I am a member of Yoga Download, and have been a member with them for years. I am also a yoga instructor, and have been an instructor for twenty years. I enjoy taking classes from other instructors. I have gone back through the class to capture some screenshots for you! I want my readers to get the best depiction of these classes as possible. Hopefully you find this helpful and inspiring.
This yoga class was taught by Josey Prior, and was definitely a class that I needed today! My hips have been incredibly tight, and pigeon pose is a definite favorite for many yoga practitioners to open up the hips. As a dancer, I have struggled with over flexibility in the hips. Settling into Pigeon is a well rounded, gentle class for anyone needing some hip release.
With each consecutive pregnancy, my left hip found itself in a further state of discomfort and stiffness. It has taken a lot of work to get the strength and security in my mobility back! Some days call for a gentle flow of hip opening and releasing yoga poses, and this was one of those days.
Luckily for me, my children wanted to go off and do their own things, and most Saturdays are jam packed with dance classes, gymnastics, and play dates. Today was a less hectic Saturday, and so I took the time to fit in a gentle online yoga class with Yoga Download.
Josey Prior is an instructor I haven’t taken a class from yet, and her style is very gentle. She took a good amount of time to get into the postures, and utilized repetition in order to open the body up before moving into the next pose.
As I listened to my body, there were times where I absolutely was not prepared to move out of the pose … I wanted to stay longer in it. So that is exactly what I did! This means that I was not perfectly even with the amount of time held on each side for some poses, but that was just fine with me. I was pleased with myself for listening to what my body was asking of me.
I really wanted my practice today to be close to the ground. This yoga class offered me just that. Lots of earthing and breath work was what my body was asking for! This class definitely allowed for that. And it was balanced very nicely with just the right amount of standing poses and downward facing dog poses.
The Savasana was a juicy and wonderful length of time. Just enough for my husband to be cheeky and ask if I was taking an afternoon nap! Yet not too long so that I felt groggy before moving into the rest of my day. I often find that Savasana is not held for as long as I would personally like in many yoga classes. But for this class, it was just right.
Here is some further insight into the benefits of the postures included in this yoga class:
Balancing Table Pose: The Sanskrit word for this posture is Dandayamana Bharmanasana. This pose is excellent for lengthening out the body after sitting for long periods of time. It is also helps you to build poise and grace, which is carried over to all areas of your daily life. This pose helps to balance the Sacral Chakra (Swadisthana Chakra) and the Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra). The elements for this pose are Water and Earth, and the doshas are Kapha and Pitta. See my post on the benefits of Ayurveda and take a quiz discover your dosha!
Standing Forward Fold: The Sanskrit word for this posture is Uttanasana. This pose opens the hamstrings and stretches the whole spine and upper body, while giving a gentle boost to your overall energy. The chakras related to Uttanasana are the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra), Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra), Sacral Chakra (Swadisthana Chakra) and Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra). The elements Fire, Water, Earth and Ether are balanced, along with the Kapha and Pitta doshas.
Downward Facing Dog: The Sanskrit name for Downward Facing Dog is Adho Mukha Svanasana. The elements and doshas that are balanced are Ether, Air, and Fire along with Pitta and Vata. There is so much good that this pose does for the body! Here are some of the key benefits:
- The hamstrings and calves are strengthened, along with the bdominal muscles.
- Ankle and heel stiffness is released.
- Digestion is improved, through breath work and core strengthening.
- Excellent for overall Uterine health, and relieving depression and stress.
- Blood circulation is boosted, which helps clear toxins and energize the body.
- Increases flexibility of the ankle, hip, and knee joints while making the ligaments and tendons of the legs stronger.
- Helps to release aches of the back and neck.
Warrior 1: The Sanskrit name for this post is Virabhadrasana I. There is good reason that this Warrior 1 is used so often in classes! Check out all of the energetics that are balanced with it: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra), Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra), Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra), Sacral Chakra (Swadisthana Chakra), and Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra). Not to mention, all of the elements, and all of the doshas. Warrior 1 has so many great benefits, this is another one that is difficult to include them all! It strengthens both the Circulatory and Respiratory systems, improves joint mobility while flexing them, and improves overall flexibility.
Pigeon Pose (Forward Bend): The Sanskrit term is Kapotasana II. The following chakras are balanced in Pigeon – Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra), Sacral Chakra (Swadisthana Chakra), and Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra). Pigeon is great for Kapha and Pitta doshas, and the elements of Earth, Fire and Water. The meridians that are flushed are the Spleen & Stomach, and Kidneys & Bladder.
Please don’t hesitate to comment below with any questions you may have! And be sure to check out other online classes offered at Yoga Download.
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