Tuesday Backbends

For this class you will need wall space, a chair without arms, yoga blocks, a blanket and a bolster.

This class starts off standing working on shoulder mobility and expanding breathing. From here we lengthen the hip flexors and create balance strengthening the back of the hip. All of this aides in belly down backbends and then wheel pose at the end of class. This class was filmed live April 19, 2021.

Balancing the Hips, Find Your Glutes

For this class you need some wall space and yoga blocks and a blanket.

We work on external rotation and hip pull backs to set the femur deeper into the hip joint. This work prepares us well for a functional hip joints in the standing poses. This may help to access the glutes in poses like Warrior III. This class was filmed live April 13, 2021.

Tall as a Tree

This class is strengthening! You will need yoga blocks, a blanket and some wall space to help with balance.

We continue our work today in getting taller and balancing front and back body. We then use this support in balancing poses like tree pose and dancers pose. This class was filmed life April 6, 2021.

Back Care Flow

For this class you will need a yoga block, blanket, and long resistance band.

Starting off we work on breathing and resetting the ribcage and pelvis for optimal breathing. We then work into mobilizing the hips and ribcage. Notice how it feels to sit upright after these warmups. We use the resistance bands to help warm up our shoulders and then use the block in a interesting way to gently strengthen our necks. Much of the time in our bodies stability needs to proceed mobilty. After standing poses we practice bridge pose and explore neck flexion in the supported pose. This class was filmed live March 30, 2021.

Resistance Bands: Whole Body Balance

For this class you will need one long band with loops or knots tied on the ends and a mini loop band. You will also need two yoga blocks.

In this class we work on hip strength in external rotation with strength rather than passive stretching. This prepares us well as we head into the standing poses. We take a unique version of sun salutations. Then we use the resistance bands to help us open up more in side angle poses and the twisting lunge. This class will leave your whole body cared for. This class was filmed March 23, 2021.

Resistance Bands: Pulling Apart

For this class you will need a 3-4 foot long resistance band with loops or knots tied into the end of the band and a mini loop band and a chair.

In this class we work on the pulling muscles to help balance out shoulder strength. We also highlight hip strength in the figure four shape. These warm ups help prepare the body for the standing pose sequence where we flow from warrior II to side angle pose and practice our pull aparts. This class was filmed live March 16, 2021.

Yoga with Sliding Part 2

You will need blankets for sliding (or paper plates/plastic bags if you are on carpet), another blanket, and at least two yoga blocks or a chair.

In this class we explore our feet, ankles and hips. Can you scrunch up your blanket with you toes? Can you lift your big toes and not your little toes? Give it a try in this class! This foot strength and awareness can translate into better balance and feeling more grounded as we shift our weight around in the standing poses. We also explore my favorite anti-slouching blanket slides. Putting this together we work up to skandasana, a one legged squat using the help of stacked blocks or a chair. At the end of class once student said her whole body felt relaxed by the end of class! This class was filmed live march 9, 2021.

Yoga with a Dowel Part 2

For this class you will need a dowel and possibly a blanket or bolster.

In this class we continue to explore moves with the dowel to mobilize the upper back and shoulders. The dowel also aids in finding more levity in lunges and balance in warrior III. Moving the dowel closer of further from your center of gravity makes all the difference in the effects of this work so play around and find what feels good to you. My parents had a house guest visiting this week so don't mind her her in the background. This class was filmed live March 2, 2021.

Hello Hamstrings Part 3

In this class you will need 2 yoga blocks and possibly wall space to help with balance.

In continuing our work focusing on the hamstrings we take some warm up isometric holds working towards more length in the hamstrings, including work in the calves and feet. This work carries us into the standing poses where we need strong long hamstrings in the transition from warrior III to standing splits poses. At the end of class we work on backbends, have you ever tried open chain danurasana, bow pose? Very humbling! We end class in supported bridge with one legged variations. This class was filmed live from a sweet historic cabin in Santa Cruz on February 23, 2021.

Weighted Shoulderstand Prep

For this class you will need to small (2 lbs) hand weights or two cans of soup, yoga blocks, a strap and possibly a chair.

