“Embrace your journey and look for the lessons. Believe in divine timing and know that what’s for you will not pass you.” -- Cara Alwill Leyba, Author of Girl Code  (This week's newsletter was composed by our wonderful on-demand teacher and full time writer Elinor Cohen. Check out her Instagram HERE and her amazingly empowering advanced & intermediate sessions on our on-demand archives.) Happy Spring, yogis! We’re officially in the season of what promises to be warmer weather and new beginnings. With that may come a reinvigorated yoga practice and the desire to challenge yourselves in new and interesting ways, both on and off the mat.
Something that often gets tossed around in yoga is the concept that everyone can do every pose if they just work hard enough. While there are some poses that can be achieved through perseverance, patience, and practice, this isn’t true for all of them. That begs the question: Is every pose for every body? The short answer is no. The long answer is no…and that’s a good thing. Part of the physical asana practice is learning how to do the postures that challenge us, whether physically, emotionally, or mentally. But another critical aspect of yoga is learning to accept that some poses are simply not meant for everyone. This isn’t about judgment or aesthetics; rather it’s about anatomy and an understanding that every yogi is unique. For example, some people’s legs will simply never bend into lotus pose (padmasana) no matter how hard they try. There’s nothing wrong with them – this is just how their bodies are made. Yoga is about learning to accept the poses that fit your body and riding the wave of emotions that come up as a result of the ones that don’t. In the same vein, there are some who may say “You’ll get it eventually” to practitioners who haven’t yet achieved a certain pose. While for some that may be motivating, for others this notion could be discouraging. The harm in saying “You’ll get it eventually” is that some people might not – and again, that’s okay. There is nothing wrong with your practice, whether or not you eventually nail that pose. In fact, your practice is perfect exactly as it is. It’s perfectly fine to want to get into physically demanding poses – doing so can feel empowering and satisfying! Still, remember that it is not a failure if you don’t get there, now or ever. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 4/3/2023
*ALL CLASSES EST *SESSIONS 45/60 MINUTES *WAIVER STATEMENT: I understand that I must be in good physical health to participate in these classes, that my participation may cause an injury and that I should consult with my physician before I take a class. I am taking these classes at my own risk. I waive any claim for personal injury and any other damages that I may have against the school, studio and/or the teachers who are offering these classes. REGULAR RATES:(when submitting payment, in note section state email for delivery of services)
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- Victor@YogawithVictor.com NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™
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“Our bodies are intuitively attuned with the earth’s natural rhythm—our inner universe is inherently harmonized with the universe that surrounds us,” -- Michelle Dalbec  Spring ... the season of warmth and fertility, growth and abundance, and a real sense of "new beginnings", which makes it a great place to start cultivating a change to your seasonal rhythms. Below, you’ll find some key practices to help you connect more to Spring, which could make a real difference to how you feel in body and mind.
