Because life is short and sweet for certain." - Dave Matthews

I'm thrilled to announce the release party date for the True Yoga with Leanne Hall DVD-Awaken to Your True Potential.

The event will be at 7 pm on June 3rd and will be held at The Mondrian Cityplace, just across the street from the West Village in Downtown Dallas.

We'll start the evening on the 19th floor in one of the beautiful penthouses at the Mondrian, where I currently teach Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. You'll step into an elegant and candlelit room, surrounded by windows overlooking the Dallas skyline. (Where I filmed the DVD) You'll get to view the True Yoga DVD, and enjoy a special guided meditation given by me, followed by hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, as well as, the company of many wonderful guests and friends.

Then, we'll flow down to the gorgeous Zen like courtyard at the Mondrian, surrounded by a fireplace and water fountain, and have the wonderful gift of hearing talented singer/songwriter, Courtney Fairchild, perform for us before she leaves on tour with her band for the summer. She is one of my favorite musical artists and I'm so happy she'll be sharing her music with us.

Of course, the True Yoga DVD will also be available for purchase at the party. Another incredible gift is that Krishna Das has blessed us with the incredible gift of allowing me to have his music on my DVD. So not only will you get to practice Yoga with me, you'll also get to be uplifted by the music of Krishna Das, and the incredible and inspiring view from 20 floors above Dallas as you look out upon the gorgeous horizon, and Awaken to Your True Potential with every breath you breathe!

Looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Namaste! Read more

I workout about 5 - 6 times per week. My weekly routine consists of 4-5 days/week of a 20 minute cardio workout, followed by light weights and some abdominal strengthening exercises. I also a incorporate few backbends into my daily routine and some stretching. I usually practice Yoga about 3 days/week and incorporate 15 to 20 minutes of meditation into my daily routine most days of the week.

Because I teach Yoga, I spend even more time than this stretching daily when I am demonstrating certain poses in class, or even sometimes joining in on the Yoga practice with the class to flow with them from time-to-time.

The reason I'm sharing all of this with you is because I am becoming increasingly aware of how overexertion or being imbalanced in our physical wellness routine can affect us and be detrimental to our overall goals physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Last night, as I was teaching Yoga, I was speaking to the class about being balanced and taking time to rest. That when we do too much we create imbalance and this can be counter-productive to what we intend to create...

As I said this, I heard a voice inside of me say, don't workout tomorrow. Take it easy tomorrow and rest. Do nothing. What?! What I find though, is when I give myself permission to rest, when I do return to my daily regimen of health and wellness, I feel much stronger, calmer and energized than before.

We experience this all the time when we let ourselves come into Child's Pose in Yoga class. One of the most challenging parts of creating balance in our lives is actually giving ourselves the permission to get down on our knees and put our head on the ground and just let go and DO NOTHING.

So often my Yoga teacher will mention how the benefits of DOING NOTHING can be way more powerful and transformational on every level of our Being than overexerting ourselves to do something, i.e. making sure we get our workout/yoga practice in, etc. How overexertion can produce unhealthy levels of cortisol in our body which has the body be unresponsive to our efforts. She uses the imagery of the person who goes to the gym everyday and yet never seems to change anything. Their bodies are stressed out and the only way to bring the body back to a balanced state is through a relaxation promoting practice like Yoga, Meditation, Massage, etc.

With this being said, I thought you might enjoy reading this article about stress from overexertion and how it affects our Body, Mind and Spirit.

Take time to take it easy...


Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay HealthyFrom Elizabeth Scott,
Your Guide to Stress Management.

Cortisol and Your Body
"Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions and more:

-Proper glucose metabolism
-Regulation of blood pressure
-Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence
-Immune function
-Inflammatory response

Normally, it’s present in the body at higher levels in the morning, and at its lowest at night. Although stress isn’t the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the bloodstream, it has been termed “the stress hormone” because it’s also secreted in higher levels during the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, and is responsible for several stress-related changes in the body.

