarian meals, mountain springs, swimming, sun and more.
Spend a long weekend away from the city, relaxing and being pampered while deepening your yoga practice. Take a hike, get a massage, enjoy the mountain air and ocean sunsets.
All levels welcome.

Price per person is $750.00 which includes lodging for 4 days and 3 nights, all meals, all classes and events. All lodging is first come first served. Private cabins are available for an additional fee of $125-200 for couples or anyone seeking more privacy. Camping is also available at a reduced price. Massages available at an additional fee. 

Deposit: 
A non-refundable $200 deposit will hold your space. Click HERE to make your secure deposit via PayPal. All major credit cards accepted. For further inquiry please contact me at (310) 985-0218. Directions to Retreat Center


We look forward to seeing you there!

Much Love,

Angela and Aimee’

Yoga Workshop on Inversions with Angela Kukahn Saturday March 9th from 2-5pm

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Yoga Workshop on Inversions with Angela Kukhahn 
Angela Kukhahn in Handstand. Photo by Jasper Johal
In Advance: $45
Day Of: $55
This is an All Levels Class!
Playing Upside Down: From Fear to Fun!
In this workshop we will explore inversions with a sense of adventure, curiosity and most of all fun! Inversions are for everyone and are extremely beneficial in strengthening the body and focusing the mind. We will work on the strength and flexibility needed for inversions, develop core awareness and discover proper alignement for floating and flying. We will explore headstand, forearm balance, and handstand. In addition we will explore how different variations and the use of props make inversions approachable to just about anyone! Come expecting to sweat, laugh, play and fly!

Yoga Handstand Hip Opener: Handstand with Baddha Konasana

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Doing Baddha Konasana in handstand sounds ridiculous, but it is actually quite delightful ounce you get the hang of it.

I remember the very first time I tried this. I was just beginning to flirt with the idea that I may indeed be able to do a handstand. This really helped give me the confidence to try handstanding in the middle of the room.

The reason this works so well is because when you bring your feet together it helps to get your hips up over your hands. Also, your center of gravity is lower than it would be in a traditional handstand.

Start by warming up for your handstand with a few Sun Salutations and a seated Baddhha Konasana. The Sun Salutes will warm up your hamstrings, shoulders and the Baddhha Konasana will prepare your hips for this handstand.

Try a few practice hops.

My teacher always says”Remember they are like pancakes, the first few are never that good”.

Remember these key points…

Keep your eyes focused between your index fingers.

Draw your arm bones into the shoulder sockets.

Do not let your elbows bend

Exhale and pull your navel back towards your spine as you go up. It is normal to get nervous and forget about the breath so try a few where you exhale audibly to get the hang of it. Once you are sure that you are breathing properly feel free to go back to silent breathing.

Have fun handstanding!

Inspirational Quote and Photo of Handstand Under “Levitated Mass”

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Me doing handstand under “Levitated Mass” exhibit at the LACMA

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Thomas Edison

“Sweaty Vinyasa” Music For Yoga

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 I took a bit of a break from posting my yoga music playlists because of some issues I was having with itunes. Thanks to Spotify however I am back!!!Here it is! Click below to listen to the songs via Facebook/Spotify.

“Sweaty Vinyasa” Music For Yoga”

The Buddha Bar  Blue Tribe

Overcome (Accapella Mix) Tricky

Come Home Little Dragon

Keep It Rollin Y LUV

This world  Selah Sue

Raggamuffin  Selah Sue

Dreams of Fish and Waterfalls  Oliver Tank

Desperately Faithless Blue Metheny

Enigmatic Encounter  ATB & Enigma

Lonely Boy  The Black Keys

There’s Something Wrong Brad Sucks

Akwaba  Tya

True Affection The Blow

Timshel (Zoo Session) Mumford & Sons

Om Prana Rara Avis

Your Hands In Handstand: 7 Easy Tips For Better Handstands!

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When it comes to handstand there is no better place to start than your hands!

