Who is ISHA GIRL?

Photo by Erika Pike

About ISHA ("ee-sha") GIRL: 

My name is Alli Condie Louthain.  I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband and four children, ages ranging from almost 16 years to almost 5 years old.  Over the years I've come to be known as a little "hippyish" by my family and friends.  I say hippyish-because I am all about the 3R's, saving the earth, eating healthier and taking care of yourself!!  In 2010 I googled "hippyish" and came across the word ISHA with the following definition in the Urban Dictionary…

"A rare form of women, who posses beauty and super coolness...and often gives strange but acceptable and attractive looks to people across the room. Isha represents awesomeness mixed with a random hint of strange but interesting characteristics. Isha has multiple meanings, such as "the ruling goddess" in Sanskrit."

“You're like an Isha…A cute hippyish girl who lives in a very hippie town!” 

(Urban Dictionary Definition of ISHA (ee-sha) 2010)

                                                             Photo by Brandon Shirley

I loved it immediately and knew it was the word for me and my identity or alter ego, so to speak.  Thus ISHA GIRL was born.  I feel like I have been on a journey to better health ever since my health "tanked" in 2009.  There have been ups and downs but I know this journey will be a life long one and I decided years ago-I don't want to go it alone.  So "join the ISHA GIRL CLUB" and come with me on this journey to optimal health and happiness!!

Photo by Erika Pike

Yoga Background:

The first time I did yoga in 2005-I hated it!  It was so different than any kind of exercise I’d ever done before.  But I could not deny the physical benefits I felt from it, and stuck with it.  

Hate quickly turned to LOVE as I became more flexible and more grounded. Yoga has become an integral part of my everyday life and the more I learn about it the more I LOVE it!  True yoga practice is so much more than just a "good stretch" benefiting the mind, body and soul!

I grew up skiing, hiking and biking in Salt Lake City, Utah and I have always tried to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle as I've moved all over the country (I've lived in Southern California, Hawaii, Central Michigan, West Virginia and Indiana and have loved them all.)

I met my husband in Laie, Hawaii 20 years ago and have tried to spread “Aloha” (LOVE) wherever I go.  I found teaching yoga almost 15 years ago as the perfect way for me to do just that.

I am certified through Peace Through Yoga and registered through Yoga Alliance.  I am proficient in teaching all of the following styles of yoga; All Levels Vinyasa Flow, Gentle, Restorative, Yin, yoga for kids, Power Vinyasa, Pre-Natal and Chair Yoga!!  I also specialize in teaching classes for teenage girls and children infused with my own motivational speaking style and creativity.  I have created and taught unique themed programs for both, namely “Tall Ones & Small Ones”, “Butterfly Effect: YOGA FOR GIRLS” and “Kids' Yoga Adventures".  Over the last decade, I have had the honor of training other Yoga Instructors, as well as, heading up the FAMILY YOGA section at the yearly Monumental Yoga event in downtown Indy.  I also have given numerous workshops and had fun singing in a kirtan group called "Samadhi Loves You" for many years.  I feel blessed that my journey has led me to many open doors, diverse groups of people and a deeper understanding of myself.  Yoga helps me live life to its fullest.

ofa atu,
Alli Louthain

Private Group Rates

I have done privately booked yoga sessions all over the Indianapolis area for private one on one attention, as well as, large groups settings at schools, birthdays, scout troops, day care centers, nonprofit organizations, youth camps, family gatherings, leadership training groups, church groups, library programs and private schools.  I have taught children ages 9 months - over 90 years old!!

I am available for a one time event or for multiple sessions within your event, as well as multiple dates for a series.  I can tailor the routine to a specific theme or concept of your choosing (i.e. a birthday party might be "spa treatment, Hawaii or friend themed" or for a leadership training "developing inner confidence").

I bring my own music and motivational speaking style to each practice. I have enough mats and eye pillows for about 20 people. Please email me for event rates!

