Peeps

SARAH BRITTON

She’s gorgeous, smart and funny.  Triple threat.  Did I mention she cooks?  WELL!  Check out her raw blog at http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/!!  Here’s some quirky lovely information about Sarah.

– I am obsessed with riding my bike. Living in Copenhagen has been a real eye-opener for me in terms of how to get around, get free exercise, clear the mind, and keep one car off the road! I really didn’t like biking all the time(especially in the rain) when I first moved here from Canada, but I’ve learned with a good rain suit, it’s not that bad!
– I really love alternative lifestyles and communities that exist outside “the box”. I lived at Arcosanti in the Sonoran desert for a year, and now work in Christiania, Denmark’s “free town”. I like to know that there is another way of living, more in tune with nature, less materialistic, etc. It gives me hope knowing there are people out there going against the grain to create what they believe is a more holistic way of life. I try to seek out these places wherever I go.
– My dream is to open my own holistic cooking and nutrition school someday. It will absolutely have a garden where all the food we use is grown on site.
– I love making everything I use on a daily basis myself (clothing, dishes, beauty care products, candles, etc)
– Along with my blog, nutrition practice, and chef jobs, I am also a freelance designer. My background is actually painting.
– I am adamant about sleeping eight hours a night.
– My favorite gift to receive is beeswax candles.

BROCK AND KRISTA CAHILL

Our generation is changing yoga and Krista and Brock Cahill are leading the way. In the olden days, gurus taught spirituality to their disciples though discipline. Students were taught that by emulating their teacher they would find enlightenment. But enlightenment is relative to the individual and so today we are rebel yogis! Krista once told me “yeah, copy the teacher, but do your own F*(#ing thing.” We learn our spirituality though creativity and play. And that is what the hand-standers are all about! Discipline is a necessity for safety’s sake. However, once that discipline is established the body becomes a jungle gym for childlike exploration and growth. We no longer need to take orders. What are innovators if not rebels? We want to change the world don’t we? The most brilliant individuals are those whose minds aren’t bound by social constructs. Traditional postures create a good foundation for most people so in that way it has its value. Nonetheless, we cannot let our mind/body/spirit get stuck in the past; We live in the present. Go ahead, learn the rules. Then forget them and have fun! The yoga mat is a microcosm for life so live! Carry those lessons off the mat and into the world.

Thank you my supportive, talented, intelligent, beautiful, generous and ever evolving teachers, Krista and Brock!

PS: K and B are taking their band of yogis to Bora Bora June 11-18.  We will be handstanding at the four seasons there!  If you’d like to join the fun contact Krista @ krista@kristacahill.com

ALLY AND DORIAN HAMILTON

Ally and Dorian Hamilton are two very hot and healthy people, and September 18 is their “third child’s” first birthday. Happy Birthday Yogis Anonymous!!! You have the coolest parents!

Ally and Dorian have worked so hard and with such sincerity to create an authentic yoga studio, where it’s about the kula- community and growth. Yogis Anonymous is a haven in a world where yoga is becoming a money-spinning enterprise and moving away from its genesis.  Yogis Anonymous is true to the origins of yoga, a community of like-minded people on a journey exploring the mind-body- spirit, plus a fabulous modern twist: lots and lots of handstands! In case you haven’t heard, handstands are the posture of the revolution. But seriously, integrity is the name of the game here. You can check out the live and recorded web streamed classes at http://www.yogisanonymous.com and come join the birthday bash Saturday the 18th!  The party starts at 8pm.

KATJA WARGIN

Katja Wargin is a holistic health counselor and holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. Katja believes we all have the desire within to make better choices for ourselves, our children, and our planet. She works with individuals and families empowering them to live happier, healthier lives. Katja lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter and dog. For more information about Katja’s work check out her web site

