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Spiritual Gangster National Tour

Spirituality Meets Community

The 411 At One Yoga – long considered the pioneer in its presentation of the ancient practice of yoga to the modern world - blends the best of Western culture (music, fashion, and technology) with that of Eastern culture (spirituality and the healing arts). More than just a practice - At One Yoga is a lifestyle. Debuting the Spiritual Gangster Tour and workshop series in 2008, program directors Ian Lopatin and Vanessa Lee will be traveling the nation spreading their message of the new wave of yoga.

Designed for the modern yogi, the Spiritual Gangster Tour workshops will rock with its Hip Hop Power, Power Detox, and Go Deep classes, where students will get sweaty, pouring out all the body's impurities in each 2-hour session only to leave refreshed, revitalized, and renewed. Guided by upbeat tempos, students will also acquire practical new skills to integrate strength and flexibility in this powerful moving meditation. The heart pumps and adrenaline increases in sequence to the rhythm music creates, inspiring students to become more creative and optimistic in their practice. Ian and Vanessa use this science to wake students up and get them energized for the hour and a half ahead of them.

The Spiritual Gangster Tour series may also include seminars dedicated to arm balances, breathing techniques for power yoga, and core strengthening. You may surprise yourself. With confidence comes courage; and with courage comes freedom. It broadens your perspective of yoga – culminating in an experience that is transformational on every level: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It can be experienced as a 1/2 day, full day, or 2-day workshop. Ian Lopatin and Vanessa Lee will make you sweat, smile, and feel great! Their classes will make you feel lighter and happier, revitalizing the health of both your mind and body.

Please contact Pea to book the Spiritual Gangster Workshop at (917) 531 0658 or pea@atoneyoga.com.

THE NATIONAL TOUR

THE SPIRITUAL GANGSTERS

Ian Lopatin, Spiritual Gangster
Dubbed by Yoga Journal as one of the Next Generation teachers of 2008, Ian is a 'spiritual gangster" in the evolution of modern yoga. Modern yogis are finding new ways of channeling their spiritual energy, as Ian directs them through his powerful hip hop power yoga class. As Co-founder and President of At One Yoga in Arizona, Ian celebrates over ten years in business, and attributes its success to his evolution from White House employee, to Los Angeles entertainment lawyer, to full-time Yogi. A graduate of UCLA Law, Ian's formal training allows him to clearly communicate yoga's powerful message in a practical and modern manner with the goal of making yoga fun and challenging for everyone.

Motivated by the bliss that yoga has created in his own life, Ian seeks ways in which he can raise awareness and support global issues like protecting the environment to prevent global warming among other natural disasters, and supporting underprivileged children in schools and orphanages in the United States and abroad. These efforts allow him to frequently travel to Asia, India and other exotic locales with spiritual healers as he conducts a variety of workshops and retreats. Extending beyond yoga, Ian also works as a business consultant to internationally-acclaimed spas, luxury hotels, and yoga studios, helping them to develop their own profitable sanctuaries and promote balance, health, and success.

Vanessa Lee, Spiritual Gangster
Vanessa Lee is a leader in the "new guard" of yoga. Having graced the cover of Yoga Journal thrice, she has the powerful practice and engaging presence of any great yoga teacher. But the future of yoga demands teachers who are not only in touch with the ancients, but who are also on the same frequency with the pulse of the current Yoga Nation. For several years, Vanessa has played a huge role in the yoga industry's continued growth, creating the At One Yoga Teacher Training program and the nation's most successful yoga studio retail store in the boutique at At One Yoga in Arizona. The company's explosive growth opened the door for Vanessa to create a streamlined retail system and stores at Yoga Works' 13 studios nationwide, in addition to studios in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Nashville. Along with partner Ian Lopatin, she has also created the Spiritual Gangster line of apparel, whose signature t-shirts express timeless reminders like "be the change you wish to see", "trust the universe", and "manifest". Vanessa understands the likes and dislikes of the modern day yogi from fashion and music to alignment and teacher training.

Alex Austin, Spiritual Gangster
Hailing from At One Yoga in Phoenix, AZ, Alex Austin is a spiritual gangster whose dedication to living the modern wave of yoga has launched him on a path of spreading his own sweet vibe across the country. As the head instructor of At One Yoga’s renowned Teacher Trianing program and with over 650 hours of Training in Health, Yoga and Fitness, certified by The American Council on Exercise, Fitness Professionals International, At One Yoga and The Pacific School of Massage Therapy and The Healing Arts, Alex’s challenging heated vinyasa flow sequences are designed to re-energize, harmonize, and revitalize. Alex has studied extensively with Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, Bryan Kest, Seane Corn, and Rolf Gates and considers each of them his teachers and inspiration for his power detox/vinyasa mix class. Throughout every class, Alex uses the art of alliterating poetry, inspired by his eclectic background in art and theatre, to stimulate the flow and inspire mind (meditative)/body (physical) integration. Cuing every inhale with reminders to replenish, restore, refresh, and renew, and each exhale with the opportunities to let go, release, and recycle, the result of his invigorating class cultivates a sweet vibe and a loving collective groove with humble confidence and an inner smile. As one and at one, according to Alex, the three simple keys to life are to: come together, be present, and smile.

