“What we choose to focus on and what we choose to ignore—plays in defining the quality of our life.” – Cal Newport  A lot of our unhappiness is not solely from the occurrences of our life, but from the story the mind tells you about those circumstances.
There are two parts to this cycle where negative thoughts can hinder us. The first is the actual event or happening; pain we experience here is due to external situations that we are unable to control [or avoid]. Getting sick, loss of loved ones, getting into conflicts, losing our job, experiencing grief etc. The second has to do with our reaction to the event; our thoughts. When we react negatively, blaming, shaming, aversion, getting angry and upset, we set off the suffering of the second part. It is our thoughts that make us re-live (and keep reliving) an experience that only ever happened once. Reduction of suffering (emotional and physical) and the increase in vitality and full life potential is inherent in the yoga philosophy. A yoga routine that incorporates meditation works on increasing one’s awareness of the present as opposed to resisting or attempting to avoid uncomfortable and negative thoughts. So even though we can’t control the circumstances, we can control how we respond to them. We can choose not to get stuck in a frenzy of unnecessary negative thoughts that have a detrimental effect on our mental and physical health, and direct that energy instead into growing our awareness. When we grow the power of awareness within ourselves, the mind begins to lose its ability to make us unhappy. Realize that certain thoughts are bad for you. Become still and start observing your thoughts. Direct your attention elsewhere. Withdraw consciousness away from worry and unnecessary mindsets. Thoughts cannot survive if you take attention and consciousness (their life stream) away from them. Create space for you to breathe and feel your aliveness. Remember that you are not the narrative of your mind. You are consciousness itself, the intelligence that pervades your body and holds it together. YOGA IN THE PARK... Make sure to check your inbox for registration emails to our wildly popular outdoor sessions in NYC. Unlimited package subscribers pay only $12 per class. Let's flow under the sun and enjoy the summer weather on our mats. (Location: LONG ISLAND CITY, Hunter's Point Park South & Central Park, NYC) YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 7/18/2022
*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. 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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 I want to give a big shout-out to Lauren Chiarello, a champion in the fitness world, a dedicated fundraiser, facilitator and educator at events, and a torch bearer in Cancer advocacy. Her website Chichilifenyc.com featured your homeboy in her "These fitness teachers help me get strong," blog.
If you don't know who she is... you better recognize! Lauren is a two-time Cancer thriver who brings sunshine, positive energy and smiles to everything she does. She's a true hero, a person to admire and a straight-up bad ass! Her husband, Russ, was a major part of my life... is a graduate of a 200-Hour Yoga Training I co-led at Earth Yoga NYC. Now a mama of two, Lauren is one of tons of fitness instructors taking their teachings into the virtual world, while also bringing-it in small live classes. Interested in Barre, Pilates, TRX training, group or individual, or know of anyone who need Cancer Exercise training or Pre-Natal Pilates, contact or book a class with Lauren HERE. Our ancient experience confirms at every point that everything is linked together, everything is inseparable.  Never would I ever imagined US being where we are right now! It's been seemingly several hundred days since we began quarantine and life was altered. What has been unimaginable initially, but very inspiring is how we have built a massive community of yoga practitioners online that has not wavered and are rooted in our determination to feel good, savor our journey into an exploration of self-awareness & creating a common place for us to realize...
