“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley
Music or no music? This is a question that many yoga teachers and students find themselves asking when they unroll their mats. There are arguments for both, but there is no right or wrong answer. The answer, it seems, depends how you were taught, the type of yoga you practice and the environment you practice in – it is strictly a personal preference.
For those of you who do enjoy music during your practice, we’ve got the classes for you! For those of you who usually don’t listen to music during your practice, try mixing it up this week and take few of classes that incorporate some music.
This week’s featured classes will combine music and movement to create a graceful practice.
- Balanced & Controlled Transitions with Jo Tastula: This is a lively class that focuses on standing balance postures as well as slow controlled transitions. Balance postures are physically strengthening and also develop both coordination and tempo. Sun salutations to warm up (surya namaskar a & dancing warrior) and balance poses swan (hamsasana), standing splits with hands interlaced (uttana padasana) eagle (garudasana) crow (bakasana) and inversion tripod headstand (sirsasana). The trickiest transition is probably triangle to extended hand-to-big-toe (trikonasana to supta utthita hasta padangustasana). Finishing poses are single pigeon (eka pada rajakapotasana) and forward bend (paschimottanasana).
- Rigorous Arm Balance Practice with Tara Judelle: This 30min rigorous arm balance flow includes, Eka pada koundinyasana 1 and 2, Parsva bakasana, Vashistasana II, and Hanumanasana.
- Extreme Yin with Felicia Tomasko: This extreme yin installment focuses on forward folds, hips, and twists for the ultimate in spinal release. In a yin practice, we stop and wait and allow the practice to come to us rather than chasing after something, pushing and pulling, we simply sink into gravity so the body can shift, release, and let go. Gather a block and a blanket if needed since padding will be helpful when we dive into dragon. Be careful as needed since this practice involves repeated forward folds. Take care and enjoy the practice fully and completely. We begin in a forward fold, segue into a dragon and pyramid series, and unwind cow tipping pose and then with some juicy twists. Fall into the earth for savasana and feel a new relationship with your hips and low back.
- Move to the Music with Steven Espinosa: Combine music and movement to create a graceful flow. Gentle opening warm up easing into an extended Standing Pose sequence including Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon). Emphasis on linking breath inspired movement into a powerful flow. Also includes a Standing Pose series with Vrksasana (Tree) and Natarjasana (Dancer). Hip and Thigh openers in preparation for Backbends in Bridge and/or Upward Facing Bow.
- Do you give, give, give? It’s time to receive with Amy Ippoliti: For the person who gives, gives, gives – it’s time to receive, receive, receive…This one is for you. Restore, rejuvenate, heal and give back to yourself through this easeful set of heart opening and nurturing restorative poses with props set to relaxing music. You’ll want 2 blankets, 2 blocks, a bolster, and a strap.
- Who Am I with David Harshada Wagner: In this meditation, Harshada leads us through the traditional practice of Self Inquiry or Atma Vichara.
