It’s the beginning of January 2010, a new year and decade, and time for so many of us to make our resolutions—to take stock and refine our course through this short, wonderful life.

If you are like me, lots of your friends have included the goal of adding more yoga to their life in 2010. Perhaps you plan to return to the mat yourself in a daily, more consistent fashion. Yet, whether it’s just too cold outside to leave the warm fire (or start the car), or you feel financially strapped after shopping for your loved ones over the holidays, many of us just never make it to their mats.

Enter Elsie Escobar, one of my favorite yoginis on the web. Elsie is an Anusara-™  inspired  yoga teacher who podcasts classes for free via her blog or on iTunes. She has trained with John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Noah Maze, Naime Jezzeny and others, and currently studies with Douglas Brooks, as well. She offers podcasts with special anatomical focuses, and provides safe and thoughtful lessons on how to do asanas. Her sequencing is fun, and she brings a brightness to her yoga classes that is sometimes lacking in other studios.

You can download most of Elsie’s material for free, with additional videos or content (i.e. audio guides to meditation, pranayama or focused guides on inner work) available for a minimal fee. Students and fans can contribute to her efforts via her website so she can continue to produce the podcasts. Elsie tells me that we should keep our eyes peeled for some Elsie’s Yoga Kula goodies available on her blog soon. Finally, she has her own iPhone app that allows you to get 70 plus classes directly downloaded and available instantly to your iPhone for just $3.99.

Elsie’s podcast has been voted as one of the top yoga podcasts available on the web, and this presence has offered her the ability to expand her online media experience into a business. She consults with yoga teachers and studios about ways they can maximize their online teaching through podcasts and other media utilities.

You can follow her on twitter as Yogeek.

What is fantastic about Elsie is that she approaches her mat from a place of humility and honesty. She does not hesitate to show her weaknesses and struggles (either as a yogini or a mom) and she uses these to show students how to harness their own power in a wise yet fun manner. She loves yoga and her commitment to it shows.

As a New Year’s gift to yourself or someone you love, I recommend connecting with Elsie’s podcast. Your body and your mind will thank you, and you can start 2010 in a place of health and strength.