"You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine." — Katy Perry, “Firework”  One of yoga's many themes, narratives and goals is liberation. It's a journey towards freeing yourself from the mind's limitations and the constraints we often unknowingly place on ourselves. Just as Independence Day celebrates freedom and self-determination on a national scale, yoga offers a path to personal independence, helping us break free from negative patterns, stress, and anxiety.
The Fourth of July, a day of fireworks and parties, brings people together in a spirit of unity and celebration, much like how yoga fosters a sense of community. Despite being a personal practice, it connects us with others on similar paths of self-discovery and personal growth. This sense of unity and connectedness is central to both yoga and the ideals we celebrate during the nation's Summer gathering. The outward display of fireworks can be mirrored inward. Profound meditation allows you to tap into an internal sense of "illumination" or inner light, focusing your attention on the peace within rather than seeking happiness solely from external celebrations. Freedom, the liberation from torturous cycles in our lives, empowers us to listen to our instinctual body's spirit, understand our minds, and make choices that lead to a healthier, more balanced life. To all my followers, students, teachers and friends: have an amazing and safe Independence Day. HOT VINYASA IN L.I.C. QUEENS "Something new is taking shape in Long Island City. Quietly, intentionally, and with purpose. It’s not a gym, not a clinic, and not a spa, but something that lives in between. A space designed for real healing, where modern science meets deeper, timeless practices. Thoughtfully built for how we actually live, move, and recover. We’re not saying much yet, but it’s coming soon." -- From Healspace's website. I'll be teaching Monday evening hot yoga sessions starting in July, 2026. Long Island City's new sanctuary for goodness, wellness and community. See you soon, friends! Follow them on Instagram here! A PEEK INTO MENTORSHIP WITH VICYASA™... Many prospective teachers, graduates of teacher training(s) and a handful of you that have a desire just to dive deeper into the many aspects of a yoga practice and teaching yoga regularly have been greatly impacted by our bespoke mentoring program. Mentorship sessions can include sharing the exact experience lived, the practical wisdom I and other teachers have gained from our journey in their domain. We are highly skilled at directing strategies and processes that can sometimes transfer across different contexts. Yoga is a journey as much as a practice. In fact, it's a journey that should never end. Those of us on that journey should be open to learning new things. We should be open to new experiences. That is what mentorship offers. It's an opportunity for a more experienced yoga teacher to share their experiences with you. We are ready to work with anyone on a 1:1 basis or mini-group. There will be suggestions for your practice/teachings, you get a catered-to-you manual with loads of vital information and you can take notes and record your questions or concerns. I will curate a personalized practice for you, based on your interest, needs, questions and situation. You then take this practice into your own life. What you discover, feel, experience, or learn via the lens of our personal practice will then create the context for potential offerings or paths you take whether in your personal or business life. The practices may be adapted, changed, modified, or added to. This relationship is important for professional yoga teachers. It’s important because as we dive into the industry we often muddy the waters between ‘teaching’ and ‘personal path.' Furthermore the environment of the yoga industry can be difficult to navigate. No one should try to do it on their own. What if you're not a teacher and would like to prepare for training or enhance your ever-hungry-desire to absorb all things yoga? Holla' at me. Feel like your 200 hour training ended with you needing more questions answered? Want to expand on those teachings? Do you feel like there are areas of your teaching repertoire that need enhancing? Contact me for more info and enrollment. PRIVATES: ONE-TO-ONE WORK! If you want to set up any private sessions or events, please contact me through email. You can learn more about privates: CLICK HERE! SINGLE CLASSES We've added single class purchases to our on-demand offerings. How does it work? A $17 payment will give you access to a single pre-recorded class with Victor or anyone on his staff. The private link with a unique access code will give you entry to that class, which you can load anytime you want. You'll have 24-hours of unlimited access to that class. No refunds, returns and you must use that class within 24-hours of receiving it before it expires. You can request a teacher on our on-demand options... featuring Demetra Kentrotas (@d_meetch), Leanne McDermott (@leannerays), Elinor Cohen (@elinorraerigby) and others. REGULAR RATES:
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- [email protected] NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™
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"The feeling state of summertime is a sweet serendipity: finding something beautiful without striving or struggling to find it." — Jennifer Williamson  Summer is the time when we put plans into action. This is the season we are invigorated, feeling motivated and full of energy. The height of Summer is also the height of extroversion, and the time to embrace all that life has to offer. This is the time to say ‘yes’ to invitations, engage in projects at full capacity, dive into passions, travel and explore, and infuse as much fun into your day as possible.
