Monthly Archives: March 2026

Delia Leung | From Finance to Dharma Yoga (Finding Peace in a High-Stress World)

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Listen to Toddcast with Delia for FREE here

Delia Leung is an accomplished yoga instructor based in Hong Kong, who owns a boutique yoga studio and teaches Dharma yoga both at her studio and corporate environments like Google. She has a diverse academic background with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a law degree, and a Master’s in Buddhist Studies. Her journey includes significant professional experience in finance, law, and trading. Delia has studied under the guidance of Dharma Mittra in New York and integrates her rich educational and life experiences into her yoga teachings, focusing on blending spirituality with practical applications.

Visit Delia on IG: https://www.instagram.com/delia.indrayoga/

Key Takeaways:

  • Delia Leung’s path from a finance career to becoming a respected yoga teacher highlights the potential to combine professional skills with personal passions.
  • Delia emphasizes the importance of planting seeds of spirituality and mindfulness even in corporate environments like Google, to aid tech-savvy employees in stress management.
  • The conversation includes insights into how yoga and meditation can profoundly benefit physical and mental resilience, especially among older practitioners.
  • Delia discusses the essence of practicing discernment in one’s spiritual and personal development, a key teaching in Buddhist philosophy.
  • The podcast highlights the unique cultural and spiritual practices in Bhutan, showcasing how such environments contribute to the metric of happiness.

Integrating Yoga and Mindfulness into Corporate Culture

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, one might not immediately associate spirituality with places like Google, or other major companies, especially in bustling cities like Hong Kong. Yet, Delia Leung, a yoga teacher who engages with corporate entities such as Google, offers a fresh perspective on integrating yoga into everyday work life. “When I go into a workplace like Google,” Delia explains, “people will not expect any spiritual lineage or aspects of teachings.” Despite these expectations, Delia skillfully introduces mindfulness and meditation to her mainly tech-savvy audience, known colloquially as Googlers.

The art of balancing these sessions lies in what Delia refers to as “skillful means.” This Buddhist teaching principle emphasizes adapting one’s teaching to suit the learners’ context and perception, thereby planting seeds of wisdom and compassion in an accessible manner. These tailored sessions offer a sanctuary for employees amidst their landscapes of “Gemini and AI,” creating an environment where mindfulness and professional responsibilities coexist.

Cultural Intersectionality: Language, Learning, and Personal Growth

Delia’s journey from learning psychology and law to studying Buddhist philosophy illustrates the beautiful intersection of diverse cultural and academic disciplines. At an interplay of language and learning, Delia offers classes in both Cantonese and English. “In English, it’s more like universal; it’s more international,” she says, reflecting on how different languages resonate with distinct parts of the self and culture. This duality not only helps her engage with varied demographics but also enriches her personal and professional growth.

In a culturally rich city like Hong Kong, where Western and Eastern influences merge, Delia’s international exposure provides her with unique insights that shape her teachings. Her academic paths, bridging psychology, law, and Buddhist studies, illustrate how intersecting ideologies and cultural experiences can foster a profound understanding of self and community.

Beyond Verbal Communication: Connecting Through Energy

Another vital lesson from Delia’s journey involves human connection that transcends language—through shared energy and authenticity. Her anecdotal experience with a former client from her trading days—who later joined her yoga practice—is a testament to this. He found resonance with the idea that on the yoga mat, they were equals, connected through mutual energy rather than hierarchical divides. Delia highlights that “the way how he trusted me is beyond the way how he trusted me back then in banking.”

This connection surpasses linguistic cues and speaks to the depth of non-verbal understanding, a theme reiterated in her desire to bridge differences among her multifaceted clientele. Through collective mindfulness and shared spiritual practices, Delia cultivates spaces where individuals are encouraged to shed societal masks and engage from a place of authenticity.

Life as a Continuous Learning and Sharing Experience

Inspired by the blending of her lived experiences, Delia embarks on facilitating others’ journeys in places like Bhutan, where broader cultural approaches to happiness and community underscore her teachings. In recounting her travels, Delia notes the devotion of the Bhutanese to environmental sustainability and community welfare—principles she witnesses in action when the King promotes not cutting trees as an expression of national happiness. This is an emblem of how interconnectedness, humility, and communal care manifest in day-to-day life.