I am so grateful for the opportunities I have to teach yoga and I do volunteer for non-profit events on a regular basis.  You are welcome to approach me in donating my services and please keep the following in mind; I can not support every event and honor my own family engagements and commitments.  So I may not be able to accommodate a specific date you have in mind.

Thank you & Namaste!

Butterfly Effect: YOGA FOR GIRLS

                

BUTTERFLY EFFECT: YOGA FOR GIRLS 

Butterfly Effect: YOGA FOR GIRLS 

An 8 session series I created that can be tailored for girls of all ages; the young or the seasoned! Details below.  

This program is Christian based, but can be modified to fit the needs any girl's club, school, church or private group to be done at your chosen facility.  

Program Details:

The Butterfly Effect: Yoga for GIRLS “BE” Series was created based upon the experience I have had working with, speaking to and serving teen girls for the last 20 years. Girls, no matter the age, often have poor self esteems and low expectations of themselves.  Youth especially tend to turn inward which leads to feeling sorry for themselves, acting in a self-centered manner, as well as compare their weaknesses to other’s strengths, putting others down, and being jealous.  They fall prey to everyone else’s voice but rarely stop to listen to their own.  Girls are stronger than they know and possess so much potential!  Many just need an inner compass and encouraging words to tap into that powerful inner voice.  All girls want is to be truly accepted for who they are and crave unconditional love.  Yoga has a unique way of being able to unite the mind, body and spirit, while also providing that self acceptance and love.

“The Butterfly Effect: BE Series” is a 8 week program, structured in such a manner as to build character and confidence in girls from the ground up. Girls will be taught how to quiet their minds and become more in tune with everything from how their body feels in poses, to how they emotionally feel about themselves.  As they accept their weaknesses and build upon their strengths young women grow more self assured.  And as they begin to take their yoga practice into their daily lives they will become “more” and live a fuller life through service and gaining more knowledge.

This series reiterates timeless truths, encourages girls to love themselves and others and develops strength of character.  As youth move through the series and process what they learn each week through structured journal prompts and writing, they will have an increase of understanding, unlock their inner light and all the while, develop a stronger, healthier body. 

*A butterfly’s entire existence “from worm to wings” lasts about 6-8 weeks.  One of the most miraclulous transformations known to man! Each week in this series focuses on both the physical and subtle body starting with the root and ending with the crown.  Asanas, verbal prompts and discussions during each practise will focus on opening the cooresponding parts of the body. An equally amazing transformation is possible for each particiapnt who is open and ready…to spread her wings!

Week 1: BE STILL

Girls learn how to ground themselves in an ever changing world.  Becoming in tune with their breathe stabilizes them and it is here they develop a safe place to be still and breathe deeply.

2012-"Be Still" LDS Youth in Avon, IN

Week 2: BE GRATEFUL

Young women become aware of the difference between wants and needs. Happiness increases with reflection on blessings. Taking time to cultivate a grateful heart increases perspective, compassion and joy allowing contentment to persist even in the darkest hours of their lives.

Week 3: BE POSITVE

With hope and courage girls harness their desire for transformation and change. Each young woman has the power within to achieve worthy goals. As they think positive thoughts, say uplifting things and look for the good in others, girls will be surprised at how much they can accomplish.

2011-"Be Beautiful" at "The Sanctuary" in Zionsville, IN 

Week 4: BE BEAUTIFUL-INSIDE & OUT

Be true to yourself.  Girls see the beauty of their own unique talents and traits.  They learn about lasting deep beauty and how to be a confident, beautiful young woman in a world that often sends the opposite message.

Week 5: BE SMART

Be wise about preparing for your future and intelligent in the choices you make now-for each decision has ramificaitons.  Our girls have been endowed with unique strengths and talents and will be encouraged to develop them!  Yoga helps youth train their minds and hands to become an influence for good in their families and communities as they go forward in life.

