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SHOULD I PRACTICE OR SHOULD I PAUSE? “Whenever you are in doubt, it is best to pause. Few things are so pressing that they cannot wait for a moment of breath.” - T.K.V. Desikachar  (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.) It’s no secret that we live in a world in which more is considered better. The #nodaysoff hashtag may have popped up on your Instagram feed, potentially causing you to fall into the “rest is for the weary” lie of a mindset. We’ve been conditioned to believe that pushing through is always preferred, but when we take a step back and reflect on what is right for us in our bodies, the truth is that this might not be the case.
Ask yourself: should I practice or should I pause? This can be asked before you roll out your mat or in the middle of a yoga class. Should I practice this pose, this sun salutation, this sequence…or should I pause? Yoga is not about going through the motions without assessing what you need. Instead, perhaps the real yoga begins when we step away from the mat for a day or two. Pausing may give your physical body and your intellectual mind a chance to rinse off so when you return to your mat, it is with a fresh and rejuvenated perspective. Sometimes a day away is all you need to come back with an even more strongly reignited fire for your love of the practice. Signs it may be time to pause:
The wisest yogi is the one who knows when to practice and when to pause. SALE... $2.58 A DAY TO INVEST YOUR MIND/BODY Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive or want to extend your subscription, 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. 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! OUTDOOR CLASSES... Long Island City's Hunter's Point Park (Oval Field) will be our location AGAIN for our scenic and blissful yoga sessions outdoors, along with dates in Manhattan's Central Park. We'll be flowing soon outside... emails will be sent for registration. Contact Victor to secure your spot. The weather has turned... Let's lay out in the sun, flow and practice in front of the NYC skyline. 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 below as well featured on our on-demand options... 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM LIVE VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 5/29/023 - Memorial Day
*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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“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” – Neltje Blanchan  Spring is an opportunity for renewal and rebirth — for planting seeds to nurture, and witnessing the unending cycle of growth and change.
Start your day by drinking a glass of water (add a splash of lemon and ginger) to invigorate your liver, enhance your digestion and help clear out any accumulated mucus. Throughout the day, hydrate to further nourish your liver and gallbladder. Spring yoga classes will also help you create space in your body for the new, wringing out sluggishness accumulated over winter and releasing frustration and anger, emotions associated with imbalances. Finish your practice with focused yin, longer-held postures to stimulate energy flow to the liver by targeting the liver and gallbladder meridian lines: the channels through which chi or prana (your body’s vital force) flows. View every yoga class as a fresh start. Forget what came before and don’t worry about what might come next. Take every class—or for that matter every asana and every breath—as a chance to be something entirely new. SALE... $2.58 A DAY TO INVEST YOUR MIND/BODY Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive or want to extend your subscription, 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. 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! OUTDOOR CLASSES... Long Island City's Hunter's Point Park (Oval Field) will be our location AGAIN for our scenic and blissful yoga sessions outdoors, along with dates in Manhattan's Central Park. We'll be flowing soon outside... emails will be sent for registration. Contact Victor to secure your spot. The weather has turned... Let's lay out in the sun, flow and practice in front of the NYC skyline. 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 below as well featured on our on-demand options... 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM LIVE VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 5/22/023
*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™ “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open."― B.K.S. Iyengar  To help us harmonize with this season and harness the spring energy, yoga and Ayurvedic practices are designed to melt the sludge and heaviness of winter. They help cleanse and remove built-up residue in the mind and body to release what is no longer needed and make room for growth and expansion.
While yoga always places a high value on purification of body and mind, spring is especially focused on release. You can enhance this by including poses that stimulate and revitalize the liver and large intestine to release toxins and brighten up. This week we'll focus on warming flows, twists, side leans, and mild inversions. We will build natural heat gradually to help generate sweat and naturally detoxify your body. Just as the darkness of winter changes to the rebirth of spring, so do we. Staying connected to your body and breath during this time will help you harness the inner wisdom and insight that solitude brings. With this clarity, you too can spring into action by bringing your insight to fruition. Honoring this transition in your yoga practice can help to ease you into this revitalizing season. SALE... $2.58 A DAY TO INVEST YOUR MIND/BODY Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive or want to extend your subscription, 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. 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! OUTDOOR CLASSES... Long Island City's Hunter's Point Park (Oval Field) will be our location AGAIN for our scenic and blissful yoga sessions outdoors, along with dates in Manhattan's Central Park. We'll be flowing soon outside... emails will be sent for registration. Contact Victor to secure your spot. The weather has turned... Let's lay out in the sun, flow and practice in front of the NYC skyline. 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 below as well featured on our on-demand options... 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM LIVE VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 5/15/2023
*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™ WHAT IS THE RIGHT TYPE OF YOGA FOR ME?  (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.) Have you ever stopped to think about whether the type of yoga you’re practicing really serves you? Or if there is another form that might work better for you on a different day, at a different time, or in a different circumstance?
