Home of Elsie's Yoga Class: Live and Unplugged Podcast, yoga classes at your own time wherever you go, plus a lot more! Now coming to you from Pittsburgh :)
I know when I first got into yoga the FIRST thing I did was to buy a book. I’m a fiend when it comes to books 🙂
The thing is that there are so many yoga books out there and I had no idea which were the best yoga books to buy, let alone yoga books that were accessible and not too full of yoga jargon with concepts that at that time, I wasn’t ready to digest.
I’ve decided to offer you some of my favorite yoga books for you to buy (or borrow from the Library. I’m a huge Library proponent) in order to enhance your yoga and health know-how! I have to disclose fully that they do have a bit of a female bias, but for my male subscribers, you’ll still find a wealth of information applicable to both men and women.
This whole thing was inspired by the crazy amount of emails that I get asking for advice about this very subject 🙂
Here’s the latest email from one of you lovely folks:
I am a beginner at yoga and just subscribed to your podcasts. I am interested in reading more about yoga and was wondering if there are any books you would recommend?
You can refer to the video above for a more in depth description of why I chose these books, but I’m linking to all the books that I mention below. All links to these books are using my Amazon Affiliate links, which will give me a little bit of cash to buy even more yoga books 😉 Wouldn’t you like to support my yoga reading habits?
I have more sticky notes in this book than in any other book in my Yoga Library! Sometimes I just open it and use one of Christina’s sentences to inspire an entire class 😀
I bought this book when I found out I was pregnant. At first I thought that it was meant to be a book for mother’s of daughters but then I realized that it was a book for daughters. All women are daughters. All women have mothers, living, dead or absent. I guarantee that you will be inspired by what you read in this book and how it can help you be as healthy as you can be.
Do you have any books to add to this list?
Please share them in the comments below! I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s looking to build her yoga library 😉
Just in case you are a new listener, the Elsie’s Yoga Kula Episodes are all about community. There are times when I want share with you guys more than the 5-7 minute intro to my Yoga Class Episodes will allow me 😉 This is where I share some of the feedback that I’ve gotten from you guys, plus answer some questions I get, or anything else that I desire to put out. As with Episode 4 of EYK, this episode also has an interview!
This episode is brought to you by Elsie’s Yoga Class Podcast App for the iPhone and iPod touch, you can find it in the iTunes App Store for $3.99. I’m finally being more digilent at making sure that I do add the extra content to the app, so if you look at the extras, you’ll find a PDF of the class sequence, and for this one, a free MP3 from our guest Donna De Lory 🙂 Have you had a chance to check out her music? Well if you haven’t I’m going to intersperse her music from her latest album Sanctuary throughout our interview. She is a FASCINATING woman. I cannot wait to share her story with you guys. Did you know that she worked with Madonna. THE Madonna, on tour…for many years? Pretty cools stuff…
I’ve been using her music before my public classes and during my private sessions. I love the way it lingers in the background and inspires and yet stays out of the way. My FAVORITE track on the album is called Bathe in These Waters. It gets me every time!
Virtual Yoga Student Feedback and Questions
Along with this interview I I’ll be reading some feedback from you lovely folks and address some questions so that everyone may benefit!
So listen to the full episode! It’s 58 min long 😀
Also a little reminder: Give it up for my awesome sponsors Prancing Leopard Organics 🙂 Their clothing is off the hook. If you haven’t had an opportunity to check out some of their stuff, DO IT! I’m also in the process of getting a few more reviews out there letting you know about some other pieces from their line. I ADORE their stuff! And special for you all….You guys get a 15% coupon code at checkout by using the coupon code that I mention on the podcast!
Speaking of reviews…like I mentioned before, I’m going to be doing more and more of them, and I would love to include you guys in the whole thing! Soooooo, if you have a favorite yoga mat, yoga prop, yoga clothing, that you adore please submit a review! I have a little form that you can submit OR you can use the form as a guideline, write your own thing and send it one in! eyogaclass (at) gmail (dot) com.
Music Festival and Yoga Retreat
Wanderlust
Squaw Valley
North Lake Tahoe, CA http://www.wanderlustfestival.com/
July 29-August 1st, 2010.
More information to come!
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 3:00 PM
3-Day Kirtan Festival
Bhakti Fest
Twenty-Nine Palms Highway
Joshua Tree, CA 59700
866-992-4258 http://www.bhaktifest.com
Bhakti Fest is a three day music festival celebrating devotion
through chanting, yoga, meditation and community, September 9-12th
Thank you tons for listening every body. I hope that this was at minimum helpful to you in some way. If you have any questions, problems or feedback please feel free to email me at eyogaclass (at) gmail (dot) com or call me 310 651 6238!!! I LOVE to play some voice feedback from you guys!!!