YOGA POSES Whilst Winter is the perfect time for deep yin and restorative yoga, Spring is the time to bring in a little more movement and flow. If you feel as though you curled up and spent much of Winter in a hunched and rounded positions, this is a great time to reintroduce heart-opening backbends and postures that open the chest and lungs PRANAYAMA Kapalabhati breath (fire breath) is a great way to cleanse the sinus passages, as well as giving a boost of energy and clarity. Any type of deep, diaphragmatic breathing you’re able to practice will go a long way to boosting energy levels, brightening your mood, and encouraging more oxygen saturation in the muscles and organs. CLEANSING Spring cleaning isn’t just for the house. Although it’s always a good idea to clear stagnant energy and make space for new by taking a trip to the goodwill. We can clean our spaces and create a cleanse for our bodies. Open your windows and cleanse your house by smudging with sage or palo santo. Smudging is a common practice to purify energy of a space, or even yourself. Create a gentle juice cleanse for your body or even a fast. Fasting and cleansing have numerous health as well as spiritual benefits, including: reducing inflammation, better blood sugar control, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, boosts brain function, extending longevity to name a few. Of course, listen to your body and consult a professional before engaging in any fast or cleanse. Spring is an opportunity for renewal and rebirth—for planting seeds to nurture, and to witness the unending cycle of growth and change. It is also a reminder that we cannot be born again until we experience a sort of death—a shedding of old layers, habits, and outmoded beliefs. When we recognize that each waking moment is an opportunity to be born again, it is here, in the now, that we can experience the sheer joy of present moment awareness. SALE... Our St. Patty's Day Sale HAS BEEN EXTENDED: 10-class pack for $100 (60 day expiration date) or $75 for 30-days of unlimited which includes on-demand access. Or, two months unlimited for $155. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 3/27/2023
*ALL CLASSES EST *SESSIONS 45/60 MINUTES *WAIVER STATEMENT: I understand that I must be in good physical health to participate in these classes, that my participation may cause an injury and that I should consult with my physician before I take a class. I am taking these classes at my own risk. I waive any claim for personal injury and any other damages that I may have against the school, studio and/or the teachers who are offering these classes. REGULAR RATES:(when submitting payment, in note section state email for delivery of services)
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- Victor@YogawithVictor.com NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ Yoga at OHM Schedule w/ Victor 3/20-3/26/2023: What Vernal Equinox means for your yoga practice3/15/2023 Spring Equinox: What the Vernal Equinox means for your yoga practice "The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing." – S. Brown, poet  (This week's newsletter was composed by our wonderful on-demand teacher and full time writer Elinor Cohen. Check out her Instagram HERE and her amazingly empowering advanced & intermediate sessions on our on-demand archives.) Equal parts day and night mark the Spring Equinox. Also referred to as the Vernal Equinox, this day marks the official start of spring! This season is seen by many as a time of renewal and transformation. The flowers that have been growing underground can finally begin to bloom, and with that comes the opportunity for planning and progress.
In Latin, the word “vernal” translates to new and fresh. How do we incorporate this into our yoga practice? Perhaps it means refinding your yoga practice. If time on your mat hasn’t been as frequent (read: nonexistent for some) throughout the winter months, the Spring Equinox could be the perfect opportunity to start anew with a refreshed appreciation for all that your body and mind can do. Those who have been regularly practicing may consider incorporating Kapha qualities into your asana. Kapha is the Ayurvedic dosha most closely linked to spring. Consider leaning into the qualities of moistness and abundance by practicing hot yoga, spending time in a sauna or steam room, and incorporating elements of grounding into your postures. Other ways to welcome in spring:
Consider this your permission slip to stop and smell the roses…as well as the tulips, daisies, and lilies. Now is the time to enjoy all the abundance that spring is sure to bring. CHECK OUT ELINOR'S YOGA CLASSES... We have added NEW advanced/intermediate yoga sessions to the on-demand section with Elinor Cohen. Along with the 60-minute sessions, we also uploaded 40-45 minute vinyasa classes for you to flow to any time of the day and more convenient 30-minute yoga classes. To get on-demand, just subscribe to any of our UNLIMITED packages. Leanne McDermott [IG: @leannerays] & Demetra Kentrotas [IG: @d_meetch] have plenty of flows for you as well. SALE... Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive, you can grab 2 months of UNLIMITED live sessions and access to our on-demand classes. Membership will activate upon payment. Grab this great deal NOW... it'll only last 48-hours upon receiving this email. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 3/20/2023
*ALL CLASSES EST *SESSIONS 45/60 MINUTES *WAIVER STATEMENT: I understand that I must be in good physical health to participate in these classes, that my participation may cause an injury and that I should consult with my physician before I take a class. I am taking these classes at my own risk. I waive any claim for personal injury and any other damages that I may have against the school, studio and/or the teachers who are offering these classes. REGULAR RATES:(when submitting payment, in note section state email for delivery of services)
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- Victor@YogawithVictor.com NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ “The more the heart is sated with joy, the more it becomes insatiable.” —Gabrielle Roy  Certain core teachings of Yoga can forever shift the way you see the world in an acute way. “Joy is within you” is one of them. In the Yoga Sutra’s Chapter 1.33, Pantanjali gives us a 4-part process to help us clear our hearts of negative energies as a means for quieting our minds.
