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"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
– Dalai Lama Good morning! It has been a long time since I've filmed a wrist-free (or wrist-lite) class because, honestly, I haven't been having any wrist pain! The OG wrist-free classes were filmed because I had some pain in my wrist/thumb and couldn't put too much weight on my hand, but wanted to work out anyway. It's been many years since I had to deal with that. BUT, I have quite a few students on YouTube that found this channel through my wrist free classes, so I thought I'd bring it back! Well, wrist-lite, anyway. And what I mean by that is that there are some postures where you will need to put some weight on your hand (or don't! Skip it if it doesn't work for you) but no harsh flexion of the wrist and no planks on the hands! As always, though, make the class your own. Listen to your body. Do what feels good. Skip anything that hurts. And enjoy! And then, go outside and enjoy the day because SPRING HAS SPRUNG! What is your favorite part about Spring? I would love to know! Comment below and share your story :) Sat Nam, Dylan
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“In yoga, great emphasis is placed on the spine. It is said that the spine is like the trunk of a tree. Without the trunk, the tree has no support, no strength, no conduit for the supply of nutrients (or in the case of the spine—nerve signals). It has been observed that when the spine is compressed anxiety tends to be high and energy is low. In contrast, when the spine is erect and ‘extended’ there is more a sense of radiance and positivity.” ― Jax Pax
Normally, I like to have a nice little bit of poetry or literature to start these emails, but today I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share the above quote, because it is oh so relevant to this week's class! Not only that, but to our lives as well. How much time to we spend in a seated position? Spine erect (or rounded, depending on how tired you are maybe), shoulders hunched, glutes and legs unengaged. It creates a lot of tension and compression in the spine, which in turn can lead to pinched nerves, lackluster muscle engagement, and poor posture. And with poor posture comes poor energy. Why? Because the way we hold ourselves matters! When we stand tall, with a long spine and open shoulders, we exude confidence. And in turn, we begin to feel confident. With one comes the other. We have to embody the energy that we want to feel (fake it till you make it) until it comes naturally to us. What do you think about this? Agree or disagree? Feel free to reply and let me know! In the interim, roll out your mat for this luxurious heart opening and spinal health class, and just try to tell me that you don't have more energy for your day! Enjoy! Sat Nam, Dylan
“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” ― T.F. Hodge
I talk a lot about balance in my in person classes, and it's a favorite subject of mine to teach. Why is that, you might be wondering. It's because it frustrates people. I never see more irritated people than in a balance flow. They're not irritated with me, though. They're irritated with themselves for struggling. And that's why it's a favorite of mine to focus on. Because I also get annoyed with myself when I struggle, whether that be on the yoga mat, on the side of a mountain, or in my business. For our brain, struggle is the same, be it physical or mental. We're going to have the same reaction to it. And the more we practice moving through struggle, shaky legs, and off kilter postures, the easier it will be for us to move through struggle off the mat. We have to find balance. The balance between letting go of expectations (perfect warrior III) and accepting what is (tapping your toe down in eagle). And finding the joy in the process. Rewiring our brains to remain calm, to laugh, to let go of embarrassment so that we have the space to create the balance we want so much. So, in today's free class, balance is the key. And if you focus, and have fun, you will leave with more clarity and more confidence. And if you don't stick the poses perfectly this time? Who cares! Gold star for trying!
“What you focus on expands. So focus on what you want, not what you do not want.” ― Esther Jno-Charles
If you want expansion in your life, (who doesn't?), then you need to focus on that expansion. No one wants to stay stuck where they are. Everyone has something that they would like to make greater, right? But in order to make something great, you have to stretch the boundaries of where you are now. That can be in body, but it can also be in mind. You have to break out of what is comfortable to expand into greatness. (Otherwise we all stay mediocre at best). We do this each time we challenge ourselves on the yoga mat. Here, in this sacred space, we stretch into possibility. We grow in confidence as well as strength. We learn where we're at, and we expand our horizons by contemplating what could be. So in today's 30 minute power vinyasa, I invite you to stretch beyond what you think is possible(metaphorically yeah? Don't go trying to bend your leg the wrong way). Energetically reach beyond mediocre and open your mind to the possibilities that await youwhen you step beyond your comfort zone. ✨ And if you're watching this on YouTube, leave me a ⚡ so I know that you're part of this community! BONUS! Comment below and let me know how you're expanding outside of your comfort zone! 1/23/2023 0 Comments 10 Minute Plank Abs
"The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”– Vince Lombardi
How much time does it take to commit to something that matters to you? Is it in an instant? Or does it take a bit of persistence... a bit of hemming and hawing? When I found yoga, through a class just like this one you see below, which many may say is not even yoga...but I'll come back to that. Anyway, when I found this practice, I leapt on the wagon with no regrets. Full commitment, yoga every day. I used to be like that. All in or all out. And that kind of mentality got me to where I am today: a yoga teacher online and in Los Angeles. And all it took was a 15 minute abs class. Over time, of course, we all change. We have different lives, different priorities, and I am no longer that person who berates herself for missing a class, though I still try to get on my mat daily. Whether yoga look like this 10 minute plank class or an hour long vinyasa. Because, for all those naysayers out there, yoga is not, in fact, the series of poses you practice on the mat. The asana, or postures, is only one part. You can find yoga in any workout, because yoga is your lifestyle, your mindset, your presence in the practice. Whatever the practice looks like. So, have you committed to your practice yet? Daily movement? Consistent dates with you mat? A little bit of work every (or most) day(s) that will lead you toward being a better and healthier version of yourself? What is your yoga story? Please share by hitting reply and let me know! 1/9/2023 0 Comments Floor Abs on Fire [35 Min]
“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.”
– Michele Ruiz Continuing from the quote above... Not only people, but your own mind. If you are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can't hear the doubt in your own mind anymore. Our minds like to tell us that we can't do things. That we're not good enough, or strong enough, or smart enough. But none of that is true. The mind lies. It lies to keep us safely closed up in a box with no change and no advancement. And the only way to move forward toward a different life, a different body, a different relationship, or a different job, is to pat the mind on the head, say thanks for trying, and forge ahead in spite of it all. Your mind will give up before anything else. The practice here is to learn to know when the mind is actually being useful vs when the mind is holding you back. Today's class will definitely be an opportunity to explore that practice. Because today's class is all about core strength. It will burn. You will yell at me. It might hurt to laugh for a bit. But it's all in the name of building strength and resilience! You can do it. I know you can. Do you?
"For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different."
— Judith Hanson Lasater I am back, dearest! Did you miss me?! I was off galavanting around the Caribbean and it has given me a much needed opportunity to reconnect with myself, to take a step back from the anxious energy of the day to day and rediscover what it means to live a yogic life. And believe me, I am far from the most "yogic" person, on or off the internet. I'm just a human, trying to learn how to do this life thing with a little less conflict, a little less pain, and a lot of love. But the point here is not to strive to BE the "perfect yogi." After all, perfection doesn't exist. We all know that a this point yes? You don't have to be anything! But you do need to be moving forward, as time moves forward, right? It is impossible to remain exactly where you are now for the rest of forever. So you have to move forward. But there are many ways to move forward; not all of them beneficial. That's why we have yoga. That's why we have movement. That's why we have breathwork and meditation. These are the tools that we use to move forward intentionally. And in this last love letter of 2023, this is what I hope for you. Intentionality in your life. A toolbox of the highest caliber at your fingertips. The space for you to reconnect with what it means to be you. Thank you for being here, for taking the time to read this every week, and for practicing with me. And now for our final class! May you find strength. May you find fluidity. And may you find balance. In this thing called life. Love to you. Sat nam. Dylan
“Coffee is a lot more than just a drink; it’s something happening. Not as in hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but like somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup” ― Gertrude Stein
And yoga, like coffee, gives you the time and space to be yourself, to be present within yourself, and to work on yourself. It's what's brought me to this practice, {{ subscriber.first_name }}, and perhaps it's why you're here too? That opportunity to be alone with your body, to leave the day behind you, just for a little bit, and to try to be a better person. Sometimes we find growth in the silent long holds. Sometimes that growth is found through shaky legs and sweat. Every day, every experience on the mat is different. That's one of the things that makes it so beautiful. You progress, you get stronger, you hold that warrior II just a little bit longer. Then two days later you lose that particular progress and find something or somewhere else where you grew. It's not always evident. But it is always changing, moving forward, in some form or fashion. Even when it seems like it's going backward. Today's class is one I filmed many many moons ago, that has lived in my archives waiting for the time to shine. And now is that time! It's unique (aren't they all?) and focuses heavily on plank-based core exercises. You will develop a stronger connection to this space. You will experience better posture. You will thank me after you've stopped cursing me. All in a day's work! Enjoy! Be present! Experience the experience of the experience! ✨ Leave me a ? on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community! Sat Nam, ❤️ Dylan PS, I do not expect you to actually thank me for any of this. These classes are my gift, my passion, my creative expression, and I only hope that you find value and growth through practicing with me! 10/17/2022 0 Comments Lunch Break Power Punch [15 Min]
“Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it.”
– Anna Taylor Happy Tuesday, dearest friend, In my last little love letter to you, I mentioned that I am not a morning person, and, to be honest, I'm not trying to make you one either. I'm all about getting as much sleep as possible, and I have yet to get to bed by 9. Therefore, that sleep is caught up in the morning. So most days, I'm not getting my personal yoga practice in before work. Does this sound like you, too? I know it's hard, but when you want something bad enough, and you know it's good for you, you have to make the time for it somehow right? That may mean that you don't get that hour class in every day, and that's fine! There's no set amount of time that makes a yoga class a yoga class or a workout a workout. There's only your dedication to the practice and the experience you have with yourself on the mat. How I've been squeezing my practice in between teaching classes before and after my full time job? Lunch break yoga! Luckily, I work from home so I can eat while I'm working. I realize that might not be the case for you, but hopefully this class is quick enough to squeeze in and get food before starting getting back to work! Plus, it was requested from all of your over on Instagram. So make sure you've got your yoga gear and a bottle of water, and roll out your mat next to your desk (or preferably outside if you can make it happen) and get a little movement in to energize your work day! ✨ Leave me a ? on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community! Sat Nam, ❤️ Dylan 10/3/2022 0 Comments Busy Day Morning Flow - [15 Min]
“Fall in love
with the energy f the mornings trace your fingers along the lull of the afternoons take the spirit of the evenings in your arms kiss it deeply and then make love to the tranquility of the nights.” ― Sanober Khan If you don't think you have the time or the energy to fit in a full-length yoga class in the morning then... I wont be the one to tell you to get up early! ? But I will encourage you to try to squeeze in a brief movement flow before starting your day! The movement of that energy that has become stagnant overnight, the recirculation in the systems that have become stiff with sleep, has the power to really change the start of you morning. And a good morning is the very best set up you can give yourself for a spectacular day! There's a lot of talk out there about morning routines, and I wonder, {{ subscriber.first_name }}, do you have one? If not, here's what I would recommend!
What do you think? Think you can do it? Let me know which practice you want to add into your routine this week! ✨ Leave me a ☀️ on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community! Sat Nam, ❤️ Dylan |
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