No pandemic, no quarantine... can separate us, can sever human connection or the fact that we are all linked as the above quote says. This past week, we reached the 200 class total mark... and more than that tally, we've amassed many more mindful souls to unite in breathing, movement, brotherhood & sisterhood. I salute you all for creating this and continuing this. I honor your commitment and will continue to hold space for us and create more opportunities to come together, stay together & celebrate life together. Here's the schedule for this week: (Outdoor Sunset FREE Class this week for active subscribers) SUNDAY -- 7/26/2020 10:00 am -- Church of Vicyasa™ MONDAY -- 7/27/2020 7:00 am -- Morning Vinyasa 12:00 pm -- Lunch Special 45 Minutes Flow 7:00 pm -- Power Hour TUESDAY -- 7/28/2020 8:00 am - Wake up Vinyasa Yoga 7:00 pm - Vinyasa Flow WEDNESDAY -- 7/29/2020 7:00 am -- Morning Vinyasa 6:30 pm -- Power Hour THURSDAY -- 7/30/2020 7:00 am -- Vinyasa Yoga 6:30 pm -- Vinyasa FRIDAY -- 7/31/2020 7:00 am -- Morning Vinyasa 12:00 pm -- 60 Minute Flow SATURDAY -- 8/1/2020 9:00 am -- Sweaty Saturday Vinyasa SUNDAY -- 8/2/2020 10:00 am -- Church of Vicyasa™ *ALL CLASSES EST *SESSIONS 60 MINUTES UNLESS NOTED RATES: (NEW OPTIONS)
PAYMENT OPTIONS: VENMO -- @Victor-Cotto-9 PAYPAL -- Victor@YogawithVictor.com NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ “Conscious breathing is the best antidote to stress, anxiety and depression.”  For centuries, yogis have used breath control [pranayama] to promote concentration and improve vitality. Buddha advocated breath-meditation as a way to reach enlightenment. Scientific studies have demonstrated that breathing practices can help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and attention deficit disorder. It's widely instituted now, the practice of mindful breathing at schools and workplaces. Consciously changing the way you breathe sends signals to the brain to adjust the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system, which can slow heart rate and digestion and promote feelings of calm as well as the sympathetic system, which controls the release of stress hormones like cortisol [nature’s built-in alarm system]. So when we practice, why do we hold our breath? Why do you move quickly, speed up the breath or are not mindful of truly connecting breathe & movement? Ask yourself why are you practicing the opposite of control when we step onto the mat to bring a sense of order to our lives? Here's a key to getting stronger in your practice, moving with fluidity, controlling your limbs when floating into poses, and lightly gliding the body into inversions and arm-balances... BREATHE with control! Per Yoga scholar Kelly Murphy, "If you feel yourself gasping for air or tension arises [during your yoga practice] in the jaw, throat or temples, it means you are working too aggressively," & not being functional to development of a mindful practice. The ancient texts of yoga, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, says simply, “Breath is the key to ultimate emancipation.” Here's the schedule for this week: MONDAY -- 7/20/2020 7:00 am -- Morning Vinyasa 12:00 pm -- Lunch Special 45 Minutes Flow 6:00 pm -- Power Hour TUESDAY -- 7/21/2020 8:00 am - Wake up Vinyasa Yoga 7:00 pm - Vinyasa Flow WEDNESDAY -- 7/22/2020 7:00 am -- Morning Vinyasa 12:00 pm -- Lunch Special 45 Minutes Flow THURSDAY -- 7/23/2020 8:00 am -- Vinyasa Yoga 6:30 pm -- Vinyasa FRIDAY -- 7/24/2020 7:00 am -- Morning Vinyasa 12:00 pm -- 60 Minute Flow SATURDAY -- 7/25/2020 12:00 pm -- Sweaty Saturday Vinyasa SUNDAY -- 7/26/2020 10:00 am -- Church of Vicyasa™ *ALL CLASSES EST *ALL SESSIONS 60 MINUTES RATES: (NEW OPTIONS)
PAYMENT OPTIONS: VENMO -- @Victor-Cotto-9 PAYPAL -- Victor@YogawithVictor.com This AMAZING community we have built would not be possible without your unwavering encouragement & fierce support! NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™  Hello Yogis,
This has been a difficult week, one that was filled with emotional highs and lows, and one that will be remembered for a very long time. What has driven me the last few days? The optimism of everyone who I have been in contact with, and the powerful resiliency everyone has approached this situation we are in. One thing that has been a saving grace? THE POWER OF YOGA! Our ability to bind in community and find order, transcending our yoga practice from our mat, into our daily lives. THIS IS WHY WE YOGA! Here's my schedule for the week: MONDAY (3/23/2020) **NO CLASSES** TUESDAY (3/24/2020) Vinyasa -- 7:00 AM Vinyasa -- 7:45 PM: (maybe broadcasted from a special location) WEDNESDAY (3/25/2020) Vinyasa -- 8:00 am Vinyasa -- 6:00 pm THURSDAY (3/26/2020) Vinyasa -- 5:00 pm Vinyasa -- 6:30 pm FRIDAY (3/27/2020) Vinyasa -- 7:00 am SATURDAY (3/28/2020) Vinyasa -- 1:00 pm SUNDAY (3/29/2020) Vinyasa -- 1:00 pm All classes are one hour! Email me with any questions regarding subscriptions. The platform I am using is Zoom.us. Stay healthy and safe, Victor C. 
Hello OHHHHMIES...