Yoga comes in a multitude of varieties. While hatha yoga may be the oldest to date, many other forms have branched off from the original version to bring us the current buffet of options we enjoy today. Popular styles include hatha, vinyasa, Iyengar, bikram, kundalini, and yin, but the list doesn’t stop there. The modern world in which we live has new forms of the practice popping up everywhere. With so much variety, why just stick to one? The different lineages of yoga each serve their own unique purpose. Some, like vinyasa, are more geared towards flexibility, while others such as hatha, focus more on breath work. Yin yoga, for example, prioritizes long holds to get deep into the fascia. The beauty of knowing about the different forms of yoga is that you can choose what’s right for you based on your mood, your day, and your position in life. The way we feel varies day to day; similarly, the type of yoga we practice can as well. When deciding the type of yoga that is right for you, consider the following questions: What do you want to get out of it? Do you need more grounding? Do you need more energy? Do you need more structure? (ashtanga). Do you need more freedom? (vinyasa). Perhaps you need to sit still. That, too, is yoga in its most fundamental sense. The Vicyasa™ platform offers several styles and levels of yoga, available for practitioners of all abilities. Find the one that speaks to you. SALE... $2.58 A DAY TO INVEST YOUR MIND/BODY Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive or want to extend your subscription, 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. 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! OUTDOOR CLASSES... Long Island City's Hunter's Point Park (Oval Field) will be our location AGAIN for our scenic and blissful yoga sessions outdoors, along with dates in Manhattan's Central Park. We'll be flowing soon outside... emails will be sent for registration. Contact Victor to secure your spot. The weather has turned... Let's lay out in the sun, flow and practice in front of the NYC skyline. 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM LIVE VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 5/8/2023
*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™ “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” -Eleanor Brownn  From physical, to mental, to emotional well being, the ancient practice of Yoga has contributed to the overall wellness of human life. Every time we feel like we are losing our grip on our physical or emotional health, yoga can come to the rescue and inspire us in different ways. There is no doubt that yoga is one of the finest paths to remain happy and refreshed in life. Another is... time on the beach and a time out from the day-to-day grind.
I'll be on leave for a few days this week in an effort to replenish, rejuvenate and reintegrate. While I'm away in Puerto Rico (Yay... my birthplace), on-demand will be available daily for unlimited subscribers - classes will be accessible daily for you to move and get your sweaty practice at any time with me, Demetra Kentrotas, Elinor Cohen, Leanne McDermott and others. 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. 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! OUTDOOR CLASSES... Long Island City's Hunter's Point Park (Oval Field) will be our location AGAIN for our scenic and blissful yoga sessions outdoors, along with dates in Manhattan's Central Park. We'll be flowing soon outside... emails will be sent for registration. Contact Victor to secure your spot. The weather has turned... Let's lay out in the sun, flow and practice in front of the NYC skyline. 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 5/1/2023 NO CLASSES TUESDAY: 5/2/2023 NO CLASSES WEDNESDAY: 5/3/2023 NO CLASSES THURSDAY: 5/4/2023 NO CLASSES FRIDAY: 5/5/2023 NO CLASSES SATURDAY: 5/6/2023
*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™ “You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.” -- Alan Watts  Sweating is essential for the human body to regulate itself. And during this transition to a warmer season, you'll be sweating more during yoga and throughout the day. But when is the best time to drink water so it complements your yoga? Your best strategy to prepare for a yoga class on hotter days is to drink plenty of fluids the day before a class and if on the same day, you should intake hydrating fluids 3-4 hours before. Make it water, nutrient-rich clear drinks or juice blends even sports drinks. Add to your day plenty of fruits and vegetables. And most of all, with any class, make sure to drink plenty of water to rehydrate after. If possible, avoid drinking water immediately before or during class. In addition to making our physical bodies feel inflated, consuming large amounts of water before or during a practice also interferes with our energy bodies; one theory says that sipping during yoga practice is akin to pouring water over our inner fire as we try to build it. In Yoga and Ayurveda, it is thought that a sip of water during practice disrupts the body’s energy and concentration. Hydration before will make you perform better, increasing strength and flexibility. A lack of water can damage the cardiovascular system & your body will have difficulties regulating itself. This makes yoga a strain and limits your performance. Hydration ensures that your immune system functions properly so that you do not get sick or feel stomach pains by flushing out toxins. Muscle weakness, muscle cramping, fatigue, irritability, and headaches are just some of the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. Ultimately, a yoga practice can be used to reduce compulsions and become more comfortable with discomforts. When we lean into resisting the urge to drink water, or go to the bathroom, we become better at dealing with the discomforts of life such as hunger, thirst, or the weather. After yoga, feel free to drink your favorite tea, water, or electrolyte-enhanced water to replenish the body and get ready for your next practice. 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. 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! OUTDOOR CLASSES... Long Island City's Hunter's Point Park (Oval Field) will be our location AGAIN for our scenic and blissful yoga sessions outdoors, along with dates in Manhattan's Central Park. We'll be flowing soon outside... emails will be sent for registration. Contact Victor to secure your spot. The weather has turned... Let's lay out in the sun, flow and practice in front of the NYC skyline. 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM LIVE VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 4/24/2023
*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™
