-
Start Where You Are 1/1/2022
A leisurely practice that invites you to cultivate an awakened attention to the present moment and what’s truly happening in the external and internal environments. We spend time opening the front of the body and initiating movements from the back of the body (reversing the tendency to pull forwa...
-
Inward/Outward Exploration 12/18/2021
As we arrive for this practice, you are invited to notice the general state of the nervous system— are you feeling sympathetic activation (full of thoughts, worried, anxious, busy) or are you feeling a state of low energy, disconnection, fatigue, collapse? We then experiment with particular poses...
-
Slowing Down, Moving with Spirals, 12/11/2021
As the weather gets colder, we slow down and notice what’s happening internally. We release and move the legs in order to free the pelvis/sitting bones. Class includes exploration of Gate, and traditional standing poses like W2 and Side Angle closer to the ground. Spirals of the body are emphasiz...
-
Grounded 12/4/2021
Class includes: gentle self-releases for the face and head, releasing and unwinding the legs with the help of a yoga strap (or scarf, belt, other similar prop), connecting to the ground to spiral and move up in a variety of poses, and exploration of balancing on one foot with the help of the strap.
-
Side Body and Stability (Intl Neighbors Benefit 11/27/2021)
In this class we touch into the side body and its role in stability. From the pinky edges of the feet, through the lateral legs, side seams of the torso and even the pinky edges of the arms, how can these areas help us feel more contained and stable? From a broader perspective, class also explore...
-
Playing with Flexion and Extension 11/20/2021
-
Release and Strengthen the Legs 11/13/2021
Often from stress or excessive sitting, the hip flexors can become very tight, such that we don’t ever completely let them unwind and lengthen when we stand up. We compensate by overarching the low back, throwing the head back, etc. In this practice we explore this pattern as well as movement se...
-
Exploring Body Memory 11/6/2021
We explore interoception and the nature of memory - particularly procedural body memories: the small micro-movements, gestures, habits and partial expressions that comprise a large part of our life experiences. After inviting awareness, gentle invitations are given for releases, shifts or re-patt...
-
Awakening the Back "Sling" 10/23/2021
In this class, we awaken and invite direction in the “sling” of the back (Diane Lee’s term) - energizing the criss-crossed tissues that widen the ribs and pelvis, and that invite supported and spiraled movements. Anatomy photo (above) credit: Thomas Myers, Anatomy Trains p. 170. Many rhythmic “pa...
-
Exploring Spinal Curves 10/16/2021
Class focuses on the natural curves of the spine. We explore how to invite the natural springiness of the spine through use of the eyes/vision, head/spine coordination, movement of the ribs and spirals. Poses include: side plank and variations, baby half moon, and half moon. The first 15 minutes ...
-
Support from the Back Line 10/9/2021
We explore the back line of support from the soles of the feet to the forehead, how to initiate movement from this connection, and free up the arms and legs. Poses include Warrior II, Reverse Warrior, Dangling Triangle, Stork and various twists - on the ground, in lunge and in balancing. Class in...
-
Connecting the Head-Heart-Pelvis 10/2/2021
We begin by landing with awareness into the body — our sensations and present moment experience. The head-heart-pelvis relationships are highlighted from various perspectives so that the legs (and arms) can move more spaciously, balance is potentially steadier and more possibilities for coordinat...
-
Support from AT Directions 9/25/2021
This gentle, leisurely class begins with constructive rest, focusing on settling and noticing different sensations and energetics in the body. We transition to naming Alexander Technique directions and later referring to them throughout the practice. Directing in AT involves “sending a clear thou...
-
Exploring Hip Movement 9/18/2021
We explore extension and flexion of the hip as well as the relationship of leg movements to the pelvis and torso in general. You may need to turn up your volume to hear this class better, as there was unfortunately a technical difficulty with the microphone (fixed for future classes!).
-
Moving from a Suspended Spine 9/11/2021
We begin by locating a spinal length that goes up through the back of the head and down through the sacrum, and play with this oppositional dynamic throughout class, moving from a suspended spine. Poses include twisting lunge, Warrior 2, Reverse Warrior, Reverse Triangle, Triangle, and Chair Bal...
-
Turning, Revolving 9/4/2021
In this class we play with gentle turning and spirals for balanced movement patterning. Tone and tensegrity through the limbs create conditions for easier twisting. We begin with spiraling and twist patterns, and Thread the Needle. Exploration builds to include working with revolved versions of l...
-
Connection and Springiness 8/28/2021
Class begins with an invitation to connect to the ground by directing through the legs and feet. (Often the legs are floppy or collapsed and the pelvis or neck are pulling us around instead). We then move into strengthening and awakening the sides of the legs and torso. Standing sequences build o...
-
Directing Into Tensegrity 8/21/2021
Class emphasizes differentiating torso from the legs as well as the outer arm-back connection so as to find optimal tensegrity and ease in movement. Focus is on how you can pay attention and direct your energy into these lines of support. Poses include flying dolphin, high lunge, goddess variatio...
-
Softening, Floating 8/14/2021
We explore floating the shoulders and arms off the ribs as well as allowing the breath to come and go with spaciousness. Class ends with spiraling ground work and guided legs-up-the-wall. Includes special surprise guest appearance by a furry friend!
-
Moving from a Connected Center 8/7/2021
Building from previous practices (also okay to do this as a standalone practice), we take core awareness into supported movement of the limbs. Many variations of side plank, side angle and plank are included from beginner to advanced levels. There is also an exploration of internal/external hip r...
-
Connecting to the Core 7/31/2021
We spend time in this class connecting to the center of the body in various ways: touching into the abdominal core, lengthening and strengthening the side body, stabilizing the hips, twisting, and allowing free movement of the ribs. Hopefully the practice leaves you feeling energized and invigora...
-
Side Body Attention 7/24/2021
In this practice the focus is on an easy exhalation, the movement of the ribs during breathing, and also strengthening/lengthening various areas along the sides of the body.
-
Finding v Fixing 7/15/2021
In this class, we focus on how to cultivate embodied awareness so as to be curious about what is happening internally rather than looking for things to fix or correct. Emphasis is also placed on the lens of somatic yoga that allows grounding and stability through the bony structure - so that the ...
-
Space and Stability in the Pelvis 7/10/2021
In this hourlong practice we explore both how to create space in the pelvis (through non-tensing, narrowing, gripping) and also how to direct movements to create more inherent strength and stability in the pelvis. Originally filmed during summer, this class also offers a chance to slow down, some...