Feedback from June 2009 workshop at Kripalu
"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Alex Austin Hip Hop Power Yoga retreat last month. He was an outstanding leader and I would absolutely return to one of his weekends again. I actually was signed up for Ian and was concerned when he cancelled but I think Alex was absolutely wonderful. Thank you again for an amazing experience...my first (and definitely NOT last) experience at Kripalu..."

John Salisbury, Spiritual Gangster
John was raised learning about yoga at home. His true interest came about the age of 22, where he was taught the Astanga Vinyasa Yoga system by his father, Dave Oliver. Having an athletic background as a wrestler and weight lifter, John knows it takes discipline and determination to change one’s Self and body. Having traveled to India to study astanga yoga, John has a refreshing outlook between old-world tradition and new-world inspiration. His classes focus on deepening the student’s connection internally, while staying grounded to true outward experience. His understanding of yoga and the sanskrit language are an amazing example of the great knowledge he has at such a young age. Some of John’s teachers include Tim Miller, Dharma Mittra, Lino Miele, and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. John also has a B.A. in Theatre from ASU.

"my classes are created for the long spiritual journey, offering modifications for all levels of practitioners, yet challenging even the most advanced. I teach with passion in order to uplift the body, encourage the heart, and awaken the soul. We are all on this journey together, though our paths may vary."

THE WORKSHOPS

HIP HOP POWER YOGA

"...BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD."
—MAHATMA GANDHI

Come experience an energetic and challenging vinyasa power practice to the beats of Bob Marley, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, and more. Class begins with an hour of standing flowing sequences to heat and detoxify the body, followed by a second hour of cooling restorative and deep stretch postures. Modifications are available for beginning, intermediate and advanced level postures, therefore all levels of physical ability are welcome. Students are encouraged to choose the option that is best for that individual's body, on that particular day. Every body is different, every day is different. The student has the ability to choose the yoga pose option which feels best for the body on that day.

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER DETOX FLOW

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
—Henry David Thoreau

Inspired by Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, and Dave Matthews, Vanessa's Power Detox class is a powerful Vinyasa flow class that embodies beauty, grace, and rockin' music all balanced with a physical challenge second to none. She brings her tenacity, knowledge, experience, and passion to every yoga class. As a mother of two, a nurturing quality underlies her work, which is setting the standard for the inspirational and empowering yogini of the new generation.

RE-ENERGIZE, HARMONIZE, AND RE-VITALIZE

Alex’s classes blend upbeat music and humor with powerful, creative vinyasa flow sequences that get the heart pumping and the sweat flowing. This combination creates a soulful vibe that leads to the total release of daily stressors and monkey minds. With a soundtrack inspired by the lyrics and beats of Michael Franti, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Damien Marley, and Al Green, Alex uses music as an important tool to increase adrenaline and inspire yogis with energetic optimism to give their minds a rest and let their bodies flow.

GO DEEP, DEEP STRETCH

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
—Martin Luther King, Jr.

This practice includes a series of deep stretch (also known as 'yin") yoga postures to open and lengthen the body. Go deep will improve concentration and focus as well as promote wellness and balance in the body. Come experience the bottom line of yoga, surrendering, letting go, and being present. You will leave feeling lighter and happier, as if you had just experienced a full body massage, a revitalizing health treatment for both mind and body.

HOLOTROPIC BREATHING

"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive."
—Joseph Campbell

Holotropic breathing is a powerful approach to self-exploration and healing that integrates insights from modern consciousness research, anthropology, various depth psychologies, transpersonal psychology, eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions of the world. The process itself uses very simple means: it combines accelerated breathing with evocative music in a special set and setting. With the eyes closed and lying on a mat, each person uses their own breath and the music in the room to enter a non-ordinary state of consciousness. With one's individual inner healing intelligence guiding the process, the quality and content brought forth is unique to each person and for that particular time and place.

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER WORKSHOP KIT:

Click to download hi-res images of At One Yoga directors Ian Lopatin and Vanessa Lee plus Spiritual Gangsters, Alex Austin and John Salisbury.

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