The Faces of Hiking Yoga – Meet Lisa Gaillant

I am amazed at the level of engagement the “ice water bucket challenge” has produced in people through out the Facebook community.   Although I personally don’t have any interest in documenting myself getting drenched in cold water and I fail to see the connection with donating time or money to a charity close to my heart, I can appreciate people who have fun with it!   Most of all, I am thrilled that the ALS foundation has reported a huge increase in donations and many more people are participating and giving to causes they believe in thanks to the “ice water bucket challenge.”  A one-time highly visible and fun event of giving can turn into a practice and I believe there are many people who make volunteering and giving a natural part of their every day life (as a good friend of mine, Pamela Hawley, says.)

One of the people we know and love, who make giving and volunteering a natural part of their life is Lisa Gaillant.  We interviewed Lisa for this edition of The Faces of Hiking Yoga and we hope you enjoy getting to know her a little bit more.  Maybe you will even feel inspired to contribute to Lisa’s cause or to any cause you feel a strong connection to.    Every little bit we can do helps!

Lisa joined Hiking Yoga leading classes in our Los Gatos and Woodside locations.  She is a really fun and dynamic person with many fun and diverse interests.   She impressed me with her level of support of Cancer CAREpoint through the Pose 4 a Purpose event scheduled for September 13th in Vasona Park in Los Gatos, CA.  Not only will she be donating her time in teaching a Hiking Yoga class, but she will also donate her time in leading a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Yoga class!  Get to know this fabulous person that we are fortunate to count as part of our Hiking Yoga Family and attend one of her classes while supporting a good cause!

What styles of yoga influence your teaching?

Definitely Power Yoga and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Yoga.  I actually had visions of teaching  yoga on the water instead of in a studio.  Like all things, it was a process.  Before I attained my SUP Yoga certification (this past June)  I had to get my 200-hour yoga TT and I continue to learn and grow my practice each and every day.

Share with us when Hiking Yoga made it’s way into your heart?

I was asked if I was interested in taking over the Hiking Yoga schedule for my fellow friend/yoga teacher, Emily Galvin in Woodside.  Since I love hiking among the trees, I thought it would be fun to meet new people and introduce  them to yoga in an outdoor setting instead of in a yoga studio.  Teaching Hiking Yoga seemed like a natural fit!

How has becoming a part of the Hiking Yoga Family impacted your yoga career?

My involvement with Hiking Yoga has allowed me to have more fun and be relaxed in my teaching.  I bring more lightness and fun to the practice.  It has broadened my reach and my ability to bring yoga to other mediums besides the studio.  I have fun in the outdoors teaching yoga in the forest as well on the water.  Through Hiking Yoga I learned of the Pose 4 a Purpose and connected with the organizers to support this worthy cause.

Do you have any particular service organizations or non-profit affiliations you care to share with us?

As I mentioned, I am looking forward to volunteering my time to Pose 4 a Purpose: An Outdoor Yoga Festival benefiting  Cancer CAREpoint on September 13, 2014 in Los Gatos, CA.  There are many ways to participate and I hope to have lots of people come out and have some fun supporting a great cause.

Cancer CAREpoint is an organization dedicated to transforming support for cancer patients, families and caregivers in Silicon Valley through personalized, one-on-one Counseling, Assistance, Resources and Education.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet people in the holistic community and give the gift of love, yoga and fun back to people who need more support and compassion during their time of healing. 

Where do you turn for inspiration?

I love watching all the video clips of my yoga friends on Instagram. Elephant journal also has great articles and my favorite inspiration of all is The Daily Love by Mastin Kipp.

Share something fun or silly about yourself that your community might not be aware of?

My other passions are massage along with aromatherapy with the help of doTerra oils.

 

For ideas on how to contribute your resources (either time and energy or money) you might enjoy checking out Universal Giving. 100% of your donations go towards previously vetted causes.

The Faces of Hiking Yoga – Meet Natalie Cummings

We recently gave our website a face lift.  Hopefully you noticed and, more importantly, you liked it!  The changes were a reflection of our growing and ever-changing business.

