Published on January 3, 2014
As your baby grows in the last trimester of pregnancy, finding ease inyour body, creating space to rest and getting the support you need willnurture both of you. This practice does just that, with poses that are modified to be completely safe and soothing to support both mother and child.
By Leslie Kazadi on Jan 17, 2023
Our shoulders are the teenagers of our body - they wanna be free but that freedom gets them into all kinds of trouble. If your shoulders are the troubled teens of your body, they may need some structured support to set them free. We start slow and easy to sort out where the trouble spots are. Then we play with a strap and use other tricks to help focus attention on what's happening with the shoulders. We explore all the ways the shoulders move. Then we set them free in an easy vinyasa C to feel the shifts that happen when we give our attention to the places where we are stuck.
By Leslie Kazadi on Jun 26, 2022
In a perfect world, a backbend creates a perfect arc that opens the front body without any compression to the spine. A fitness ball gives you the support and feedback to create that arc, for a more spacious backbend with much greater ease. If you struggle to get your wheel up off the ground, the ball is a great way to build strength with the ball beneath as a safety net. OR skip it and stay in the yummy, supported extended bridge. Wait for the ball under your belly for the easiest plank of your life. And stay for the sweet savasana with legs on the ball.
By Leslie Kazadi on May 31, 2021
We need strong glutes and hamstrings for all kinds of reasons. But we tend to lose our a$$ as we age... and overall strength and balance. All you need is a little extra support - chair, sofa, bed - to safely strengthen your backside in modified standing poses that are guaranteed to get your rear in gear. The bonus of strengthening from standing is challenging balance, which also gets your brain in gear. This session alternates between strengthening and releasing and is appropriate for any body that needs a little extra support and a little more power in the rear engine.
By Leslie Kazadi on May 8, 2021
We are all asymmetrical. Sensing what's off-kilter in our pelvis and core is especially tricky to pinpoint. This practice uses blocks to help us feel our center. Think of the block as the friend you can trust to tell you the truth and set you straight. These insights give us options to consider: What feedback am I missing? Where do I need to be stronger? Where might I need to be softer? What can I change? What can I accept? Do I need new friends? ;) How can we better support ourselves and each other so that we all feel a little more centered?
By Leslie Kazadi on Apr 12, 2021
Got a stiff back from a long hike or a Netflix binge? Get some relief with undulating spinal movements in all directions of travel. From heel to head, we take it outside the linear box and keep it moving with lots of variations on the theme of releasing backline tension. We'll sneak in some core support because nothing says back relief like abs in the game. We finish up with my favorite "clock" movements before settling into a timeless stillness where residual tension unwinds.
By Courtney Harms on Dec 2, 2020
A slow flow perfect for pregnant yogis late in the second trimester or in their third trimester. Emphasis is on linking breath and specific movement to help your baby move down into the birth canal as well as helping to reduce stress and anxiety in order to prepare the mind and body for child birth.
By Leslie Kazadi on Dec 2, 2020
Shoulder-stand has the potential to create a relaxed and resilient mind when you can stay in this pose with enough ease and enough time to truly reap its benefits. If you are not super familiar with how to set it up - well, jump to the 26-minute mark to understand the setup, entry and exit so that you can fully enjoy the pose. Note the modifications that can support you in finding a place of ease if this is new. We spend the first 26 minutes preparing the body and mind to feel focused and supple. From this place, we invite calm into the body and imagine we can share this calm and spaciousness as we move through our lives.
By Leslie Kazadi on Nov 19, 2020
If you are stressed out and needing some extra support, this class is for you! It's easy to forget how much our inner resources, our practice and our props can hold us together when we are faltering. This practice moves slowly from downward-facing savasana - no need to face the world! - and supported downward dog, bridge, candlestick and plow with some yummy inwardly-focused poses in between. Find shelter in your practice as you find the peace within.
By Cassie Cherney on Nov 5, 2020
This is a full-body flow with an emphasis on the legs, building endurance and stamina! Lots of squatting, heat-building fun with goddess pose, and chances to safely play with balance, followed by some deep stretching and releasing. Props are nice here, if you don't have bolsters, couch pillows will work! Enjoy!
By Cassie Cherney on Oct 23, 2020
A full-body flow for mamas who want to open and strengthen safely! We do lots of shoulder work with eagle arms in wide-legged forward folds and awesome side-body stretching. Prenatal side plank and dolphin are in the mix as are some nice deep hip openers. If you want to sweat and flow and open all the major muscle groups without having to worry about what's safe or not safe, just unroll your mat and let Cassie take care of you and your baby!
Leslie Kazadi
