I could tell you a lot of things about me, but probably the most important thing I can share with you is that I feel really at ease in my own skin, and it wasn't always like that. I've been practicing yoga since my senior year at Barnard College. I used to struggle with anxiety, depression, debilitating migraines and body image issues. I used to be attracted to people who couldn't love me in a way that felt good. I used to be attached to stories about how things should be, or how people should behave or what other people should do, say, want, need or feel. Life is not like that anymore. Yoga is not a magic bullet, it's a process of discovering what is really true about you, and a letting go of anything that isn't. It's an art form that teaches you how to listen deeply not just to your own intuition, but to the people in your life, without gripping the steering wheel with your sticky fingers, white-knuckling your way through it all. It's an acceptance of the impermanence of everything, in a way that inspires you to live each day fully and to love with your whole heart. Not everything in my life is perfect. I have faced some real heartbreak along the way, as we all have. I've lived enough and seen enough to know better than to use phrases like, "everything happens for a reason." Some things just happen, and our job is to rise up and grow beauty from whatever it is life puts in our path, and sometimes that is really, really hard. Everything good, real and true in my life, everything that flows and is fulfilling and rewarding comes directly out of my yoga practice, and it is one of my greatest joys to share the tools, ideas and practices that have helped me create a life I love. I'm a mom with two kids and this site is my third child. I am very hands-on, and always here if you need support with your practice. I'm thrilled you've joined me and this incredible group of teachers I'm so privileged to know and share with you. Every teacher on this site is passionate, down-to-earth and committed to their yoga practice. Everyone here wants to share, support you and inspire you to keep unrolling your mat, even on the days when it's tough. Especially on those days! If you like some reading along with your asana practice, I've written two books, "Open Randomly: Fortune Cookies for the Soul" and "Yoga's Healing Power: Looking Inward for Change, Growth and Peace", both available on Amazon, Book Depository, and wherever books are sold. If things go well, my third book will be finished soon. If you have any questions, need some guidance, or simply want to connect with me, please reach out!
By Ally Hamilton on Apr 5, 2025
You know those days when you don't have a lot of time, but really want your practice? Me, too! How about some deep, conscious breathing, your keen attention to sensation from moment-to-moment, hip, shoulder, and hamstring opening, core strengthening, back-bending and arm balancing with a nice savasana all in 28 minutes? Sound good? Awesome, let's do it. You might want a couple of blocks to "lift the floor up." Enjoy, yogis!
By Ally Hamilton on Feb 28, 2025
We start out with some grounding and breathing, a few minutes to "arrive" in the body and connect to sensation. We move into a slow and steady flow, and then a standing sequence that is foundational, with long holds so you can feel your way in and stay curious. We build enough heat to get to the floor and deeply open the hips, shoulders, and hamstrings. Please be sure to have two blocks and a strap handy. There are options for everything, and building blocks as well. Hip opening includes double pigeon, gomukhasana, and half lotus variations if appropriate, or knee-friendly poses if not. You may want the strap for shoulder opening or for some of the wraps. This practice is designed to calm your nervous system and open every major muscle group, deeply. Lots of love xx
By Ally Hamilton on Feb 4, 2025
A practice for these times, friends. We start with some grounding, breathing, and awareness of sensation so we can get present. Then we head into an energizing flow that targets shoulder, hip and hamstring opening, with extra love for your hips. Eka pada koundinyasana 2 is in the playlist today, along with the building blocks to get there, or hip-opening options if you need to take it easy today. Core strengthening, but of course. And a reminder to cultivate compassion and friendliness toward yourself, so essential right now. Sending you lots of love.
By Ally Hamilton on Jan 24, 2025
I'm labeling this an intermediate class because I did not spend much time talking about alignment, so if you are newer, a beginner class will be better for you! Having said that, for those of you with an established practice, this is a foundational, steady session with longer holds and lots of time to breathe. It is a perfect end-of-day class you can even do in your pajamas right before bed like I did, it is not a sweaty flow (I know I used the word flow in the little introduction, forgive me). This practice is about calming the nervous system, and is good for any time you're feeling anxiety or depression, a loss of control, or just need to get in your body and breathe. Sending lots of love to all x
By Ally Hamilton on Dec 30, 2024
Hello friends! This is a shorter version of a class I do in person at the end of one year, moving into the beginning of another. We begin with a steady flow to get the breath and energy moving, and open up every major muscle group. It's an intermediate, slower flow with lots of time to feel your feelings and breathe deeply. Savasana happens in a restorative heart opener. Then I give you some journaling prompts to check in with yourself and get clear about where you are now - how you're feeling in your life, whether there are any habits you want take a look at, what it is you'd like to release and what you want to cultivate in the new year. You'll need a pen and paper :) I hope you enjoy, and I'm sending you my best wishes for 2025 <3
By Ally Hamilton on Dec 16, 2024
Looking for a full-body flow in under an hour? Here you go! Lots of deep breathing, shoulder, hip and hamstring opening, core strengthening, chances to play on your hands and upside down, and a very sweet savasana. Two blocks and a bolster may be helpful.
By Ally Hamilton on Nov 28, 2024
This is a full-body flow with extra love for the hips and hamstrings. The holidays can be a joyful time of year, but they can also be a time where you feel longing, grief or family stress. We'll spend some time calming the nervous system, focusing on mindful breath, and cultivating gratitude for however things may be right now, even if they're hard. Just being able to meet yourself where you are is something to celebrate. There are chances to play with standing balance and arm balances, and options if you need or want to dial things down. Send you so much love.
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
