I came to yoga at a hopeless time in my life. I simultaneously lost my father and went through a very bad breakup. At first, I turned to drinking trying to numb out, but that just led to more problems. I went to a yoga class for the heck of it, not really knowing about the potential for growth and healing. After practicing three days a week for about a year, I took Ally Hamilton's class and I knew I had found my teacher. She encouraged me to practice six days a week and start a meditation practice. I have been practicing yoga almost exclusively with Ally for over a decade. I told myself at the beginning of this journey that if this yoga thing worked, then I would share it with others. And it works! I feel so blessed to be able to now teach Basic yoga classes at Yogis Anonymous. Big thanks to Ally and Dorian for making this happen.
By Josh Nelson on Nov 7, 2017
Taking our time and tuning into the breath and starting to move with some gentle hip openers. Warm up the spine with some cat-cows and then lengthen and strengthen the spine with traction pose. Then move into this slow paced class with emphasis on taking your time and breathing with each movement. Toward the middle of we get into the much neglected toe/foot area. Have fun, take your time and breathe!
By Josh Nelson on Jun 1, 2017
Starting out with an easy hip-opening and shoulder-opening sequence we build a basic flow step by step. Always coming back to the breath throughout the class. This class is at a slow, steady pace with lots of instruction so it's great for anyone who is new to yoga. The main emphasis of this class is opening the shoulders and hips. Have fun and don't forget to breathe!
By Josh Nelson on Mar 9, 2017
Very slow-paced class easing into series A. Then moving in to a sequence that I call the butterfly warrior. I picked it up from my friend Beth and named it that and I thought about how these two images seemingly contradict each other, or do they? Can something so beautiful and fragile coexist with a quality of strength and fierceness? It's a place were vulnerability and openness live with strength and discipline. That is the Way of the Butterfly Warrior. I truly believe that these two qualities can live together and it's maybe even necessary. To be truly vulnerable it takes a lot of courage.
By Josh Nelson on Dec 30, 2016
With all the distractions in our lives it's easy to forget to take time for ourselves. Yoga really can help us focus our attention on the present moment. If you're just starting out and find it hard to focus your attention on your breath, that is totally normal. It just takes time and practice. Use this practice to work on it! Remember not to be hard on yourself if you have difficulty. Just gently bring your attention back to your breath and have some fun!
By Josh Nelson on Dec 7, 2016
Basic flow with emphasis on the breath and really thinking of your yoga practice as a healing practice, a time to breathe, process and release. We start with the breath and then set an intention to release any "old stuff". Then at a steady pace we move through a basic very approachable yoga flow. Remember to listen to your body and take what you need from this class without overdoing it.
By Josh Nelson on Sep 29, 2016
Gentle warmup to ease you into your practice. Slow flow with long holds that will leave you feeling open and relaxed, ready to start or end your day. Warrior 2 and some time to try crow pose. Some deeper hip opening at the end of class. Breathe deeply and enjoy!
By Josh Nelson on Sep 5, 2016
Move through this mellow class doing your best to keep your focus on the breath. We build series A step by step and then put it all together into a flow. Visit warrior two and find your inner goddess with goddess pose (guys, too!) Series B a couple of times and then become a tree. End with the ultimate restorative pose, bound angle pose. It will require some props and a little patience but it will be well worth it.
By Josh Nelson on Aug 28, 2016
Start out with a gentle warmup and slowly, gradually build heat as we move into a gentle flow. Very steadily-paced class that is great for a beginner or for the more experienced yogi, a very chill class to calm and relax you. Either way this class should leave you feeling great!
By Josh Nelson on Aug 11, 2016
Start out by tuning into your breath and setting an intention. Using a strap we do some gentle stretching of the hamstrings and opening of the hips. The theme is thinking of the poses as shapes. We apply that idea moving from triangle to half-moon pose. You are literally shifting triangle from two feet onto one foot. Great class for a beginner who's been taking basic classes for awhile and wants to give her/himself a bit more of a challenge. Have fun and breathe!
By Josh Nelson on Jul 16, 2016
Good old basic yoga flow getting you warmed up to get deeper in the hips. If you're brand new to yoga take it easy when we get to the hip opening; stay with the first pose (lizard) and if your knees are feeling good maybe giving single pigeon a go. Remember to breathe deeply in whatever hip opener you decide to do. You may release something that you've been "sitting on" and that's great because maybe that will open you up to cool new stuff!