Delia wraps her experiences in Hong Kong with the shared human journey of understanding and practicing discernment—the ability to question and evaluate one’s path. Whether through yoga, Buddhist teachings, or daily interactions, this practice leads to continual self-growth and deeper understanding of the world. “Everyone is the same,” Delia reflects, highlighting interconnectedness as a central human truth.

In the journey toward greater awareness and mindfulness, Delia actively navigates modern life, always engaged in learning, sharing, and uplifting others through her varied influences and paths. Her personal narrative proves how integrating diverse cultural experiences and practices can offer insights into leading a life of balance and harmony.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin 

Kyung Pak: From Immigrant Struggle to Yoga, Motherhood, and Inner Strength

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Kyung Pak is a dedicated yoga instructor based in San Diego, having embarked on a remarkable journey from her roots in South Korea. Her life story is a testament to resilience and transformation, characterized by her experiences as an immigrant, a single mother of a special needs child, and a journey from a paralegal to a licensed lawyer. 

Discovering yoga as a means of spiritual and physical enlightenment, Kyung trained extensively under renowned teachers like Dharma Mittra and Tim Miller, integrating their teachings into her vibrant San Diego classes. She is also actively involved in organizing retreats that combine spiritual and cultural exploration.

Visit Kyung: https://www.instagram.com/anandadevi_kyung/?hl=en

Key Takeaways:

  • Resilience and Transformation: Kyung Pak’s inspiring journey from South Korea to U.S. highlights resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal and spiritual growth.
  • Yoga and Spirituality: Her life transformation was significantly influenced by her practice and teachings from yoga legends like Dharma Mitra and Tim Miller.
  • Challenges of Immigration: Kyung’s candid discussion of her immigration journey reminds listeners of the courage and challenges faced by many immigrants.
  • Caring Community: The support from community, family, and spiritual mentors has played a key role in her transformative journey.
  • Life Lessons: Kyung emphasizes the importance of an abundant mindset and the belief that abundance is our true nature.

From Korea to Yoga: A Story of Transformation and Transcendence

Introduction to Transformation and Yoga The narrative of Kyung Pak is a tale of perseverance, discovery, and enlightenment. From her origins in South Korea, confronted with familial challenges, to her path in the United States fraught with the trials of immigration and single motherhood, Kyung’s journey embodies the transformative power of spirituality and resilience. Central to her evolution is her embrace of yoga, an endeavor leading her to profound self-discovery and spiritual development. Her story offers insights into the vibrant intersection of personal adversity and the expansive potential of spiritual practices.

Navigating Challenges: Immigrant Experiences in the United States Immigration to the U.S. presents a labyrinth of challenges and unforeseen trials, which Kyung Pak experienced firsthand. Her journey from South Korea was not just a change in geography but a monumental shift in lifestyle and responsibilities. She recounts, “Ignorance is bravery,” a phrase reflecting her naivety and the sheer courage it required to start anew in a foreign land. In her early days in the U.S., Kyung’s survival strategy involved navigating employment hurdles while learning English—essentially, starting from scratch. She expressed sincere gratitude for the American dream, acknowledging how it served as a beacon lighting her way through arduous times.

Kyung’s story offers insights into the immigrant experience: from working under the table to eventually obtaining a law degree amidst the economic downturn of 2008-2009. Her experience highlights how the immigrant journey is guided by resilience and optimism. Kyung’s triumph in establishing a legal practice in the competitive American landscape stands as a testament to the enduring spirit that immigrants bring to the U.S., a vital reminder of the necessity of empathy and humane immigration policies.

Spiritual Awakening Through Yoga Kyung Pak’s exploration into yoga began as a measure to combat stress and gradually transformed into a deep spiritual pursuit. Her initial steps into the yoga community commenced at Core Power Yoga, where she developed both physical resilience and confidence, essential for someone whose early life lacked these elements. It was this practice that set the stage for a more profound journey when she attended a class by Sri Dharma Mittra in New York. Her encounter with Mittra was nothing short of transformative, challenging her preconceived notions about yoga and spirituality.

