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Photo credits : InnerDimensionMedia .
Lauren Eckstrom is the Executive Director of Inner Dimension Media and has studied with some of the world ’ s most prominent yoga and meditation teachers . She co-authored Holistic Yoga Flow : The Path of Practice and was the associate producer of the award-winning DVD series The Ultimate Yogi . Her Holistic Yoga Flow classes combine creative sequencing with a focus on safe , sound alignment and are enhanced with meditation , pranayama , and yoga philosophy . Lauren leads workshops , retreats , and teacher training with her husband Travis Elliot in the Los Angeles area and internationally . She has been featured by international yoga brands such as Lululemon , Alo Yoga , and Manduka .
BY ZAYNA PALMER
Cliche : What inspired you to start yoga ? Lauren Eckstrom : I attended UCLA and as a freshman , I began suffering from intense anxiety attacks . The attacks appeared sporadically and left me feeling crippled . My mother and I decided to approach the situation with alternative medicine before turning to a western doctor . I undertook a three-pronged approach and began attending yoga classes at a local donation-based studio , Santa Monica Power Yoga , acupuncture , and a return to meditation . This holistic approach halted my anxiety , empowered me , provided me with a connection to my body for the first time in
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my life , and gifted me with a community .
How has yoga changed your life physically and mentally ? Yoga , in the forms of physical practice , seated meditation , and the philosophy of a daily living practice off the mat found in the Yoga Sutras ( specifically the Yamas and Niyamas ), altered the entire course of my life . When I began practicing , I was completely disconnected from my body . Over time , I developed strength , poise , grace , flexibility , and balance . These physical attributes eventually infiltrated my mental state . I still experience my own struggles both on and off my mat , but yoga granted me the capacity to navigate life with a roadmap for healthier , more equanimous living .
What advice can you give those starting out practicing yoga ? Be kind and patient with yourself ! Yoga is not an easy practice . Building the strength , familiarity , and discipline to undertake a yoga practice takes time . Be compassionate with yourself . Start with the basics . Don ’ t be afraid to be a beginner . Start with a beginner ’ s class or program . There are a vast array of teachers , styles , and approaches , and it can take time to find your appreciation for the practice . Remain hopeful , curious , and optimistic !
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What do you believe is the true meaning behind yoga and meditation ? The traditional goal of yoga , according to the Yoga Sutras , is “ samadhi ,” also known as “ nirvana .” My interpretation of this is liberation or freedom . The true meaning of our practice is to help us experience freedom from our suffering in this lifetime . As we practice , we learn to witness our mind , which constantly creates stories , flits into the past , attempts to predict the future , and otherwise takes us away from the present moment . Yoga and meditation help us become increasingly present . As we unite within ourselves , we intuitively extend that connection beyond our limited selves and into the world .
What do you believe are the rules to start a healthy lifestyle ? Health is a broad term . Each person creates their own definition . Each of us can take a look at our lives and see where we feel controlled by something that is improperly sucking our attention and energy , and make a conscious change based on that . Health begins with a choice to make a change because you care about the quality of your life and your ability to be present for your immediate community . Start small and grow from there . When we set goals that are too outrageous , we set ourselves up for failure . It ’ s important to be aspirational and think big , but begin with steps that allow you to build confidence .