Staff teacher
Monica's yoga journey began in 2009 when she started experiencing intense pain from a developing knee injury. It was then that she decided to give yoga a try, thinking that it would help stretch and promote faster healing for her knee injury and get her back into high impact sports training again. It wasn't long before she began to feel the restorative healing effect that the yoga was having on her body but more importantly she realized that there was a deeper impact to be gained from her practice than just physical. Monica was lucky to study with a few very inspiring teachers in Los Angeles (Ally Hamilton and Kate Duyn Cariati) who began to challenge her to take an introspective approach in order to gain a clearer understanding and awareness of her true motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. For the first time she began to look internally for answers and although her yoga practice was initially more of a physical outlet, the more she gave to her practice on the mat, the more she felt a sense of clarity and contentment off of the mat and in her daily life. Yoga has been confrontational, revealing and healing for Monica. She is passionate about sharing this practice with others in the hopes that she can help facilitate the same positive shift in another person's life the way her teachers and mentors have done for her. Monica's sequences are designed for all levels of yogis to achieve a sense of self-awareness, opening in the body and connection to breath through movement. She leads a well rounded class with a sense of structured-playfulness while maintaining a safe yet challenging environment. Monica also loves to incorporate fluid movement and creative transitions into her flow using her dance background as inspiration for a fresh perspective on this traditional practice. Monica received her 200 RYT Yoga Alliance Certification in 2015 from Yogis Anonymous with trainers Ally Hamilton and Kate Duyn Cariati, and completed a 50 hour Laughing Lotus Chakra Certification in 2016 with Kate Duyn Cariati, Ali Cramer and Jasmine Tarkeshi.
By Monica Moss on May 19, 2017
In this well-rounded class we focus on open hip poses, and then finding our twisting poses and counter-twists to balance the body and mind. Of course we play with arm balances and inversions to challenge ourselves and change perspective... All you need to do is show up with an open mind and be ready for anything!
By Monica Moss on Apr 3, 2017
Self care is our theme as we push some physical limits through a challenging flow intended to build heat in the body to open our hearts and ultimately prepare us for meditation (Savasana). Breathe deep yogis!
By Monica Moss on Mar 19, 2017
We flow through a crescent warrior series adding on rainbow warrior to open the hamstrings. Then we work on shoulder opening with cactus arms in crescent then strengthen the core and shoulders for dolphin pose with option for forearm stand or pincha mayurasana.
By Monica Moss on Mar 9, 2017
We warm up with a version of down dog single pigeon and OMG squats then we flow through side angle and triangle to open up the side body, quads and hammies. Through our flow we work on bird of paradise, side plank, warrior 3 and revolved half moon strengthening the entire body as we move through shapes working with the breath. Modifications are offered for each pose to make sure all levels of yogis can participate. You can make this class as challenging as you want it to be by pushing yourself to your own edge, whatever that may be today. Let's have fun and get stronger together!! Namaste!
By Monica Moss on Feb 12, 2017
There are days where we may feel strong and light and then there are days we may feel weighed down and weak. This is life. While listening to our bodies is very important as we have built in mechanisms to protect ourselves from harm or injury, I can attest to the fact that the days where I felt the least amount of energy and enthusiasm to practice are the days that I get the most out of my yoga. Not every practice will feel or look the same and that is absolutely ok, but if you are breathing and moving your body you will always find the results of your practice to be positive and uplifting. The best way to get out of a rut is to make a decision and change the habits that keep perpetuating this state of mind. In this class we are challenged to breathe through intense physical poses which can directly correlate to staying calm in difficult situations that occur in our daily lives. Let's breathe and play to become more connected each day!
By Monica Moss on Jan 19, 2017
Beginning with shoulder openers and hamstring openers, we warm up the body to get our flow on and work towards strength building poses like crow pose, warrior III, revolved half moon and L Pose at the wall. We cool it down by getting into the inner thighs and hips with seated wide leg forward fold and single pigeon. There is something in it for everyone so have fun playing and pushing your limits in the process. Namaste Yogis!
By Monica Moss on Dec 26, 2016
If you are interested in going upside down or just building the strength to finding your arm balances, this is the class for you. This is a playful flow intended to open up the shoulders, quads and hamstrings. Sprinkled throughout the class you will find crow pose transitions and core work to get us prepped for our arm balances and ultimately finding handstand. We use a strap around the lower triceps to provide resistance and contain the arms at the proper width which is a great way to begin the journey towards inverting. Enjoy, yogis!
By Monica Moss on Dec 23, 2016
Warming up with a crescent lunge to pyramid flow we break down chatturanga using props to help with alignment.
By Monica Moss on Dec 12, 2016
This class incorporates a strong and playful flow designed to link breath to movement so we can slow down our transitions and challenge ourselves taking your practice to new heights! We open the side body and hamstrings through a dancing warrior sequence adding in Crescent pose, Skandasana, Warrior III, and more to change things up. We finish the flow and end things sweetly with back bending, twists and hip openers. Enjoy!
By Monica Moss on Nov 29, 2016
This class incorporates an energetic flow designed to strengthen the core while opening up our hamstrings. I introduce arm balances and inversions to offer a change in perspective and to promote a challenging yet safe environment to try something new. We also work on being present at every moment during our practice focusing on how we enter each pose, hold each pose and exit each pose. The effort to stay present and aware during our practice especially through challenging poses can have a very positive effect in our lives off the mat. It's a subtle reminder that everything is temporary and when you are working through challenges in life that feel unbearable, those too will pass but there is work to be done to get through it and the pay off is totally worth it. Namaste!
