Class Focus: A Power Vinyasa Class with a focus on external rotation of the hip with Warrior 2, Triangle, Half Moon, Modified Crescent Lunge, Standing Splits, Seal, Dancer, Bridge, Wheel; strong twist series includes Revolved Side Angle, Splits Prep with a twist, Revolved Triangle, Eagle to Half Moon, Big Toe, variation 3, Full Bird. Peak Postures of Dancer, Wheel, Revolved Triangle, Big Toe, 3rd variation, Bound Revolved Half Moon, Full Bird
Each class in the Samdhanna Yoga Active Beginner’s Series consists of an Attending the Spine Series, 2 to 3 basic standing postures with an associated standing balance posture followed by complementary floorwork. No prior yoga experience is required. Once you're comfortable with the Active Beginner Classes, you may wish to try our Foundations Classes.
Alternate Nostril Breath (or Nadi Shodhana) is a breath technique, or pranayama, utilized to calm the mind, remove toxins, rejuvenate the nervous system, and set to balance the energy in the body and its impact on right and left sides of the body, as well as restoring balance in the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Done here in the primitive format, one can send healing energy to the right side of the body and the left side of the body while helping to clear each nadi or energy pathway that governs the right and left side of the body. If this is new to you, you may wish to begin by watching the video above (Learn Alternate Nostril Breath).
Ujjayi Breath (also known as Oceanic Breath and translated as “victorious breath”) is a breath technique to help release irritation and frustration, calm the mind and body, and provide a balancing influence on the entire cardiorespiratory system. It is both an energizing and stabilizing breath utilized to decompress rising energy and strengthen or raise energy for those who tend to operate in lower frequencies. The ujjayi breath encourages the flow of prana (life force), builds internal body heat, relieves tension, increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, regulates blood pressure, helps tone the vagus nerve thereby helping to reduce inflammation, detoxifies mind and body, increases feelings of presence and self-awareness, and establishes a rhythmic pattern for moving through a yoga practice. This video explains and demonstrates Ujjayi Breath. You may also review written instructions here. If you are already familiar with it, you may wish to view the video below (Do Ujjayi Breath) instead.
Class Focus: Side body lengthening, lots of floor work, contains standing sequence for external rotation of hips to include Side Angle, Scandasana, Triangle, Tree, Figure Four, has option for peak posture of Big Toe, variations 1 and 2
Ujjayi Breath (also known as Oceanic Breath and translated as “victorious breath”) is a breath technique to help release irritation and frustration, calm the mind and body, and provide a balancing influence on the entire cardiorespiratory system. It is both an energizing and stabilizing breath utilized to decompress rising energy and strengthen or raise energy for those who tend to operate in lower frequencies. The ujjayi breath encourages the flow of prana (life force), builds internal body heat, relieves tension, increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, regulates blood pressure, helps tone the vagus nerve thereby helping to reduce inflammation, detoxifies mind and body, increases feelings of presence and self-awareness, and establishes a rhythmic pattern for moving through a yoga practice. If this is new to you, you may wish to view the video above (Learn Ujjayi Breath) first.
Prana as it relates to the pathways of life force, is considered the energy of the head and is gathered from the heavens, or the energy above you. PRANA vayu is responsible for the INTAKE.
It moves downward and inward, providing the basic energy that drives us in life. It is primarily located in the head, lungs and heart. Imbalances in Prana flow can show up as anxiety, fear, anger (head); breathlessness, asthma, sleep apnea (lungs); heart palpitations or stroke (heart).
Apana as it relates to the pathways of life force, is considered downward energy and is gathered into the lower abdomen and base of the spine and carried down through the legs to connect to earth’s core. APANA vayu is responsible for elimination. It moves down and out and also helps retain things in. It is primarily located in the lower abdomen and is associated with functions of elimination, reproduction and bone health (regulating the absorption and retaining of minerals). Imbalances in Apana flow can show up as constipation/diarrhea; IBS; menstrual problems, sexual issues; bone density issues. A daily practice of gathering these two life forces helps sustain our energies from the two great sources above and below us, helping to support us both physically and mentally.
This video explains and demonstrates Prana and Apana building breathing. Additional written information is available here. If you are already familiar with Prana and Apana, you may wish to skip to the next video.
This series of videos shows the 5 primary movements of the spine taken from different positions - from standing, seated in a chair, seated on the floor, hands and knees, and reclined (lying on the back). This allows you to keep your back feeling good in the way that is most comfortable for you.
This video incorporates all 5 primary movements of the spine, taken from a standing position. If you have difficulty getting up and down from the floor, this is a great short routine for you to try.
This video incorporates all 5 primary movements of the spine, taken from a seated position in a chair. If you have difficulty getting up and down from the floor, or taking any movement while standing, this is a great routine for you to try.
Class Focus: External hip opening, hamstring lengthening, and side body length. Mandala is 2 Full Halves with a centerpiece. Includes peak postures of Big Toe, 1st and 2nd variations, Warrior 3, Splits, Side Plank with Big Toe option, Sundial
This video incorporates the 5 primary movements of the spine, taken from a kneeling position and from hands and knees. It also adds Sphinx Pose. If you are comfortable and can move easily from these positions, this is a good video for you to try.
This video incorporates the 5 primary movements of the spine, taken from a seated position on the floor or on a bolster. If you are comfortable seated this way, this is a good video for you to try.
Prana as it relates to the pathways of life force, is considered the energy of the head and is gathered from the heavens, or the energy above you.
PRANA vayu is responsible for the INTAKE. It moves downward and inward, providing the basic energy that drives us in life. It is primarily located in the head, lungs and heart. Imbalances in Prana flow can show up as anxiety, fear, anger (head); breathlessness, asthma, sleep apnea (lungs); heart palpitations or stroke (heart).
Apana as it relates to the pathways of life force, is considered downward energy and is gathered into the lower abdomen and base of the spine and carried down through the legs to connect to earth’s core. APANA vayu is responsible for elimination. It moves down and out and also helps retain things in. It is primarily located in the lower abdomen and is associated with functions of elimination, reproduction and bone health (regulating the absorption and retaining of minerals). Imbalances in Apana flow can show up as constipation/diarrhea; IBS; menstrual problems, sexual issues; bone density issues. A daily practice of gathering these two life forces helps sustain our energies from the two great sources above and below us, helping to support us both physically and mentally.
If you are unfamiliar with Prana and Apana building breath, you may wish to watch the previous video first.
