 ‘The Wild Heart’ Yoga retreat is right around the corner, and I’m excited and honored to be co-leading with the amazing Luna Castilho. A colleague at Sui Yoga, Luna has an incredibly inviting persona, a tender approach and a sensibility for the practice that is unique to her experiences and love for the history, science and energetics of yoga. Get to know her with this feature… and it’s only part one.
QUESTION: What is your favorite yoga pose/why? LUNA: “Savasana. Do I really need to explain myself? (laughing emoji) Savasana or corpse pose according to yoga traditions is the hardest pose of all yoga. It’s the moment of true surrender, it’s the moment you meant to truly quiet the mind and the body.. and that's extremely hard to do. As I started my yoga journey, I didn’t see any value in Savasana, and that used to be the moment when I started to plan the rest of my day. Nowadays however, if you leave me in savasana for a full hour, I’ll happily stay! It’s my moment of true surrender, to be truly with myself, truly present, truly here!” QUESTION: What is your least favorite pose right now/why? LUNA: “I was really into forearm stand and scorpio variation for a while, but currently practicing Mukta Hasta Sirsasana Six has been my guilty pleasure. Mukta means free. Hasta means hands. Mukta Hasta Sirsasana Sixs, is a free headstand pose, in reality the hands are fully extended in front of you with the palms facing up the sky.” QUESTION: What lessons from the yoga mat have you applied off your mat? LUNA: “Remembering to breathe and to play. I have always been an anxious person. I’ve always been a perfectionist, and the reality is that life is messy! Life will throw you on your knees, twist you and turn you upside down.. When we are in the midst of chaos taking a long deep breath can completely change how you react with whatever is coming your way. Remembering to play, to be silly, to be weird without being concerned about what others will think, can be deeply healing. Being fully yourself, laughing and dancing, remembering that we don’t need to be too serious, that life doesn’t need to be that hard! Just have fun! I find that the older I get the more and more the things that I used to do as a kid, are the ones who truly bring me joy! Be like a kid again! And don’t forget to take a deep breath!” QUESTION: Do you have a guilty pleasure/binge watch anything etc. (fave TV show or movie)? LUNA: “Who doesn’t love to binge watch a TV show?! I’m one of these people that can finish an entire season in one day. (laughs) I finished the entire 8 seasons of Game of Thrones in one month when I finally surrendered to the trend. Absolutely loved it! You can call me a nerd when it comes from TV shows, love superhero movies, any sci-fi, or anything that seems unreal or futuristic.. Very aquarius of me! But my one and only guilty pleasure is to sleep at the beach sunbathing with the sound of the ocean in the background. I can wait for our Retreat in Tulum!!” QUESTION: What is your post-class meal craving? LUNA: “Anything cold! A smoothie, açai bowl or even a gatorade! Anything to cool me off from the hot room and replenish my energies.” Follow Luna on Instagram HERE and check out her official website: HERE. Part two of our interview… coming soon. To secure your spot to our wonderful retreat, go here: https://suiyoga.com/retreats/ Tulum Mexico… from March 31 - April 6, 2024. Villa Pescadores will be our venue… lock in NOW!
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“Calmness is a bed where flowers grow.”  #Namaste! We hear it in class, we say it post-class, but do we know what it means? Namaste is an ancient Sanskrit word with Hindu roots that dates all the way back to the Vedic period. It’s an expression that has been used for thousands of years and while Namaste has many different translations and uses, it is above all an expression of respect. Namaste is a declaration of appreciation, a non-contact expression and respect towards another person, entity or deity. It can be used as a hello greeting and even as a goodbye, so you might say Namaste upon meeting someone, or before parting ways. It is derived from two key Sanskrit words: Namah: bow, adoration, salutation Te: to you Are you ready to honor yourself and others with a Namaste greeting, but you’re not sure how to express it correctly? The good news: there is no ‘right’ way to say Namaste, as long as it is being used as an expression of reverence, respect and gratitude. It is a three-syllable word that is pronounced naah – muh – stay. Just like chanting Om, you may or may not feel comfortable bowing and saying Namaste at the end of a yoga class. Only you can decide if incorporating Namaste into your practice and interactions with others makes sense. You can most certainly convey the intention behind Namaste without ever speaking the word, if you so choose. Just like your asana practice, honor yourself, and meet yourself where you are. If and when you’re ready to say Namaste, you’ll know. ANOTHA' ONE... Victor Vicyasa™ Cotto has landed @omyogamagazine... issue 146, October 2023. Here's a link to the online feature: CLICK HERE. A big shout out to all the supporters worldwide, all the yogis that have flowed with me for 10+ years, whether online on my internationally recognized yoga platform or in person, in studios, private clients and corporate accounts or in retreats, in NYC, Greece, and everywhere in between. Much much love to OM MAGAZINE: First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK and worldwide. Also available on all digital platforms.  Follow them: @omyogamagazine & go to www.ommagazine.com.