Although our vision of bringing Hiking Yoga to more people around the world remains unchanged, our lives have evolved in many surprising and unexpected ways.  In the past three years, Eric and I got married, we moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Kansas City, MO (where we now call home),  and of course, the highlight of it all, we welcomed two amazing additions to the family–each of whom came with their own set of surprises, challenges and blessings just 20 months apart!

We are grateful to be living an incredibly intensive, demanding and beautiful stage of life!  Although we often feel like we are juggling a lot of balls in the air and that we are constantly falling behind the ball, we are grateful for life’s many blessings.   As lifestyle entrepreneurs, we adapt our business model to our reality and move forward looking to do the best we can.

We are extremely fortunate and grateful to have come across (or maybe the word is attracted), amazingly talented and generous people that have become a part of our greater Hiking Yoga family.

Through the Faces of Hiking Yoga blog series, we wanted to introduce you to our greater Hiking Yoga Family and, more importantly, we wanted to say thank you!   We chose to introduce Natalie first because she has brought amazing energy and passion to our family and community.  She has a most generous heart, a giving smile and an easy laugh.  She has taken over the Dallas location and our Social Media.  I think you will love her.  Meet Natalie Cummings!

 

 

Share with us when Hiking Yoga made its way into your heart?

When I had a vision for my Cardio Yoga Fusion offering, I was looking to teach yoga in an inclusive and non-intimidating way.  I also wanted to showcase how yoga could be fun! So as I ventured out on my first yoga hike, I was amazed that this offering was approachable and I was fascinated how everyone came together to be social and have great time! I absolutely loved the cohesiveness of what I was looking to bring to my community and what Hiking Yoga had established nationwide! The timing was just right as there was a need for a Hiking Yoga teacher. From the start, leading yoga hikes felt like coming home and I am ecstatic to have become a part of the Hiking Yoga family.

How has becoming a part of the Hiking Yoga teaching family impacted your yoga career?           

Hiking Yoga has launched my yoga career! I have gained profound knowledge as an entrepreneur from becoming a part of the Hiking Yoga Training Network. I had the vision, and the drive, I just needed structure and guidance. I, like many yoga teachers, wanted to turn my offering into a lucrative career, but was lost on exactly “HOW” to do this! Once in the HYT small group training, the answers became clear. I was able to ignite my unique Cardio Yoga Fusion offering and now can proudly call Hiking Yoga in the Dallas area my own.

 

This impact has affected my confidence as an entrepreneur, as I am a part of the established Hiking Yoga brand that is loved and respected in the greater yoga community. I have aligned this brand identity with my ‘up and coming’ Cardio Yoga Fusion offering!

The business end of the Hiking Yoga Training inspired my online outreach to yoga entrepreneurs struggling with Social Media. I was able to create a unique, hands-on training for yogis through my Yoga Business Empowerment Workshops. I also teach ‘Sincere Networking’ which aligns yoga principles with business aspirations making a deeper impact in our communities in an organic way.

It has been an honor and joy to become the Social Media Marketing Specialist for Hiking Yoga. I now bring my social media marketing talents to enhance Hiking Yoga Training  and am a Co-presenter with Eric Kipp at the Yoga Journal Events in San Francisco.  These accomplishments have already made many of my dreams a reality, and I am just beginning.

So launched indeed, that is the impact Hiking Yoga has had on my career!

What can we expect to experience when participating in one of your classes?        

Personality! Energy and spunk.  I feel that we can experience all that wellness has to offer together, so expect an adventure.  The kind of an adventure that brings you to a place of excitement, empowerment and finally into the calm that is so hard for many of us find. My teachings are fun yet grounding.  We will utilize our time together to improve perspective and cultivate joy.

I created Cardio Yoga Fusion for those of us with not enough time in the day. This revolutionary fusion of balance, strength, flexibility and heart health is the all one yoga practice that we all have been waiting for! I take my non-intimidating style of yoga and incorporate unique yoga inspired cardio intervals that boost the metabolism! This experience leaves students in a cleansed and totally relaxed state of mind/body bliss! I also feature Hiking Yoga, again a fusion of cardio and yoga, practiced in nature…enough said!

