Yoga Guide Magazine Issue #3 2018 by Yoga Guide Magazine

1 yogaguidemag.com

2 yogaguidemag.com

yogaguidemag.com

4 yogaguidemag.com

yogaguidemag.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Happy 2018!

Table of Contents 08 Top Yoga Picks 10 Alternate Nostril Breathing 12 Featured Yoga Instructors 14 Dylan Werner Interview 16 Yoga Teacher Training 18 Manifest with Smoky Quartz 20 Yoga Mudras 22 Maximizing Yoga Retreats 24 Boho Beautiful Feature 34 Why You Need Meditation 36 Featured Yoga Studios 40 Beloved Festival 41 Yoga Festival Guide 44 Envision Festival 46 Arise Music Festival 48 Joshua Tree Festival 50 Shaktifest

The entire contents of this publication are protected by copy right. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronically or mechanical, without permission in writing from Yoga Guide Magazine. The publisher accepts no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork, or advertisements. Yoga Guide Magazine is a bi-annual publication. All information regarding editorial content or property for sale is deemed reliable. No representation is made as to accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions.

6 yogaguidemag.com

There is so much to be thankful for after 2017. Each year, I push myself to grow and learn more to benefit myself and help others. Time seems to be flying which is another reminder to be as present as possibly daily. It’s great to have a habit of waking up early and doing some sort of meditation to start your day off and get grounded before diving into work and everything that life throws at you. There are many ways to start your day out with a form of meditation and staying grounded to help center your energy. A daily practice is a great habit to get into for the New Year. Even if you think you don’t have the time to do so, simply enjoy a silent moment in the shower or on your drive. No electronics, music or distractions. See what happens when you quiet your mind and start to listen. Looking to feel more grounded this year and fight inflammation? Try walking bare foot each day on mother earth. You can do this on the grass at a park or on the sand at a beach. Being grounded with the planet is one of the most important things you can do daily along with being outside in nature. This is a great way to gain new energy and get rid of static. I recently started to get into sound healing more with Tibetan bowls and crystal bowls. The healing property of sounds at different frequencies is simply amazing. You can easily go on YouTube and type in ‘meditation music’ and find something that you like. When you visit YouTube, make sure to check out the amazing ‘Boho Beautiful’ channel with Juliana and Mark, whom are featured on the cover of this issue and inside. We met up with them during their tour here in the US in Santa Monica for this epic photo shoot. Their youtube channel is filmed in exotic locations around the world and has tons of great content for you to enjoy for free. Yoga Guide is excited to be the official media partner of many yoga festivals this year, increasing our distribution to these great events and others! Thanks for picking up this issue and I hope you have an amazing 2018! -Justin Stearman

CREDITS Publisher Justin Stearman Justin@yogaguidemag.com Art Director Tommy LaFleur Photographer Amy Goalen Copy Writer Katie Nesbitt Editors Stephanie Siri Darshan Stephanie Spence Katie Nesbitt Kali Bliss

For advertising, contact: info@yogaguidemag.com

Cover shot by: Amy Goalen Photography Amygoalen.com | @amygpics Featured Yogi Models: Juliana & Mark YouTube Channel: Boho Beautiful

yogaguidemag.com

TOP

YOGA Picks

Below are some of our top product picks for 2018!

Yoga Tribe Mats

Yogatribe® is a movement much more than a provider of products and services. They bring beauty and love through their eco-friendly yoga mats and accessories which are specially designed to support your practice without compromising your highest principles. They are creating a growing global network of like-minded people from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. From physical interactions and sharing their passion for yoga and any related activity that contribute to your wellbeing, to virtual connections with key influencers in different countries Yogatribe.co.nz/yoga

Lyfe Fuel: Plant Based Nutrition

3 5

SOOTHE aching muscles and joints, RESTORE adrenal health and PROTECT from damaging free radicals and toxins with this line of plantbased nutritional supplements by LYFE FUEL. Their products are formulated using the most potent plant-based nutrients and superfoods from around the globe to deliver functional nutrition supplements that work just as nature intended. Designed to naturally combat inflammation, fight fatigue, and increase energy, these suplements are the nutritional powerhouse you need to maximize health, longevity, and performance to “Live Your Fullest Everyday!” LyfeFuel.com

SUJA JUICE

Looking for the best-quality clean juice around? We’re talking coldpressed, always organic, never (ever) GMO, chemical-free, filler-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, juice without the junk. Because if it’s not all of those things, it’s not worth it. All Suja beverages are created with transparency, safety, product quality and functionality in mind. Check out their three pressed juice lines – Classic, Elements & Suja, plus their functional beverages – Probiotic Waters, Drinking Vinegars & Kombuchas – and drink the love. Sujajuice.com

8 yogaguidemag.com

alexia meditation seat The Alexia Meditation Seat is activated thanks to its design, which helps protect and preventing the tear and degeneration of: Muscles, Joints, Bones which are usually affected by conventional seats and chairs. This seat offers a boost in concentration & performance as well as reducing stress level. It’s carefully designed in a way that it supports the (lower column, Ischial junction Node, knees, instep & feet) meanwhile you are seated in it. Experience your meditaiton with comfort Alexiameditationseat.com

H2lIFE STICKERS Beautiful your water and transform your world. Water is the essence of all life. Introducing the original H2Life Stickers, the first water bottle accessory designed to give you and your water bottle an energetic boost. What do you want more of today? Choose from Love, Abundance, Joy, Wisdom or any other life affirming state. Then let the magic unfold! Sticker designs were inspired by the very same molecular changes witnessed in real-life experiments, along with sacred geometry. Vibrant colors and copper accents bring healing qualities. H2lifeProducts.com

yogaguidemag.com

Learn How To Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing Nadi Shodhana (Nah-dee- Shoh-dah-nuh) Pranayama ~ “ Nadi” – meaning “Channel” & “Shodhana” – meaning “cleansing / purifying” By Stephanie Spence Adding alternate nostril breathing to your regular practice of yoga poses (asanas) and meditation will benefit your body, mind and spirit. I was in a class this week where the teacher took the time to demonstrate this and thought I would share it with you because it will help you bring awareness and harmony into your life. The ancient yoga text know as the Yoga Sutras, compiled by Patanjali in 150 BCE, considers pranayama as one of the eight major limbs of yoga. Regular pranayama practice will help ease mental tension and stress, and it will help you move through your day with balance, grace and equanimity. In yoga, it is believed that practicing this will cleanse and purify the nadis, which will allow for a smoother flow of “prana” (life force energy). When prana becomes unbalanced, due to mental and physical stress, the nadis become blocked, which can lead to illness and disease. Keeping the nadis cleansed will lead to overall wellness and peace in al areas of life.

