An In Depth Look at the Shoulders

For this class you need a resistance band, a washcloth, a large wall space blocks and a blanket. This recording has a few choppy moments where I was interrupted at home. We start out working on breathing and then full external and internal range of motion in the shoulders. From there we continue to warm up the shoulders in a circular motion at the wall. Static holds in all different angles of the shoulder can be a very therapeutic way of working with joints. From there we start to put these ranges of motion into action in salabasana, revers tabletop and lastly in side plank at the end of class. This class was filmed Oct 18, 2021.

Mindfulness Yoga Practice Part 2

For this class you will need yoga blocks and a blanket. We start our slow warming up the body side lying. In this practice we focus on moving and circling our joints. This can help move feelings through the body that sometimes get stuck. From there we work on standing poses and then rest. This class was filmed live October 12, 2021.

Neck, Shoulders, and Wrists, Spoon Addition

For this class you will need a long wooden spoon or short dowel. We will also use yoga blocks and a foam roller if you have one. For this class we continue our work on the neck, shoulders and wrists. The dowel/spoon gives us a little more to work with in strengthening around the wrists. This work can be strong so go slowly and listen to your body. After more shoulder warm ups we give push ups a try, feel free to use your resistance band for a push up like action while lying down. Strengthening the front chest and front neck just might give your posture the support it was missing. See how your standing poses feel. This class was filmed live October 5, 2021.

Neck and Shoulder Reset

For this class use a towel for some body buffing as part of the warm up. Does this sensory work improve your range of motion? Feel free to sit in a chair or on the floor for the warm up.

From there we use blocks as a way to build strength in the neck both while staying still and then moving. From there we continue to warm up the rest of the body in some reclining stretches. We then work with the block against the head again in the standing poses to feel the stability it brings to the neck. We end class with legs up the wall to rest a recover from the strengthening work. This class was filmed live Sept 28, 2021.

Restorative Practice with Dolphin Pose

For this class you will need a strap or resistance band, blanket, bolster and blocks. We also use the wall for part of class. This class starts out slow with legs up the wall, a wonderful cooling pose both physically and mentally. From there we start to move and stretch out reclining. From there we move on to standing warm ups focused in the shoulders. We try out dolphin pose with optional leg lifts before slowing down again. This class was filmed live September 21, 2021.

Breathing + Spine Work

For this class you need a chair, blocks, strap and blanket.

In this sequence we warm up the spine seated in a chair and then standing using a chair. Feel your ribcage start to move more freely with your breathing throughout this class. Also notice how the active hip work changes the way the reclining stretches feel. We continue with awareness of the breathing in the standing poses and twists. This class was filmed live September 14, 2021.

Pigeon Pose Hip Warm up

For this class you will need blocks and blankets or a bolster.

We continue our work on strong and mobil hips tonight. After our hip strengtheners we take a long stretch in pigeon pose. How does this mobility work show up in your standing poses? This class was filmed live September 7, 2021.

Vision Exercises for Better Balance

For this class you will need yoga blocks and possibly a chair. We also practice many balancing poses so feel free to come to a wall for more support.

We start off taking in more of our peripheral view. How does this influence how you feel? From there we do a throughout wrist warm up and then continue on with other warm ups relining. Then in the standing poses we see how vision work can possibly improve your balance, some times quite a bit and so quickly. Give it a try and see. From there we work towards a standing flow of triangle pose, side angle pose, and half moon pose. This class was filmed live August 31, 2021.

Bolster Warm Ups for Purvottanasa

For this class you will need a bolster. You could also use a long foam roller for much of the class or blankets rolled together. You will also need blocks for the standing poses.

In this class we start out actively moving the spine using the bolster to isolate specific spots. From there we continue to warm up the whole body laying down. The heft of the bolster offers some interesting feed back in twists and wrist and shoulder work. From there we build strength in the standing poses and belly down backbends. We build up to reverse table top pose and the take time to unwind and relax. This class was filmed live August 24, 2021.

Strength Building for Tree Pose Warrior III Flow

For this class we star out using a chair against the wall for stability and a block. You also may want a blanket for a pillow and then padding later on.