Sure, it seems pretty obvious. However the hands are sometimes an afterthought for students whose minds are preoccupied with trying to get their bottom to float above their head.

For the frequent flyer however (see inspiring photo to your left of my teacher Krista Cahill by the incredible photographer Jasper Johal) the hands and wrists always come first when attempting handstand!

Like anything, it’s best to start at the bottom and work up. In this case the foundation is your hands and like any good foundation it must be laid properly.

The worst possible news for a house is having cracks in its foundation and the worst news for a handstand are poorly positioned hands. (A close second is a poorly positioned attitude, actually a bad attitude is worse…but I digress)

At any rate you are headed for trouble fast if you don’t get your digits and palms properly set up, so listen close future flyers!

Tips For Your Hands in Handstand

  1. Place your hands shoulders width apart with your hands slightly turned out.
  2. Spread your fingers wide apart. Reach the fingers forward and apart to spread the weight evenly. Uneven weight causes problems for the wrist. Your fingers should spread evenly away from the palm like the spokes on a wagon wheel.
  3. Pay special attention to your index finger and thumb rooting down into the mat.
  4. Then with your hands firmly planted on your sticky mat try to squeeze them towards one another like you are trying to wrinkle your mat between your hands. The mat will not actually wrinkle  but this action engages the muscles of the hands, forearms and biceps creating stability.
  5. Push into your hands! Trust that they will hold the weight of your body. (Be mindful however not to push out of your shoulders, keep your collarbones wide and your shoulder blades firmly planted on your upper back! More about that later)
  6. Do not let the wrists lift! As you jump from the back of the mat it’s tough not to let the wrists lift, but do your best. I took a workshop with master ashtangi David Swenson and he kept saying over and over again to “put the weight in your hands”. This is key! Imagine your hands are cemented to the floor, make them super heavy as you practice jumping into handstand!
  7. Grip with your fingertips. Think of them as your emergency brakes. These little guys will help you not to “Go flying over the handlebars” as my teacher Brock Cahill likes to say. (Your primary brakes are your core and serratus anterior muscle. Secondary are your forearms and fingertips.)

Happy Handstanding Yogis!

Angela Kukhahn and Aimee Donahue’s Ojai Yoga Retreat July 20th-22nd 2012

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Angela Kukhahn and Aimee Donahue’s Ojai Yoga Retreat July 20th-22nd 2012

Hi Yogis,

Thanks for your interest in joining Aimee Donahue and Angela Kukhahn  (Friday) July 20th-22nd (Sunday) for a memorable 2 nights and 3 days in Ojai at a stunningly beautiful, 52-acre Eco Sanctuary. The main house, an architecturally significant Craftsman Style property, is picturesque, comfortable and relaxing. The land overlooks Ojai and features mango, lemon and orange trees, a big ceremonial fire circle, hiking trails, a large oval pool and a Jacuzzi. The large free-standing yoga studio features huge east-facing picture windows with a breathtaking view and a dark wood floor.

There will be a yoga class on Friday, 2 classes on Saturday and a final class on Sunday morning. Each class will be two hours. Delicious vegetarian food is provided at all meals and there will be plenty of time to hike, swim, read or just plain relax.

Please see below for the inclusive prices based on your room choice. Cost per person includes lodging for 3 days and 2 nights, all meals, all classes and events. All lodging is first come first served. Single spaces are available for an additional fee. There is a variety of accommodations and the retreat fee is based, in part, on the type of accommodation that you pick.

Deposit:
A non-refundable $200 deposit will hold your space and can be paid via PayPal by clicking HERE. All Major credit cards accepted.To reserve your room please email Jamie at  jhaddad31@gmail.com
or call her at (661) 713-2619.