Let’s get started:

• Begin in a comfortable, cross-legged position. You may choose to sit on a folded blanket, bolster, or

block to elevate your hips and reduce knee pressure. Sit up straight, but relax your body. Soften your jaw and breathe naturally. • With your right hand, bend your index and middle fingers, keeping your ring finger, pinkie finger, and thumb extended. This hand position, or mudra, is called Mrigi Mudra. • Close your right nostril with your right thumb. • Inhale deeply through your left nostril. • At the top of your inhalation, close your left nostril with the ring finger of your right hand as you release the right nostril. • Exhale through your right nostril. • Keeping the left nostril closed, inhale deeply through your right nostril. • Seal your right nostril again with your thumb, then release your left nostril. • Exhale out of your left nostril. You should now be in the original position, with your thumb sealing your right nostril. This is one cycle. • Balance your inhalations and exhalations so they are the same length through both nostrils. Repeat up to 10 full cycles, gradually increasing the number of repetitions as you gain experience and try to practice this daily to see the benefits. Practicing Nadi Shodhana balances and harmonizes your nadis and both hemispheres of your brain. This balance helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It lowers your heart rate and helps to relieve mental tension. As you practice Nadi Shodhana, shifting your awareness between your left and right nostrils, your mind naturally becomes more centered and focused. With regular practice, your attention span and ability to focus for long periods may be positively affected and you will see a shift in energy.

Stephanie Spence, Author and Certified Yoga Teacher. Stephanie is currently celebrating the publication of her new book, Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat (Skyhorse Publishing, Oct 2018). Connect with her @Stephanieyogini or her site, one-with-life.com 10 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 10

yogaguidemag.com

Featured yoga instructors

Heidi Hong What brought you to your mat? Before my yoga years, I was a committed gym junkie, going to the gym 5 times a week for 2 hours a day. I enjoyed pushing past my physical & mental boundaries, but it got to the point where I was beginning to bulk up. Yes, I know...it’s hard to believe, but I was to the point where curling30lb weights was beginning to feel light, and as I looked into

my future, it just wasn’t cute. It was then I knew I needed to switch it up, so I got into Pilates as the perfect way to build strength and flexibility. One day a dancer friend/coworker suggested yoga, and it was then that I got hooked. I had no idea, that the inner workings of yoga went far deeper than the physical body, and I had no idea yoga was going to be the things that really changed my life from the inside out.

Ienjoy an advanced Ashtanga class because it is so intense but I also appreciate a fun-filled creative vinyasa flowthat makes both corners of my mouth lift up because not everything in life needs to be so serious.

Where do you teach and how did you get started? I teach at Equinox in Huntington Beach, festivals & special events. I got my 200 hour TT through Purple Yoga, and my 500 hr Yoga Therapy Certification through Loyola Marymount.

What’s your favorite aspect about yoga? Yoga has made such a profound yet gentle shift in my complete being. It has taught me to find ease within my efforts through connecting with the simplification and sweetness in my breath.

What does yoga mean to you? Coming back to your sweet spot, losing it, but connected back to it over and over again. What’s your favorite style of yoga and why?

Favorite asana and why? I love a good twist before and after a class, or just by itself in the middle of my day. It just feels so good to decompress your spine!

What advise would you give to someone new to yoga? Welcome to the adventure of the beginning of your life! Yoga is not about the craziest pose you can do or how flexible you seem, it is about discovering the spaces in between here and there and enjoying those nauances. Stop, and always smell how sweet the roses smell.

Kori Strobl

Where do you teach and how did you get started? I own and teach at HB Yoga Collective, in downtown Huntington Beach. Although I have only owned the studio for a year, it has been my yoga home and community for 15 years. I’m a natural teacher at heart and was intending to become a professor of sociology. After healing from RSD I was so inspired by the practice of yoga both within and beyond the asana I switched gears and became a yoga teacher.

What brought you to your mat? I first stepped on my mat as an adventure in trying something new with a friend. I continued to show up on my mat because how deeply peaceful I felt after a class. My practice became both grounded and expansive after using the deeper aspects of yoga such as meditation, contemplation and self-study as I overcame a debilitating pain syndrome called RSD. 12 yogaguidemag.com

What does yoga mean to you? Yoga to me is a spiritual practice rooted in the physical body which provides me with a reflection of my various mental and emotional states. It’s a journey I take into my own inner landscape that helps me traverse the journey of my relationships and life. What’s your favorite style of yoga and why? Any style that allows me to be with my breath. I like to move slow and with my breath whether it’s a gentle hatha class or rigorous vinyasa class. It’s always about my relationship with my breath.

Favorite asana and why? I would have to say Virbhadrasana 1 because I feel strong, powerful and grounded. What’s your favorite aspect about yoga? I have a passion for the chakra system and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. All these various aspects bring me into myself and offer me the opportunity to experience, investigate, accept and transform my own inner obstacles that prevent me from experiencing the sweet fullness of life. What advise would you give to someone new to yoga? Yoga provides benefits for every one! Be willing to explore. There are so many styles, teachers, and experiences possible. The word yoga is a small word for a complex and ever evolving practice. If at first you don’t enjoy your experience try another class or experience. Keep an open mind to how the practice will affect you. You may get much more than you intended.