If you do have a chance please head on over to iTunes and review the podcast or the podcast app. I cannot tell you how much it helps to keep the podcast visible. Oh and while on the subject of reviews…I got a pretty negative one the other day…It was kinda sucky, but hey, it happens and it really taught me a bunch, which I wrote in a blog post.
Looking forward to hearing from you and already editing Episode 81! It’s gonna be an awesome class 😉 Bye bye!
I sooooo wish that the weather would have cooperated with me just a tiny little bit more, as the reason I’ve been taking so long to review the Prancing Organics clothes is simply cause it’s been a tad too chilly!
You can either watch the 5 min review video below, or you can simply read the post 😀 It’s all up to you!
Efficacy:
The ease of movement in this jumpsuit is awesome. Doing a full practice is pristine. It moves with the body seamlessly…and speaking of seams…it feels like there aren’t any! My experience practicing with this thing on was blissful. I holds sweat pretty well and does not get in the way, just the opposite, it really feels like you aren’t wearing anything because it’s so loose 🙂
The Jumpsuit Aix-en-Provence is quite effective as a dressier type of outfit.. The material is high quality and paired off with some high heeled boots or some sweet platform sandals or heels, add some funky jewelry and it would be a pretty delectable outfit. Bonus, you’d be crazy comfortable wherever you went 😀
The pockets! It has the coolest pockets! Those puppies come in very handy.
How does owning this jumpsuit make your life easier? If you’re traveling for a yoga workshop/conference, it’s easily packable and light weight. It’s also one piece of clothing, so you don’t have to waste time trying to match tops and bottoms. Putting it on is a breeze. Now, specifically for me, having a jumpsuit is a bit of a challenge while going potty as often times I have my 18 month old daughter with me, and well…let’s just say that it’s not as efficient for me at this point in my life 😉
Very important observation: you MUST wear a sports bra or something else underneath the thing if you are practicing yoga, as my lovelies kept on popping out!
Economy:
The design is effective and I would venture to say very artistic. It was very easy to get in and out of it. There are no buttons or tags anywhere and it feels like a dream! This is not your random piece of clothing. It is unique. It is well thought out and beautifully made. It is without a doubt a fashionable garment. Given all of that the price tag reflects that level of workmanship and artistry.
There are 2 types of Jumpsuit Aix-en-Provence: The cotton jersey, which is $147 and the fine cotton which is $163. The insights I share with you about this garment are regarding the Jumpsuit Aix-en-Provence cotton jersey, which absolutely feels like fine cotton! I do believe that it is appropriately priced, especially when you take into account the values of the company and their commitment to sustainability . Even if you do get your money’s worth this garment may be out of some people’s price range.
Exigency:
The Jumpsuit Aix-en-Provence doesn’t try to be anything that it is not. Like I mentioned before this is a very unique piece of clothing. It is luxurious, it is feminine, it is special and it may not be for everybody. I believe this is the sort of garment that if it’s meant to be yours it will be. It requires commitment to pull off it’s style.
The need that this garment fills is that of beautiful clothes that can be worn for an array of occasions. This is a piece of clothing that you could feasably go to work in, practice yoga, dance, pilates in and then go out on the town in. You may or may not wanna do all this in one day…but I digress 😉 What I’m saying is that you are not just purchasing a work out outfit, you are investing in an outfit that will work in a lot of different ways.
Insight: lovely and luxurious clothing such as this is more challenging to wear if you are a Mom of little ones. The first time that I put on my jumpsuit, within a few minutes, my daughter had peed on it and I got some Burt’s Bees Diaper Ointment on it *sigh*. Believe me, I was NOT happy.
Aesthetics:
I love, love LOVE my jumpsuit. I feel great in it. I feel feminine. I feel pretty in it, and absolutely comfortable to boot! When I wear it, I feel a bit more dressed up than with my usual yoga gear. It just feels soooo darn good on my body! I adore the fact that it’s all flowy and falls so beautifully. I had a fellow yoga teacher ask me if I’d lost weight ( I hadn’t). I told her “nope, it’s the outfit”. And that was the truth. 😀 It falls just perfectly while accentuating all the ‘right’ parts.
When I stepped out wearing my jumpsuit for the first time (after I cleaning up the sprinkle pee and diaper ointment) within 10 minutes I had another woman comment on how cool my outfit was. It really is a cool outfit.
One of the main reasons that I love prancing leopard is their philosophy. Here’s a bit:
Love, care and organic cotton: this is our passion. Our dream is really great clothing that intelligently supports a dynamic lifestyle and a company that endeavors to give back to the society, culture and the earth in every way. Balance.