Small increases of cortisol have some positive effects:

-A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
-Heightened memory functions
-A burst of increased immunity
-Lower sensitivity to pain
-Helps maintain homeostasis in the body

While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s response to stress, it’s important that the body’s relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions can return to normal. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the body’s stress response is activated so often that functioning often doesn’t have a chance to return to normal, producing chronic stress.

Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:

-Impaired cognitive performance
-Suppressed thyroid function
-Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
-Decreased bone density
-Decrease in muscle tissue
-Higher blood pressure
-Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, as well as other health consequences

Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!

To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should be activated after the fight or flight response occurs. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place. The following have been found by many to be very helpful in relaxing the body and mind, aiding the body in maintaining healthy cortisol levels:

-Guided Imagery
-Journaling
-Self-Hypnosis
-Exercise
-Yoga
-Listening to Music
-Breathing Exercises
-Meditation
-Sex
-Other Techniques

Cortisol secretion varies among individuals. People are biologically ‘wired’ to react differently to stress. One person may secrete higher levels of cortisol than another in the same situation. Studies have also shown that people who secrete higher levels of cortisol in response to stress also tend to eat more food, and food that is higher in carbohydrates than people who secrete less cortisol. If you’re more sensitive to stress, it’s especially important for you to learn stress management techniques and maintain a low-stress lifestyle." From: http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

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(A picture of the OM which my friend painted on the wall at my studio.)

It's amazing how much I miss blogging when I take a few days off. This blog has been such an incredible tool for me to channel my thoughts/feelings/emotions through.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Holiday. Yesterday I went to the Easter Picnic in Lee Park. It was beautiful. Possibly a 1000 people or more, sitting outside on a beautiful sunny day, with their blankets and picnic baskets, enjoying food and wine with their friends, family and strangers, everyone smiling and having a wonderful time. I'd never been before, though I had heard a lot about it when I was living downtown Dallas the past few years. I'm so glad I went, it was so much fun!

I feel tremendously grateful. The incredible people I have in my life, friends, family and the awesome work I get to do everyday, are such incredible blessings...

For the first time, I think ever, I chose not to go to church on Easter Sunday. It was really hard for me to make this decision and I even felt a little guilty, (which doesn't serve me), but I decided I would take the morning and spend it alone in prayer and meditation. So, I did. It was just right and I'm so glad I chose to spend the morning this way.

Yesterday, I remembered one of the promises Jesus made to his disciples.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do."< John 14:12

This passage radically transformed my perspective of my faith and spirituality when I first read it four years ago. It said to me, unlimited potential. Within us exist no boundaries, except those we put upon ourselves.

Last week as I was teaching class I set my intention for my practice. If you are familiar with Yoga, then you are aware of the expression/vibration of OM.

"OM represents the entire manifested world and the unmanifest, and also that which lies beyond both the manifest and the unmanifest – the Brahman, (God) which is the changeless substratum for the changing objects of the world of experience." From http://www.jayarams.com/omchinmaya.html

It is said that when the Yogi becomes still enough in their Mind and Being, they are able to hear the ever-present, everywhere vibration of OM.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 'Be still, and know that I am God;'" Psalm 46

In the 1960's two gentlemen actually won a Nobel Peace Prize for discovering the Universal vibration which exists in absolute stillness or silence. It has been said this vibration is the sound of God, or OM, this consciousness of life that exists within all things, and this vibration is the sound of It expanding infinitely.

I have heard the sound of OM a few times in my life. It is said that as much as we seek God, we call out or chant to this Power, at some point we realize God has been calling to us all along, when we become still enough to truly connect to our Source. We feel this Presence within us and all around us, not just some of the time, but with every breath we breathe. Hearing the vibration of OM, is the most peaceful experience I have ever known. It was following the first Yoga class I ever taught at my studio when I had just opened it. I could feel it in every cell of my Being and it was the most incredible feeling of peace and love. This is OM, or God, to me. Having this awarness, this feeling with us all the time must be the most incredible experience we can know, and the true experience of Yoga. Oneness, Joy, Love and Peace...Ever-Present, Everywhere.