Her realization that “without Yamas and Niyamas, there’s no yoga,” articulated by Dharma Mittra, marked the beginning of a holistic integration of yoga into her life. Mittra’s guidance irrefutably changed her perspective, propelling her to embrace a vegan lifestyle and deeper spiritual practices. This encounter illustrates how yoga can serve as a gateway to spiritual enlightenment and personal growth, providing a community and a path towards self-betterment.

Community and Cross-Pollination of Yoga Practices Kyung’s journey through yoga is further enriched by her interactions with luminaries within the discipline, such as Tim Miller and the invitation to unique yoga retreats. The community she immerses herself in reveals the interconnected nature of various yoga practices and philosophies. Connections with teachers like Holly Briscoe in Encinitas and Eddie Stern at Broome Street Temple reveal the diversity within yoga, here represented not just as a physical discipline but as a vibrant, living cultural practice.

In her pursuit of spiritual growth, Kyung underscores the significance of these communities in elevating her understanding and practice. Still, her story is not merely about personal transformation but about the shared consciousness that links diverse spiritual seekers. On broader terms, this interconnectedness within yoga communities offers profound insights into human interdependence and collective growth.

Epilogue of Discovery and Spiritual Enrichment Kyung Pak’s narrative, rich with experiences of adversity and awakening, serves as a microcosm of the broader immigrant and human journey—an odyssey illuminated by the practice of yoga. Her reflections on abundance, fear, and humanity weave a coherent spiritual tapestry that invites us to consider deeper aspects of living. Her declaration, “The abundance is our own nature,” encapsulates a vital lesson of yoga: even amidst struggle, there is inherent plenty within us all.

As Kyung continues to intertwine her journey with yoga and spirituality, her story stands as an inspiration, particularly for those who face life’s uncertainties and windblown paths. Through her teaching, travels, and warm embrace of the yoga community, Kyung Pak demonstrates that each moment, guided by intention and devotion, opens us to profound transformation. Her life is a testament to resilience, spirituality, and the unyielding quest for peace and enlightenment.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin 

Empath & Psychic Abilities with Polly Green: How to Trust Your Intuition | Native Yoga Toddcast

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In this episode of the Native Yoga Toddcast, Todd sits down with Polly Green, a professional empath, psychic, and medium, to explore intuition, empath abilities, psychic awareness, and spiritual growth.

Polly’s journey is both inspiring and unique. From growing up as a highly sensitive child in a challenging household to adventuring as a whitewater kayaker, Polly’s early experiences shaped her awareness of energy, emotions, and intuition. Her path led her to India and Bali, where she deepened her spiritual practice through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, strengthening her connection to her empathic and psychic abilities.

Now based in California, Polly works with clients to understand and navigate their empathic gifts, strengthen intuition, and live with clarity and confidence.

Whether you are an empath seeking guidance, someone exploring psychic abilities, or simply curious about spiritual growth and intuition, this episode provides practical insights, inspiring stories, and tools for personal transformation.

Visit Polly Green: https://www.pollyandtheotherside.com/

Key Takeaways from this Episode

  • Understanding Empathy: How empaths feel others’ emotions and how to manage emotional overwhelm.
  • Cultural Influence: Lessons from India and Bali on spiritual practices, intuition, and energy awareness.
  • Intuition & Spiritual Guidance: How listening to your inner voice and connecting with spiritual entities can bring clarity and support.
  • Overcoming Fears: Using fear as a catalyst for personal growth, adventure, and unexpected opportunities.

Understanding Empathic Capacities: Embracing Psychic and Mediumship Abilities

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals unwittingly walk the path of the empath without understanding the depth and breadth of its scope. Polly Green, a guest on Todd’s insightful series, shares her exceptional journey in navigating the empathetic waters and embracing psychic and medium capabilities. As Todd curious asked, “What does it mean to be an empath?” Polly replies with clarity, sketching a vivid picture of an empath’s life as filled with depth and emotion—often overwhelming without proper tools to manage other people’s feelings as if they were their own.

