Pincha Mayurasana, The Peacock on its Chin Pose (AKA, Forearm Stand)

Inversion lovers and hatas here’s your chance to have fun and practice fearlessness in this wall-supported forearm stand. I’ll be honest, I used to be a Forearm Stand hata myself. As a newbie, it felt more challenging than the handstand. Now, after years of practice, I appreciate the wide base the forearms provide for balance. My relationship with Pincha was more like an arranged marriage. Not, love at first site. :) So; if you aren’t loving this pose yet practice and familiarity — like all other inversions — will leave your starry-eyed.

This Wednesday evening’s Open Flow will prepare the body first with some shoulder-opening sun flows that will set the stage for our inverted forearm practice. Whether you get it or not, benefits will include: strengthening the front shoulders, the core, the back muscles, and the lats.

See you on the mat!

xoJess

Eka Pada Koundinyasana, Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya

Don’t get intimidated! There will be an open invitation to explore this advancing arm balance but mostly, we’ll prepare and set the foundations (think: Wading Bird & Side Wading Bird) needed to land Eka Pada Koundinyasana some day. Why? Because it’s fun! And in the process we get the incredible benefits of strong arms, wrists, a toned belly and spine.

Plus, this naturally twisty pose will be a great precursor to Turkey Day, revving our digestive fires and clearing out our intestinal tract.

See you on the mat!

xoJess

Parsva Bakasana, the Side Wading Bird

Arm balances are among my favorite poses. For female practitioners they’re a confidence boost in the strength department. For dudes, they prove yoga is much more than one’s current flexibility. Plus, we spend so much time on our feet. It’s refreshing to play on our hands– strengthening our wrists, forearms and core all the while.

The Side Wading Bird, much like the Wading Bird, is a great practice in patience, balance and fearlessness. But unlike the Wading Bird, it integrates a delicious side body twist.

We’ll warm up with fun, twisty sun salutations to help prepare the body.

**Those who are still practicing Bakasana, the foundation for Parsva Bakasana, can swap this in. In a mixed level flow, it’s never expected to have the featured pose in your pocket– just the enthusiastic effort (Skt., Virya) to work toward it!

See you on the mat!

xoJess

Sorry, daydreamers. Wandering thoughts, even if pleasant, won’t bring on the bliss. Photo: Simon James/Creative Commons

Don’t just take it from Vivekan and I! Science is proving a regular meditation practice can help up become happier/more content in our day-to-day activities.

Check out my latest article on TreeHugger.

Just reason number 1,567,996 to practice yoga. :)

xo Jess

Life if so hard, how can we be anything but kind?

Dear Yogins,

In this issue:

• Winter Express Sunrise Yoga
• Headstand workshop!
• Restorative Yoga series

It’s cold season and I’m psyched to report that science is identifying the connection to consistent work-outs as a way to minimize your chances of catching a bug this flu season. Whether you supplement your weight-lifting or running with yoga (great combination!) or are a yoga purist like me– we have reason to continue hitting the mat, even on the days we feel drab and low energy.

Why? A regular practice — even if you’re not at your best — is ideal for yoking yoga for all that it is: a preventative medicine! You can always pull back and chill at your mat.

Looking for other fun ways to mix up your fitness routine, stay healthy, and grow in your practice? Bodhisattva Yoga has a variety of yoga goodness on the way like Express Sunrise Yoga, a Headstand workshop and a guest Restorative Yoga Series! Scroll below.

Health & Happiness, Jess + Vivekan

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Winter Express Sunrise Yoga Series

Early morning is an ideal time to fit in your practice– especially in the midst of the stressful holiday season. Get the day started right with these AM-friendly, fun flows and health can’t take a backseat. Each Thursday morning, enjoy a comprehensive session including energizing sun salutations and fresh fruit to nibble on as a post-class treat!

Learn more about dates and register in your online account by clicking on the “Workshops/Retreats” tab or call (718) 499-9642 (YOGA).

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Hangin’ in Headstand, King of the Asanas Workshop with Vivekan

In the Hatha yoga world, the most health benefits found in one pose are obtained in the headstand, hence its epithet, “Rajasana, King of the Asanas.” As such, the strength and skill needed to enter and exit the pose safely are not to be trifled with. This workshop is the opportunity to create a solid foundation for growth — and fun — in your headstand practice. This workshop will prove beneficial to newcomers to the headstand and those adept at it.

Learn more on our website and register in your online account by clicking on the “Workshops/Retreats” tab or call (718) 499-9642 (YOGA).

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Restorative Yoga Series

Starting this Sunday, November 7th, start your week calm and refreshed! Yoga therapist and Reiki practitioner, Geri O’Driscoll, will lead 5 sessions of pure relaxation. She integrates yoga props, meditative breath awareness and aromatherapy to alleviate stress, balance and restore. The restful sessions are suitable for all ages and require no previous yoga experience. Trust us when we say it’s delicious!

Drop-in for $18 or purchase a 5-class series ($75) with Geri directly. Cash payment only please.

E-mail Geri directly at yogaresilience@gmail.com or call her at 917.531.9963 to reserve your spot.

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Share the Yoga Goodness this Holiday Season!

We share why you — and others — deserve the gift of Bodhisattva Yoga in our latest blog post. Plan ahead and scope out our Gift Certificate options in our Online Shop.

Or add it to your wish list to friends/fam. Really, isn’t it cooler than a pair of socks? (OK, as cool if you love socks.) ;)

Do your best to practice at least once a week!

You deserve health.  It is your birthright.  Give it to yourself.

Bodhisattva Yoga
http://www.bodhisattvayoga.com

Thoughtful. Relaxing. Fun. Bodhisattva Yoga Gift Certificates are perfect for yoga newbies looking for accessible, quality instruction, seasoned yogins aspiring to grow in their practice career — and everyone in between tired of the yoga factory scene (whether in the gym or monster studios) and seeking solid yoga in a tranquil space.

Ready to make a certain someone happy? Purchase in person, by calling (718) 499-9642 (YOGA) or online by following these quick and easy instructions:

1. Log online into your MindBody account (if you don’t have one, you can quickly create one)
2. Click on the “Online Store”
3. Click on Gift Certificates/Credit
4. Select from the Class Series, Unlimited Pass or Private Session options– or create your own dollar amount by selecting “Bodhisattva Yoga Gift Certificate at $0.00″
5. Fill in the “To/From, etc.” required fields
6. Continue by clicking “Make Purchase” at the bottom of the screen and follow the payment instructions.

To health & happiness this holiday season!

Ustrasana, the Camel pose

The delicious heart opener, Ustrasana, lends to flexibility in the spine. So what? Accomplished yogins know the correlation between a flexible spine and youthfulness. (I don’t know about you, but I plan to do drop-backs well into my eighties (and beyond!) like the late B.K.S. Iyengar.)

Yogins new to ustrasana or less limber in the spine can start (and stay in) preparatory warm-ups, or take it into the actual pose, as shown in the picture above. Those ready to take it deeper, will be given instruction to uncurl the toes.

Get ready to warm up the spine and explore Ustrasana in this Wednesday night’s Open Flow.

See you on the mat!

xoJess