The retreat center can accommodate 20 people in the main house and 22 people in the yurts, tea houses and cottage on the estate. All pricing listed below is per person. here is a description of the accommodations:
Please Note: Early Prices = Before 5/31/2012 Late Prices = After 5/31/2012

Estate Dwellings: 

Yurts – dorm-style accommodation with a shared bath
* Vista Yurt  – sleeps 4
* Yoga/Amrita Yurt  – sleeps 8
Early $595 Late $610
Tea Houses – enclosed outdoor sleeping space built on stilts with use of        bathroom in main house, amazing morning view, privacy and electricity
* Orange Zen Tea House – 2 single beds
* Mango Zen Tea House – 2 single beds
* Stage Tea House – 2 single beds
Early $675 Late $695
* Oak Tea House – Queen and one single bed (suitable for a couple or three  friends – $25 off on the third person)
Early $645 Late $665
Studios
* Apiary Studio – Private Shower
One King bed and One Single (Sleeps 2 or 3)
Early $755 Late $775
* Artist’s Studio - Private Bathroom
One King Bed, sleeps 2 (secluded and private)
Early $755 Late $775
Main House Rooms and Sleeping Porches
* The Kinder Room - upstairs, sleeps 3
Early $705 Late $725
* Sleeping Porch off Kinder Room  – 2 beds
Early $655 Late $670
* State Room – first floor, private bath. 3 single beds
Early $705 Late $725
* Chumash Room – first floor, shared bath. 3 single beds
Early $735 Late $755
* Sleeping Porch off Chumash Room. 2 beds
Early $655 Late $670
* Alaya Room – upstairs, shared bath. 3 beds
Early $735 Late $755
* Alaya Sleeping Porch – shared bath. 2 beds
Early $655 Late $670
* Anahata Room – first floor, private bath. One queen bed.
Early $760 Late $780

We look forward to seeing you there!
Angela & Aimee’

Register Now!

Yoga Inversions Pre-Flight Warmup

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“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
― Leonardo da Vinci

The Pre-Inversion Warmup

Before practicing inversions it is essential you warmup and stretch the muscles you will be using.
Your best bet if you are practicing at home is to warm up with a few Surya A’sSurya B’s and then do a few of my favorite pre-flight stretches and strength building postures listed below.
Happy flying yogis!

New Yoga Video: Big Beautiful Backbends With Briohny Smyth

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Love Briohny Smyth?

Good.

Me too!

I thought I’d share yet another beautifully made and meticulously produced video of her by Equinox Fitness.

I think is pretty inspiring, and hope it gives you another reason to unroll your mat today and dive into your yoga practice!

What’s cool about this one is you get to hear her voice as she lays down some yoga wisdom on backbending. I personally love backbending and love to inspire my students to pursue the bigger backbends with enthusiasim snd a healthy dose of caution and patience.

The Southbay Rocks! Operation Shanti 2012

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Group of Yogis

The South Bay Rocks! Operation Shanti 2012

Yoga Class Event for Charity!  We are Building an Orphanage!

What: Team led yoga class with live music by Daniel Stewart & Friends, followed by an after party with: DJMichael “Jammerz” Callon, food, silent auction, raffle & prizes!  Teachers include: Amy Beausang, Greville Henwood, Garth Hewitt, Jamie Horgan, Dice Iida-Klein, Angela Kukhahn, David Lynch, Genevieve Pujalet, Briohny Smythe, Marla Wedge and Shelley Williams.

Where: Hermosa Beach Community Center – Clark Building, 861 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

When: Saturday, March 31st – Registration 2-2:30pm – Yoga Class 3-5pm – After Party – 5-7pm

Click Here to Register Now!

If you are unable to attend please make a contribution to our campaign by clicking on the link below and donating through paypal.  No donation is too big or too small!

 Paypal

Please visit our website: www.losangelesrocksoperationshanti.wordpress.com

Follow us on facebook and become a fan of the Los Angeles Rocks! Operation Shanti campaign:www.facebook.com/LARocksOperationShanti

We have raised over $30,000 and our goal to build a new orphanage for Operation Shanti is $80,000!

Participate in change!  For more information about Operation Shanti visit: www.operation-shanti.org

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