 Where do you share your offering?     

The entire Dallas area! I lead Hiking Yoga on the Dallas Katy Trail. I am partnered with Athleta in Dallas offering no-cost Cardio Yoga Fusion classes.  I am also partnered with Yoga Rocks the Park for a Hiking Yoga Kids Camp, teaching yoga to little ones to inspire a life-time of wellness. I am excited to bring Hiking Yoga to friends with like minded aspirations through the DFW Free Day of Yoga.

I volunteer my yoga teaching and business services to many non-profit organizations in my community and beyond. I am proud to be involved with the Elisa Project, Winning The Fight (WTF), Yoga Bridge and Embody Love Movement.

I found my start at the Coppell Family YMCA, soon expanding to Cross Timbers YMCA, I love being a part of the YMCA’s because of the diversity of students. I am always offering modifications so every student feels comfortable and included.  I also teach yoga for active recovery at CrossFit Coppell Central.

I love my yoga studio home, Blue Anjou Yoga and Meditation Center, I offer a variety of workshops here. I teach a fun Vinyasa Flow on Sunday mornings and I guide a meditation by donation for all to enjoy in my community.

It is a privilege to teach entrepreneurs with my Hiking Yoga Family as a featured presenter for the social media marketing in the Hiking Yoga Training, and to present my Yoga Business Connection Workshops in my community.

Goals are the essence of success. Share with us some personal and professional goals for 2014 (and beyond)

I have always been a trailblazer, I love teaching others how to find their way through life without having to follow a specific path. My vision is to bring Cardio Yoga Fusion featuring Hiking Yoga to the world, so everyone can experience yoga in an attainable and fun way. My goal is to empower others to find personal and professional success through giving of themselves in a sincere way and making a positive impact in their communities.

It is a dream of mine to foster a celebration showcasing the healing aspects of yoga and the people who are teaching the benefits of yoga to special populations.  There is so much more to yoga that our nation cannot see because we are usually represented through the physical practice that many are rightfully intimidated by!

Share your vision for your yoga career.

My vision is to offer yoga without limitations! For many years there were financial or physical or emotional barriers that stood between myself and my practice. I am bringing yoga to my community in a unique way, breaking down these barriers so anyone who is drawn to yoga can enjoy the benefits. From Dallas and beyond, Cardio Yoga Fusion featuring Hiking Yoga will be a practice that everyone can come to, to find complete acceptance, peace in nature and a whole lot of fun!           

Do you have any particular service organizations or non-profit affiliations you care to share with us?       

I have found a more fulfilled life since I started giving back, in small ways and most recently in a big way!  I shaved my head in support of Kids Cancer through One Mission.

I have worked with The Down Syndrome Guild

I have taught recovery yoga for – The Elisa Project & NEDA and for Winning The Fight (WTF!)

I have volunteered my business talents for Yoga Bridge for Cancer Recovery & Pose 4 A Purpose.

My heart belongs to empowering women to let go of fictional standards of health and beauty and I am living this by representing yoga in a realistic light.  Flexibility and being thin are not prerequisites to practicing yoga.  Yoga is for all, I teach this every hour of every day and I am in love with empowering others to find confidence in themselves and their yoga practice.

Where do you turn for inspiration?      

 

My support system, my husband and children, they are the reason I have found my strength and make for a fantastically fun family life, they keep me smiling every day!

 

 

My fellow yoga teachers who are breaking down barriers and teaching from a place of ease and acceptance.
My students, as they find that place where they completely let go of the pressure of day to day life. It is the most fulfilling experience to help others find peace within their hearts.

My Hiking Yoga family, I have gained much confidence and knowledge from each and every one of them. Learning from their example how to have a great time along with being goal driven.

 

What quote(s) inspire you?        

Share something fun or silly about yourself that your community might not be aware of? 