MACKENZIE MILLER

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!  Thank you for being born!  Far too often I’ll meet someone who is so dope and next thing I know a hot mess explodes onto the scene!  You all know what I’m talking about; there are a lot of  crazies out there.  Kenz parties like a rock star, yet she is perfectly dependable.  She leaves me marveling at her incredible thoughtfulness and relaxedness.  How did she get so chill?!  Observing and learning from Kenz I’ve concluded that it comes down to her awareness of her priorities and her ability to keep herself in check.  Mackenzie is so clear and grounded about who she is and what she wants.  And when life gets messy she deals with it.  Often we look to blame circumstances or people for any misfortune.   Kenz asks herself the hard questions and takes responsibility.   She owns her sh*t, figures out how to make it work, and then rocks it!  In this way she doesn’t lose perspective.  Mackenzie gets it.   She is full of gratitude so she takes the time to celebrate the people in her life.  Today we get to celebrate her!   Happy birthday Mackenzie!  Thank you for blessing the world with your hotness and healthiness!

MARYSIA WEISS

If you’re anything like me your mind went straight to the gutter after reading the title of today’s post!  I don’t mean to disappoint because todays post is anything but erotic.  Actually, this post is quite heartfelt.  After thinking about all the people who I’ve encountered in my lifetime there are a select few I remember the exact moment we met.  Marysia does not know it but I’m writing todays post about the first time I interacted with her.  🙂

Per usual, it was a gorgeous Sunday morning in LA!  A little hungover and tired I dashed over to YogaWorks on Montana to take Kathryn Budig’s 9:30am class.  At this point in my life 9am seemed EXTREMELY early, something I now look back and laugh about, since I think it’s the universes sick joke on me now that I work at 6am five days a week… Ugh. Poor MacKenzie… Okay, my pity party is over.  Back to my story!  I was somewhere in the middle of the room, next to Angela Kukhahn, aka my ninja partner in crime.  My memory of this class is vivid.  In the front of the room were two beautiful woman in their early 20’s.  One had wild, luscious, curly brown hair.  The other was a blond bombshell.  Their presence was hard to ignore.  Before class they were telling stories about the night before which included drinking, men, and debauchery… I knew I loved them both.  What great energy.  It’s as if badass people are drawn to Kathryn Budig.  No joke.  Class started and after lots of sweat and laughter it came to my favorite portion of class: backbends!!!!  Flip flops have never been a problem for me.  I don’t say that in an arrogant manner but it’s true.  Other aspects of my practice scare me shitless (bakasana to handstand).  I’m human.  My confidence in my backbends never wavers.  Looking up towards the front of the room I saw the blond bombshell try to kick unsuccessfully over from wheel.  Without thinking twice I decided to offer my assistance.  She accepted.  Three, two, one.  Her kick over was a great success!  I couldn’t help but feel a strong connection to her.  Although I didn’t know her name let alone anything about her there was something that drew us together for that moment.

The next few weeks went by and suddenly we started appearing at the same classes, parties, etc.  Even one day I posted on facebook I would be attending Vinnie Marino’s Friday afternoon class (shocker, I know, I was Vinnie obsessed and still am from afar), early in our friendship, she wrote to me asking what time because she’d love to meet me there.  Upon arrival we were wearing identical Lululemon outfits.  Come on, now tell me that’s not fate!!!!  So take it from me, sometimes you really do just have to reach out and touch someone!  Chances are they need it.  You never know, a beautiful friendship may blossom from it.  I love you Mish Mash.  xoxo, Benzy Kenz

ANGELA KUKHAHN

Yoga instructor and wonderful friend Angela Kukhahn gave thehotandhealthy’s Cu-cu for Coconuts article a shout out!!!  Check out her facebook page or blog and read her article about why she LOVES coconuts 🙂

ANDREW ABARIA

After much anticipation Andrew Abaria has finally released his first solo album!!! It’s available to buy on iTunes! To say THEhotandhealthy team is proud of Andrew would be an understatement. Not only is he hot, obviously, a talented musician, he has a wicked yoga practice.!! We wish him much success with his music career. Now what are you waiting for, go buy his album!!!

Anyone who knows Andrew will tell you they’ve been touched by his kindness and positive outlook towards life. MacKenzie has been fortunate to work extremely close with Andrew while posing for friend and artist Robert Sturman’s series Poetry of the Gods – Fire! and Poetry of the Gods – The Yogis. To check out more of Robert’s work visithttp://www.robertsturmanstudio.com/.