"Loving yourself isn’t selfish, as many fear. Not only does it improve your relationship with yourself, but it shows others how to love you." - Dr. Sharon Martin  Meditation, like yoga, is a highly personal and intimate practice. Once you've developed a routine that works for you, chances are that you'll continue to hone that practice until you notice its benefits permeating all facets of your life.
There is no one way to "do it right," and we need to scrap the myths and misconceptions about meditation & yoga practice that may present a challenge from progressing with a healthy schedule to invite it into your life. THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO MEDITATE! FALSE! Whether it's a mantra meditation (chanting, repetitive rhythmic verbal or internal reciting of inspiring words) , a walking meditation, creative meditation (imagining and strengthening positive aspects of the mind)... pick the one that speaks to you! ONLY AN EMPTY MIND IS NEEDED TO MEDITATE. When the mind is jumping from thought to thought during our practice, this is an opportunity to train the mind so as not to become absorbed in those thoughts. Taking note of your thoughts and the emotions that accompany them is also a part of the meditation process.Meditating is very much an observation. Whether you’re focusing on a mantra or something in your environment, meditation is an opportunity to observe the thoughts that move through your mind and your body, without becoming attached to them. If there is ever a time when your mind is "clear," it might be the space between one thought and the next. YOU HAVE TO SIT FOR HOUR FOR THE MEDITATION TO "WORK" It is admirable and even enviable when people get into total absorption for hours. In actuality though, meditation does not have to consume too much time. Just as there are many styles of meditation, there are many ways to fit it into your daily life. Preparation for practice is equally important, and knowing how much time you can commit to mediation is vital in setting goals to get yourself intune with yourself. You'll get the most out of your practice by turning it into a habit... regardless of the duration. Just remember, any Meditation or yoga practice —in any form— requires the practitioner’s sincerity, and thus will involve some study on your part. The practice lasts a lifetime. May it always remind us that you’re always exactly where you need to be. 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: 2/6/2023
*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™
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“Your beliefs become your thoughts,  Who is ready to manifest their best life? We’re slaying into 2023 -- being present and savoring our moments, basking in our glory & illuminating and uplifting others with our state of being. Whatever your goals and desires to live your best life are, a consistent yoga and meditation practice will help you set clear intentions and help you identify your personal life vision.
Give yourself time and space to contemplate your desires. Connect with your heart. Get into a state of flow with heart-brain coherence. Allow yourself to think big. And most importantly … Set an intention! The power of your intention and your consistent diligence cannot be underestimated. Setting an intention for yourself each day as a part of your morning routine will raise your vibrations to attract more love and positivity and inspire you to channel that positive energy into action. Intention setting is a loving commitment to oneself that joins the heart and mind on a journey to one’s highest calling. Simply put, it is to clearly state what you want to experience and achieve through your actions. Setting an intention can be done in all aspects of your life, from relationships and personal life to your work life. Spend some quiet time and reflect on the experiences, relationships, the feelings, the things that you wish to experience in your life. Take some time to feel the emotions you may feel when you experience your intentions in your life. From there, write down the intentions you want to set. Then, spend time thinking about how having these intentions come into your reality will feel, what does it look like, feel like, what will you be doing? Get as vivid and clear as you can in these steps as feeling the emotions will activate the intentions and allow for them to flow easily to you. Your thoughts that turn into emotions, which inspire actions, are all used to manifest your intentions. Intention Setting Examples:
At Vicyasa™, we support our community in harnessing the power of intention to infuse the mind, body, and spirit with confidence, positivity, and a boost of well-being. ELINOR & LEANNE & DEMETRA... OH MY! You need a 30-minute yoga class? Have time only for a 45-minute flow? Want to practice "on the go" with amazing instructors? We got you! Elinor Cohen's [IG: @elinorraerigby] 60-minute advanced/intermediate flow with a peak pose to level up your asana-game is available to stream along with NEW 30-minute express power yoga classes. Leanne McDermott [IG: @leannerays] has blessed us with TWO all level yoga classes under 30-minutes for those "on the go" -- available now! Demetra Kentrotas [IG: d_meetch] has loads of 30-minute, 45-minute and 60-minute sessions; and fun short hybrid yoga/pilates fusion sessions. Load 'em up and flow with these amazing talents. We will continue to add more sessions onto our on-demand archive - available with all LIVE classes to our unlimited subscribers. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 1/16/2023
*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™
 Finding peace does not necessarily mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace implies to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.