I am a huge Project Runway fan! I love watching the creative process unfold and think that the talent of clothing designers is an art form that is an exciting and a unique gift.

Our readers may want to find out more or stay in touch. Please share your website with us (if applicable)

http://cardioyogafusion.com

The Leap of Faith – Gratitude and Becoming a Lifestyle Entrepreneur

Carina Míguez, First Lady of Hiking Yoga on gratitude and taking the leap of faith that fills her heart with gratitude everyday…

I never in a million years envisioned myself as a Lifestyle Entrepreneur!

I followed the traditional route of attending college, studying something marketable and working in a corporate environment building my career. Even as a child I was drawn to math and science, and being fluent in two languages I set a goal for a “portable” degree that I could transfer to any situation/geographical location.  My decided path was to go for an Engineering degree.  I obtained a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and discovered I had a real passion for how things are produced in mass… how systems work… and I wanted to make the processes better by eliminating waste and being more efficient.

My path was no different than many others who chose to make a career in engineering.  I worked at Intel making chips for over 10 years.  I learned a ton and benefitted from working alongside an amazing group of highly focused and talented people.  Yet over time, I felt something was missing.  I wanted to infuse more creativity into my professional life.  I craved more flexibility and control over my time.  I was not feeling as fulfilled by my career and the direction it was taking me in.  I was missing my family and I wanted to be able to spend more time with them–not just 2 out of 52 weeks a year!

So I took the leap of faith!

I quit my job and decided to make a change to pursue other interests.  

It was a bold move at the time, especially when I was not quite sure of exactly what I was going to do or how.  To make matters more complicated, the whole world economy quickly had gone to the waste-basket!  We were in the middle of a world recession in 2008-9 when I was trying to make these changes in my life.

It was around that time that I met Eric.  He was fun, energetic and had an approach to life that inspired me.  Why couldn’t life be ALL that I wanted it to be?  Life is abundant and it conspires to give us as much as we put into it.  This is why I was drawn to Hiking Yoga, supporting Eric’s vision of “getting more people into their bodies” and “building the life he loved”, on his terms.  I could get behind that idea and I tasted those words in my tongue: building the life that I loved… It sounded and still sounds fabulous!

Eventually this idea morphed into an even bigger and more compelling one: “building the life we loved” and we became lifestyle entrepreneurs.  We joined our toothbrushes and moved into a small and very expensive one bedroom apartment in San Francisco.  I was working for Google at the time and within less than a year, we both decided to devote all our time and energy into growing our vision!  Much has changed since then and we have adapted to many “wrenches” thrown our way.  We now live in Kansas City, MO with our beautiful children and we hope to teach them about lifestyle entrepreneurship and what it can do for them.

I feel blessed to have had the courage and faith to make changes in my life that I, like many, find terribly frightening.

I want to inspire others to make those changes.  I think Hiking Yoga Training is an amazing avenue to get people in the world of yoga and fitness to building the life they love–whatever it means for each and every one of them.  Embracing change, believing in one’s power, getting into one’s body and building the life one loves is what Hiking Yoga Training brings to people and I am grateful to share that vision with you.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” –Melody Beattie

Refine Your Niche – Become the Yoga Entrepreneur

Imagine the excitement in sharing your work at an international venue like the Yoga Journal Conferences! Many of the most recognizable teachers in the world participate. The level of energy the teachers and students bring ignites the training and reconnects us with our passion for yoga. In sharing the joy of Hiking Yoga on all different levels, I wanted to help so many of the yoga teachers that have their own amazing niche, but expressed a need for a map to refine it and become the Yoga Entrepreneur they envision!  Hiking Yoga has a unique niche and as a family business, we put our hearts into it as Lifestyle Entrepreneurs. We celebrate being present outdoors by encouraging others to take their practice to a multidimensional level. These building blocks are the stairs that lead us to the Yoga Journal Conferences year after year.

This time around I am leading Yoga Hikes on the beach in Miami at the prestigious Westin Diplomat  with its swanky palm trees and fabulous pools adjacent to the beach.

