Wednesday (6/20) ~ Standing On Your Own Two Hands

Bakasana, also known as Crow Pose, looks like a deceivingly intimidating pose, but in reality, when we let go of our fears and inhibitions of falling forward, this pose leaves us with quite a great feeling of empowerment.

In Yoga Journal's article about Bakasana, it states that:

"One reason arm balances are so challenging is they require both strength and flexibility. You may be very strong but still not be able to do arm balances if you don't have the necessary flexibility. And yet excellent flexibility is no guarantee of success if you don't have the needed upper body and torso strength."

Of course, Bakasana will be much more difficult to do without the proper preparatory poses, so during this class, much of the poses will bring attention to upper body strength and core strength. As always, the class will be in the vinyasa style with the usual warm-ups and wave sequences with minor variations that tie in with our peak pose of Bakasana. Of course, there will be a variety of modifications of Bakasana, so don't be discouraged if you feel you are not ready for it yet. And for those who feel they have mastered Bakasana, we may add an additional modification to keep those of you challenged.

If you cannot wait until tomorrow and are interested in reading up on Bakasana prior to class, you can click on the links on this post. There, you will find detailed instructions and tips on getting into Bakasana yourself. I would suggest warming up by doing several Sun Salutations before performing Bakasana on your own.

Lastly, bring your energy, let go of any fears or inhibitions, and most of all, have fun!
See you then!

To see my reflection on tonight's practice, click on the heading link above. Also, I invite you to leave me your thoughts on tonight's class.

Wednesday (6/13) ~ Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Balance)

Pincha Mayurasana also known as the forearm balance will be this week's peak pose. Don't be discouraged if you feel you are not ready for this pose yet as there will be a variety of modifications.

As Cyndi Lee, a renown yoga instructor from NYC, states about balancing poses:

"Inversions like Pincha Mayurasana present wonderful opportunities for profound physical and mental transformation, but they're also rife with obstacles. Begin by simply noticing the obstacles that keep you from going upside down easily. When you acknowledge these blocks, you have something to work with, and a pathway to new possibilities reveals itself. You can nudge things along by cultivating meditative awareness and breaking inversions down into smaller, easier steps. This makes the goal of "perfection" less important; instead you can work creatively and enjoy the journey, no matter how long it takes."

This class will have the same format with warm-ups, wave sequences, and preparatory poses for Pincha Mayurasana. I have included a link here that describes the pose as well as a step-by-step instructions to doing the pose if you were interested in getting a headstart.
Click here for instructions for Pincha Mayurasana.

I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, and come with ideas about notifications for Sunday AM outdoor classes as this weekend was a bummer!
Cheers!

To see my comments for this class, click on the link heading above. Also, if you have any questions or comments about this class, I invite you to leave a note!

Wednesday Yoga (6/6) ~ Back-to-Back Backbends

This class will primarily be focused on backbends, which can also be considered chest and shoulder openers. The Yoga Journal describes backbending poses as so:

"These are poses that open the heart chakra, build courage and stamina, and give us the sort of energy that propels us to reach out toward others."

For those who are uncomfortable or not ready for backbends, take comfort that the class is not literally "back-to-back backbends", but rather sprinkled throughout the class. The format is generally the same with warm-ups, warrior salutations, wave sequences, you know the deal by now.

If there are part poses particularly related to backbends that you would like to see during this class, please drop a note. I will be sure to include them. Also, for those who love inversions, we will be incorporating an inversion in this class, because inversions help us strengthen our core which in turn strengthens our back.

So be ready, bring energy, and of course, have fun!

See my comments and reflections for this class below.

Wednesday (5/30) ~ Finding Inner Balance

Majority of our classes lately have been focused on strength and flexibility, so I thought it would be great to bring back some balance in our practice. So this week's class will be focused on finding balance - standing balances, arm balances, etc.

As always, format of the class is generally the same. Since the mandala namaskars (sequence where your backs face me) were a big hit, I may keep that sequence going. I may change it up a little to incorporate some new things, but overall, the general idea of trusting yourself and my voice is the main goal.

If there are certain balancing poses you would like to see during this class, please leave a comment or send me an e-mail. I'll be sure to incorporate them in class. As always, I look forward to seeing you all again!

My comments to this class are below. Feel free to drop me a note!

Wednesday 5/23 ~ Namaskars (part 2) - Chandra Namaskar

Last week, I promised to do Moon Salutations, but due to lack of time, I was unable to squeeze it in. So this week is part deux of last week's class, which works out because last week we started with sun salutations and this week, we will end with moon salutations and elements from last week will again be incorporated into this week's. Confused yet? :)

Chandra Namaskars (moon salutations) are generally practiced in the evening before bedtime to invoke relaxation and comfort in the mind and body. During this class, we will essentially pick up where we left off last week with a similar format - warm-up, sun salutations, wave sequence, mandalas, and chandra namaskar - trust me, this will all make sense during class. Again, this will be another vigorous vinyasa practice, so bring on your energy!

Cross your fingers for good weather this weekend! See you then!

For my reflection on this class, click on the link below for "comments".

Wednesday 5/16 ~ Here Comes the Sun (... and Moon)

One of the means of honoring the sun is through the dynamic asana sequence Surya Namaskar (better known as Sun Salutation). The Sanskrit word namaskar stems from namas, which means "to bow to" or "to adore." (The familiar phrase we use to close our yoga classes, namaste—te means "you"—also comes from this root.)

We have often practiced Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, as our warm-up sequence, and have practice numerous variations of them. During this class, we will offer our energy and attention to Sun Salutations, the numerous variations of them, and the vivacity of them. Through the middle of our practice, we will form a mandala sequence, which is a unique sequence that conduct asanas within a circle, since "mandala" is the Sanskrit work for "circle". This innovative sequence will rely on trust in ourselves and create an invigorating vinyasa flow. In addition to that, we will end our practice with Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations) to lead us into a calming, meditative state for the rest of the evening.

Also, depending upon the weather expectations (so far, pretty nice), we will discuss about this upcoming Sunday's outdoor yoga class. See you then!!!

Bally's Wednesday 5/9 ~ Asana With a Twist

"Twisting Poses will help restore your spine's natural range of motion, cleanse your organs, and stimulate circulation", as the Yoga Journal states. Twisting poses can be challenging, sensational, and requires intense focus and even flexibility and strength in the core. I find that twisting poses "wring" ourselves of any toxins mentally and/or physically and brings us back to a neutral state.

Indian yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar describes twists as a "squeeze-and-soak" action: The organs are compressed during a twist, pushing out blood filled with metabolic by-products and toxins. When we release the twist, fresh blood flows in, carrying oxygen and the building blocks for tissue healing. So from the physiological standpoint, twists stimulate circulation and have a cleansing and refreshing effect on the torso organs and associated glands.

During this class, we will warm-up with some twisting asanas, followed by sun salutations, and right into our wave sequence. Throughout the waves, you will notice several twisting variations to bring attention to our core. Finally, after the wave sequence, we will follow-up with abdominal work, vinyasa flow, and some cool-down stretches.

I look forward to seeing you then!!!