Take a moment to reflect upon how much ‘fun’ you incorporate into your life – when was the last time you did something purely for the joy of it? When was the last time froliking and flirtations were on the forefront of your day-to-day life? If it’s been a while, journal ten things that you consider fun and inherently enjoy, then commit to engaging with at least one of these activities each week throughout the summer. Summer is linked to the ‘pleasure’ hormone dopamine. That boost happens with an early dose of morning sunlight, as it triggers a dopamine release into the body, giving us a natural mood boost to start the day. Dopamine isn’t just about pleasure however,it stimulates neurotransmitters responsible for motivation too. With a morning dose of dopamine, we’re more motivated to approach the day with energy, vibrancy, and enthusiasm. Ancient yogis knew the power of morning sunlight, and some of the earliest forms of Surya Namaskar [Sun Salutations] didn’t involve movement, but focused instead on meditation with sun-gazing – looking towards the sky at sunrise and sunset. It's time to live this Summer -- start by aligning your personal rhythms with the tempo of nature. Get outside in the morning, add a little more fun to your day, and perhaps say ‘yes’ to life a little more this season. HOT VINYASA IN L.I.C. QUEENS "Something new is taking shape in Long Island City. Quietly, intentionally, and with purpose. It’s not a gym, not a clinic, and not a spa, but something that lives in between. A space designed for real healing, where modern science meets deeper, timeless practices. Thoughtfully built for how we actually live, move, and recover. We’re not saying much yet, but it’s coming soon." -- From Healspace's website. I'll be teaching Monday evening hot yoga sessions starting in July, 2026. Long Island City's new sanctuary for goodness, wellness and community. See you soon, friends! Follow them on Instagram here! A PEEK INTO MENTORSHIP WITH VICYASA™... Many prospective teachers, graduates of teacher training(s) and a handful of you that have a desire just to dive deeper into the many aspects of a yoga practice and teaching yoga regularly have been greatly impacted by our bespoke mentoring program. Mentorship sessions can include sharing the exact experience lived, the practical wisdom I and other teachers have gained from our journey in their domain. We are highly skilled at directing strategies and processes that can sometimes transfer across different contexts. Yoga is a journey as much as a practice. In fact, it's a journey that should never end. Those of us on that journey should be open to learning new things. We should be open to new experiences. That is what mentorship offers. It's an opportunity for a more experienced yoga teacher to share their experiences with you. We are ready to work with anyone on a 1:1 basis or mini-group. There will be suggestions for your practice/teachings, you get a catered-to-you manual with loads of vital information and you can take notes and record your questions or concerns. I will curate a personalized practice for you, based on your interest, needs, questions and situation. You then take this practice into your own life. What you discover, feel, experience, or learn via the lens of our personal practice will then create the context for potential offerings or paths you take whether in your personal or business life. The practices may be adapted, changed, modified, or added to. This relationship is important for professional yoga teachers. It’s important because as we dive into the industry we often muddy the waters between ‘teaching’ and ‘personal path.' Furthermore the environment of the yoga industry can be difficult to navigate. No one should try to do it on their own. What if you're not a teacher and would like to prepare for training or enhance your ever-hungry-desire to absorb all things yoga? Holla' at me. Feel like your 200 hour training ended with you needing more questions answered? Want to expand on those teachings? Do you feel like there are areas of your teaching repertoire that need enhancing? Contact me for more info and enrollment. PRIVATES: ONE-TO-ONE WORK! If you want to set up any private sessions or events, please contact me through email. You can learn more about privates: CLICK HERE! SINGLE CLASSES We've added single class purchases to our on-demand offerings. How does it work? A $17 payment will give you access to a single pre-recorded class with Victor or anyone on his staff. The private link with a unique access code will give you entry to that class, which you can load anytime you want. You'll have 24-hours of unlimited access to that class. No refunds, returns and you must use that class within 24-hours of receiving it before it expires. You can request a teacher on our on-demand options... featuring Demetra Kentrotas (@d_meetch), Leanne McDermott (@leannerays), Elinor Cohen (@elinorraerigby) and others. REGULAR RATES:
