Lisa Higashiguchi: Feeling like a million bucks

Lisa, 47, demonstrates one of her favorite poses for building inner strength: Utthita Parshvakonasana

It’s not unusual for people to take up yoga when faced with a challenge in their lives, and Lisa Higashiguchi is no exception.

“I was caring for my boyfriend who was terminally ill when I started my practice,” she says. “I was terrified. I was desperate.”

“Yoga grounded me, enabling me to find strength and courage from within.”

And not unlike many other practitioners, Lisa continues practicing yoga now seven years later because of how it allows her to feel. “It gives me that sense of ‘well-being’ I’ve now come to crave,” she admits.

“Life is crazy, and can make YOU crazy, if you let it,” Lisa reflects. “But the coolest thing about yoga is that I’m now able to quiet my mind before it’s too late.”

Lisa’s favorite class has been Padma Halford’s Friday 9AM Ashtanga Combo class (which changes this month to Ashtanga Full Primary class with Yoko Fleming). The way she describes it, “Padma’s classes are always challenging yet playful at the same time–always bringing new awareness to my practice.”

Everyone’s life contains its share of challenges but Lisa has found that nothing beats “the way I feel after my practice…like a million bucks!”

Lisa can also be spotted at Hoku’s in Kahala when she’s not on her mat.