As I arrive with my family, I have only one day to design a course that integrates the best of the resort, ocean views and all other images people may have of bliss filled yoga on the beach. It is exhilarating and challenging to show off the best aspects of new locations on the fly. I am a map nerd and love studying the possibilities to deliver the most exhilarating experience.

It can be intimidating making your offering next to some of the top teachers in the world. Yoga lovers pay for entrance to the conference and can pick from whomever sounds most appealing. We initially offered two 2-hour Yoga Hikes per day and to our delight they sold out right away!

Why is it that I have much less name recognition than some of these renown yoga teachers but still have a rush of yogis signing up to participate in a Yoga Hike?

It is the power of offering something compelling and unique that makes all the difference.  

This represents the heart of finding your niche and offering your best work whatever that may be. I feel so blessed to have found mine and have created an opportunity to share that experience with you. Through Hiking Yoga Training I want to teach you to grow your niche so one day you too will work with some of the most exciting teachers and have your offering be recognized in conferences around the world!

To the students at the conference, Hiking Yoga offers an eye opening and gratifying yoga practice. We will hike and enjoy the quintessential thrills of Florida and practice yoga in nature with the waves flowing in harmony with the breathe.

Leading Yoga Hikes around the world in unique and breathtaking landscapes inspired me to share my established brand with others. I know the hard work and passion it takes to bring a niche to life. I want to share my unique offering by combining your passion and working together to refine your niche to help YOU thrive as a Yoga Entrepreneur for a lifetime!

Lifestyle Design & Your Vision of the Ideal Yoga Life

The term “Lifestyle Design” was made famous by Tim Ferris in his book The 4-Hour Workweek where he conjures all sorts of images of twenty-something’s running with the bulls in Pamplona, spearfishing in the south pacific, or sipping cocktails at a beach in the Caribbean. Even while nursing a shoulder injury from repeatedly patting himself on the back, the money rolls in by the thousand’s every week. The underlying sentiment is that you were not smart enough to figure out how to escape hustling away at a 9-5 job or series of side gigs trying to keep your vision alive.  Pay him and he may give you a glimpse of what skills & ideas you are missing to achieve that vision.

The yoga version of this ideal would be floating around the globe from conference to workshop to retreat on your whim with crowds of adoring students waiting for you. Some hybrid of Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, & Rodney Yee. You have videos selling around the clock online, you grace the cover of Yoga Journal occasionally, your DVD’s fill entertainment centers everywhere, and you have your own line of yoga pants. Money has not gotten in the way of your true teaching because you found the secret and operate on another plane free of worldly concerns. You have struck a perfect balance of your physical practice, service to community, and non-stop bliss in the world you have created.

The reality for most is that you have to hustle to make a living (even partial) from teaching yoga. You teach regularly in 3 studios and are on the sub list for a few more. You have a good group of steady students on your Saturday morning and Tuesday night classes.  You just passed 1,500 likes on Facebook. You blog and seem to have a nice following. You make 50% of your modest, monthly income in the yoga realm but you still have to hustle a second job (wait tables, nanny or help manage a yoga studio…). You have tightened your belt and learned to live with less.

What if you could make your reality closer to that ideal and make incremental movements towards a vision of a life you love?  That was what motivated me when I started pouring myself wholeheartedly into Hiking Yoga.  Unlike Tim, I can’t say that I work a 4-hour work week, but then again, since I love what I do I am not counting the hours.  My focus is not to get rich, but to live richly.  I spend time with my family that I love and I get people in their bodies outdoors doing yoga.  I love how stoked people are after a yoga hike and how they gush from the experience.

Over time I trained hundreds of teachers to lead yoga hikes for my company.  I noticed that many teachers even with their 200 to 500 hour training, struggled to reach their goals.  There is very little guidance out there for yoga teachers in the realm of business ownership and marketing.  That is what inspired me to create Hiking Yoga Training.  I found balance within my entrepreneurial dream, my yoga practice and my family.  I want to share that experience because I believe that we all can live a fulfilled life and still stay true to our dreams. You can live the life that you love!