Day 25 - Skip the oxygen bar and go to VDR

DAY 25 - June 3, 2011

If you have been following along, you are probably getting familiar with my regular routine. Friday = VDR. I have to admit that I was a bit star struck when I was setting up for class and I glanced around only to notice Sadie Nardini just a few mats away. If you are not aware of who Sadie is, she is kind of a big deal in the yoga world with her Core Strength Vinyasa classes. She has an extensive online presence ranging from free yoga YouTube clips to incredibly insightful & REAL articles on elephantjournal.com to daily facebook updates with tips and sequences. I have been following her for about a year now, ever since I took her workshop last Yoga Journal Conference in Boston, so I was a tad giddy when I saw her in person. Though I knew she was in town since I signed up for her workshop at Back Bay Yoga the next day (more about that later). But anywho, it was cool to have her in class.

As I have been practicing more regularly and getting more familiar with sequences & poses, I have been able to really focus on my breath work while moving through the flow. Vinyasa is all about linking movement to breath, a moving mediation. However, I know I am guilty of not always doing this. Rather than allowing my breath to lead me into the poses, I end up breathing as an after thought or out of necessity. This usually happens when most of my attention is focused on what the heck we are doing. Of course it is okay to get off track every now and again. The important thing is to reel it back in, slow down, reconnect. VDR has been a great class for me to practice flowing with my breath and last class I felt particularly more connected. The breath led the way and rest followed suit. I completely lost myself in the movement (and even forgot that Miss Nardini was doin' her thang just over yonder).

So forget about taking a trip to an oxygen bar and breath in all that good air that is already floating around you:

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oxygen_Bar_interior,_showing_flavors.jpg)

Day 25 overall: The simplest moving meditations that are connected to the breath can change your mood and overall well-being. Stop holding your breath!

Day 18 - VDR obsession

DAY 18 - May 27, 2011

I just cannot pass up Friday night Vinyasa with Deep Relaxation (aka VDR). The blend of vinyasa flow and restorative release is exactly what I need at the end of the week. It's also fun that I have a bunch of friends that come too! Friday night yoga party to kick the weekend off right. Definitely sets a nice tone for the upcoming days off. I can forget about the stress of work and ease into the slower pace of the weekend. It's just perfect.

Day 18 overall: My VDR obsession continues. No revelations - just straight up yoga yumminess.

Day 11 - Surrender

DAY 11 - May 20, 2011

Friday night Vinyasa with Deep Relaxation (VDR) is my happy hour. Led by Ame Wren at BBY, this class mixes vinyasa, yin and restorative yoga to create an hour and a half of pure bliss. Just to give you a visual of the complete surrender you will experience in this class, this is how we started out:

http://www.laughinglotus.com/blog/randi%20childs%20pose.jpg

You can forget the chaturangas and start building your own mini Stonehenge replica out of bolsters and blocks to prop your legs up on for savasana (aka corpse pose - yep, lie there like a dead man. no joke.). You know it's going to be a good class when the instructor tells you to grab two blocks, a bolster, a blanket AND a strap. Do not fear the props, they are your friends! Especially in restorative yoga, it is crucial to use the props to support you fully in the poses. Give your muscles, and your ego, a break.

Day 11 overall: I looooooooooooooooove restorative yoga. End of story.