 During the lifespan of our yoga asana practice, we may get injured but it doesn’t mean that we have to skip our yoga practice. Let’s find out how it is possible to maintain a steady and well-balanced regimen while paying attention to key areas that can commonly be effected:
HAMSTRINGS: Forcing your legs straight into any pose – whether you’re standing, sitting, or lying down – can damage your hamstring muscles. This kind of injury often builds up gradually into tendonitis or tears in the muscle fibers. If hamstrings are not your most flexible body part, apply added focus on contracting the front of your body (quads and lower abs) when you fold forward to let your hamstrings feel safe letting go (bending knees as well to accommodate your hamstring and lower back needs). Don’t use your hands to pull your body deeper into forward folds. Those of you with a lot of mobility in your hamstrings need to be cautious and focus on engaging your outer hip muscles, as it’s possible for you to overstretch and cause injury. SHOULDERS: Overuse and misalignment, poor body awareness can lead to loads of issues at your scapular-humeral region. Poses like plank, chaturanga, cobra pose, and upward facing are common culprits. I’ve also seen shoulder injuries arise due to students not listening to their bodies’ -- signs of fatigue. Don’t push through chaturanga when your body is screaming for a modification or a rest. Be sure to hug the elbows into the side body as you lower down through chaturanga (safely moving the elbow range of motion) and drop your knees down if this is hard to accomplish. Nail the elbows grazing into the ribs as you lower first – then try to lower down in one line with knees lifted. LOWER BACK: Among the most frequent yoga injuries, lower back pain is often caused by rounding your spine in forward folds or downward dog. Rounding and overstretching is a recipe for injury and irritation, as it causes your spine to flex the opposite way it is supposed to. Don’t shy away from bending your knees in forward folds; this allows your back to decompress and relax. Engage your lower belly in most poses – especially chair – as core strength contributes to a strong, healthy back. Keep a small bend in your knees throughout practice and remember to tuck your pelvis under your spine. NECK: Any time you apply pressure to your neck – such as during a headstand – you’re compressing your neck. This can lead to pain in your cervical vertebrae. Your neck is one of the scariest places to harm since it takes so long to heal properly. Never put pressure on your head in any kind of inversion – including when you prepare for full wheel. Don’t force yourself into poses that the rest of your body (shoulders, wrists, abs) isn’t prepared to support you in. When you have an injury it is an opportunity to deepen your practice on other levels.The truth is, your body knows what it needs to heal. Your job is to create the environment so that you are working in harmony with, rather than against nature: Plant the seeds so health and vitality can blossom. 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: 4/17/2023
*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™
 Studies of the last 30 years of clinical trials suggest that yoga can significantly improve pain, decrease disability and enhance mood in people with persistent pain. For decades, scientists and doctors thought that pain could be exclusively only by damage to the structure of the body. They looked for the source of chronic pain in bulging spinal discs, muscle injuries, and infections. More recent research, however, points to a second source of chronic pain: the distinct real biology of your thoughts, emotions, expectations, and memories.
Most chronic pain has its roots in a physical injury or illness, but it is sustained by how that initial trauma changes not just the body but also the mind-body relationship. There are stages to pain response: sensation, stress, and suffering. All three can be debilitating and cause ailing. The initial sensation can be pain, muscle aches, a cut, burn... these threats are detected by specialized nerves and sent through the spinal cord and up to the brain [Central Nervous System] where, among other things, the threat signals are transformed into pain sensations. To help you take action, the threat signals have been simultaneously routed to the areas of your brain that help the body launch an emergency stress response, coordinating the actions of the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system. The emergency stress response triggers a cascade of physiological changes that give you the energy and focus to protect yourself from life-threatening danger. Even after the threat is gone, the pain response is not over. The mind and body are very interested in making sure you know how to protect yourself from this threat in the future. So the nervous system begins the process of learning from this experience. Any kind of injury or illness, even one that is short-lived or appears to be fully healed, can change the way the nervous system processes pain. The best way to unlearn chronic stress and pain responses is to give the mind and body healthier responses to practice. Relaxation specifically has been shown to be healing for chronic pain. It turns off the stress response and directs the body’s energy to growth, repair, immune function, digestion, and other self-nurturing processes. The relaxation response unravels the mind-body samskaras that contribute to pain and provides the foundation for healing habits. Consistent relaxation practice teaches the mind and body how to rest in a sense of safety rather than chronic emergency. Practicing restorative yoga poses turns on the healing relaxation response by combining gentle yoga poses with conscious breathing. Use Props: include the wall, a chair, a couch, pillows, blankets, towels, or bolsters designed especially for restorative yoga practice. The right support in a pose will make it feel effortless, so your body can fully let go. Although these poses may look as though you are doing nothing, this is far from the truth. Restorative yoga rests the body but engages the mind. The breathing elements of each pose make restorative yoga an active process of focusing the mind on healing thoughts, sensations, and emotions. Yoga can teach you how to focus your mind to change your experience of physical pain. It can give you back the sense of safety, control, and courage that you need to move past your experience of chronic pain. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 4/10/2023
*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™ “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™ “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™ |
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