Chakra Yoga with Special guest instructor, Nienke Young,
Yoga with Melissa Episode 28: Special Series on Hindu Deities, Balance with Vishnu with Dr Melissa West
Yoga with Melissa 28 is about creating balance with Vishnu. Vishnu is part of a trinity of Hindu Gods with Brahma the creator, Shiva the destroyer and Vishnu the preserver. We begin our class by balancing through nadi shodhana or alternate nostril breathing. We then move through a series of yoga postures or asanas to balance the right and left sides of our bodies from side bends, twists, apanasana or knee to chest pose. We balance in tree pose or vrksasana and also eagle pose or garudasana. One of Vishnu’s incarnations was as a cow herder so we practice cow’s face pose or gomukhasana.
Yoga with Melissa Episode 27: Special Series on Hindu Deities, Lakshmi with Dr Melissa West
Yoga with Melissa 27 is a yoga class on Lakshmi. Lakshmi is the Goddess of abundance, both material and spiritual. Lakshmi is also known as the Goddess of beauty. In this yoga class we will explore the beauty and abundance of yoga postures or asana. This yoga class begins with a gentle reclined twist series to release your shoulders. We then move into a gentle backbend with sphinx pose. There is a super sweet, gentle LUV vinyasa. Loads of spinal releasing with cat pose and variations. You will enjoy balancing your energy with nadhi shodhana pranayama or alternate nostril breathing. More hip and shoulder openers with triangle pose, half moon balancing pose and finally cow’s face pose.
Yoga with Melissa 26: Special Series on Hindu Deities, Shakti with Dr. Melissa West
Yoga with Melissa 26 is about Shakti. This is the third in a series of classes devoted to the Hindu deities. This week we connect with the divine feminine through Shakti – universal life force energy. Shakti is said to be the energy that underlies every living thing in the universe, the kundalini that lies dormant at the base of the spine. Shakti is responsible for the ultimate in creative feminine energy and birthing new life. Shakti is known as the agent of change. In this class we also explore the interdependence of masculine and feminine principles. From an asana perspective this class focuses on opening up the hips and creating energy through the spinal energy series. Of course there will be Goddess Victory Squat.
Yoga with Melissa 25: Special Series on Hindu Deities Shiva The God of Destruction with Dr. Melissa West
Yoga with Melissa 25 is a yoga class on Shiva, the God of Destruction. This is the second class in the first series of Yoga with Melissa classes on hindu mythology. During this class we will reflect on what is no longer serving us and release it to allow the creative energy of Shiva Nataraj, the lord of dance. This yoga class includes shoulder and hip releases to prepare for dancer pose and an interesting variation of dancer pose. We will also practice sun salutations or surya namaskar. We complete our class with the Shiva mudra to energize your body, strengthen your prana, bring self-confidence, relieve stress, calm your mind and improve your intuition.
Yoga with Melissa 24: Special Series on Hindu Deities Ganesh Remover of Obstacles with Dr. Melissa West
Yoga with Melissa 24 is a yoga class on Ganesh the remover of obstacles 🙂 This is the first in a series of classes on Hindu Deities. Let’s dive into the world of Hindu mythology. When practice yoga with and listen to stories of the gods and goddesses we can view them as symbolic representations of aspects of ourselves. This can be aspects of ourselves that we are aware of, or aspects we would like to cultivate. They do not necessarily need to be seen as an icon to which we pray. We will begin as is tradition, with the Hindu Deity Ganesh. Ganesh is known as the remover of obstacles. His big elephant head encourages us to think big, and connect with our inner wisdom. His big ears invite us to listen more and his small eyes are representative of concentration. Ganesh rides a mouse which is symbolic of the ego and also represents our wandering mind. The trunk is strong enough to uproot a tree and to clear the path, but can also pick up small things representing adaptability. His big belly opens us to peacefully digest the good and bad of life. During this class we will ground with rooting postures and choose an physical, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual obstacle as our focus for practice.