Vibrance Yoga: Practice and Perspective

Vibrance Yoga: Practice and Perspective

by Sara Greway

Self-Improvement Health & Fitness

Season 1

Listening Closely: A Flow (Recorded Live)

Here's a flow that asks you not to forget about the things that whisper quietly to you, rather than the things that shout for attention. We can hold both and address both, but it does take a bit of skill and practice to do so. As always, move in the way that is nourishing to you!

Tapas (Live Recorded Flow)

Bring some awareness to the friction that is in your practice, your body, your life, and how it can sharpen things up if used with skill.

What is Tapas and how do I use it?

The Niyama of Tapas is often misunderstood and people have a limited understanding of it. We discuss what it is and how to use it in our practice. Ultimately, what we learn to use skillfully in our practice becomes something that we can use in the rest of our lives, so it's definitely worth consideration!

Yin: Soften and Find Stillness

Today's Yin Yoga practice uses the wall as one of the props, so before you begin you might find or clear a little space against a wall. Grab a couple of towels or a blanket for some extra support. Remember that the effort in a Yin practice comes from being in the pose over time, not from muscular effort. So be still and soft whenever you can.

The Breath Will Always Be Truthful (Recorded Live)

This episode is a flow that's on the spicier side, but with an emphasis on letting the breath really, honestly, truly guide you. We will often muscle our way through the physical practice, or indeed any physical endeavor, but should we? This flow helps you to explore and recognize when you're doing it, so you can choose on purpose.

Slow Flow: Recorded Live ("Skill in Action")

This Slow Flow was recorded live with a general theme of "Yoga is Skill in Action" as put forth by the Bhagavad Gita. Just because it's slow doesn't mean it isn't strong. Always take the options that work for you, with the idea of striving without grasping at outcomes. The journey is the destination!

Yoga Nidra: Deep Rest

Practice Yoga Nidra with me. This practice is one to deeply relax you, and invites a conscious awareness. Yoga Nidra isn't quite meditation, and it isn't quite sleep, but somewhere between the two. It can be deeply restorative, and particularly helpful if sleep is elusive!

A Spicy Flow: Recorded Live

Today's episode (our lucky 13th!) was recorded live, and is a pretty spicy flow. Best to have some familiarity with the poses, but feel free to give it a try regardless of your experience level. It may be challenging, but remember that making the physical shapes isn't the intention of the practice! Listening, learning, and choosing what's right for you is far more important. And if that means you need to rest, please do so! Pushing yourself hard enough that you are suffering is not the intention here! Rest until you feel ready, then jump back in.

Yoga Nidra and Progressive Relaxation

Relax and reset with a Yoga Nidra and progressive relaxation session. In this fifteen-minute practice you'll get the opportunity to allow yourself complete rest, which is sometimes pretty hard to come by in small enough chunks to work into your day. Give yourself enough time to come out of the practice without rushing, if at all possible. Settle yourself as completely as you can. It's just for a little while. You can pick up the heavy things again afterwards if you feel they are necessary.

A Yin Practice

Join me this week for a Yin Yoga practice. Grab any props you might like, such as blocks (you can use sturdy books or small boxes taped shut!), blankets or towels, bolsters (maybe a couple of pillows will do the trick for you) and whatever else you might need. The practice of Yin Yoga relies heavily on stillness rather than on movement, which is challenging for some of us. Try not to push too deeply into each shape, but find a place which is sustainable for you to hold over time. If you need to come out or readjust, please do so. Suffering is not on the agenda here! Following your breath is a great way to remain present, but try to refrain from forcing the breath in any way. If you find yourself "gripping" the breath, notice it and soften your hold if you can. If you can't do that, consider that the physical shape of the pose might not be best for you and make adjustments until you can soften the breath as much as you soften the body.

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