Featured yoga instructors

Jenny Vande Hei priceless lessons along the way. Whatever the injury is; heart break, addiction or chronic pain, yoga reminds me that I am none of these things. I am, WE ARE, pure love.

What brought you to your mat? I have always been an athlete and felt that I had the gift of a strong and capable body. Until I injured myself again and again and I’m sad to say my attachment to my capabilities was replaced with shame for what I saw as inadequacies. Yoga always leads me back down the road of humility which I have now renamed “gratitude”. So many

Where do you teach and how did you get started? I co-own Ra Yoga in Orange County with one of my dearest friends, Bobby Kittleman. I started teaching when I lived in Tanzania. I taught a weekly class for my orphans, street kids and those working to serve. My teaching began as an expression of community and service. Two of the many pillars from which Ra continues to grow. What does yoga mean to you? Community What’s your favorite style of yoga and why? My practice has changed throughout the years. Currently I find joy in Jnana yoga

Favorite asana and why? There are so many that I like. But really my favorite is savasana. I know that seems so simple but for someone who has been injured the gift of being able to lay down comfortably is bliss. What’s your favorite aspect about yoga? I truly love that there is just never a bottom to the practice. There is no end to the possibility and magic of yoga. I continue to learn about how little I know. What advise would you give to someone new to yoga? Be patient. All new things take time. You will find your way. Consider yoga the practice of washing away the old patterns so the new adventures can rush in. Your version is perfect!

Lesly Damai IG: @Leslydamai

Where do you teach and how did you get started? I teach yoga at the Ubud Yoga House in Bali where I’ve been living for two years. My classes are in the middle of nature, surrounded by the jungle and rice fields, it’s epic! I started deepening my yoga practice during my travels but my yoga journey came to fruition when I began studying in India.

What brought you to your mat? This may sound like a yogi cliché thing to say, but the universe brought me to the mat. Since my practice became serious to me, it’s been a whirlwind of amazing people, inspiration and exploration on my journey. I have no way to explain it but it was sent to me basically.

What does yoga mean to you? Yoga has helped me understand and reflect on my own human experience. It’s a way to live your life to the fullest, serving not just yourself, but others. The asana, pranayama, meditation and scriptures have helped me overcome everyday struggles like anxiety, anger, and negative thinking patterns. I’m in no way a sage, but I’m ok with that. I’m comfortable with who I am, and enjoying the process. What’s your favorite style of yoga and why? Depends on the day really, but I love Vinyasa, Yin and Ashtanga the most. I want it all!

Favorite asana and why? There’s an automatic sensation I get in Gomukhasana with eagle arms. I feel powerful yet grounded and absolutely love it! What’s your favorite aspect about yoga? Yoga allows me to tap in to myself everyday. I have been able to know who I am on so many levels and it’s a constant evolution of growth, mindfulness, and compassion. So my favorite aspect of yoga is taking my practice beyond the mat. To be good to myself and to others. What advise would you give to someone new to yoga? To be patient with yourself both in the asana and in your mind. It’s a gift to use our bodies in such a way so be proud of wherever you are. The breathing and flows will come to you automatically after you’ve dedicated time to the practice. The more you practice the easier it becomes. Just smile, breath and let’s do some yoga together!

yogaguidemag.com

Featured Yogi Dylan Werner Yoga is an art form, like an artist with a blank canvas. Through mindful intention and skilful practice, beautiful art is created. In the case of yoga, the canvas is the self, the artist is the practice, and the beautiful art is the inner beauty manifestation. Developing a practice comes through consistency; this can be challenging in the beginning and also easy to lose motivation when we reach roadblocks of our limitations of strength, flexibility, and balance. But, to grow these areas, you need to have a consistent practice. Create a routine and stick to it no matter what. Even force yourself in the beginning. Set alarm reminders on your phone. Pretty soon it will become such a habit that you won’t need the motivation to do it. Yoga is a pathway to freedom from suffering, joy, and mindfulness. Having a daily asana and meditation practice has shifted my entire perception of life. It has strengthened my body and calmed my mind. The Dalia Lama says the key to being happy is a healthy body and compassion for others. There are many types of meditations and people may define meditation differently based on their path and experience with it. For myself, meditation is a tool to remove us from the stories of our past and the fantasy of the future. To center the mind in the present moment is mindful awareness; to observe the thoughts and realize the truth. My practice is always a journey towards this meditative experience, whether it’s the first thing in the morning when I start my day with a seated loving-kindness meditation, or when I do my asana practice or move through nature. With practice, everything can become meditation or at least that’s the direction I’m working. I am a traveling teacher. In the past two years, I have taught over 400 workshops, at festival and events in over 60 countries. I love to connect with the students, share my practice as we share the experience of life. I also have the privilege to see so much of the world and experience different cultures and to see how through yoga the difference of culture, ethnicity, and religion are being unified for the goal the love and freedom from suffering. Read the full interview with Dylan on www.YogaGuideMag.com. Instagram: @Dylanwerneryoga

14 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 14

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yoga is a pathway to freedom from suffering, joy, and mindfulnessâ&#x20AC;? - Dylan Werner

15yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 15

Yoga Teacher Training Which One is Right For You? by Stephanie Spence

n Instagram follower asked for advice on selecting a program that best suits her. There is a lot of noise out there in the market and a tremendous amount of choice. With countless styles, locations, studios, teachers, prices, and time formats, how does one go about picking a teacher training? Are you clear on what your goals are? First, do the research. Have you identified what means the most to you? Prioritize that and craft your decision from there. 1. Is the Teacher Training Yoga Alliance Certified? The global regulating body for the Yoga industry is the Yoga Alliance. Enroll in a Yoga Alliance Certified program to ensure that there is consistency around the basic information that you are receiving and a minimum quality standard set for the training. Member benefits include health insurance, liability insurance, educational webinars, and more. 2. What style of Yoga will you learn? Take as many classes as you can from various teachers and studios and schools so you have EXPERIENCED what resonates with YOU. That passion will resonate with others, and once you’re a teacher you’ll have the educational background to back up that passion. Think long term. Are you just memorizing one set sequence or how to intelligently and creatively sequence? There are programs that only teach students one sequence to memorize and this sequence is specific to teaching just at that studio. This is fine if you plan to only teach at that studio or within that system, but if you have plans to move beyond that studio or teach private clients one day you may wish to get your training elsewhere. There is so much more than the PHYSCIAL practice of yoga, but you want to be cognizant of how to teach with full intelligence about the anatomy of one’s body. I see dangerous sequencing all the time now, especially in the new heated rooms classes. People expect to be physically cared for. 3. Price For a foundational 200 hour program you can pay anywhere from $2,500 - $5,000. (Traveling to an immersion? Factor in that.) Look at all of the other criteria when picking training other than the price tag. Quality trainings are usually carrying a higher price tag because they have to pay their teachers well since they are in such high demand. 4. Format Trainings can vary greatly between how many months they are spread out over, the days of the week you’ll be meeting and times of day they are scheduled.

I would ask yourself a few questions: Are you already working a full time job? Can you only commit to a few hours per week or just on the weekends? Would it be better to participate in an intensive program and complete it as quickly as possible? There is a yoga teacher training program out there for everyone that will accommodate your schedule. 5. Will the teacher training allow you to teach locally, travel with yoga or teach abroad? This is important when it comes to your career path. Want to stay in your local community? Planning on traveling with your training? You might consider a larger brand that is globally recognized and offers trainings in many cities or countries. 6. Study with the best Learn from the best and most experienced teachers in your market, or maybe even travel to train with a very experienced teacher or group of teachers. Research teacher’s bios. Find out where they received their certification. Research the big name teachers out there too. Ask about the teaching lineages of the trainers of your program and how much experience they have training students to become teachers. If these teachers are training students well, then their students will become great teachers too down the line. Beware: Some teacher training school programs are primarily viewed as a source of revenue, and in those cases the program’s quality may reflect those priorities. Create a long term career vision for yourself. You will continue to take classes, not just the initial certification courses. There are many things to consider. Good Luck on your journey! Namaste ~ Stephanie Stephanie Spence, Author and Certified Yoga Teacher. Stephanie is currently celebrating the publication of her new book, Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat (Skyhorse Publishing, Oct 2018). Connect with her @Stephanieyogini or her site, one-with-life.com

16 yogaguidemag.com

yogaguidemag.com

Manifest Big with Smoky Quartz By: Stephanie Siri Darshan

Lighthouse Crystals & Cosmic Creations

he word Guru references moving from darkness to light. Imagine a crystal that can transform negative energy into positive, fueling you like a rocket that catapults you into a world of achieving your desired manifestations. Smoky Quartz has a number of properties, but one of its most powerful traits is absorbing negative energy and channeling it into positive light.

Smoky Quartz, a grounding stone in the quartz family, is found in a wide variety of countries and has a hardness factor of .7 on the scale. It can vary in color from a light grayish-tan to a deep shade of brownish-black. Its mineral content and dark color assists it in being a strong stone for grounding. Smoky Quartz is a powerful stone that aids in grounding some of the most etheric individuals and allows them to function better as physical beings on the planet. Though it can ground one from the etheric world, it helps one reign in their manifestations from the higher realms and bring them into reality. Smoky Quartz allows one to fend off negative energy and transmute it into unlimited amounts of positive energy. This stone is quite the gem to keep in one’s space for business success. It helps one effectively with organization, practicality and brings one’s most inspired ideas and biggest dreams into reality. It also helps one call in guidance to aid with difficult tasks and projects.

yogaguidemag.com 18 18 yogaguidemag.com

When one carries or wears Smoky Quartz, it helps to ground one’s vibration as to more effectively communicate with guides, angels and phenomena. Smoky Quartz can assist one to perceive and understand messages from guides at a level where one is more focused and perceptive. It can help one feel comfortable communicating with spirit guides and ghosts as it’s highly protective from any negative energies. In fact it harmonizes well with other protective stones such as Obsidian. Another quality not to be overlooked is that while Smoky Quartz works to shift darkness into light, it wards off radiation. In fact, it’s effective in supporting healing from sunburn. In a world shadowed by darkness, where one is busy navigating their path of life, Smoky Quartz is a true companion. This is the year where we as humans drop the story and refuse to hold us back any longer. It’s time to take action and call in Smoky Quartz to get the job done. If you want to manifest big and live your truth while feeling clear, confident and positive in everyday life, Smoky Quartz is the crystal for you.

yogaguidemag.com

Yoga Mudras Mudras are powerful positions of the body that can influence the subtle energy flow (prana) throughout the body and brain. The Sanskrit word, mudra, translates to mean “seal,” “symbol” or “gesture.” Mudras have played an important part in Hindu and Buddhist cultures for centuries. The rich history of sacred hand gestures can be seen across the world in ancient statues, paintings and temples.

In yoga, we utilize mudras to draw our attention deeper inside and channel energy flow to enhance our health and state of mind. Although some mudras may involve the whole body, they are most often practiced by holding precise hand and finger placements while meditating. With practice and patience, mudras can stimulate specific channels in our energetic body leading to improved physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

• Thumb represents the universal self, and the element of space/ether (akasha)

• Index finger represents the individual self, and the element of air (vayu)

• Middle finger represents the intellect or intuition, and the element of fire (agni)

• Ring finger represents the mind, and the element of water (jala) • Pinky finger represents the physical body, and the element of earth (prthvi)

Although there are over 100 mudras, performing the following hand positions during your meditation is a great start to your practice. Begin by sitting in a comfortable posture such as sukhasana (simple cross legged position) or seated upright in a chair. As you hold your mudra, close your eyes, focus on a soft breath, and allow your mind to slow down and receive the full energetic benefits of your yoga mudra meditation.