This transcript reveals that understanding the nuances separating empathic, psychic, and medium abilities bridges a significant ethical and existential gap. An empath, according to Polly, may feel “overwhelmed in crowds,” and often burdens others’ emotions as their own. Meanwhile, a psychic derives information beyond mere senses, rooted in clear senses such as clairsentience and clairvoyance. A medium, delineates the spiritual realm, acting as a connector with those who’ve crossed over.

Exploring these distinctions creates depth in understanding one’s abilities, as Polly emphasizes by reflecting on her medium experiences and the overarching journey of self-discovery through these prismatic perspectives. Her journey imparts crucial insight into aligning metaphysical abilities with empathetic understanding to channel overwhelming emotions productively.

Following Intuition: Trusting Spiritual Guidance

Through Polly’s narratives of stunning adventures and encounters, the undercurrent of intuition runs deep. Contrasting her time kayaking in nature with experiences in India’s spiritually energized landscapes, she recounts a profound manifestation of intuitive guidance, affirming the innate human ability to tap into a higher consciousness. She states, “Your loved ones on the other side want to help you… but we have to ask,” highlighting the symbiotic relationship between intuition and spiritual assistance.

Trusting that inner voice is not merely an abstract concept but a beacon guiding transformative personal journeys. For Polly, mastering the art of listening to intuitive whispers navigated her to unexpected terrains, like motorcycling across India’s rugged landscapes. It’s a testament to trusting oneself even when it leads to frightening or unconventional paths, suggesting that personal growth flourishes most in realms beyond our comfort zones.

Encouragingly, Polly advises, “Take that road,” advocating for empowerment through intuition. Her emphasis is undeniably inspiring, reminding us that by tuning into internal guidance, we become architects of our destiny, capable of unlocking untapped potentials that lie beyond apprehension’s threshold.

Overcoming Cultural Misconceptions: Integrating Empathic Abilities in Daily Life

Empathic abilities, while inherently valuable, often conflict with societal norms, particularly in Western cultures where skepticism towards metaphysical experiences prevails. Polly recounts cultural contrasts, underscoring that India’s spiritual environments contrast starkly with Western materialism, symbolized humorously when she mentions, “Target is like the temple of America.”

Polly encourages rethinking preconceived societal notions, illuminating that spirituality’s intersection with Western paradigms is burgeoning through increasing acceptance, informed by scientific revelations, particularly within quantum mechanics. This emerging narrative, explicated by Polly’s acknowledgment of Joe Dispenza’s work, reflects a cultural shift towards embracing a more expansive reality, integrating spiritual practices without derogating them as “woo-woo.”

Guiding others in overcoming misconceptions, Polly champions an individual’s power to reshape their internal landscape. She advises caution in navigating the darker energies inherent in spiritual practices, poignantly illustrated by her experiences in Bali’s dualistic spiritual climate. Recognizing these energies, she advocates for “energetic boundaries” and discernment to cultivate safe practices untainted by cultural fear.

Polly’s dialogues with Todd provide a multifaceted exploration of living authentically as a spiritually attuned individual. The key resonates in a harmonious dance between recognizing empathic gifts, channeling intuition, and reconciling spiritual experiences with cultural paradigms, thereby crafting a life replete with purpose and resilience. Her story, painted with breathtaking adventures and profound epiphanies, underscores a universal truth: that our potential lies in embracing the vastness of our inner worlds, echoing the universe’s eternal call.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin

Michael Wagner | Near-Death Experience, Sri Dharma Mittra & the Path of Yoga

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Michael Wagner is a seasoned yoga instructor, specializing in Dharma Yoga since 2009. Originally from Germany, Michael’s journey into yoga began with a career in modeling and acting in New York City, where he encountered method acting and subsequently sought balance through yoga. Michael’s teachings are shaped by his significant experiences, including training under renowned yoga master Sri Dharma Mittra. Currently, he resides in London, where he continues to share his passion for yoga, drawing from his diverse background in wellness, fitness, and an enriching near-death experience that deepened his spiritual insight.

