Whoever says yoga isn’t a workout probably has never taken a vigorous, fast-paced, heart pumping flow. A vigorous yoga session done right can be more strenuous and calorie burning than an hour on the treadmill, plus using your own body-weight is a great way to get and stay toned. Adding a yoga practice to your fitness regimen will not only make you work up a sweat, but it will strengthen and stretch your muscles, improve your posture, and prevent workout injuries.
This week’s featured classes are fantastic for cardiovascular work, building strength, and cultivating endurance.
- Continuous Hamstring Flow with Amy Ippoliti: Less talking, more bending, this practice is designed to get a sweat going with no poses too deep or strenuous. The flow is modified specifically for tight hamstrings using 2 blocks. Peaks at hanumanasana (with blocks of course). A blanket is helpful to place under your knees if needed.
- Invigorating Glow Flow with Stephanie Snyder: This is a straight-up continuous flow class that will give you a little invigorating glow. We play briefly with handstand, move through a strong warrior 2 sequence, then into camel pose, a twist and end with a forward fold and happy baby. I hope this vigorous flowing class will inspire you and leave you feeling energized and balanced.
- Rhythmic, Continuous Vinyasa with Jason Crandell: This is Jason’s most rhythmic, continuous vinyasa practice to date. The sole focus is using movement to establish a smooth, consistent breathing pattern from beginning to end. It’s a deep, demanding, meditative practice that will have you prioritizing your breath and dropping all other thoughts and concerns.
- Non-Stop Flow (Really) with Kathryn Budig: Not kidding when we say non-stop flow. Each pose is held for a breath with creative sequencing for a good 24 minutes with enough cool down to leave you revived, energized and ready to go!
- Brisk (Really Brisk) Flow with Marc Holzman: Standing poses, Sun Salutations, and quite a few chatturangas and planks. All the poses are Level 2 with a Level 3 pacing. This is a fantastic sequence for cardiovascular work, building strength, and cultivating endurance. Fasten your seat belts: I had a shot of espresso before doing this practice. Savasana on your own.
- Constant Flow with Dice Iida-Klein: A constant flow that stays at a steady level 2 pace. We open the front of the legs and the back of the legs, getting into the hamstrings and hip flexors. A few arm balances are sprinkled in with MINIMAL handstands. Light core work is given, followed by a backbend and some hip opening from the floor on our backs. Enjoy my fellow yogis!