Anjali Mudra is the most widely used mudra around the world. Anjali

is Sanskrit for “divine offering” and is used in various cultures and religions as a way of expressing prayer, thanks and gratitude – and in some countries as a sacred way to greet others as a sign of respect. The pressure of the two hands together balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Anjali mudra is grounding and reminds us to come back to our center.

20 yogaguidemag.com 20 yogaguidemag.com 3 yogaguidemag.com

Chin Mudra or Gyan (Jnana) Mudra is a familiar mudra as most

meditators are seen sitting with hands in this gesture. Chin and Gyan Mudras increase concentration, memory, creativity and symbolize knowledge, wisdom and consciousness. One may sit with the palms facing down (Gyan Mudra) for a more grounding effect, or palms facing up (Chin Mudra) for greater receptivity. When the index finger joins the thumb, the individual self connects to the higher universal self and allows for greater connection to divine wisdom.

Dhyana Mudra brings you into a deeper, more profound state of

concentration and inner peace. In this mudra, the right hand rests on top of the left and the thumbs join softly in the center. The right hand represents enlightenment, while the left hand embodies illusion (maya). The thumbs touch to bring balance between the right and left channels of the body. Sitting with this mudra can bring you to a heightened sense of centered enlightenment and tranquility.

Hakini Mudra is a powerful mudra to energize the brain, improve

memory, deepen concentration, and develop one’s intuition. Bringing the fingertips to touch lightly while the palms face one another promotes greater levels of calmness. This mudra is also known to help increase confidence and concentration when speaking.

Shuni Mudra is often used to improve intuition, sensory powers and alertness, while purifying thoughts and emotions. Placing the thumb and middle finger to touch can help generate a feeling of calming stability and patience. This mudra is also helpful when seeking additional discipline in following through with actions and tasks. Katie Nesbitt is a 500-hr RYT Yoga Instructor and Corporate Wellness Consultant in Los Angeles, CA. Katie teaches yoga classes, workshops and teacher trainings at Harmony Yoga in Redondo Beach, CA and leads international retreats around the world. www.katienesbittyoga.com

yogaguidemag.com

How To Get The Most Out Of A

Yoga Retreat by Stephanie Spence

elax and let go. As soon as you leave home, determine to put all problems out of your mind. Tell yourself the more you allow your mind to focus on the joy of the present moment, the more you will be able to focus your world lens on having a meaningful experience. You can enjoy the wisdom, teachings, love and connectivity of other highly conscious individuals. Go with the flow. Decide before you arrive that you’ll be open and willing to growth, but at the same time dwell in the peaceful place of knowing that you’ll get exactly what you came for. If you have that expectation in place when you arrive, it will manifest. Enjoy the life-enhancing power of being part of a collective and creative process. Trust in the process. Allow. You came for a reason, it will be revealed. Unplug to plug in. Disconnect from technology so you can reconnect to you soul. A yoga retreat provides the perfect opportunity to be inwardly attentive, to still the mind, feed the soul, and deepen your yoga practice… but that’s not going to happen if you keep checking your phone.

yogaguidemag.com 22 22 yogaguidemag.com

Disconnect from technology so you can reconnect to you soul. Have a plan and be ready to break it. Retreats and festivals have a lot to offer. Look at and schedule the things you want to attend before you arrive. There are no rules. You can take a break from what’s on the schedule and go for a walk in nature. There are events in the evening like listening to uplifting music, spiritual movies and quality time with like-minded people. Always allow for the inspiration of the moment; don’t be locked into anyone’s agenda – even your own. Take the time to journal. Keeping a journal is a great way to capture the inspiration from the week. Little by little the vision of the retreat will begin to fade when you return home; your journal will help remind you of the place of peace, the dreams and intentions you set forward, and the friendships and connections you made.

yogaguidemag.com

Boho Beautiful

Photography by: Amy Goalen yogaguidemag.com 24 24 yogaguidemag.com

Boho Beautiful A Yoga Wanderlust Channelâ&#x20AC;¨ 25 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 25

MEET

bOHO BEAUTIFUL

www.Bohobeautiful.life

How did Boho Beautiful come about?

Before Boho Beautiful, we found ourselves looking for something more meaningful then the usual day to day life we found ourselves in. We lived in Toronto, Canada and worked our day jobs but we’re searching for something more. We just felt that our energy could be placed in something more meaningful then the “rat race”. Eventually, the stars aligned, we bought some camera gear and decided to learn as we went. From that point on, we put all of our energy and every extra minute into building momentum. We started to travel more to capture content, and with that we started to grow as people. Boho Beautiful has grown along with us to be where we are today.

What do you value most about your work and what you do?

The idea that the future of our brand and business truly lies in our hands, and that we are lucky enough to be able to contribute to the wellbeing of others and a general higher vibration.

What advices can you give to others whom are new to their yoga journey?

To be patient and loving with yourself. Understanding that its about you and no body else. Take what you need from your own practice then apply it to your life and the world and others around you.

What does your YouTube channel offer and feature?

Our Youtube channel offers a little bit of everything. From yoga, pilates, to guided meditations, personal travel blogs, plant based cooking videos, and all kinds of creative pieces of our hearts.

Whats your favourite thing about yoga & meditation?

When we dive into our own practice, that time allows us to truly shut the whole world out and focus inward. Its the gift of space and breath, which amidst the modern day life, the majority of us are starving for. When we practice, we challenge ourselves and find growth within ourselves which resonates throughout the rest of our everyday lives.

Tell us about your most recent travels and exploration?

We just completed our 3 month road trip throughout the USA where we hosted charity yoga classes to raise money for local non-profit animal welfare organizations. We did 40 different stops across the country, and with the help of our local organizers and all the people that came out, we all raised over $20,000.

What can we expect to see in the near future?

We are going to be spending the beginning of 2018 in Costa Rica, where we will be shooting tons of content and exploring beautiful Central America.

What’s your favorite yoga asana and why?