Lay down and take some deep breaths. From there we start to build up warmth in the body in some reclining stretches. We find all the muscles around the hips, think outer hips, adductors, hamstrings! From there we stand and continue on with out warm ups focusing on the shoulders. We put all this good work together in a balance challenge flow, moving from tree pose to warrior III to warrior 1 to standing splits. Feel free to pick and choose along the way with these flowing sequences and take breaks when you need them. From there we slow down with supportive bridge pose and a long rest. This class was filmed live August 17, 2021.

Standing Splits and Handstand

For this class you will need some wall space, a slider, and two matching blocks (or books) and possibly a chair.

In this sequence we start lying down with our feet on the wall for the breathing reset and hip stretches there. Then try out some new wrist strengtheners while balancing blocks on your hands. We then warm up the shoulders more while standing. Sliding work helps to warm up and strengthen the hamstrings while simultaneously stretching them. From there we try three legged dog possibly on the wall as a variation on standing splits. This class was filmed live August 10, 2021.

Moving the Spine for Shoulderstand

For this class we continue to move the spine in all directions and try some new ways to enter familiar poses. For this class you will need a long resistance band and yoga blocks and a spot at the wall. This class was filmed live August 3, 2021.

Anti-Rotation Work Continued

For this class you will need a long band with a loop in it, yoga blocks, and a slider (paper plate or blanket).

Anti-rotation work helps to connect the spine and the pelvis, develop core strength and integration of muscles. This work helps us to move with intention for the rest of class. We also wake up of feet with resistance band 'toe spreaders' and balance work. This class was filmed live July 27, 2021.

Anti-Rotation Work with a Strong Footing

For this class you will need a long band with a loop in it, a door knob and blanket or paper plate/plastic bag for sliding. Being able to control when and what is moving is important.

In this class we work on not rotating even when under tension from the resistance band. You might notice one side is easier than the other, or that this is surprisingly challenging. Anti-rotation work helps improve balance, stability, core strength and awareness. We use this skills throughout class in balancing poses and when we intentionally do rotate in standing poses. This class was filmed live July 26, 2021.

Move Your Hips and Spine

For this class you will need blocks and optional blanket for padding.

We work on strong and mobile hips in the warm up. Stable hips gives us a great base for the spine to rotate on. We also continue to check in with our breathing as a way to create more body awareness in the poses, can you still feel your breath down the length of your spine in the twists? We work up to revolved triangle in the standing poses. This class was filmed live July 20, 2021.

Bands, Warrior III, and Dolphin Pose

For this class you will need one long band and one mini loop band and possibly blocks.

Warm up your whole body using bands in this reclining sequence and then work on strength in standing poses. We use the bands around the big toes to align the big toe with the big toe joint and strengthen from there. This foot awareness aids in balancing later on. In this sequence we experiment and see how the band helps with balance in Warrior 3 even when used in an asymmetrical way. We end class relaxing in a long chest opener before savasana. This class was filmed live July 13, 2021.

Strong Hamstrings and Thigh Stretches

For tonights classes you may want a strap, blocks and a blanket or pillow.

In this class we work on some interesting variations on dancers pose while strengthening and stretching the hamstrings along the way. We end class with a half bow pose and roll in and out of it, give it a try! This class was filmed live June 29, 2021.

Strong and Spicy

For this class you will need a chair, yoga blocks and blanket padding for your knees. This class is challenging and fun. We work on planks, and Copenhagen side planks to strengthen the adductors. Adductors play a key role in hip health and holding the femur well in the hip socket. We end class with a long supported bridge pose and rest in savasana. This class was filmed live June 22, 2021.

Rolling Around Prep for Deep Standing Poses

For this class clear out a little space for rolling around in the warm up. You may want a yoga strap and some yoga blocks.

In this organic wiggling warm up we slowly ease the hips into mobility and explore familiar shapes while laying down and enjoying the support of the floor. It feels great. From there we save time for some lovely standing poses, see how your hips feel! This class was filmed live June 8, 2021.

Seated Stretches (you can do while in a Zoom meeting) and Warrior 1 Flow

For this class we started out seated in a chair and use a yoga block. This is a great sequence to learn some stretches you can sprinkle in throughout your day or while sitting. From there we work on core strength and upper back strength, hip extension while laying down (so fun, so simple, soo hard, you'll love it!), lengthening the spine. Two rounds of Warrior 1 helps get deeper and build on opening the hips as we progress. This class was filmed live June 2, 2021