Week 6: BE HEALTHY

Girls learn that what they eat matters, what they watch, listen to and read matters, and what they say and do ALL matter in regard to their overall health. Yoga helps them make healthy decisions in every aspect of their life. Girls will learn to carry themselves with integrity and be good stewards of their body, mind and soul.

2011-"Be Healthy" LDS Youth in Avon, IN

Week 7: BE PRAYERFUL

Meditation, prayers and quiet pondering all deepen understanding of individual worth and purpose in life.  Yoga helps youth understand they are a small part of a greater whole and that insight gives greater perspective.

Week 8: BE INVOLVED (Parents asked to attend)

A closing of one door and an encouragment to “go forth and do” as girls pass into so many other open doors of possibility in their life.  We will do an exhibition of various yoga poses so parents get to see what their daughters have learned.  Each girl will also get the opportunity to share a 2min speech on one thing they’ve learned during the program so parents can hear what girls have internalized.  Each girl will receive a special gift-a little reminder of the Butterfly Effect!

BE STILL YOGA

It is easy to sweat...but do you have what it takes to BE STILL?


Hey there! My mom sometimes calls me her "granola girl"- I think "ISHA Girl" is more on point.  A "Ruling Goddess"?  Yes, that is exactly who my highest self is! 

I have always loved the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10.  Whenever I lead classes into shavasana I call it "Be Still Time" and as I have taught for almost 15 years the importance of being still means even more to me.

Let me tell you a little story about myself.

I knew I wanted to teach yoga ever since I fell in love with it over 20 years ago.  I taught from my home for years and taught groups of teens at my church for years-because I just loved doing it.  In Fall 2011 the stars all aligned and my dream of certifying came true.  I was certified through Peace Through Yoga's Teacher Training (200hour/6 month program) and graduated March 2012.

Rewind a couple years before that, I never could have imagined obtaining that goal amidst serving in a busy calling, running a household and also dealing with sudden loss of optimal health. From summer of 2009 to summer of 2010 I went from running 1/2 marathons and doing triathlons to not being able to get out of bed in the morning.  Migraines, painful sore throats, aching joints and muscles, hormonal imbalances and zero energy became my constant companions.  

I was so miserable July 2010 that I finally put my white flag up and admitted I couldn't possibly go another day limping through life pretending I could just push through it.  What ensued was a lot of traditional medical tests, a lot of "no answers from said tests" and a lot of prayers.  Prayers that eventually led me to functional medicine ("alternative" if you will) and more answers.  It was exactly where I needed to be in my journey to better health.


It was not an easy journey at that.  To regain my health took many months and I still am learning.  But now my "regular medical check ups" are done by a chiropractor, a acupuncturist, a naturalpath M.D. or my cranial sacral therapist.  Medical practices that were so foreign to me growing up, have now become my mainstays and I've never looked back.

It became apparent to me that...

1. What we EAT matters.
2. What we DO matters.
3. What we SAY matters.
4. What we THINK matters.
5.  How we handle STRESS most definitely matters!


Making "BE STILL" time every day through meditation, pondering, journaling, yoga or prayer is a crucial aspect of optimal health and happiness.  


After I was so sick I did not have the physique I did before and was initially frustrated trying to get back into yoga.  Exasperated feelings transformed into an epiphany one night at a yoga class.  I realized focusing on my breath and quieting the mind was so much more useful and empowering to me than focusing on my lack of strength.  I made room for patience and self-love that night.  With that new found confidence, I knew I would one day be even stronger than I was before I fell ill.  

I saw this come to fruition when I beat my 1/2 marathon time years later and I did it while pushing an 80 pound double amputee friend!

Focus on the mind-and the body will follow.  (Allow it to happen in God's time and with eternal perspective.) Being still creates space. Space for healing, for peace, for inspiration, for answers and for love to flow in.  

I hope you will find ways to create your own Be Still time.  And maybe that time will be with me in class next time I teach!