Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a slower-paced, more meditative version of the popular physical and spiritual discipline of yoga. In Yin Yoga, the poses are held for a long period of time (typically three to five minutes or longer). This targets the connective tissues (such as the ligaments and even the joints) that normally are not exercised very much in a more active style of asana practice, rather than focusing on the muscles.  As a result, the asanas are more passive holds, with little muscular engagement.   Why practice Yin? To increase Flexibility and Range of Motion.

Flow Yoga 

Flow Yoga (also known as Vinyasa) is a style of yoga characterized by stringing asanas (postures) together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. Flow Yoga/Vinyasa classes offer a variety of postures, and no two classes are ever alike.  This type of yoga helps to develop a more balanced body as well as prevent repetitive motion injuries that can happen if you are always doing the same thing every day, like I did.   As a philosophy, Vinyasa recognizes the temporary nature of things.  We enter into a posture, are there for a while, and then leave. Vinyasa is a breath-initiated practice, that connects every action of our life with the intention of moving towards what is sacred or most important to us.  I sometimes forget what lead me there.  For me, it was a number of things, but my arm was what propelled me to dive deeper into healing.  Why are you here? Keep your drishti (focus) on the prize.  Something called you here...to heal an aliment in the body? To create more inner peace? To free yourself from anxiety?  To gain freedom from the limitations of the mind? It can be any number of things...Whatever it is for you...bring it to the mat and explore the growth for yourself.

Yoga Nidra 

Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, just like that feeling when you are just about to doze off, typically induced by a guided meditation.  Yoga Nidra is a form of active meditation. The practitioner follows instructions regarding different kinds of actions, without becoming distracted and while remaining completely awake and alert. Practitioners may appear asleep but the consciousness is actually operating at a deeper level of awareness.  

Yoga Nidra is a state in which the body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of their inner world by following the guide's verbal instructions. This state of consciousness is different from meditation, in which concentration on a single focus is required with verbal cues. In yoga Nidra the practitioner remains in a state of light withdrawal of the 5 senses (pratyahara) with four senses internalized, and only hearing that connects to instructions given.

It is among the deepest possible states of relaxation while still maintaining fully conscious. In lucid dreaming, one is mainly cognizant of the dream state, and has little or no awareness of one's actual environment. Yoga Nidra results in conscious awareness of the deep sleep state, which is called prajna in the Manduka Upanishad.  

There is evidence that yoga Nidra helps relieve stress. An ancient technique from India, it has now spread worldwide and is also being applied by the US Army to assist soldiers to recover from post-traumatic stress disorder. Yoga Nidra gently unwinds the nervous system, which is the foundation of the body’s well-being.