leslienuesca.com

About Leslie

        Leslie Nuesca, a Los Angeles native, has regularly practiced yoga since she was a child.  In January 2004, Leslie experienced her first Kundalini yoga class and it resonated with her so powerfully that she pursued professional yoga studies in April 2006 and earned her IKYTA teaching certificate from Golden Bridge Yoga.  February 2008 Leslie completed the Khalsa Way Pre-Natal Teacher’s Training Course with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa.  In March of 2009 Leslie taught yoga to the Pre-school children at Agape International Spiritual Center.

Guided by her experience as a children’s photographer, seeing the changes in her 9 year old son (who began his yoga practice at the age of 4) and the desire to see other children connect with their “breath” motivated Leslie to teach children.

Leslie has been teaching children’s yoga since February 2006 at various schools in Los Angeles, at her Home Studio and Private classes.  She is a permanent sub for Adult & Children classes at Golden Bridge Yoga & Yoga West.  Leslie’s love for art & yoga inspired her to launch Creative Summer Workshops in 2006: Yoga & Art for Children.

Yoga Birthday Parties with a Twist!

Celebrate your child’s Birthday with a twist!

One hour of fun filled yoga for ages 3-15

Leslie will bring the Yoga Party to you.  All yoga parties include yoga, dance, a game and a complimentary Chakra t-shirt for the Birthday child.  Leslie will customize each party to make your child’s celebration unforgettable.

Party Fees: $150.00 for up to 10 children for 1 hour.   $12.00 for each additional child up to 15 total children. 

Choose your choice of Party theme or come up with your own:

Fairies in the Forest,  Pirates - an adventure on the high seas, Under the Sea,  Bugs, bugs, everywhere, Winter Wonderland, Travel to a Rain Forest, Jamaica, Brazil, or Hawaii, Medieval Times, Visit the Farm, Pajama Party , Diva Celebration (for teens)

Leslie provides yoga mats, music and her imagination.

You provide the open space.

Other packages:

Yoga / Art parties:  Have every child go home with a special gift that they create. Decorate your own t-shirt,  tote bag or magic wand.  Contact Leslie for all the art projects that are available.

Charkra shirts and other t-shirts are available for party favors. 

Please contact Leslie for more information and to book your party.  310-713-3317  lesnuesca@yahoo.com

“Thanks for making Jackie’s Birthday so magical!” - Hallie Perez  July o8

Leslie’s 2008 schedule of classes

Yoga West:  www.yogawestla.com  Summer Schedule                                                Tuesday’s  6:00 PM - 7:30 Absolute Beginners                                                      July 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, September 8                                                          Kundalini Yoga & Meditation with the Gong

These classes will continue in September:

Monday - Venice Parents Daycare 10:00 AM

Monday -  Westchester Parent’s Preschool  1:00 PM

Tuesday - OCS/Atlantis Yoga for Kinder kids 1:45 PM

Wednesday - Managing her other business: www.stitchguru.com

Thursday - Venice Parents Daycare 10:00 AM

Thursday - Westchester Parents Nursery School 12:45 PM

Thursday -  Home Studio  3:00 PM Children’s Yoga 6-10 year olds. 

Friday - La Playa Parents Preschool 10:00 AM

Friday - Redwood Village Preschool 3:15 PM   

Children’s Classes: Leslie’s fun and engaging classes lay the foundation for yoga with animal & nature yoga poses, songs, stories and games that stimulate the children’s imagination.   Her classes also include balancing poses to increase body awareness, strength and flexibilty.  All classes end with an age appropriate meditation and savasana  that allow the children to completely relax and find their quiet place.

Adult Kundalini:  Each Kundalini class uses postures, mantra, meditation & deep relaxation which enables each student to walk through their own fears, release old patterns and emotions. The classes are a complete physical and spiritual workout where one comes to a place of inner strength and peace which allows their radiance to shine.

For private sessions and yoga birthday party bookings, contact Leslie at lesnuesca@yahoo.com

or call  310.713.3317

Creative Summer Workshops: Yoga & Art for Children begin June 15, 2009 ________________________________________________ REFRESH A Women’s RETREAT featuring Kundalini Yoga & Intuitive Dream Boards

Refresh Retreat in Palm Springs October,  2009

Open your heart and recognize all the blessings in your life.

