Let’s remember Yoga is a system of techniques and information we use for physical and spiritual liberation. Traditional Yoga Vedanta describes five main “layers” of the human being which make up our experience. Each successive layer supersedes the previous in terms of intricacy and subtlety and also works on a larger scale, encompassing all of the qualities of the layer before it. These layers in Yoga are called the Koshas. Stepping into the true Self, assimilates all superficial experiences into a new context, and a new process for experiencing, awakened beyond the focal point of the body.

Yoga broadens our perceptions to dissolve any self-imposed boundaries or culturally ingrained limiting belief systems we may hold about the world. By continuing to practice the art of paying attention to the present moment, we liberate ourselves from the confines of the mind. We free ourselves from the shame we may have spent a lifetime (even even beyond a lifetime in ancestral patterns) holding in both our minds and bodies. We cut the psychic chords of limiting beliefs about ourselves that hold us back from our dreams, because we come to realize through mind, body, and spirit that we are capable of miracles.

Although we stay grounded and move very slow, we will spend this hour together opening the front, sides, and back of the heart. Opening the heart requires us to take some back bends. This is a great class to deepen your back bends and open the front line of the body, and also help to release stagnant or stored energy we may be holding in the tissues around the heart.

We will begin class with a 15 minute breath awareness meditation, then we will move gently and stretch the hamstrings, hips, quads, and other low body extremities, then work our way to the upper body. Peak pose is cow face pose for both legs an hips. End class with a 5 minute savasana for a peaceful and equanimous mind.

We will begin with a simple breath exercise, diaphragmatic breathing, then we will move through a gentle sequence to open up the upper body and hips.

Gentle stretching to help release stagnant or stuck energy, and then you will get to enjoy an extended savasana with a guided meditation. When done with this class, you will feel calm, peaceful, and more connected to the universe around you.

Come back down to earth if you are feeling anxious. Enjoy a series of grounding postures either seated or lying down. Be guided through a 5 minute grounding meditation at the end.

This is a gentle, slow, meditative class that will invite in a breath practice called equal part breathing. See how when you control the breath, the nerves soothe, and the mind calms.