That’s a hard one because we incorporate many different asanas depending on our mood and physical being during each practice. In different states of being, different asanas provide us with their what we’re looking for. So it’s funny, but we actually don’t have a favorite.

What does yoga mean to you?

Yoga means life. Yoga means breath, space, kindness, compassion and a perfect parallel to accompany ourselves on this journey through this existence. -Juliana and Mark 26 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 26

27 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 27

28 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 28

29yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 29

30 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 30

31yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 31

32 yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 32

33yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com 33

Why You Need

Meditation

Get Your FREE Yogi Guide to Wellness & digestion on her website: KaliBlissYogi.com, Instagram: KaliBlissYogi

By: Kali Bliss kaliblissyogi.com

editation is a form of yoga, and I believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most important kind. We need meditation more than ever right now with our fast pace digital society. Besides learning cool yoga poses, and how to balance on our arms, we all need to create more mindfulness and learn how to control our thoughts and behaviors. In our growing digital culture, we are becoming addicts to our phones, and have created barriers in communication, and have lost connection with our natural state of wellbeing. The majority of people move fast through life, fail to listen, and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get out of their own stressful state. This is causing tremendous health problems, and challenges for many people. We all need to learn how to get out of our mind, and connect better with our heart, and peaceful, harmonious state. Meditation can greatly help everyone create more peace, ease, and presence. By becoming more mindful of ourselves, how we behave, and how we treat others, we can greatly enhance our communication, and how we live in the world.

Mindfulness is a necessary tool needed to keep our mind and body in good shape. A regular meditation practice can help us let go of limiting thoughts, triggers, and emotional upsets, such as anger, frustration, worry, and more. We can improve health on all levels, by fixing the mind, and creating a healthy stress free body. Starting your day off with a clear centered mind, and calm state can

1 34 yogaguidemag.com 34yogaguidemag.com yogaguidemag.com

help the rest of your day run smoothly. Plus, it takes less time than a full asana class, and actually helps with overall flexibility. There are many unique methods that can be used to help transform the mind and body. Meditation can even be used to heal addictive behaviors and tendencies. Taking time to breathe can help us get in touch with our body and assist us in weight loss too because the breath helps move energy. There are various meditation styles you can practice to help retrain your mind, and help your body feel good. By learning to direct our thoughts in better ways, we can change our body, enhance our life, and learn how to let go of self-sabotaging behaviors and attitudes. The world after all, is a reflection of our inner state, and we have the ability to shift our inner world, form better beliefs, and develop an open mind, and more loving heart. The calmer we become, the better we feel. Meditation can help us restore our health on every level: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. When we are operating in a better state, we naturally, can get more done, be better focused, and have the energy to get through the day, while enjoying it. A daily meditation practice has been proven successful by some of the most successful business leaders, including Steve Jobs, Oprah, Tony Robbins, The Beatles, Deepak Chopra, Ellen DeGeneres, and more.

Meditation can help your mind and body, and transform your health and lifestyle. Our mind will continue to control us, unless we begin to control it. Meditation is a powerful tool anyone can do, and anyone can benefit from. Our subconscious mind keeps us in the same patterns and habits, until we change our mindset and adopt new behaviors. You can change your mind, and direct your life in happier directions, with the science of yoga and a routine meditation practice. Meditation can help us all create better choices that can help us achieve success in all aspects of life. We can all become more peaceful, and loving, and live in harmony with each other, when we are able to create our own calm and centered state.

Do meditation. Experience the benefits for yourself.

yogaguidemag.com

FEATURED yoga studio REACH YOGA

1319 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 Reachyoga.com | 619.356.3044

What’s the big deal about Yoga? Whether you’re just curious about yoga, a beginner, intermediate or advanced student, Reach Yoga has classes specifically geared for you. Reach Yoga teaches vinyasa style classes and sculpt. Vinyasa means “flow” which allows for flowing movement to guide you from one pose to the next. Sculpt is a strength-training class which adds free weights and speeds up the lean muscle mass building-process. Yoga is a life-changing practice and can transform not only your physical, but emotional and mental health. The mat is a platform…your platform for change, growth, inspiration, and peace. Reach Yoga aims to inspire you to REACH your goals while finding your true potential both on and off the mat. Their classes help to unlock your true potential by combining inspirational music, breath and movement in a heated environment. As your yoga practice progresses, you will be ready to advance in classes where the temperature and powerbased movements increase.

SPECTRA YOGA

2701 Harbor Blvd E-1, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Spectrayoga.com | 714.436.0576 The word Spectra is plural for spectrum, as in spectrums of light, energy or vibration. This yoga studio was named Spectra because a spectrum is a range and can vary infinitely within a continuum. We all take steps that make up the ranges within our lives. Most of the steps along a yoga journey have been small ones, necessary ones, sometimes scary ones to lead us to where we are today. Spectra Yoga hopes this is where you might choose to take a small step onto your mat. Spectra Yoga is Costa Mesa’s urban oasis to calm down, unwind, expand your horizons and uncover community. Their intention is that you’ll find yourself in a warm, luxurious, and loving space, surrounded by beautiful lush greenery and vibrant colors inspired by Bali. Whether you are looking for a group or private lesson, every class at Spectra Yoga is designed to invite students to ‘Reveal Your Radiance’ and unleash your inner selves. Anyone is welcome to join the Spectra community in the open and non-judgmental studio space. In the spirit of exploration and variety from the studio name, Spectra offers a wide range of classes accessible to everyone. Spectra Yoga welcomes and invite you to join the community of like minded people all exploring how yoga can uplift, transform, and benefit you physically, mentally and if relevant spiritually.