In this class we use the small weights to continue to explore shoulder mechanics focusing mostly on the ability to rotate. The ability to rotate both internally and externally dictates our range of motion both behind us and over head. We utilize our strong shoulders and upper back in a series of standing poses and then check in with the neck from spynx pose, our belly down backend. Mobilizing neck, shoulders and hips culminates in our chair shoulderstand at the end of the practice. This class was filmed live February 16, 2021.

Find Your Footing Flow

For this class you will need some space to roll around side to side, yoga blocks and a blanket, a strap with a buckle, and wall space.

We start out slow with a reclining warm up. Rolling work helps to bring up the energy level for our standing poses. In this class explore a flow sequence with loops around the big toes to help spread the toes. This work can help feel what its like to have alignment in the big toe joint in different positions. We continue our work in staying aware of our feet in the standing poses and leave time to rest and recover with legs up the wall at the end of class. This class was filmed live February 9, 2021

A New Take of Familiar Moves

For this class you will need a strap and chair and ideally yoga blocks.

Neck work can be challenging so try this reclining sequence to stretch out your neck and gently strengthen. Then work on your upper back strength and coordination in standing shoulder work. Spinal balance is a wonderful pose for so many reasons, but have your tried spinal balance while in a C curve of your spine? This new version may change your perspective and improve your spinal strength and mobility. Last but not least we end with backbending to strenthen the upper back. Students at the end of class said, "My neck feels amazing!'. This class was filmed live February 2, 2021

Lengthening the Side Body

For this class you will need a bolster or two blankets or a couple of pillows, and yoga blocks.

We start out slow side lying over the bolster to create length and space to breath. Throughout class we continue to explore spinal flexion and extension as well as side bending (lateral flexion).

Nervous System Reset, Hips and Breathing

For this class you will need a yoga block, strap, and chair.

In this sequence we start slow warming up and then do breath work for a nervous system reset. Slide lying hip work prepares us for the standing poses. The asymmetrical hip work just might influence the way your spine feels and moves! This class was filmed live on January 19, 2021

Knees and Toes

For this class you will need some wall space, two yoga blocks and strap and a blanket. We continue to work on rotation at the knee and how this rang of motion helps us in standing poses and prepares us for walking out into life! We start lying down and then progress into standing poses with revolved triangle as our peak pose. This class was filed live January 12, 2021!

Knee Strength

For this class you will need a yoga strap and two blocks and a blanket or something to sit on.

Explore your rotational capacity at your knee to notice any differences and similarities from side to side and help build more resilience. You are then invited to explore some of this rotation in the standing poses, where we try out some longer holds. This class was filmed live January 5, 2021

Chair Yoga

For this class you will need a chair and possibly so wall space and a blanket. In this class we start seated with a spine and shoulder warm up and then continue to use the chair to give us more room to move and wiggle and twist in and out of poses. Work on your leg strength with Garudasana, eagle pose and then we finish class with shoulderstand variations, including with the help of the chain (my personal favorite!). This class was filmed live on Dec 22, 2020.

Strong Hips

In this class you will need a strap yoga block, blanket, bolster if you have one, and a chair. We start laying with legs up the wall to slow down and then try some new hip moves from side-lying. This exploration in hip movement continues on into the standing poses. If our hips are capable of moving more, then why hold back? You are invited to move a little past classic asana shapes and see how it feels in your hips, while lighting up back body strength as well as ankles in the balance work! This class was filmed live Dec 15, 2020

Yoga with a Blanket

For this class you will need a yoga blanket or a large beach towel, a chair or two yoga blocks and a small towel. In this class we will use the blanket in novel ways to explore familiar poses. We also work on wrist strength and hip strength. After our active flow sequence you will get a chance to rest and relax bound angle pose before savasana.

Working on Side Plank Shoulders

For this class you will need a slidable surface, so paper plates or plastic bags on carpet or a blanket on hard floor and. You will also need two small weights or cans of soup. In this class we sneak in a little hip and knee strength and mainly target healthy shoulders. Find your ability to stabilize your shoulder and prep your wrists in this sequence to be well prepared to work towards side plank pose! This class was filmed live Dec 1, 2020.