Yoga JournalUSA-January-February_2017

12

february

2017

yogajournal.com

A fresh take

If, like me, you’re heading into 2017 with the intention of adopting healthier habits, a little

extra support might be welcome. So we asked our cover model Heather Lilleston to develop

a yoga practice to help bolster self-discipline using the yogic principle of tapas. The sequence

is fun and fervent—just like Heather! Meet her here, and enjoy her practice on page 56.

CARIN GORRELLYou’ve studied under Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Sharon

Gannon, and David Life. What’s the most powerful lesson you learned from them?

HEATHER LILLESTONThat what you do matters, and to never stop asking questions

about everything, including yourself.

CGWhere did you get the idea for Yoga for Bad People, your yoga-retreat company?

HLMy business partner, Katelin Sisson, and I felt our practice had become a little too strict,

too serious, and we wanted to bring back lightheartedness. We planned a retreat in

Brazil called Yoga for Bad People—we

wanted everyone to know that while

yes, we’d do four-plus hours of yoga

a day, we’d also leave room for good

old-fashioned fun. It’s a formula that’s

inviting and healing, and it has some-

thing for everyone.

CGWith the country currently

experiencing a great political divide,

how can yoga help us all find unity?

HLI’m sure I’ve taught yoga to people

who do not share my political beliefs,

who do things in their lives I would dis-

agree with. And yet, when we enter a

setting of sharing yoga, all of that goes

out the window. Yoga works with both

light and dark; the whole point is to bring

opposites together. The natural next step

for all of us is merging what we learn in

yoga with the rest of our lives.

CGWhat exciting yoga-related projects

do you have in the works for 2017?

HLMy new favorite retreat is our Deep Retreat in Ireland and Montana. It’s 50 hours of

continuing education that include Tibetan Buddhism practices, a dive into philosophy,

meditation, and physical practice.

CGWhat’s your favorite pose and why?

HLSalamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand). Going upside down reverses the negative

effects of traveling, plus it’s the perfect combo of energizing and strengthening, stillness

and quietude.

CGDo you have a mantra or words of wisdom that you live by?

HLI often refer to the poem “Do It Anyway,” popularized by Mother Teresa. It’s about how

not to take things personally, and a reminder that all things are met with a variety of reac-

tions and results, and to continue to meet it all with kindness no matter what the outcome.

Carin Gorrell

Editor in Chief PHOTO: JEFF NELSON; STYLIST: JESSICA JEANNE EATON; HAIR/MAKEUP: BETH WALKER; ON HEATHER: HER OWN CLOTHING; ON CARIN: JACKET: SPIRITUAL GANGSTER; JUMPSUIT: MARA HOFFMAN

editor’s letter

Don’t let Heather’s sweet smile fool you: Her heat-

building home practice (“Fuel Your Willpower,”

page 56) is challenging—in the best of ways!

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