36 yogaguidemag.com

FEATURED yoga studio YOGA WEST

1535 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 Yogawestla.com | 310.552.4647

Yoga West is the home of Yogi Bhajan located in Los Angeles. The studio offers tons of amazing workshops, sound healing and yoga with Kundalini practice. They also offer deep meditation workshops and teacher trainings. The wide variety of experienced teachers will give you more knowledge and insight into yoga. Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® is probably the most formalized style of yoga currently taught throughout the world. In any class, anywhere in the world, you can expect it to include six major components: 1) tuning-in with the Adi Mantra, 2) pranayam or warm-up, 3) kriya, 4) relaxation, 5) meditation and 6) close with the blessing song, “May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You.” Kriyas are complete sets of exercises that are performed in the sequences given by the Master, Yogi Bhajan. They can be simple short sequences or they may involve vigorous, even strenuous exercises, and strong breath techniques such as Breath of Fire, which challenge and strengthen the nervous and endocrine systems and test the will of the practitioner beyond the limitations of their ego. The typical class is 60-90 minutes: 5-10 minute warm-up, 30-45 minute kriya, 5-15 minute layout, and about 11-31 minutes of meditation.

KAVA YOGA

4005 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814 Kavayoga.com | 562.434.8888 Kava offers workshops and classes to guide you through those changes in accordance with the principles of Ayurveda and Hatha Yoga. Once you connect to what’s right for you as an individual, the choices you make about food, yoga classes, meditation style, beauty and health products, retreats and wellness services will become super easy. The ability to keep yourself in balance will become second nature. You’re an individual with ever-evolving needs that change depending on the time of day, month, year, or phase of your life. At Kava they don’t just offer classes with vague names like “All Levels” and say “good luck with that!” According to the ancient wisdom of yoga, one size does not fit all. Yoga should be personalized as much as possible for each unique individual. Kava Yoga will help you pick classes with the right style, schedule and pace, optimized for your lifestyle and your own personal health goals. Kava yoga offers a teacher training course along with tons of workshops and retreats for you to choose from. Take a break from work obligations, family responsibilities and reconnect with yourself on a beautiful & secluded beach retreat. You can view more info on their website if interested.

yogaguidemag.com

FEATURED yoga studio directory Harmony Yoga 901 N Pacific Coast Hwy #100 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 310-379-6905 Harmonyyoga.com

Radiant Hot Yoga 1200 Bison Ave Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-706-9642 RadiantHotYoga.com

REACH YOGA 1319 Garnet Ave San Diego, CA 92109 619-356-3044 ReachYoga.com

Pure Love Yoga 415 E Avenida Pico San Clemente, CA 92672 949-492-5048 pureloveyogasc.com

Wanderlust 1357 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 323-967-8855 Wanderlusthollywood.com

Soul Fitness 1209 S Pacific Coast Hwy Redondo Beach, CA 90277 424.262.1348 Soulfitnessla.com

Ekam Yoga 2700 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663 949-631-9642 Ekam-yoga.com

Ra 3077 Bristol St Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714-708-3060 RaYoga.com

HB Yoga Collective 301 Main Street, Suite 109, HB , CA 92648| 714-374-0810 HBYogaCollective.com

38 yogaguidemag.com

I Heart Yoga 34485 Street of the Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA 92629, USA 949-363-3152 iheartyoga.org

Jellyfish Yoga 4 Kids 19772 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 260 Irvine, California 92612 Jellyfishyoga4kids.com

Better Living Yoga 27792 Aliso Creek Rd Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949-425-9642 Betterlivingyoga.com

Trilogy Sanctuary 7650 Girard Ave #400, La Jolla, CA 92037 858-633-3893 Trilogysanctuary.com

Ginseng Yoga 2985 Beech Street San Diego, CA 92102 619-338-YOGA GinsengSanDiego.com

yoga studio directory Be The Change Yoga 3943 Portola Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92602 (714)417.9834 • www.bethechangeyoga.com Purple Yoga 139 W. First St. Tustin, CA 92780 (714)832.7535 • www.purpleyoga.org Corepower Yoga Huntington Beach 7777 Edinger Ave, Suite D-230, Huntington Beach,CA 92647 (714)889.1279 • www.corepoweryoga.com

LOS ANGELES

Yogi Shakti Wellness Center 4249 Campus Dr. B140, Irvine, CA 92612 (949)856.9642 • www.yogashaktistudio.com

Peace Yoga Gallery 903 S. Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213)500.5007 • www.peaceyogagallery.com

Bikram Yoga Fullerton 1531 S. Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832 (714)871.9377 • www.bikramyogafullerton.com

Aura Yoga 8608 A West Sunset Blvd, W. Hollywood, CA 90069 (323)570.0570 • www.auraworkout.com

Harmony HB 16907 Algonquin St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 (714)840.2446 • www.harmonyhb.com

Earth’s Power Yoga 7901 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323)655.9642 • www.earthspoweryoga.com

Kaya Yoga Remedy 15052 Edwards St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714)600.6344 • www.thekayaremedy.wixsite.com/kaya

Yoga Salt 11955 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 (310)948.4165 • www.yogasalt.com

SAN DIEGO

Wanderlust Hollywood 1357 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323)967.8865 • www.wanderlusthollywood.com The Yoga Collective 512 Rose Ave C, Venice, CA 90291 (310)392.2000 • www.theyogacollective.com Hot 8 Yoga 1422 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310)866.5280 • www.hot8yoga.com Yogaworks Santa Monica 1426 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310)393.5150 • www.yogaworks.com Bhakti Yoga Shala 207 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310)804.9290 • wwwbhaktiyogashala.com Power Yoga 1410 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310)458.9510 • www.poweryoga.com

ORANGE COUNTY

Ashtanga Yoga Center 1905 Calle Barcelona #218, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760)632.7093 • www.ashtangayogacenter.com Bird Rock Yoga 910 Grand Ave #260, San Diego, CA 92109 (858)539.5742 • www.bestyogasandiego.com Spirit Yoga 1559 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 (858)412.0561 • www.spirityogastudios.com Yoga Six 4S Ranch 16625 Dove Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92127 (858)456.2477 • www.yogasix.com Riffs Studios 5510 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858)456.2477 • www.riffsstudios.com THE LITTLE YOGA STUIDO 702 Ash St, San Diego, CA 92101 (858)412.0561 • www.thelittleyogastudiosd.net Yoga Six Point Loma 2850 Womble Rd #101, San Diego, CA 92106 (619)544-9642 • www.yogasix.com