ON-DEMAND ACCESS OPTION Now you can subscribe to on-demand only and get access to our ever-changing archive of pre-recorded sessions. For $70 you get 30-days of on-demand accessibility. This package does not include live scheduled sessions. Upon payment, class access begins. 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. YOGA AT OHHHMMM LIVE VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 9/25/2023
*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 -- [email protected] NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™  ANOTHA' ONE...
Victor Vicyasa™ Cotto has landed @omyogamagazine... issue 146, October 2023. Here's a link to the online feature: CLICK HERE. A big shout out to all the supporters worldwide, all the yogis that have flowed with me for 10+ years, whether online on my internationally recognized yoga platform or in person, in studios, private clients and corporate accounts or in retreats, in NYC, Greece, and everywhere in between. Much much love to OM MAGAZINE: First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK and worldwide. Also available on all digital platforms. Follow them: @omyogamagazine & go to www.ommagazine.com. Loads of love to all the sponsors that have always supported, and the current studios that allow me to bring the joy, love and connection of yoga to the masses. NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ “The more the heart is sated with joy, the more it becomes insatiable.” —Gabrielle Roy  Certain core teachings of Yoga can forever shift the way you see the world in an acute way. “Joy is within you” is one of them. In the Yoga Sutra’s Chapter 1.33, Pantanjali gives us a 4-part process to help us clear our hearts of negative energies as a means for quieting our minds.
Four keys to nurture joy within... Maitri [friendliness]: Kindness and friendliness to those who are happy, instead of being jealous and resentful of their mode. Rather than living with mental scarcity thinking one person’s happiness will cause us to run out of happiness we must appreciate their joy, realizing the potential for all of us to be happy at the same time. Karuna [compassion]: Compassion for those who are in pain, those that are suffering including yourself. The practice means no longer self-sabotaging oneself nor catastrophizing but instead learning how to self-comfort. It implies you see yourself as deserving of compassion. This applies outwardly as well, that we cannot choose towards whom we have compassion but it is universal and unconditional. Mudita [joy]: Respect, admiration and honor for those who embody noble qualities. In practice this means eliminating envy towards those that are living honorable lives. We must genuinely celebrate achievements. This reminds us that we can be inspired by others' greatness to then be inspiring. We all have innate greatness. Upeksanam [equanimity]: towards those who hurt us. Peacefulness towards those whose actions oppose our values. Instead of choosing the “like” button or even the “dislike” button choosing neutral. There will be some people that purposefully will try to harm you or people you love. Your choice is not to engage them in a fight. You can simply stop struggling. This is where the idea of “would you rather be right or be happy” comes from. We encounter many people in life; Happy people (sukha), Unhappy people (dukha), Honorable people (punya), Malicious people (apunya)... Our approach, the way we cultivate and navigate through relationships, choosing to constitute a path that leads us to happiness cannot be shaken if we nurture ourselves with the above 4 keys. QUEENS SCENE... Interview. CHECK IT OUT! Queens Scene magazine is a community publication that is devoted to the lifestyle and trends of neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City and Western Queens, NYC. "The soul of the community in terms of nightlife, adventure, fun, and art," Queens Scene contacted me for an interview about yoga, my approach to the practice and places to visit in Queens. Featured in their Health Section, check out the online feature (CLICK HERE). OH.... YES! As the weather warms, we'll have announcements regarding our wildly popular and fun outdoor classes in Long Island City, Astoria... and Manhattan, in some of NYC's most scenic parks. Check out Queens Scene online HERE. LOADS OF NEW ON-DEMAND CLASSES... Victor, along with Elinor Cohen [IG: @elinorraerigby] and Leanne McDermott [IG: @leannerays], have added NEW advanced/intermediate yoga sessions to the on-demand section. We've also added 60-minute sessions, along with 40-45 minute vinyasa classes for you to flow to any time of the day. To get on-demand, just subscribe to any of our UNLIMITED packages. Demetra Kentrotas [IG: @d_meetch] has fusion yoga/pilates classes, and loads of power classes of varying duration. SALE... Get multiple months of LIVE & On-demand yoga... for $155! If you're currently inactive, you can grab 2 months of UNLIMITED live sessions and access to our on-demand classes. Membership will activate upon payment. Grab this great deal NOW... it'll only last 48-hours upon receiving this email. YOGA AT OHHHMMM VIRTUAL SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 3/13/2023