REFRESH   RELAX  RECHARGE  CLARIFY

“This was a great day.  It refreshed and rejuvenated me.  It was my first experience with Kundalini yoga and I loved the way it prepared my body and mind for a truly meaningful meditation.  Lunch was delicious and sitting outside in the garden made it feel like an exclusive spa experience. What a perfect moment to then create an intuitive vision board..  By the time we shared what our boards represented to us the energy flowing through the group was magical.  Leslie and Melissa were extraordinary instructors and created a safe and stimulating environment that allowed all of this magic to unfold.  I left full of energy and joyful visions which continue to stay with me. I would highly recommend it.”                        Anne Morton - San Francisco

Each day includes:

• One and a half hour Kundalini yoga class for a refreshed body!
• Dream, board creation and sharing for refreshed dreams!
• Delicious healthy lunch!
• Fun and support from like-minded women!

Leslie Nuesca will guide you through Kundalini Yoga classes to open your heart and calm your mind.

• By opening your heart you will allow peace, calmness and grace in your life 
• Increase strength and flexibility of your body and mind
• In each class we will practice asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), mantra (chanting), meditation and Savasana (deep relaxation) to allow you to move to a place of peace
• Each participant will be given a copy of the meditations to continue on your own
•  Refresh Workshop is for students of all levels of yoga

Melissa Wasdworth presents: Dream Boards with a difference:

• Discovering Inner Empowerment and Waking Up Your Life with Intentional Awareness
• I don’t want to miss this!  Register at  www.MelissaWadsworth.com
• or contact me at 310-713-3317 or lesnuesca@yahoo.com

CREATIVE Yoga WORKSHOPS:  Yoga & Art for Children

Leslie offers a refreshing alternative to traditional  day camps by creating a unique workshop that includes yoga and art at her home studio. The kids begin their day with yoga which is followed by an art project.

All workshops are Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.  $165.00 per week/4 days.  Extended care is available 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM  for an additional $6.00 per hour.   Workshops with extended day 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  $237.00 per week.  Payments by MC & Visa are available.  Add 3% transaction fee to total.

Each day will include yoga, movement & dance, an art project, organized outside games & playtime in the backyard. Space is limited, please sign up early. Contact Leslie for registration forms.

Summer Sessions:

Session 1: June 15-18  Create your own masterpieces - The art this week is inspired by the Master’s: Klee, Picasso and more. ***This class is now full***

Session 2: June 22-25  Discover the Wild World Under the Sea - We will travel under the sea through stories, yoga and art. ***This class is now full***

Session 3: July 13-16 Mixed Media - Create unique works of art using everything from paint to found objects.***This class is now full***

Session 4: July 20-23  Unleash your imagination, Reuse and Recycle - The children will make a variety of creations from recycled things.

Session 5: August 3-6  Cooking Around the World with Jessica Chaung Teacher/Chef  - During this hands-on cooking class the children will prepare, cook, eat and share.  ***This class is now full***

Session 6: August 10-13 Create and Collaborate - We will explore creating art as a group as well as individual projects.

Contact: lesnuesca@yahoo.com   310.713.3317

Meditation for a Calm Heart

Through meditation, you can calm the mind and develop your intuition to recognize what is real and important to you. 

Sit in an Easy Pose, with a light neck lock.

Eyes:  Either close the eyes or look straight ahead with the eyes 1/10th open.

 Mudra:  Place the left hand on the center of the chest at the Heart Center.  The left palm is flat against the chest, and the fingers are parallel to the ground, pointing to the right. Make Gyan Mudra with the right hand (touch the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb).  Raise the right hand up to the right side as if giving a pledge.  The palm faces forward, the three fingers not in Gyan Mudra point up.  the elbow is relaxed near the side with the forearm perpendicular to the ground.

Breath Pattern & Visualization:  Concentrate on the flow of the breath.  Regulate each bit of the breath consciously.  Inhale slowly and deeply through both nostrils.  Then suspend the breath in and raise the chest.  Retain it as long as possible.  Then exhale smoothly, gradually, and completely.  When the breath is totally out, lock the breath out for as long as possible.

