Yoga

Yoga Workshops at Village Yoga Chicago May 2-4 with Angela Kukhahn

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Village Yoga Chicago May 2-4

Hi Yogis,

I am excited to announce that I will be visiting Village Yoga in Chicago May 2-4! During that time I will be teaching a Master Class and a Yoga Intensive. Below is a short description of the class and workshops I will be teaching and a link to register on their website! I would love to see you there! Also, if you have a friend that lives in Chicago who you think might be interested feel free to spread the love by sending them this link!

Master Class
Date: May 02, 2014
From: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Lincoln Park
Register

Join Angela Kukhahn for this special Master class. Suitable for all levels. Expect to set the tone for the rest of Angela’s weekend intensive – including inversion and arm balance practice. A great start to any Friday night!

$30

Weekend Intensive with Angela Kukhahn

Join Angela for a Weekend Intensive focused on cultivating strength, courage and confidence on the mat. Angela’s love for yoga began in 2003 after she refused surgery following an awful car accident that damaged both of her knees. Fortunately, fate had it that she stumbled upon a beautiful studio called the Adiaya Yoga Sanctuary where she met her compassionate teachers Dy Tysen and Rachel Sellars. Yoga healed her broken knees and sparked a fire inside of her. The flame was lit and she knew she wanted to teach! She completed her first 200hr teacher training with Yogaworks in New York City. She then migrated to sunny Los Angeles to study under the brilliant Annie Carpenter. After completing the 6 month mentorship program at Yogaworks she spent a month in Sydney, Australia as Annie’s teaching assistant. Annie’s alignment-based style of teaching has had a profound effect upon Angela’s teaching style. Other teachers that continue to shape Angela’s teaching include Brock and Krista Cahill, Vinnie Marino, Kathryn Budig, Dice lida-Klein, and Briohny Smyth. $40/session or $110 for all Saturday/Sunday Sessions

Grow Your Inversions

Saturday
Date: May 03, 2014
From: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Lincoln Park
Register

This is an inversion basics class aimed at getting you comfortable upside down. This is a great foundation for beginners or anyone wanting to review the fundamentals of inversions. We will make our way through an inversion specific warmup, plenty of corework, headstand A, headstand B, pincha maryurasana and handstand at the wall. Come willing to sweat, play and let go of some old fears!

$40

Fly Like A Yogi

Saturday
Date: May 03, 2014
From: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Lincoln Park
Register

Are you ready to have some fun? This workshop is playful on purpose to get you out of your head and flying with ease! While staying grounded in the essential elements of alignment we will adventure away from the wall and out into where the magic happens! Expect a strong vinyasa warmup, plenty of ab work and to have fun. We will be exploring creative ways to find your balance in handstand away from the wall.

$40

Fun With Flying

Saturday
Date: May 04, 2014
From: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Lincoln Park
Register

Are you ready to take your inversion practice to the next level? This workshop is for you! The focus will be on slowing things down and moving exclusively from the core to control our inversions. We will also discover the importance of the abdominals as we play with scorpion in pincha mayurasana and handstand. Expect to sweat, smile and be challenged!

$40

See you in Chicago!

Caribbean Yoga Retreat To Aruba with Angela Kukhahn and Susie Frank July 12th-19th 2014

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Aruba-yoga-retreat-Manchebo-beach-resortExpand your practice with twice daily transformative yoga classes on a breathtaking beach, a healthy breakfast, and  afternoons spent chilling beside the sparkling Caribbean Sea or enjoying local excursions. Watch the sun dip behind the horizon as you practice on the outdoor yoga pavilion in the evenings as you bid farewell to another blissed-out day in paradise. Spending a week at the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa combines vacation with rejuvenation for mind, body & spirit. Leave feeling revitalized, relaxed and renewed.

The resort is located on the shores of majestic Eagle Beach, Aruba’s widest, an ideal place for a rejuvenating getaway. Manchebo is home of the exotic outdoor Caribbean-Balinese Spa del Sol where guests can enjoy a full range of spa treatments. The island of Aruba offers a variety of gourmet cuisines, tropical adventures and of course the inspiring crystal clear turquoise ocean.At Manchebo Beach Resort guests can relax, rejuvenate and liberate themselves from their daily life routine, so come and experience a Caribbean Yoga Vacation at Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa!

7 nights Yoga Package Inclusions:

  • Deluxe Sanctuary Garden View Room or Deluxe Ocean View Room
  • Daily breakfast and healthy smoothie
  • Welcome & farewell dinner at the resort
  • Sunset sail
  • Room Service Charge & Tax
  • Transfer Airport – Resort – Airport

Rooms and Rates

Deluxe Sanctuary Garden View Room

  • Single Occupancy: $2,725.00
  • Double Occupancy: $1,785.00
  • Triple Occupancy: $1,584.00

Deluxe Ocean  View Room

  • Single Occupancy: $3,060.00
  • Double Occupancy: $1,955.00
  • Triple Occupancy: $1,697.00

Check in time is at 3pm and check out is at noon, and they do have a changing room for guests that have a late flight.

Optional Additional Activities (for an additional fee)

  • SUP Paddleboarding and Paddle Board Yoga
  • Snorkeling
  • Horse Back Riding
  • Scuba Diving
  • Island Tours
  • Deep Sea Fishing
  • Sailing
  • Wind Surfing and Kite Surfing
  • Aruba Ostrich Farm
  • Butterfly Farm Aruba
  • Museums
  • Shopping
  • Mountainbike Rentals and Tours
  • Golf
  • Segway Tours

For more info call Angela at (310) 985-0218 or e-mail ajoyfulyoga@yahoo.com

If you want to reserve your spot email reserve@manchebo.com or call toll free 1-888-673-8036. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place on the retreat.

Aruba-Beach-Yoga-Retreat-Manchebo-Beach-Resort

 

Los Angeles Inversion Weekend with Angela Kukhahn Sept 20-22 2013

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Angela Kukhahn in Handstand. Photo by Jasper JohalInversions Weekend
Angela Kukhahn
Sep 20 – Sep 22 2013
South Bay
$35 Friday, $45 Saturday or Sunday, $110 entire weekend

This weekend has something for all levels of flyers so come willing to sweat, play, and let go of some old fears!
Friday Session (7:15-9:15pm): Grow Your Inversions
Beginner: This inversions basics workshop is designed to make you comfortable to go upside down. We will discuss the fundamentals of inversions; begin with an inversion specific warm-up followed by core work, headstand A & B, forearm balance, and handstand at the wall.

Saturday Session (2:00-4:30pm): Fly Like a Yogi
Intermediate: This workshop is playful on purpose to get you out of your head and flying with ease. While staying grounded in the essential elements of alignment, we will play with creative ways of balancing away from the wall. Expect a strong Vinyasa warm-up, plenty of core-work, and lots of fun.

Sunday Session (12:00-2:35pm): Fun with Flying
Intermediate & Advanced: For the advanced yogis, this workshop will focus on slowing things down and moving exclusively from the core to control your inversions. We will discover the importance of the abdominals as we play with scorpion in forearm balance and handstand.

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!
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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!

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“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!

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