Yoga classes usually begin with chanting OM three timess. Upon completing the third OM last week, I awakened to a new intention to envision in my practice. So, my intention is to know this Presence, this Force, within me and all around me with every breath I breathe. To be in harmony and to feel this vibration of harmony in every cell of my Being.

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You take the good, you take the bad,
you take them both and there you have
The Facts of Life...The Facts of Life.

There's a time you got to go and show
You're growing now you know about
The Facts of Life, The Facts of Life.

When the world never seems
to be living up to your dreams
And suddenly you're finding out
the Facts of Life are all about you

It takes a lot to get them right
When you're learning the Facts of Life ... Learning the Facts of Life.

Understanding how the 5 elements relate to the 5 senses of the human experience is an incredibly important practice in Yoga, and one that can help us to feel at peace and ease in the moment, which allows us to connect to the Greater Universal Life Force which is ever-present, everywhere...

"Not from eyes nor ears nor smell nor touch shall the yogi be strayed from his path. The ability to focus inwardly rather than on external stimuli is known as pratayahara. In the west this practice is often thought of as meditation. When people first learn to meditate this is actually what they learn before moving on to more advanced practices. By learning to not be distracted by sounds or smells or sights the yogi purifies their inner being and begins to follow the path of self discovery. Pratayahara lets the practitioner listen to their inner voices."

The drawing of the 5 senses inward is known as Pratayahara. I've often had a hard time understanding what the practice of Pratayahara entails, however, thanks to the teachings of John Friend, I am now beginning to see how my 5 senses can serve as incredible tool for realizing a meditative state/experience through the conscious connection to the world around us.

The 5 elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Each of our 5 bodily senses relates to a particular element.

Our sense of smell is connected to the element of the Earth. Imagine yourself sitting in a grassy field, surrounded by nature & trees, smelling all the scents of the natural world around you.

Our sense of taste is connected to the element of water. Notice right now you have an awareness of taste in your mouth, and the saliva/water element which is present that allows you to have this sense.

Our sense of sight is connected to the element of fire. All of the world is illuminated by the sun, the large fire at the center of our solar system, which brings light to everything around us.

Our sense of feeling is connected to the element of air. Imagine the wind blowing on your skin, feeling it blow through your hair.

And, our sense of sound is connected to the element of space. There are sounds around you right now as you sit here reading this. These sounds are traveling through the medium of space in sound waves that are entering through your ears and resonating on your ear drums.

When you take time to be aware of what you are hearing, feeling, seeing, tasting and smelling and how it is connected to the world around you, it will help you to feel connected to the infinite peace within this moment, within you, and bring you into connection with the Universal Life Force in every molecule of air we breathe.


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(Click the picture to enlarge.)

I've definitely had a challenging week, riding the up and down emotional roller coaster of life. Yoga helps me to become aware of the cause of my ups and downs, but it seems that no matter how much I think I'm done with this ride, sooner or later I find myself strapped back in once again.

I haven't been posting much this week because I've been taking time to slow down and feel what I'm going through. Attending John Friend's workshop last weekend was certainly a transformational experience. In all my experience of attending Yoga workshops with Master Teachers, I've never had the teacher recommend that we take a couple of days off after the workshop...until now. Of course, as I said in the last post, I foolishly did not take his advice. Lesson number 1, when a Master Yoga teacher who's been teaching Yoga for 30 years recommends taking a couple of days off...listen...Of course, John also reminded us to be a little foolish, (our first class together was on April Fool's Day, so it worked out exactly the way it was meant to)

I sank to some pretty deep lows on Monday and Tuesday. I felt unsure of myself, all of my insecurities rushed up to the surface, and I felt like I had lost a complete sense of who I am. Which then led me to the question, Who am I? It's been a while since I've asked this question. I think awakening to the place where we actually let go of everything we've had made up about ourselves and who we think we are is a very powerful place to be, and it can also be excruciatingly uncomfortable, to get to the place of absolute nothingness and the unknown...Who am I? This is the question all great spiritual teachers and seekers exist in...

Much of the time I feel confident, yet there is a painful source of insecurity that lies deep within my Being. It's not coincidental all of my self-worth issues came up to the surface after last weekend.