Time:  Continue this pattern of long, deep breathing for 3-31 minutes.

To End:  Inhale and exhale strongly 3 times.  Relax.

 Comments:  The proper home of the subtle force, prana, is in the lungs and heart.  The left palm is placed at the natural home of prana, creating a deep stillness at that point.  The right hand that throws you into action and analysis is placed in a receptive, relaxed mudra and put in the position of peace.  The entire posture induces the feeling of calmness.  It technically creates a still point for the prana at the Heart Center.  Emotionally, this meditation adds clear perception to your relationships with yourself and others.  If you are upset at work or in a personal relationship, sit in this meditation for 3 to 15 minutes before deciding how to act.  Then act with your full heart.  Physically, this meditation strengthens the lungs and heart.  This meditation is perfect for beginners.  It opens awareness of the breath, and it conditions the lungs.  When you hold the breath in or out for “as long as possible”, you should not gasp or be under strain when you let the breath move again.  If you have more time, try it for three periods of  3 minutes each, with one minute rest between them, for a total of 11 minutes.  For an advanced practice of concentration and rejuvenation, build the meditation up to 31 minutes.

FAQ

What are the benefits of my child doing yoga?

 Children are big souls in little bodies. Yoga helps children develop coordination, focus and their creative mind through the poses, meditation and relaxation. Yoga is a way of life; a tool to improve balance, increase physical fitness, & create readiness for academic learning.  Children also learn to calm their minds through their breath.

What is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini Yoga is a practice which, using the breath and certain poses and movements, allows the individual to awaken the subtle creative power that is in each human being. Kundalini Yoga is more than just a great physical workout. Called the Yoga of Awareness, it is an incredible experience in awakening and raising your consciousness, keeping you young, giving you fullness of heart while it heals you on a cellular level, giving you health, happiness and the ability to commit while building character and stamina. And you don’t have to be an acrobat or gymnast to experience the sublime power of your creative potential being released.  When this energy is awakened and directed by the mind it creates health, awareness, creativity and an overall feeling of well-being. All types of yoga will awaken this kundalini energy.  Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is designed to work faster by acting directly to awaken this dormant energy in the body.

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Kundalini Yoga- You experience it when the energy of the glandular system combines with the nervous system to create such sensitivity that the totality of the brain receives signals and integrates them. Then a person understands the effect of the effect in a sequence of the causes. In other words, man becomes totally and wholly aware. We call it the yoga of awareness. Just as all the rivers end up in the ocean, all yogas end up raising the kundalini in man. What is the kundalini? It is the creative potential of the man. ” –Yogi Bhajan, Sadhana Guidelines.

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How does it work?

It is a complete science that combines postures (asanas), movement, sound current (mantra), breath (pranayam) and meditation into powerful sets called kriyas,   It is designed to provide you with the experience of your highest consciousness through the raising of your Kundalini.  Kundalini Yoga awakens the dormant energy at the base of the spine. This energy known as the kundalini or “coil of the beloved” is the infinite potential of the human being.

What is mantra?

A scientific way of using sound current to create a specific state of consciousness.

Why do we chant mantras in Kundalini Yoga?

Chanting mantras, either silently or out loud, is a conscious method of controlling and directing the mind. Happiness, sorrow, joy, and regret are vibratory frequencies of the mind.  We are creating with every word we speak, with every word we think. When we chant a mantra we are choosing to invoke the positive power contained in these particular syllables. Whether it is for prosperity, peace of mind, increasing intuition, simply by chanting the mantras we are setting vibrations into our motion that shall have an effect. It doesn’t matter if we understand the meaning of the sound or not.

What are the benefits of Kudalini Yoga?

Kundalini Yoga builds the nervous system, stimulates circulation, strengthens muscles and calms the mind. There is nothing more powerful and faster than Kundalini Yoga to awaken your consciousness, to confront your ego and to drop your fears. There is nothing better to build the strength of the nervous system and character. There is nothing more effective to develop the happy state in the midst of challenge, and to be grateful each moment of life. In Kundalini Yoga, the most important thing is your experience. It goes right to your heart. No words can replace that experience.

How do I contact you?

e-mail Leslie at lesnuesca@yahoo.com    or call Monday - Friday 310.713.3317