You know how we try to turn down the volume on some background music when we need to think a lil' more clearly about something complicated or confusing that we need to focus more on? The same is true for your life. What's the noise you need to cut out to concentrate? That’s the noise in your head – the busy, worried thoughts, plans, emotional or mental clinging screaming over your better judgment. Turning down the "noise" refocuses your mind and offers you clarity when you need it most. You don’t really think about how or why this makes such a huge difference, you just know that it does. How do we apply the strategy to address all the other noise in your life, starting with the noise in your head? Some people have affirmations, or mantras, or convictions, but in any case these daily reminders keep you on track by keeping peaceful, productive thoughts at the top of your mind, even when life gets noisy. Either at the start of the day, at the onset of your practice or regularly throughout the day, turn down the noise by tuning into your heart. ON-DEMAND OPTIONS GALORE... NEW CLASSES Over the next few weeks, you'll see an update into many of the offerings we have available 24/7 for our unlimited subscribers. We'll be adding shorter "quickie" yoga classes for those on the go. The length of these vinyasa sessions? Twenty minutes, a half hour... and not just Yoga, but some "workout" low impact core classes very similar to mat pilates and some more foundational work as well. Foundation/alignment type videos and tutorials where we focus on a pose or two to work on and warm up flows for such poses. ON-DEMAND JUST GOT BETTER! LULULEMON GIVEAWAYS... In the coming months and into the Holidays, we'll have more in-class giveaways and random generator raffles for unlimited subscriptions. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 10/10/2022
*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™ Yoga at OHM Schedule w/ Victor 2/28 - 3/6/2022: Demystify what it is to practice #GetFlowing2/25/2022 “True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” ― Craig Hamilton  Meditation, like yoga, is a highly personal and intimate practice. Once you've developed a routine that works for you, chances are that you'll continue to hone that practice until you notice its benefits permeating all facets of your life.
There is no one way to "do it right," and we need to scrap the myths and misconceptions about meditation & yoga practice that may present a challenge from progressing with a healthy schedule to invite it into your life. THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO MEDITATE! FALSE! Whether it's a mantra meditation (chanting, repetitive rhythmic verbal or internal reciting of inspiring words) , a walking meditation, creative meditation (imagining and strengthening positive aspects of the mind)... pick the one that speaks to you! ONLY AN EMPTY MIND IS NEEDED TO MEDITATE. When the mind is jumping from thought to thought during our practice, this is an opportunity to train the mind so as not to become absorbed in those thoughts. Taking note of your thoughts and the emotions that accompany them is also a part of the meditation process.Meditating is very much an observation. Whether you’re focusing on a mantra or something in your environment, meditation is an opportunity to observe the thoughts that move through your mind and your body, without becoming attached to them. If there is ever a time when your mind is "clear," it might be the space between one thought and the next. YOU HAVE TO SIT FOR HOUR FOR THE MEDITATION TO "WORK" It is admirable and even enviable when people get into total absorption for hours. In actuality though, meditation does not have to consume too much time. Just as there are many styles of meditation, there are many ways to fit it into your daily life. Preparation for practice is equally important, and knowing how much time you can commit to mediation is vital in setting goals to get yourself intune with yourself. You'll get the most out of your practice by turning it into a habit... regardless of the duration. * Just remember, any Meditation or yoga practice —in any form— requires the practitioner’s sincerity, and thus will involve some study on your part. The practice lasts a lifetime. May it always remind us that you’re always exactly where you need to be. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 2/28/2022
*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™  Beacon's Monthly newsletter featured the Yoga sessions at I.S 204. I was welcomed back to Intermediate School 204 the last few weeks for more yoga and meditation. Back in April, I introduced yoga and meditation to many students at that school, as part of the City Year after school program. This time around, leadership and development specialist for Beacon, Ms. Kaychell, invited me back. The students moved, breathed and relaxed their way into varying yoga postures. During the sessions, I grounded the students early in the practice, facilitating their active engagement in breathe control and relaxing the body and mind. We then moved into "heat building" poses to wake-up and invigorate the body. The ensuing poses were balancing asanas to dive deeply into their focus and enhance their body awareness. At the close of each practice, a few minutes of silence, in savasana (corpse pose), left the students in internal bliss. The smiles on their faces and the effort put into engaging in these poses were outstanding. The mats provided were cut out of fabric from MFTA (Materials for the Arts). Students from varying schools attended these sessions at I.S 204, including P.S 112 & I.S 126. I would like to extend a special thanks to everyone involved and to those that initiated these great afternoons. I'll definitely see all of you again in the Spring. Can't wait to see the staff and the students, and their beautiful smiles. Peace & love, Victor  Students in Savasana at the end of our final Yoga session in October.  It was an honor and loads of fun to teach students in the City Year program at I.S. 204 (Long Island City, NY) about yoga and meditation.
