We're on the move!
We’re Growing! <3
After about 2.5 years at our current studio space, we are very happy to announce our move into the space next door. It is the kindness and support of our community that has made this move possible and we are so thankful for YOU!
The details surrounding when exactly classes will end in the current space, and transition to the new one are still a little fuzzy, but we will be making more announcements soon.
You can stay up to date by following us on Instagram and liking us on facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to our email list so you can hear about special deals for our Grand Re-opening.
When we do re-open in our new studio space, here’s some things to look forward to.
A larger yoga room with state of the art infrared heating
A comfortable lobby to chill, and safely store your belongings during class.
More bathrooms!
Shower facilities!
An expanded class schedule, that will continue to expand with your support.
An exciting workshop schedule with world class teachers.
More access to bodywork and massage
All of your fellow yogis eager to take class with you.
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you have about our move. We are looking forward to the future with you!
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COMMUNITY WEEKEND!
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I'm gonna head out. Can you lock up?
Just like everything in yoga, the key is consciousness.
Lock the knee. It’s a thing we say sometimes. What the heck does it mean? Maybe it means a couple things. Maybe it means nothing. Lets break it down.
In standing balancing postures we are usually asked to make our standing leg straight/strong. This process can do wonders for the strength of your legs and hips especially when balancing on one leg.
When your leg is straight your bones will provide support for your body weight because they are stacked on top of each other and they are strong and made for that. When your knee bends your muscles must work harder to hold you up, and to support your joints.
Just like everything in yoga, the key is consciousness. It is possible for everyone with a knee joint to straighten their leg to it’s fullest range of motion and for the most part, turn off their leg muscles, this is hyper-extension of the joint. This creates extra stress on the joint, its supporting ligaments, and tendons.
By bending the knee, muscles engage, so you don’t fall over. However it is still possible to find the “sweet spot” between hyper-extension and falling over by bringing your attention to the knee and building balance in your asana by learning to use the balanced forces of your bones and muscles.
Happy practicing!
A hyper-extended knee where the Tibia (lower bone of the leg) is at a much greater angle than the Femur (upper bone of the leg)
A straight engaged leg where the Tibia and femur are at similar angles, and supported by the heel against the floor.
Keep Practice practical.
Around here we don’t go to extremes to keep things the same.
Seasons change. It’s a beautiful part of the rhythm of life that is highly scientific and studiable, but also as basic as “Sweater Weather” and “Sun’s out guns out.” When the season changes we might be caught off guard at first. We leave the house without a sweater, and notice that we are cold, or wear a long sleeve shirt and notice that we are hot. The noticing is the cool part. It’s the yoga in daily life. So when we’re in a room with the direct intention of practicing yoga why would we expect anything different?
Here in Florida, Summers are hot and wet and winters are usually cool and dry. In Hot Yoga (26&2) after doing the “same thing” for a while we discover that things are changing all the time. We get a chance to practice adapting to life around the 26 postures. One part of “life” is changing seasons that change how the hot room feels.
Around here we don’t go to extremes to keep things the same. The yoga will always be hot, but it will feel very different in August, than it will in February. The practical part of yoga is noticing these differences and moving deeper than them. When you come to practice, notice the changes and be present with yourself. The rest is just extra.
You get what you get, it's still a split.
With exercise, one can increase the range of motion of the hips, but this should be done with extreme care.
The Splits. To some the idea is down right ridiculous and the words are synonymous with injury. To be in a split requires a lot of movement in the hip joints. The forward leg gets a loooong Hamstring, and the back leg a looong hip flexor. For some, these areas will feel long when they’re resting on the floor, for most, they will feel as long as they can be long before they are resting on the floor.
With exercise, one can increase the range of motion of the hips, but this should be done with extreme care. while you’re practicing hip opening exercises, give yourself ample time to get warmed up. When moving into a split pay attention to your hamstrings, hip flexors and low back. the low back should stay comfortable, and any stretch you feel should be in between joints, NOT right next to them.
Most importantly, remember the splits can’t be considered a normal range of motion. You may practice getting deeper, but your splits will always LOOK different from your buddy’s.
Is Flexy Sexy?
Increased flexibility is typically the first reported benefit of someone who is new to a yoga practice.
Increased flexibility is typically the first reported benefit of someone who is new to a yoga practice. Although it may be the first thing we notice it is not usually the whole picture of what is starting to happen in our bodies. A more balanced idea is to consider your range of motion (ROM) in a particular joint.
ROM is scientifically described as the measurement of movement around a joint. Your Physical Therapist or Physician would record this measurement in degrees. In a yoga practice it usually happens like “oh wow! That moved more today!'‘
What’s the commotion with Range of Motion?
ROM is an even balance between flexibility and strength. Both are important for healthy movement in a joint.
Check it out…
In Flexion, where the angle of the joint gets smaller, the Hamstrings are strong and the quadriceps are long. These two factors work together to give the knee a healthy ROM.
In Extension, where the angle of a joint gets larger, the hamstrings and quadriceps work reverse of how they would in Flexion. Strong Quads and long Hams bring the leg back to straight.
Simple enough right? Flexibility is only half of the equation right? Well most of the time. When we are talking about ROM we have to consider ACTIVE ROM, pictured above, flexion and extension. But there is also PASSIVE ROM to consider.
In Passive ROM the joint is moved by an external force. In the picture above the hand is moving the joint, in yoga, the outside force is typically gravity.
Within the 26&2 posture series there are 2 postures where this is happening. Fixed Firm Posture and Half Tortoise Posture. In these postures, be patient! Gravity will move your joints over time, but these are relaxed postures and they build a sense of surrender more than strength. Your body will still let you know when you’re taking a joint too far too fast, and you should listen to that.
One last point to make is that leaves 24 postures in the series that are Active ROM. It can sometimes be tempting, especially when you are tired, to surrender to gravity in some of these too. Be sure what’s meant to be long is long, but what’s meant to be strong is strong. If you have no idea what should be strong or long, ask your teacher. We are here to help you and keep you safe. Happy practicing.