Due to the recent events, studios suspending classes and closing, I've taken my yoga classes to Zoom.us for LIVE streaming! I've been offering classes daily (AM sessions and PM offerings), trying to keep a sense of order since the events that have shaped the world we are currently living in. As I stated on Instagram (@CottoVic):
There's nothing routine about the happenings in the world and how are daily rituals have been interrupted, but keeping a regular learning, creative and structured schedule is a must. My online streaming LIVE classes will help us with structure, building forward-moving habits, and creating momentum that will carry you on the days when you feel like you don't have the strength to carry yourself. Following a daily routine can help you establish priorities, limit procrastination, keep track of goals, and even make you healthier. It lowers your reliance on willpower and motivation because, habits are
“action[s] that you take on a repeated basis with little or no required effort or thought." ​Having NO routine or structure is so much more draining mentally, physically, and emotionally than any routine could ever be! If you haven't become a subscriber to my daily yoga classes, direct message me here, or send me an email at: victor@yogawithvictor.com. We have aired glitch free for a few days, have facilitated community during this time of social distancing and have created UNION - to YOGA means to yolk, to come together, to bind... breath, body, mind, something more divine.
Join me and my dear friend, mentor and soul sister Dina Ivas for the ultimate island getaway! Spend 7 nights of luxury at 5 star rated Aegialis Hotel & Spa on the island of Amorgos. Enjoy epic panoramic views of the turquoise Aegean Sea from your yoga mat. Indulge in the finest Greek cuisine and enjoy evening cocktails with an unforgettable sunset. Explore the incredible terrain on a guided hiking excursion and cruise around on a beautiful boat tour where you can even captain your own tender. Pamper yourself poolside or in the amazing on-site spa. This is truly a retreat of a lifetime!
Your Retreat Package Includes:
Contact me at Victor@YogawithVictor.com or Dina@YogawithDina.com to book and reserve your spot!!  Amy Apgar, Myself & Sigrid Pichler As of December 31, 2016, Prana Power Yoga closed its doors for good at both the Brooklyn location and its long time New York space in Union Square. Prana was a vital piece to the hot vinyasa yogi community in the Big Apple for many years. With its departure from the scene, many long time practitioners have been left with an empty space in their hearts and scrambling to find a new home to get their asana fix. Spearheaded by accupunturist and yoga instructor Deborah Stotzky, and long time client of Prana Barri Budin, the Prana community of teachers will be hosting classes at Athleta on 5th avenue and 18th street. The chain retailer, which offers amazing sportswear and accessories, has a lower level studio at their 5th avenue location that will be the home for displaced Prana teachers, clients and all yogis looking to hone their practice with some of the best teachers NYC has to offer. There will be a schedule of classes throughout the week at the heated space which offers dressing areas, free props, mats, changing rooms, lockers, bathroom, free filtered water (B.Y.O.Bottle) & music set up. The suggested donation is $15 at the door, cash only. Spread the word, bring a friend or two and lets foster a safe and fun home for exploration and practice. Whether you practiced with us at Prana, or not... if you are looking for a new home for your asana practice or just looking to get start the New Year learning more about Yoga, the team put together for these classes would be a perfect gateway for you to get started or advance your practice. If you want to learn more about the space, you can check out Athleta's web site here. On Facebook, Prana at Athleta has set-up a page to keep a tab on scheduling, teaching times and other news as we transition into Athleta and eventually, into another space when that's available. Click here and place like, subscribe and follow us on Facebook. I'll be teaching classes there weekly and bi-weekly over the next few months. You can keep track of that on my Schedule page here as I update daily where I will be and at what times. As of today, here are my current dates at that space:
Peace & Love, Victor Cotto   New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard after taking class with Victor Cotto in New York City. What's going on Yogis? Hope all is well with all of you... just checking to say what's, and to keep you informed about some Holiday scheduling that could be coming up. Keep checking my 'Schedule' page to keep up to date with that.
Dina Ivas & Vicyasa will tandem for another Yoga House Party -- OH YEAH, more glow sticks, asana action, fun flow and post class libations! It will be version 3.0... we did the House music thang, we traveled back to the 1980s, & now we are going to hit-up Boy Bands & Pop Stars. Registration as always at The Yoga Room's website, on their workshop section. Reserve your spot before it goes BYE, BYE, BYE! If you are a friend... and want to drop in to any of my classes at Earth Yoga, Makara Studio, Prana or Yumcha, let me know. We can arrange to get you into the class as my guest. It will be my pleasure. Peace out Ohmies! Vic  Are you a cat person? Want to practice asana surrounded by some fine feline friends? Then join me on September 8th for a Cat-tastic class at Meow Parlour -- New York City's only cat café.
The hour and a half session includes 45 minutes of yoga, 15 minutes of cool down/relaxation and 30 minutes quality kitty hangout time (the amount of allotted time for a regular scheduled visit). The adoptable free roaming cats while mindfully moving around the yoga mat will add a element of relaxation and playful exploration. Register online for the class here: http://www.meowparlour.com/reservation. |
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