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- [email protected] NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ "Etiquette requires us to admire the human race." — Mark Twain  Yoga etiquette focuses on fostering a peaceful, respectful, and focused environment for everyone. Even as a teacher, I still get annoyed and cannot understand why some people show up to group yoga classes, say they love the instructor, but consistently freestyle, want to do poses nowhere near what the teacher is guiding, disregard the journey, or step into the room late, leave early, or exhibit the terminal behavior of demanding, "I need the phone next to my mat."
Because yoga centers on mindfulness and disengaging from the outside world, unrestricted phone use directly disrupts the physical and mental space for both students and the teacher. I greatly appreciate being unreachable at times. As an introverted type, I need alone time, without the distractions of phone calls and emails, to function at my full potential. The idea of setting my phone next to my mat in my home yoga practice—let alone in a class—so that I can keep up with my emails, phone messages or Facebook feed is unthinkable. When I’m practicing yoga and meditation, my practice works better and feels better if I focus on what’s happening in my body/mind in the present moment. Regarding early departures, a universal piece of advice from instructors is to let them know before class if you plan to leave early. Unless you are the person who always wants to leave early... in which case, honestly, don't show up to my class. Truly. At that point, it's asshole behavior and chances are, the practitioners that truly want to enjoy my offerings don't want you or your disrupting attention-seeking behavior. Studios and teachers know exactly who is there and for what. To the students who show up to a specific teacher's class yet feel compelled to sidecrow 5 minutes in, jump into the walls during every vinyasa attempt or freestyle... the students next to you do not appreciate or like your actions. Every movement, question, and energy shift interacts with the group dynamic, requiring real-time adaptability from both the instructor and the participants. Your participation in a group class "does not happen in a vacuum"; if you want extra attention, take private lessons. If you want to do your own thing but just need the fire of a hot room, then isolate yourself in a room, turn up the thermostat and be that asshole alone, wearing as many layers as you want as well. It's not that difficult... right? Like my teacher Marko used to lovingly say, "Don't be an asshole." PRIVATES: ONE-TO-ONE WORK! If you want to set up any private sessions or events, please contact me through email. You can learn more about privates: CLICK HERE! SINGLE CLASSES We've added single class purchases to our on-demand offerings. How does it work? A $17 payment will give you access to a single pre-recorded class with Victor or anyone on his staff. The private link with unique access code will give you entry to that class, which you can load anytime you want. You'll have 24-hours of unlimited access to that class. No refunds, returns and you must use that class within 24-hours of receiving it before it expires. You can request a teacher on our on-demand options... featuring Demetra Kentrotas (@d_meetch), Leanne McDermott (@leannerays), Elinor Cohen (@elinorraerigby) and others. REGULAR RATES:
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- [email protected] NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ "May the wind carry peace to all corners of the earth." -- Buddhist & Tibetan prayer  What are those colorful, rectangular pieces of cloth strung on ropes at many yoga studios? These "Yoga flags" (more precisely called Tibetan prayer flags) embody the five elements of nature and the spread of peace, compassion, and positive energy -- releasing blessings into the wind as they flutter.