*ALL CLASSES EST *SESSIONS 45/60 MINUTES *WAIVER STATEMENT: I understand that I must be in good physical health to participate in these classes, that my participation may cause an injury and that I should consult with my physician before I take a class. I am taking these classes at my own risk. I waive any claim for personal injury and any other damages that I may have against the school, studio and/or the teachers who are offering these classes. REGULAR RATES:(when submitting payment, in note section state email for delivery of services)
PAYMENT: VENMO -- @Vicyasa Paypal -- [email protected] NAMASTE, Victor Cotto www.YogaWithVictor.com Instagram: CottoVic Facebook: Yoga With Victor - Vicyasa™ Queens Scene magazine is a community publication that is devoted to the lifestyle and trends of neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City and Western Queens, NYC. "The soul of the community in terms of nightlife, adventure, fun, and art," Queens Scene contacted me for an interview about yoga, my approach to the practice and places to visit in Queens. Featured in their Health Section, check out the online feature (CLICK HERE). OH.... YES! As the weather warms, we'll have announcements regarding our wildly popular and fun outdoor classes in Long Island City, Astoria... and Manhattan, in some of NYC's most scenic parks. Check out Queens Scene online HERE. loads of love and light, V Our classes have always been supported by our local papers and all the amazing published periodicals that support local businesses in western Queens. Shout out to Boro Magazine for a feature of our incredibly fierce warriors that come out in droves to our wildly popular outdoor Yoga classes in Astoria and Long Island City, Queens. As the weather warms and we approach Spring, expect dates for vinyasa led classes with me at Astoria Park, Long Island City's Hunter's Point South Park and sessions in New York City's jewel, Central Park. For our on-demand and LIVE online classes, check out our blog for pricing, schedule and weekly newsletter. In-Person studio classes are listed in the "Schedule" section. See you soon... Love and light, Victor     A special thanks to Queens Scene for featuring our wildly popular outdoor Yoga sessions.
QS is a "magazine devoted to the lifestyle and trends of our neighborhood." Whether it is nightlife, adventure, art or anything community related, the online magazine is " devoted to the lifestyle and trends" of Queens. Check out the link to the feature (CLICK HERE).  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.  "In the beginning, God made the sea, but on the 7th day he made me." - Prince Rogers Nelson Prolific. Regal. Incomparable. Nasty. Charitable. Enigmatic. The recent loss of Prince drove a stake through the hearts of all who love music and celebrating life. On June 7th, he would've turned just 58, roughly the same number of instruments he shredded. Join myself and Dina Ivas for an all-out night of purple pandemonium as we lament the Artist who bypassed all labels, and truly liberated our bodies and souls. When: Friday, June 3rd 8:30pm 'til when doves cry What: 1-hour of fun, flow-y yoga open to all (beginners welcome!) followed by our favorite purple libation...wine! DETAILS: Arrive at 8:15pm. Class 8:30pm. Afterparty & Drinks 9:30pm-till.... Please bring your own mat. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER. Click HERE for tickets! $40 Per Person (Premium Member Discount Applies) WHERE? The Yoga Room's sister studio 'Workout Factory.' A great sound system and disco lights create an immersive yoga party experience. For a look back at past events, go here: House Party 1.0 1980s Yoga Party Boy Bands and Pop Stars Glam Rock Party See you June 3rd, Vic  Illustration art by: Sharon Watts. We are a few days away from Yoga House Party v. 4.0. We did the rave thing, took a trip back to the 1980s and flowed with Boy Bands and Pop Stars. This Friday we get fabulous and extravagant with our tribute to Glam Rock.
Where? At Workout Factory in Long Island City. When? April 1st, 8:30 pm. The Yoga Room's sister facility is the perfect environment for glitz and the ultimate club-like vibe for an immersive experience to let loose & get crazy on your yoga mat. Here's the link to register and secure your spot: http://www.the-yoga-room.com/events/workshops/_ For a look back at past events, go here: House Party 1.0 1980s Yoga Party Boy Bands and Pop Stars A major thanks to YogaCityNYC (writer Jim Catapano) for featuring myself and Dina Ivas at our last event. Check out the story here: http://www.yogacitynyc.com/#!Glam-Rock-Jams-Yoga/c1m6q/56f7d58b0cf2e6d59c87fec2_ See you Friday!!! V |
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