I've always had a passion for teaching our youth and anyway I can help to facilitate their learning process and enhance their development… I'm all for it. Yesterday, I received the coolest card with messages from the stellar students and the outstanding staff that work there. It really made my day. To everyone who participated… thank you!  At 90-years young, B.K.S. Iyengar still practices asana and pranayama for hours daily.
Swami Yogananda Maharaj Ji is 105 and not only engaging in daily practice, but teaching as well. Tao Porchon-Lynch is still instructing too! Others well into their 80s and 90s have a regular regimen of asana. Makes me wonder, where I will be 40-years from now. I'll take my chances and practice some sort of asana, pranayama and meditation daily and hope to be as functional as some of these inspirations. Join the club -- it's open to everyone! 
I have three nephews; Joshua, Dylan and Jason...
The two oldest - Joshua and Dylan - melted my heart when they got into their meditative states... This after being buck-wild all day. LOL. I love you guys! Nearly 20-students in savasana in a meditative state, feeling and cultivating awareness... it was quite a sight.
Thanks to the City Year organization, I was able to lead another round of meditation at I.S. 204 (Long Island City, NY), which led to bliss and students of varying ages finding some tranquility and arming themselves with techniques for relaxation and coping. After participating in a few sets of Sun Salutations and engaging their breath in tree-pose (Vrksasana)... closing with meditation on their backs, the students turned the auditorium stage into a place of serenity. The importance of after-school programs, presenting students with outlets for growth and disseminating all the knowledge we have, giving them tools like these, can only lead to productive scholars and fruitful development. Many, many thanks to everyone involved. NAMASTE!  Yes, even the auditorium at Intermediate School 204 can be turned into a meditation hall!
With the help of The Yoga Room, twenty students that participate in the City Year after-school program at I.S. 204 (Long Island City, NY) were able to experience the benefits of meditation, as I had the privilege to lead them through a breathing practice and exercises to get them into a mode of consciousness and awareness. Many of the students immediately benefitted from the "relaxation," and grasped on to the techniques I instructed them through to improve and enhance their focus, attention span, reduce their stress and anxiety and increase their self-confidence, happiness and creativity. At their official site, the City Year program states, "Our culture is the air we breathe - it is the set of values, structures and practices that creates an environment in which idealism can be successfully practiced." That breathe and harvesting a culture of union is what I focused on and what the students grasped onto, as they were introduced to breathing techniques to alleviate stress and to guide them through their first ever meditation experience as a community. We focused on relaxing the body, breathing deeply and connecting with the breath, concentrating the mind, expanding it with guided imagery and allowing the students to expand their inner awareness. The results were reflective. The smiles and tranquility established in the auditorium was palpable. A special thanks is extended to everyone involved and to those that facilitated this great afternoon. For more information on the enrichment clubs (science, art & sports) service-learning (community service) and all things City Year, check-out their site here. |
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