Radiant Hot Yoga 1200 Bison Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949)706.9642 • www.radianthotyoga.com

Yoga One 1150 Seventh Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (619)544.0587 • www.yogaonesandiego.com

Spectra Yoga 2701 Harbor Blvd E-1, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714)436.0576 • www.spectrayoga.com

Pura Vida Yoga 302 Island Ave #101, San Diego, CA 92101 (619)338.9090 • www.puravidayogacenter.com

Yogaworks Costa Mesa 1835 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (949)642.7400 • www.yogaworks.com

Sol Yoga 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr #121, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858)452.9642 • www.solyogastudios.com yogaguidemag.com

Photos by: Carlton Ward, HANA WOLF, Matte Hanna, Stefan Poulos

40 yogaguidemag.com

FESTIVAL GUIDE Shakti Fest: May 10th-14th 2018 Joshua Tree, CA www.Shaktifest.com

Wanderlust Whistler: August 2nd-5th 2018 Whistler, BC www.Wanderlust.com/festivals/whistler

Beloved Festival: August 2018 Tidewater, Oregon www.Belovedfestival.com

Bhakti Fest: September 12th-17th 2018 Joshua Tree, CA www.Bhaktifest.com

Wanderlust Tremblant: August 23rd-26th 2018 Mont-Tremblant, QC www.Wanderlust.com/festivals/tremblant

Groove Yoga Festival: June 22nd-24th 2018 Ontario, Canada www.Thegroovefestival.com

Envision Fest: February 21st-25th 2018 Costa Rica www.EnvisionFestival.com

Wanderlust Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ahu: March 1st-4th 2018 Turtle Bay Resort, HI www.Wanderlust.com/festivals/oahu

LA Yoga Cruise: Summer 2019 Long Beach, CA www.LAyogaCruise.com

Bali Spirit Festival: April 2nd-8th 2018 Ubud, Bali www.Balispiritfestival.com

UnifyFest: September 2018 Galisteo, NM www.Unifyfest.com

Joshua Tree Fall Music Festival: October 4th-7th 2018 Joshua Tree, CA www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com

Imagine Fest: April 21st 2018 Malibu, CA www.ImagineYogaMusic.com Xanadu: September 28th-30th 2018 Catalina Island, CA www.Thexanadulife.com One Love Experience: October 2018 Lake Perris, CA www.Onelovefest.com Guitar Fish Festival: July 26th-29th 2018 Yuba River: Cisco Grove Campgrounds, CA www.Guitarfishfestival.com Wanderlust Squaw Valley: July 19th-22nd 2018 North Lake Tahoe, CA www.Wanderlust.com/festivals/squaw-valley

Groove Yoga Festival: October 5th-7th 2018 Hamburg, Germany www.Thegroovefestival.com Sedona Yoga Festival: February 8th-11th 2018 Sedona, AZ www.Sedonayogafestival.com OC Yoga Festival: Summer 2018 Huntington Beach, CA www.OCyogaFestival.com

Joshua Tree Spring Music Festival: May 17th-20th, 2018 Joshua Tree, CA www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com

Lightning in a Bottle: May 23rd-28th 2018 Bradley, CA www.Lightninginabottle.org

Dirty Bird Campout East: February 2nd-4th 2018 St. Cloud Florida www.Dirtybirdcampout.com

Arise Music Festival: August 3rd-5th 2018 Sunrise Ranch: Loveland, CA www.Arisefestival.com

So Cal Vegfest: October 2018 Costa Mesa, CA www.Socalvegfest.org San Diego Yoga Festival: March 9th-12th 2018 San Diego, CA www.Sandiegoyogafestival.com

Wonderfruit Festival: December 13th-16th 2018 Pattaya, Thailand www.Wonderfruitfestival.com Sat Nam Fest: April 11th-15th 2018 Joshua Tree, CA www.Satnamfest.com

yogaguidemag.com

BALI SPIRIT FESTIVAL

42 yogaguidemag.com

Photos by: Ulrike Reinhold, Ishine, Matt Oldfield, AXEL HEBENSTREIT

yogaguidemag.com

ENVISION FESTIVAL: COSTA RICA

44 yogaguidemag.com

Photos by: Aaron Glassman, Andres Valverde, Azi Khan Eric Allen, Jacob Avanzato, Justin Brothers, Manuel Pinto

www.SanDiegoYogaFestival.com

yogaguidemag.com

ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL

46 yogaguidemag.com

Photos by: Jeff Warmock, Sam Stevens, Terrestrial MEDIA, Tyler Tomasello

The Heart of Yoga: Bali Immersion and Teacher Training with Mark Whitwell March 18 - 31, 2018 The Yoga Barn, Ubud, Bali A complete 100-hour module - can be used towards Yoga Alliance 200-hour certification Apply at www.heartofyoga.com/bali-training Plus 200-hour retreats and teacher trainings throughout the year: www.heartofyoga.com/ojai www.heartofyoga.com/fiji

LIVING WITH LOVE AND PURPOSE BEYOND ASANA MARCH 1-4, 2018

CATAMARAN RESORT HOTEL AND SPA | SAN DIEGO

Tim Feldmann, Richard Freeman, Manju Jois, Dena Kingsberg, Tim Miller and David Swenson Expand your mind. Heal your body. Feed your soul.

yogaguidemag.com

JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

48 yogaguidemag.com

Photos by: Juxtaposition, Sam English, Sandra Goodin

FIND YOUR

POST SAVASANA

GLOW WITH SUJA JUICE ORGANIC. NON-GMO. COLD-PRESSED. NO SUGAR ADDED.

#DRINKPLANTS SUJAJUICE.COM yogaguidemag.com

shakti fest

50 yogaguidemag.com

Photos by: Sandra Goodin,

yogaguidemag.com yogaguide.com

52 yogaguidemag.com