It Started With a Video… And Here’s Another
Joint rotations to ground, awaken, and remind you how small steps can open big paths.
Did you know my journey as a yoga teacher started with a video?
Some of you have been with me since those early days. Many of you are newer. Either way, here’s a little origin story. Just a glimpse, for now.
It was a low moment. A desperate day. A bleak stretch.
On a whim (or more likely, a whisper from something deeper) I dug a tripod out of the basement, set it up in my living room, hit record on my phone, and taught a yoga class.
The thing is … I wasn’t even a yoga teacher yet.
While I “should” have been cooking dinner after a long day of work, I created a YouTube channel, uploaded the video, and, while my kids ate breakfast the next morning, I shared it on Facebook.
It was thrilling.
Terrifying.
Mortifying.
And also … life-changing.
That one shaky, unqualified offering cracked something open. And it ultimately led me here.
One day I’ll share the full story.
But today, I’m sharing another video.
If you’ve taken a Gentle Yoga class with me at Kripalu, you’ve likely practiced Dasha Chalana — Sanskrit for “the ten churnings.” It’s a sequence of joint rotations I first learned in Ayurveda school, and it’s become a foundational part of how I care for this body.
Students often ask if I have a video of it online.
Until now, I didn’t.
But I finally made one.
✨ [LINK] Watch this 10-minute practice to awaken and nourish your whole body.
Maybe someday I’ll revive that original YouTube channel, or create a more “official” one. But for now, I hope this little offering helps you feel more alive and at home in your body.
May this simple practice of joint rotations bring ease, presence, and momentum … one small step at a time.
Just like my first video, it’s a humble offering.
And sometimes, humble beginnings lead to the most meaningful journeys.
xo,
Ilana
P.S. I’d love to hear how this 10-minute Dasha Chalana practice lands for you. Feel free to reply or drop a comment and share your experience.
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