My father left our family for his 'yoga buddy' in 1984, when I was 15. I always stayed in touch with him - I had a deep need to be connected to my father, even though it could be painful at times. I shunned the yoga community because of his actions but eventually realized that yoga could be the antidote to my pain.

My father was a complex man - expansive and uncontainable, volatile and aggressive. He was also the one who introduced me to yoga. He practiced daily, and I would sometimes practice alongside him. His example inspired me.

Yoga is really all about process, acceptance, and becoming more present, and I really want to show that it can expand off the mat.

Taking a 10-minute meditation break is something you can do anywhere in your office, and it's so easy - you're not at the altar.

Eat whole foods that are unpackaged. If it's in a package, avoid it.

I think of exercise as the father of the body and nutrition as the mother.

It was Helen Hunt who taught me to incorporate a consistent meditation practice. Her consistency - even when she was at her busiest and most public - was inspiration to me.

Flexibility depends upon your range of motion and will enable you to do more day-to-day tasks with comfort and ease.

Twists are wonderful for whittling your waist, stretching your back, and detoxifying the body.

With tireless hours at your desk or traveling on a plane, it's important that you take time to stay connected to your body.

When your chest is open, and you're breathing deeply, it lifts your spirits.

Although I spent years thinking that I had fat arms, I am now approached by women daily who want to know how they can get arms like mine.

Arm balances, in general, are excellent for strength-building.

I have never had skinny arms.

I was born in L.A., so there's a lot of focus on getting into great shape, and, for me, I found that when I started to be more loving to myself and find ways to get excited about my exercise routine, I got into shape easier and faster, and it became a lifestyle.

It's no secret that I've worked with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale and Helen Hunt. These women have more than just incredible physiques - they have an inner strength, grace ,and comfort in their own skin, no matter what life serves up.

If you don't do yoga, it doesn't mean that you can't have a sense of detachment, which means not attaching yourself to your thoughts or your emotions.

Body image has a lot to do with where you're coming from personally.

Sometimes moving your body can bring you into a better place mentally and emotionally.

I don't do long juice cleanses because, for me, it messes up my metabolism, and I actually gain weight.

It's important to eat healthy fats to regulate hunger.

Kind Bars are my lifesaver. They are so convenient for my on-the-go lifestyle and are delicious!

Coming up with a simple statement like 'I choose health' is a good beginning.

I started teaching spinning early when it was first happening in the '90s. I love the mind-body connection of spinning.