Published on May 21, 2015
Deeply open the hips, hamstrings and shoulders and fire up the core. If you have fear of being upside down, approach your fear and work with it. Inversions are not the point--building your confidence is the thing.
By Kate Duyn on Nov 22, 2024
Let's have a block party, shall we? Grab a couple, and we'll use them for deep core work, fun arm balances, and a great assist as we open the hips, hamstrings, IT band and shoulders - so we can play with twists, binds, standing balance, some deeper backbends, balancing on our hands, and balancing in our hearts, too.
By Ally Hamilton on Nov 19, 2024
We open with a short (7 minute) talk about yoga philosophy including the Yama and Niyama, in particular ahimsa, satya, svadhyaya, and the concept of non-attachment. Also the very human experience of being attached to loved ones and their well-being. Then we head into a flow that targets the hips, shoulders and hamstrings. We have some deep core strengthening, and opportunities to play with tripod headstand variations and arm balances including firefly and bhujapidasana. We close the practice with alternate nostril breathing so you walk away from your mat feeling calm and balanced. Love to all xx
By Ally Hamilton on Nov 1, 2024
This practice opens with a short (4 minute) talk about attachment and non-attachment, the sandwich generation, loss, grief, change - and how cultivating curiosity is the best and easiest way to move through it all (which doesn't mean it's easy, just easier). We then move into a dancing warrior flow that targets hip and shoulder opening, standing balance, core strength, backbends, deep stretching, and inversions. Try to stay curious about what you're feeling as you move from shape to shape, and let your deep breath be the foundation. Quick note - we are replacing a mixer, but I went ahead and filmed without it. I know the sound is a little echo-y, but I don't think it will be distracting. Love to all as we navigate whatever losses come our way x
By Ally Hamilton on Oct 18, 2024
Hello friends! This is a calming, grounding yin practice with breath-work. If you're dealing with anxiety, racing thoughts, insomnia, or just generally feel like your nervous system needs a reboot, join me. This is a great evening practice, but you can use it anytime you want a deep stretch, especially for the hips and hamstrings - though the shoulders get some love here, too. Yin yoga is about long holds - really allowing the muscles, fascia and tissue around the joints to release - and when you add deep, conscious breath along with curiosity about sensation, you have something extra potent and special. 2 blocks may be very helpful. This is not a heat-building practice, so please listen to your body and don't force anything. Enjoy x
By Kate Duyn on Oct 16, 2024
A Ganesha-inspired practice designed to free the path in front of you, so energy can flow in spite of obstacles (or because of them). Expect standing balance, arm balance and head balance :) Core strength, breath, and creativity. Grab six (!) blocks if you have them. If not, you can get away with two! Enjoy, yogis!
By Angela Kukhahn on Oct 16, 2024
Vinyasa into fall with Angela! This practice is a blend of strength, flying, and continuous flow on the breath. We balance strength and challenge with fluidity and yummy stretches. Lots of love for the hips of course. 30 minutes of awesome, basically - enjoy :)
By Ally Hamilton on Oct 5, 2024
I filmed this for you on a day when I am a little depleted. I've been fighting something for a few days and wanted to give you a practice for days like this, too! This is a slow, mindful practice with long holds and deep, conscious breath. We open the hips, hamstrings and shoulders. There is s standing sequence and some standing balance, and lots of nice, juicy stretching on the floor. This is great as an evening practice after a long day, for anytime you're feeling anxious, it's a sweet practice when you're on your cycle, but it's also great for any time you need something nurturing, grounding, and deep. You may want a block or two, and you may benefit from a strap. Enjoy, yogis.
By Kate Duyn on Oct 2, 2024
This practice is about protecting yourself from toxic energy. We start with the Brahma Mudra to assert our own power while we open the heart space. Brahma is the energy of creation, so as we flow we'll work with the idea of elimination. Sometimes we need to release old stories or current thoughts that aren't serving us, and sometimes toxic energy is coming at us from the environment. Either way, we can't be our best selves or help anyone else if we're bogged down in that stuff, so get ready to flow, sweat, breathe, release and walk away from your mat feeling open - knowing that you've cultivated strength and are ready to release what isn't serving you, and face anything that comes your way.
By Kate Duyn on Sep 17, 2024
The yoga of action, or kriya - yoga IN action! Yoga is something you do, unifying takes energy, commitment, determination and focus, and that's what this practice is all about. Get ready to open your hamstrings, hips and shoulders, and get centered so we can play with headstand and monkey around a bit. Lots of twists and standing balance, too. Let's get to work!
By Ally Hamilton on Sep 17, 2024
Hello from the Practice Garden! Why haven't we been filming out here lately?! I don't know, but this was beautiful. This is an hour-long flow that targets hamstring and shoulder opening with a lot of love for the hips and core, and includes fun arm balances like crow pose, bhujapidasana and firefly pose, and a tripod headstand with lotus legs if you're in the mood. The pace is steady, this is not a 4-alarm fire, but rather a nice, heat-building pace with time for conscious breath and long holds. Enjoy, yogis!@blocks may be helpful but aren't strictly necessary unless you need to "lift the floor up"! You might want a strap for cow-face pose if your shoulders require patience and care.
Ally Hamilton
