This week, we've launched powerful vinyasa classes designed to fuel up and move yourself in the direction you want to go:
Blair Bradley / We Come Full Circle
In this Mandala Vinyasa Flow practice, we enjoy moving in a circle around the mat through our sequence while connecting each breath to our movement. Experience your practice from many different directions!
Cicily Carter / Fly Into Pigeon
This is a Vinyasa Krama sequence and is meant to be built in layers; don't get discouraged if you can't do the peak pose the first time! It is less about achieving the full expression than it is about being open to a new challenges on and off your mat.
Alanna Kaivalya / The Power of Om: Moving with the Vibration
Why is Om so powerful? Learn exactly what makes the sound Om an integral part of a complete yoga practice, as we use the vibration of Om to super-charge our vinyasa practice and recalibrate our bodies. This dynamic, safe and engaging practice weaves the lessons of the cosmic sound throughout, so that by the end, you feel more invigorated, balanced and in tune.
Jackie Casal Mahrou / Rhythm, Fire & Flow
This class combines lots of rhythmic flow, core movements, abdominal strengthening, twisting, and arm & leg balancing to ignite your inner fire. Throughout class, Jackie encourages you to find your edge, but reminds you that it is more than ok to fall, stumble, and even fumble your way through your practice. It is all part of the the yoga journey!
Practice our Featured Pose of the month, Warrior II, to fuel your flow:
Warrior II / Virabhadrasana II symbolizes strength and victory.
What: Virabhadra is the name of a fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva, described as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, wielding a thousand clubs, and wearing a tiger’s skin. This pose personifies strength and empowerment.
Learning proper alignment for this pose is vital, especially if you’ll be taking flow yoga where you’ll be moving in and out of the pose with your breath. You’ll want your body to remember the alignment automatically every time.
Why: This pose provides many benefits, including:
* Strengthens and stretches the legs and ankles
* Stretches the groins, chest and lungs, and shoulders
* Stimulates abdominal organs
* Increases stamina and energy
* Hones focus
* Personifies the combination of steadiness and ease or Sthira and sukham in a pose
How:
*Stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Step or lightly jump your feet 3 1/2 to 4 feet apart.
*Turn your right foot parallel to the back of your mat and angle it in about 10 degrees and your left foot out to the left 90 degrees. Align the left heel with the right arch.
*Exhale and bend your left knee over the left ankle, so that the shin is perpendicular to the floor. If possible, bring the left thigh parallel to the floor. Anchor this movement of the left knee by strengthening the right leg and pressing the outer right heel firmly to the floor. Firm your thighs and press your left thigh outward so that the knee is in line with the second or third toe.
*Stretch the arms to the sides at shoulder height. Turn the palms up first and slide your shoulder blades down your back. Turn the palms to face the earth. Firm the arms and reach with energy through all ten fingers. Make sure both shoulders are at shoulder level.
* Keep shoulders over hips and avoid tendency to lean the torso over the left thigh: Keep the sides of the torso equally long. Draw your navel into the spine, hug your ribcage in and allow your tailbone to descend. Turn the head to the left and look out over the middle finger with a soft drishti gaze.
*Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the left.