Four keys to nurture joy within... Maitri [friendliness]: Kindness and friendliness to those who are happy, instead of being jealous and resentful of their mode. Rather than living with mental scarcity thinking one person’s happiness will cause us to run out of happiness we must appreciate their joy, realizing the potential for all of us to be happy at the same time. Karuna [compassion]: Compassion for those who are in pain, those that are suffering including yourself. The practice means no longer self-sabotaging oneself nor catastrophizing but instead learning how to self-comfort. It implies you see yourself as deserving of compassion. This applies outwardly as well, that we cannot choose towards whom we have compassion but it is universal and unconditional. Mudita [joy]: Respect, admiration and honor for those who embody noble qualities. In practice this means eliminating envy towards those that are living honorable lives. We must genuinely celebrate achievements. This reminds us that we can be inspired by others' greatness to then be inspiring. We all have innate greatness. Upeksanam [equanimity]: towards those who hurt us. Peacefulness towards those whose actions oppose our values. Instead of choosing the “like” button or even the “dislike” button choosing neutral. There will be some people that purposefully will try to harm you or people you love. Your choice is not to engage them in a fight. You can simply stop struggling. This is where the idea of “would you rather be right or be happy” comes from. We encounter many people in life; Happy people (sukha), Unhappy people (dukha), Honorable people (punya), Malicious people (apunya)... Our approach, the way we cultivate and navigate through relationships, choosing to constitute a path that leads us to happiness cannot be shaken if we nurture ourselves with the above 4 keys. QUEENS SCENE... Interview. CHECK IT OUT! Queens Scene magazine is a community publication that is devoted to the lifestyle and trends of neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City and Western Queens, NYC. "The soul of the community in terms of nightlife, adventure, fun, and art," Queens Scene contacted me for an interview about yoga, my approach to the practice and places to visit in Queens. Featured in their Health Section, check out the online feature (CLICK HERE). OH.... YES! As the weather warms, we'll have announcements regarding our wildly popular and fun outdoor classes in Long Island City, Astoria... and Manhattan, in some of NYC's most scenic parks. Check out Queens Scene online HERE. LOADS OF NEW ON-DEMAND CLASSES... Victor, along with Elinor Cohen [IG: @elinorraerigby] and Leanne McDermott [IG: @leannerays], have added NEW advanced/intermediate yoga sessions to the on-demand section. We've also added 60-minute sessions, along with 40-45 minute vinyasa classes for you to flow to any time of the day. To get on-demand, just subscribe to any of our UNLIMITED packages. Demetra Kentrotas [IG: @d_meetch] has fusion yoga/pilates classes, and loads of power classes of varying duration. SALE... Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive, you can grab 2 months of UNLIMITED live sessions and access to our on-demand classes. Membership will activate upon payment. Grab this great deal NOW... it'll only last 48-hours upon receiving this email. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 3/13/2023
*ALL CLASSES EST *SESSIONS 45/60 MINUTES *WAIVER STATEMENT: I understand that I must be in good physical health to participate in these classes, that my participation may cause an injury and that I should consult with my physician before I take a class. I am taking these classes at my own risk. I waive any claim for personal injury and any other damages that I may have against the school, studio and/or the teachers who are offering these classes. REGULAR RATES:(when submitting payment, in note section state email for delivery of services)
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- Victor@YogawithVictor.com NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ Queens Scene magazine is a community publication that is devoted to the lifestyle and trends of neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City and Western Queens, NYC. "The soul of the community in terms of nightlife, adventure, fun, and art," Queens Scene contacted me for an interview about yoga, my approach to the practice and places to visit in Queens. Featured in their Health Section, check out the online feature (CLICK HERE). OH.... YES! As the weather warms, we'll have announcements regarding our wildly popular and fun outdoor classes in Long Island City, Astoria... and Manhattan, in some of NYC's most scenic parks. Check out Queens Scene online HERE. loads of love and light, V It's Yoga Practice, Not Yoga Perfect |
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