To benefit both the wearer as well as the world, we chose organic fabrics. Our goal was to find the most beautiful fabrics, combining natural organic fibers with comfort and performance. Made with sustainable fibers to support organic farmers and sustainable farming practices.
♥ I adore my jumpsuit ♥
Of course if you want to get your own sweet Jumpsuit head on over to www.PrancingLeopard.com 😀
Do you own this jumpsuit? How about sharing your own insights? The more we share the more well rounded information we can provide!
Are you up for reviewing one of your favorite products for EYK? Just use THIS as a guideline, OR simply submit the questionnaire and I’ll happily post it for you. Enrich the kula, and help us all make choices that line up best to our individual needs.
I am thrilled to bring to you the first review by an online yoga community member. Go virtual kula power 😉 The mighty Sara Lee Cecy is sharing with us her love for some pretty awesome yoga pants from Green Apple a “company… pioneered with the vision to innovate and create new organic products for the active lifestyler.” On the Website the 33″ Relaxed Yoga Flare Pants by Green Apple are described this way:
Streamlined and ultra-comfortable, this flattering relaxed pant is made in a lightweight bamboo support jersey. Self fabric waistband can be folded over to create a lower rise. Contrast scar stitch detail, logo embroidery in front. 33″ inseam with raw edge hems that allow you to cut to your perfect length. 11″ bottom flare. Relaxed Fit.
Fabulous Comfy and Organic Yoga Pants!
And here’s what Sara Lee had to say about this green clothing brand and sustainable fashion!
Efficacy: This is all about results RATING = ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
How well did the product do what it was supposed to do? Did it work or not?
The pants work really- on or off of the mat. And they washed beautifully with no shrinkage.
In what way has it made your life easier, more productive, more efficient or not?
As of late my job as a scenic painter for theatre is very physical- I look forward to coming home and relaxing and yoga is a must at the beginning and the end of the day. These pants are so comfortable! I am eager to get to the mat when I put them on and they not only feel GREAT- but I feel great in them!
Economy: The least amount of effort for the greatest amount of results RATING = ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
How clear and simple is the design/layout?
Very simple- not a lot of ‘extra stuff’ in terms of graphics, etc.
Where there unnecessary features/explanations?
nope.
Was easy to use/interact with the product?
Yes- I followed the washing instructions and did not shrink them!!
Was it priced appropriately in terms of workmanship and usefulness?
This was a gift. On the website they are priced at 45.00 which might seem like a lot- depending on an individual’s budget. I have found though- that if it is good quality then it is so worth it in the long run- the right tool for the job!
Is the product environmentally sustainable and/or is the company conscious about the world as a whole?
YES!
Does it bring more beauty to the world?
YES! These pants feel great- I put them on and want to head to the mat- they help nurture my practice ( a pair of pants!) I also know- having gone to the Green Apple site that they evolved from an individual’s idea to create a line of active wear that was economically and environmentally friendly -nurturing on a bigger scale.
If you want to purchase these lovely yoga pants, head on over to the Green Apple site. Green Apple is also on Twitter: @GreenAppleCND
If you are interested in reviewing one of YOUR favorite yoga products for EYK just fill out this Yoga Product Review Submission 😀 Or you can also use the form as a guideline to write your own creative review and submit the full article to me at eyogaclass (at) gmail (dot) com. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Have you ever had someone ask for help and they just won’t listen? This is what this week’s yoga class is all about. I have a friend that I love dearly. This friend (let’s call him Pete) is kind hearted, he is giving, he is committed, he is loyal, and he has so much to […]
Hello lovely folks I was soooo looking forward to serving you Episode 84 this weekend, but alas, the computer dieties decided to put a halt on that. My MacBook’s backlight is no longer shining. The computer works, but I can’t see anything! If it was only about posting a blog…well, I could have swung that […]
“Without the opportunity to learn through the hands, the world remains abstract and distant, and the passions for learning will not be engaged.” – Doug Stowe In my newsletter I spoke about Labor Day’s beginning as a way to celebrate, honor and give a voice to the working class. I shared my thoughts about the working […]
These past few months I nearly got overwhelmed by anxiety. This hasn’t happened to me in a LONG time. I lost control of my rational thought process and simply dove into a feeling that was suffocating and terrifying. I can’t say that I was in any way comfortable. The only thing that pulled me out […]
When was the last time that you thought of your work as sacred and meaningful? How do you view work? For a long time I thought that work was my job. I fell into the very well known habit of griping and complaining about my job pretty often. I began to dread waking up in […]
Elsie's Yoga Kula: Free Online Yoga Podcast Classes 