Visit Michael: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldharmayoga/

Key Takeaways:

  • Michael Wagner’s journey from Germany to yoga realization in New York City showcases the power of yoga in achieving spiritual balance and inner peace.
  • Training under Sri Dharma Mittra played a crucial role in Michael’s professional and personal development, embedding principles of non-violence and self-realization into his practice.
  • Michael’s near-death experience was pivotal, reducing his fear of death and solidifying his commitment to living a fully present, spiritually enriched life.
  • The benefits of yoga extend beyond physical fitness, influencing mental clarity, emotional wellbeing, and fostering a deeper understanding of self.

The Spiritual and Physical Interconnection of Yoga

In today’s digital age, yoga remains a powerful tool to bridge the gap between the physical and the spiritual. Michael Wagner’s narrative in the transcript captures the essence of this transformative journey. Wagner initially discovered yoga as a means to counterbalance the rigorous demands of acting and modeling, noting that it provided him the need to calm the mind. “It was the first practice where I understood what it is,” Wagner says, explaining that yoga taught him to let go and trust his body.

His initial encounters with yoga in Miami under the guidance of his friend Augustine reveal how yoga can serve as an introduction to deeper spiritual practices. Experiencing kirtan and bhakti opened Wagner’s heart to the practices that transcend mere physical exercises. In his words, “Few minutes into the practice… I knew like, the first practice was the most intense I ever remember.” This sentiment highlights the profound physical impact matched by spiritual awakening.

The thread connecting the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga is central to Wagner’s narrative, demonstrating how both realms must be nurtured through practice. This harmonizing approach can manifest in enhanced physical flexibility, improved digestive health, and an awakened spiritual consciousness—an essential component for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of yoga.

Personal Journeys Toward Self-Realization

A pivotal theme in Michael Wagner’s story is the journey toward self-realization, shaped by profound life experiences. His near-death experience in South Africa became a turning point. Recalling the event, he shares, “I was drifting away, watching myself lying down… all I felt was love.” This experience not only removed his fear of death but also underscored the potential for spiritual awakening outside the confines of the physical body.

Wagner’s meeting with his guru, Dharma Mittra, further solidified his path. Years later, he speaks of the transformative power of having a living master: “When I Met Dharma… it was life changing, changing my way of even perceiving life itself.” The presence of a spiritual guide deepens the journey, causing shifts in perception and encouraging the embrace of a vegetarian lifestyle to enhance his practice.

The quest for self-improvement is echoed in Wagner’s decision to embrace a yoga teaching role, inspired by the impact of Dharma’s teachings. This shift emphasizes how the path to self-realization is an ongoing process, encouraging those who embark on the journey to remain open to evolving insights.

The Universality and Accessibility of Yoga

Yoga, as described in the transcript, is a universal practice accessible to all, regardless of their background or physical condition. Wagner discusses teaching a diverse range of individuals in London, extending from football teams to people with disabilities. His approach emphasizes inclusivity, “I teach people that have, you know, even disabilities. And for me, it’s so important, like, to see… the progress and the improvement.”

This universality is captured through his personal teaching philosophy: acknowledge individual conditions, tailor the practice accordingly, and witness transformative results. Wagner shares his deep appreciation for teaching yoga, facilitated by Dharma’s influence, “If you find the right teacher… who speaks to you and makes you not only come back to class… you have to really adjust the practice to the exact condition.”

The widespread appeal of yoga is further evidenced through cross-cultural experiences, as Wagner reflects on engaging in yoga practices at notable locations like Miami’s Bayfront Park. These experiences underscore yoga’s role as a bridge that connects individuals across diverse cultures and geographies.

Woven through Michael Wagner’s experiences is the message that yoga is more than physical postures—it is a holistic journey towards unity between the body, mind, and spirit. His transformation from a student to a teacher illustrates the continuous evolution and expansion inherent in the practice of yoga. Effectively, yoga serves as a pathway to self-realization, accessible and beneficial to all who are open to its profound wisdom. With dedication and openness, practitioners of yoga can uncover the remarkable potential within their lives, shaping a balanced existence enriched by self-awareness and spiritual growth.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin