“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!

“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

“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!

1. Scrape your tongue and brush your teeth. Wash your face, empty your bowels, and do all of the other bathroom things.
2. Sip on some warm water or CCF tea
3. Energize the body with this 15 minute class!
4. Take a tsp of chyavanprash then eat a warm breakfast
5. Go about your day!

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

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” ― Maya Angelou

Ah Gratitude,

Yes, with a capital G.

Because it's special, isn't it? It's special, and sometimes a bit rare.

Rare things turn out to be more valuable do they not?

Even though, I hate to tell you, gratitude is not actually rare. It's just...well hidden. Maybe ignored. Not altogether sought out as often as it should be.

Which is why I want you to focus on gratitude this week. Or should I say Gratitude.

In this class we train the mind to find Gratitude in the more challenging moments, as we train the body up to meet those challenging moments with more grace, and maybe more strength.

If we can train the neural pathway to seek gratitude rather than frustration, imagine how much more enjoyable life would be?

We'd find so much to be grateful for!

It's something I'm working on these days, so I, of course, wish to share that process with you.

So, I hope you'll join me on the mat and find something challenging to be grateful for.

✨ Leave me a "I AM GRATEFUL" on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community!

​Ps, use that as your affirmation this week and see what energy it shifts!
❤️ Dylan

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” ― Rumi

I wrote this class while trying to exploring the concept of mind over matter.

No one likes ab workouts. Like, not actually.

Everyone likes the AFTER of an ab workout, but not actually doing it.

So I've been playing in my classes with the idea of finding the joy in the struggle.

Because it's all a matter of perspective, is it not?

Not only that, but it's also a matter of taking control of your mind rather than letting your mind have control of you.

And finally, it's about flipping the script.

Learning how to change how you feel and to reestablish new feelings about a certain difficult thing.

In this case, it's core work. How can you smile, laugh, and find uplifting joy while you're holding a plank?

How, then, can you smile, laugh, and find uplifting joy while the second leg of your flight is cancelled and your luggage is still stuck at LAX?

There is a joy that lives within us, a happiness that embodies our natural state of being.

But we lose that happiness so often.

Let's train ourself to find it on the yoga mat shall we?

✨ Leave me a "I AM JOY" on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community! Ps, use that as your affirmation this week and see what energy it shifts!
​
❤️ Dylan

“Healthy striving is self-focused: 'How can I improve?'
Perfectionism is other-focused: 'What will they think?'”
-Brené Brown

Two years ago, I filmed a class called Fierce and Exuberant Leo the Lion Vinyasa Flow, and, to be honest, it was quite a hit.

​So when I realized that the first day of Virgo season fell on a Tuesday, which is when all my new classes come out, I couldn't resist making a Virgo version!

This 30 minute class is designed with Virgo energy in mind, a very analytical, detail oriented energy that grounds down firmly through the earth.

Virgo rules the nervous system and intestines, so we focus on calming postures as well as twists to stimulate the intestines, which is a major point of assimilation in the body. The place where we take from the outside and turn it into something that works within us, something that either nourishes or doesn't, so be careful with what you're consuming!

​Have fun playing with this Virgo energy today, and let me know what your astrology sign is so that maybe, just maybe, I can make one just for you!

✨ Leave me a "I find power through routine" on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community! Ps, use that as your affirmation this week and see what energy it shifts!

​❤️ Dylan

“It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It's what we do consistently.” ― Anthony Robbins

As we begin our alchemization journey through the month of August, I invite you to ponder how much does consistency play a role in your transformation?

I don't mean consistency as in repetition, doing the same thing over and over again, although that could be part of it.

I mean consistency as in the continuously taking steps toward your goals, no matter what setback might occur.

And we all know that setbacks do occur, and often.

So, what role does consistency play in your goals? What does it look like in your life? How does it play out for you?

Think about that, journal about it, share about it, and meditate on it during this second part of the side plank builder series.

This free class is just under 40 minutes long, and continues to build on the postures that we began working on in the last class.

Both of these classes are meant to be practiced multiple times, as you develop your confidence, strength, and balance in these postures.

And remember, what we do on our mat flows into our lives off the mat as well.

We are constantly training and retraining our brains. Each time we succeed on the mat, we train our brains into believing that we can succeed. Each time we try something on the mat and wobble, or fall over, and get back up, we reinforce the belief that we are resilient.

I don't know about you, but I think these are powerful, foundational beliefs that we all need to work on integrating.

✨ Leave me a "I can do hard things" on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community!

❤️ Dylan

“That’s exactly how it is in yoga. The places where you have the most resistance are actually the places that are going to be the areas of the greatest liberation.” —Rodney Yee

What poses do you love to hate?

Or hate to love?

Or just hate altogether?

We all have them, those poses that end up being the bane of our practice. The ones we secretly groan about when your teachers cue them in.

For me, it's plié. I can't stand holding plié, and my two main teachers were dancers. They can hold it all day long, talk, chat, have philosophical conversations while I'm just over here dying.

What is yours? Hit reply and let me know!

For many of my students at the YMCA, one of those frustrating poses is side plank.

And that's my fault. I don't teach it a lot. So for the past 2 months we've been focusing heavily on building the strength required to feel confident in this challenging pose.

This class is the first in a series that I'm creating that will help you build up that same strength and confidence.

Modify if you want to, pause the video if you need to, and repeat this practice weekly while you work on your core, arm, and hip strength.

And, most importantly, find joy in the process. 

✨ Leave me a "I love and hate side plank!" on YouTube so that I know you're a part of this community!
----------------------
One last thing before you go!

I am opening up my calendar for 4 new 1:1 clients this summer. This can be either in person if you live close by, or via zoom if you don't.

What you get: 1 hour of fully personalized instruction wherein we work together to achieve your goals.
Our meetings will be 1, 2, or 3 times per week for 3 months, depending upon your goals. This time frame is so that we have the opportunity to see the transformation that only occurs with dedication and perseverance. (Change does not happen overnight. 3 months is the minimum amount of time to begin to see changes in your body.)

Result: A stronger body, a more positive mindset, and a committed yoga practice; all of which lead to more energy, more joy, more confidence, better balance, better health, and better sleep.
If you're ready to say yes to a better body and a happier life, click HERE!

❤️ Dylan

“Samadosha, samagnischa samadhatumala kriyaha |
prasanna atmenindriya manaha swasthya ityabhidheeyate ||”
-Sushruta Samhita

What is health to you?

Is it the absence of disease?

Is it a certain amount of energy?

Is it regular bowels and lack of pain?

Is it being able to do a certain number of pushups?

Is it restful sleep?
What does being healthy mean to you?

According to Ayurveda, being healthy is so much more than just feeling good and being free from disease.

It is defined as...

"One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas (primary life force), balanced agni (fire of digestion), properly formed dhatus (tissues), proper elimination of malas (waste products), well-functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul and senses are full of bliss is called a healthy person."

Do you feel like your health encompasses that definition?

It's a lot, isn't it? To find that kind of all encompassing balance in the system.

It's something that takes a lot of work, changing of habits, and awareness of the larger picture.

But it's also innately simple.

How to become, or remain, healthy is not something that is accessible only to the wealthy. It's available to you as well, if you have a mind to pursue it.

And, honestly, it starts with awareness.

Awareness of yourself in and out of balance.

Mentally and physically.

So, in today's free class, we work on an oft underused but oh so important muscle group: the hamstrings.

This is a set of muscles that run down the backs of the legs from the pelvis to the shin, and are used for hip extension and knee flexion.

Many people mistakenly believe they are tight, and wish to stretch them more, rather than strengthening them! But that's where you may be wrong. We need to build a balance of strength and stretch for these muscles in order to support the lower back and take some of the work out of the quads (front of the thigh).

Just like we need to build balance in all aspects of our lives.

But, you know, we have to start somewhere.

Practice awareness during this class. Notice how you feel in these postures. Notice where you feel in balance, and where you don't.

And, most importantly, enjoy!

Sat Nam,
​Dylan

“i stopped resisting the unpleasant feelings and accepted that happiness has nothing to do with feeling good all the time -balance” ― Rupi Kaur

This is a thoughtful and potentially upsetting post, so if you're not into that, HERE is your new class (40 min core balancing) and HERE is your July Calendar (Sweat)

---

​I don't know about you, but I feel heavy these days.

Heavy with fatigue.

Heavy with frustration.

Heavy with anger.

Heavy with disappointment.

Heavy with grief.

As an American woman, it is mind boggling to watch the direction of politics in this country, trying to wrap your mind around things that don't make any sense.

But knowing, too, that the other side may feel the same way: confused how we could not see it like them!

There is no we and no them though, in my world. I try not to allow that belief to rise up like a barrier in my thoughts, at any rate.

There is only the sum total of our experiences, which paint a vastly different world for each person living it.

This is what yoga has taught me; what yoga continues to teach me, and perhaps you as well.

That we are all looking through the eyes of our perspectives, generally oblivious to the fact that the person next to you may be having a completely different experience.

And that, if we can step back for just a second from our thoughts, that there is another, worthy, human in front of you, living their experience as best they can.

It's a simple shift in perspective, but it can make a lot of difference when emotions run high.

Yoga has taught me patience; a tempering of the anger that sparks like a match when indignity lands.

And yoga has taught me balance; how to find a way back to center when things are unsteady.

Now, don't get me wrong, {{ subscriber.first_name }}. I would be lying through my teeth if I told you that I am the epitome of zen and compassionate living. I am not. At least not in the thick of things.

But I'm sharing this in the hopes that it will make you pause to reflect when emotions run high.

But also, to remember the practice of yoga when you're not on your mat. How can you use the tools of awareness and resilience, but also kindness and grace, when you leave the safe and predictable rectangle of the yoga mat?

I don't have an answer for you. I can only share my experience, and listen to yours if you wish to voice it. I can also offer you my shoulder and support if you find yourself affected by the politics of the day.

I hope that one day these letters will move back to more lighthearted topics, but I can't be anything other than honest with you and share how I feel, here, with you, my friend.

There are two gifts for you in this email, though. Our free class, a 40 minute slow flow type class focused on core strength and balance. And our July Calendar. A bit early but ready to go and be scheduled into your life!

The theme is Sweat, and I pray the movement helps you release any frustrations you carry.

Come back often to your yoga practice, learn from it, live it, and know that it, and I, support you and your
choices.

Sat Nam ❤️
Dylan