There are interviews you skim, and then there are interviews you read—all the way to the end. This week’s issue of the Advocate declaring “gay is the new black” nailed it, and Robin Tyler has an important message that will hit home at this moment in history—a moment that could be the tipping point of our movement. Robin Tyler and her wife, Diane Olson, were the first challengers to California’s ban on same-sex marriage in February of 2004.

In March 2008, I met with Emmy Award® winning actress Kathy Griffin in Bora Bora to volley some questions for Passport Magazine. Here’s the second half of our talk.

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Special thanks to my amazing editor, Andrew Mersmann, and publisher Don Tuthill, for the opportunity of a lifetime!

In March of 2008, PASSPORT Magazine flew me to Bora Bora to meet with Emmy Award® winning actress Kathy Griffin and volley some fun questions in this tropical paradise. This “Escape with the Stars” trip was conceived by Mikael Audebert of StandOut Destinations and sponsored by PASSPORT.

Here’s part one of the interview. Special thanks to my amazing editor, Andrew Mersmann, for giving me the opportunity.

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by Bob Lattanzio

THREE WEEKS, 6 DAYS, 6 HOURS AND 43 MINUTES. That’s how long it’s been since my last cup of coffee. Not that I’ve been thinking about it. Okay, maybe a little. I used to drink coffee every day. One or two cups with breakfast, another cup at work, sometimes a cup at a cafe.

The odyssey began a little over a month ago, when my doctor recommended that I see an acupuncturist for the bursitis in my shoulder. Physical therapy had helped in the past, but the pain still flared up from time to time. So off I went.

Does yoga influence the rest of your experience of Los Angeles?

Rachel: Yoga absolutely influences my L.A. experience. It gives me a sense of humility and grace.

A storefront in old town Pasadena painted the words, “What if Bush Did Yoga?” in their window last fall. If George Bush actually did decide to take up the practice, how do you think it might change him?

I don’t know if that would help. Yoga only helps change you from within if you are welcoming that. I do think it makes people reflect on a worldly union, and how we can unite and inspire and support one another. I think the world would be a wonderful place if more people practiced yoga. It just allows you to come from the heart. We could all be so lucky…

Do you have any goals relating to yoga in 2008?

I just started teaching in a boxing gym in Hollywood (where I take muay thai kickboxing). I also have some professional tennis players as clients. I love working with athletes. I admire their strength and want to balance it with flexibility. In 2008, I would like to work with more athletes. But I am not limited to that… I like working with anyone who wants to learn. Would love to teach a retreat in Mexico… if I can ever find some spare time… My truegoal for 2008 is to stay on my mat every day, to stay focused on my practice, and to continue to learn every single day.

So what’s up for the immediate future?

I’ve just added some yoga classes to my schedule and wanted to extend an invite to all PLL readers to come. Fantastic new studio in Studio City at Ventura and Laurel Canyon. Check the websites below for prices and a map. I’m also teaching a Saturday morning class at Fortune Boxing Gym in Hollywood, a great mixed level class with high energy. Sunday mornings, I teach in Toluca Lake at a Pilates Studio. Class times are listed below. If you’re interested, email me and I’ll keep you on my notification list. Otherwise, please pass along this link to anyone you think would be interested.

Monday’s @ 6:30pm - Hollywood Production Center
Wednesday’s @ 7:45pm – Lotus Kitty Yoga
Friday’s @ 6:45pm - Lotus Kitty Yoga
Saturday’s @ 9am - Fortune Boxing Gym
Saturday’s @ 11:30am – Lotus Kitty Yoga
Sunday’s @ 10am - Studio B Pilates
Sunday’s @ 6pm – Lotus Kitty Yoga