Jeanne Heileman was first introduced to yoga while studying at the American Conservatory of Theatre in San Francisco in 1985. So she kept practicing while acting took her to London, Chicago, Colorado. and back to Los Angeles. She has been teaching since 1996 and is a Registered 500 Hour Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance. She received her trainings from Los Angeles’ Center for Yoga, Yoga Works and Rod Stryker’s Pure Yoga program where she has been studying since 2001 in the lineage of Sri Vidya. She has also traveled in India, studying with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Jeanne blends her teaching from earlier studies with Desiree Rumbaugh, John Friend, Erich Shiffman, Kofi Busia, Judith Lasater, Gary Kraftsow, Suddah Wexler and Rod Stryker, creating a union of styles and philosophies. Jeanne often includes the yogic practices of pranayama, mantra, and meditation within a flowing asana class. Jeanne serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California and is a faculty member for Yoga Works’ Teacher Training program.

Hip Openers Flow: Most of us are sitting or standing for the greater part of the day and our hips bear the result: tense and tight. We also tend to hold a lot of mental and emotional stress in the hips, which increases the stiffness. This class, a shortened version of a popular three-hour workshop Jeanne teaches, will focus on opening the hips significantly. We will also bring consideration to the chakras involved in this area and the emotional qualities that may be blocked due to correlating tightness. With this information we will first move quickly in a flow practice to heat the muscles and joints. And then we will go slowly, gradually and deeply into the hips and adjoining muscles from different directions. Be prepared to move. And, be prepared for some long holds in poses as we allow a true stretch that permits any suppressed mental/emotional garbage to be released from the body. Lastly, be prepared to experience more space, freedom and happiness in the body, and quite likely, more of the same in the mind!.

Props: 2 blocks (or books), a strap (or a belt from your closet), and a blanket (or a towel.)

Twist and Cleanse: Twists are some of the most cleansing poses in a yoga practice. By twisting to the right or to the left, we wring out our inner organs like wringing a dirty sponge. When we breathe into these poses it’s as if we were running fresh water over the wringing sponge. The result is a very, very clean sponge. Imagine how that can help your inner organs. And imagine how that can improve your lungs and your perspective on life! This practice will start out with some breathing techniques to set our intention, and we will move through a flow practice that gradually deepens our twists. Some poses will be held for a minute or so, which positively affects your energy levels as well as the physical body. You will finish feeling refreshed, clear-eyed and happy!

Props to use: one or two blocks, a blanket and a strap would be helpful.
This class is not appropriate for someone with spinal disc trouble,or other major spinal injuries. It is also not recommended during pregnancy.

Third Eye Meditation: This meditation is perfect to follow the Twist and Cleanse practice, and is also set up so that you can use it after any practice or on its own. We will start with some Pranayama and then begin to visualize the breathing inside our body on a more subtle level. The student will be guided through a visualization leading to the Third Eye, the place of our Higher Consciousness, a place where we see that which our other eyes cannot see. This meditation is perfect for those who need help to quiet the mind, to begin to look within and tap into the Inner Knowledge and Strength.