Practitioners believe that instead of sending messages to a god, the wind gently blows the printed mantras and goodwill out into the universe. The flags are arranged in a specific, intentional color order from left to right to represent balance: Blue: Symbolizes the sky and space. It represents open-mindedness, purity, and healing. White: Symbolizes air and wind. It is associated with the breath of life, purity, and clarity of thought. Red: Symbolizes fire. It embodies warmth, energy, passion, and spiritual transformation. Green: Symbolizes water. It represents balance, harmony, and the nurturing, flowing aspects of life. Yellow: Symbolizes earth. It stands for stability, groundedness, and the solid foundations of the body and mind. In addition to traditional Tibetan flags, studios also hang Chakra flags, which correspond to the seven main energy centers of the body (from the Root to the Crown). Some studios even use strings of flags depicting different yoga asanas (poses) and the Om symbol. Unlike traditional Tibetan prayer flags, which carry written mantras designed to spread by the wind to benefit all sentient beings, chakra flags primarily focus on the individual's inner harmony, emotional health, and spiritual well-being. When flags fade and wear out, they symbolize life's evanescence. This natural wear is intentional, as it symbolizes the Buddhist concept of impermanence—the idea that life is constantly moving, changing, and cycling forward. We retire old flags by burning them. A PEEK INTO MENTORSHIP WITH VICYASA™... Many prospective teachers, graduates of teacher training(s) and a handful of you that have a desire just to dive deeper into the many aspects of a yoga practice and teaching yoga regularly have been greatly impacted by our bespoke mentoring program. Mentorship sessions can include sharing the exact experience lived, the practical wisdom I and other teachers have gained from our journey in their domain. We are highly skilled at directing strategies and processes that can sometimes transfer across different contexts. Yoga is a journey as much as a practice. In fact, it's a journey that should never end. Those of us on that journey should be open to learning new things. We should be open to new experiences. That is what mentorship offers. It's an opportunity for a more experienced yoga teacher to share their experiences with you. We are ready to work with anyone on a 1:1 basis or mini-group. There will be suggestions for your practice/teachings, you get a catered-to-you manual with loads of vital information and you can take notes and record your questions or concerns. I will curate a personalized practice for you, based on your interest, needs, questions and situation. You then take this practice into your own life. What you discover, feel, experience, or learn via the lens of our personal practice will then create the context for potential offerings or paths you take whether in your personal or business life. The practices may be adapted, changed, modified, or added to. This relationship is important for professional yoga teachers. It’s important because as we dive into the industry we often muddy the waters between ‘teaching’ and ‘personal path.' Furthermore the environment of the yoga industry can be difficult to navigate. No one should try to do it on their own. What if you're not a teacher and would like to prepare for training or enhance your ever-hungry-desire to absorb all things yoga? Holla' at me. Feel like your 200 hour training ended with you needing more questions answered? Want to expand on those teachings? Do you feel like there are areas of your teaching repertoire that need enhancing? Contact me for more info and enrollment. PRIVATES: ONE-TO-ONE WORK! If you want to set up any private sessions or events, please contact me through email. You can learn more about privates: CLICK HERE! SINGLE CLASSES We've added single class purchases to our on-demand offerings. How does it work? A $17 payment will give you access to a single pre-recorded class with Victor or anyone on his staff. The private link with a unique access code will give you entry to that class, which you can load anytime you want. You'll have 24-hours of unlimited access to that class. No refunds, returns and you must use that class within 24-hours of receiving it before it expires. You can request a teacher on our on-demand options... featuring Demetra Kentrotas (@d_meetch), Leanne McDermott (@leannerays), Elinor Cohen (@elinorraerigby) and others. REGULAR RATES:
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- [email protected] NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ |
AuthorVicyasa™, your full-time dopamine dealer ... don't allow my confidence to offend your insecurity. Archives
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