One of the things John Friend taught us, is to BE worthy. In the beginning of class he had us stand in Tadasana, Mountain Pose, with our shoulders rolled back, heart open and chest filled up with light. He said, let go of thinking your not worthy, that you don't deserve to be here, or belong here. Your strength comes from remembering your Source, the Source of your Being and of your whole existence. Your are light. Within you there is a Source of Strength and Being and you are that and it is you. Like you have a pillar of diamonds running through the top of your head all the way down your whole body and out your pelvis floor down into the Earth. Adamantine strength, like a diamond. Why like a diamond? Because it reminds you of your Source and that the light of your Source is within you, shining brightly, and illuminating everything.

Our Strength has nothing to do with the muscles of our body, it has to do with the rememberance of our Source and the embodiment of the awareness that WE ARE WORTHY.

Here is the literal translation of the word adamantine:

Main Entry: ad·a·man·tine
Pronunciation: "a-d&-'man-"tEn, -"tIn, -'man-t&n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin adamantinus, from Greek adamantinos, from adamant-, adamas
1 : made of or having the quality of adamant
2 : rigidly firm : UNYIELDING
3 : resembling the diamond in hardness or luster

It's scary to feel inadequate, like I'm not good enough, and completely ungrounded in my Being and then to teach a Yoga class for the thousand upon thousandth of time and feel like I have no idea what I'm doing...like I'm lost.

It's incredible what an amazing teacher can allow us to see within ourselves. One of the gifts John Friend helped me to receive and open up to is my Self Worth. Of course, like everything else in Yoga, it looked like me going into my unworthiness first, into those parts of myself which I've masked and tried to cover over. To go through the discomfort of all of that, to feel lost, to ask the question...Who am I?...And, through this process, this stretch, to awaken to a new awareness of the strength of mySelf, my Life Source within me and all around me.

On that note, something wonderful opened up today. I will now be teaching Yoga from the 19th floor penthouse at the Mondrian Cityplace. This is Yoga with a spectacular view, a view which reminds us as we soar above the Dallas skyline, that although we are physically small, there is a Source within us and all around us that is as big as the Infinite Sky.

I will also be having my DVD release party in the Penthouse at the Mondrian. This will be a wonderful celebration and I look forward to sharing more with you as the time approaches...right now it looks like it will be some time in June...

May we awaken to the Adamantine Strength of our Being with every breath we breathe...

Have a great weekend! Read more

OK, I got back from the John Friend Yoga Workshop on Sunday night and am just now feeling like I can move freely again. I was so sore. He even suggested we should take a couple of days off after the workshop. And, of course, I didn't listen as I told myself, not me...I'll be fine.

The class I took was an Advanced class. It was good for me, though. I got my butt kicked a little which hasn't happened to me in a long time. (in yoga class, anyway) So often, beginning yoga students will tell me how sore they are. Although I can empathize with them, it's been about 4 years since I really felt that intense soreness, like my whole body was opening up in ways it never had before, or hadn't in a really long time.

To be a beginner is a great thing...

Feeling sore in every muscle fiber of my body reminded me what it is like to be a beginner again. Here I have been wanting and practicing to be so advanced in Yoga all along, and as soon as I get to the point where I can particpate in an Advanced class, I get my butt gently kicked back to being a beginner again. Yes!

When we come into things as a beginner or with a beginners mind, we come in empty. Like children, we can be filled up with the fullness of life, each moment, when we allow ourselves to be free of our preconceived notions. We can bump our knees, and bruise our shins and enjoy the tumbling and stumbling of learning to walk, run, jump and play through life. I will share more on my experiences with both Krishna Das and John Friend, but for now, all of this reminds me of this quote about having an empty and childlike mind...

Pour me a cup of tea" the monk says "and I will tell you when to stop." The dutiful student starts pouring tea, and is horrified, watching as the tea spills out of the cup and over everything. "Can't you see the cup is full" he says. "It can hold no more."

"And so it is with you," the wise teacher answers. "Your mind is too full of too many things."

May our minds be free so we may be filled with the Fullness of Life.

Namaste!

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