This class includes some new hip flexor and hamstring strengthening movements to support you, and is the 7th in this excellent series. Filmed on May 4th (Star Wars Day…”may the 4th/force be with you!”), we play with following the movement of the breath and feeling the force in the legs and the energy in the whole body system. Our flow includes some core-focused rock-and-roll work from lying down to seated, practicing getting up off the floor in a half-squat position, Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Warrior 3, and a fun “spanking” entry into Revolved Half Moon with a Quad Stretch. We end in a Supported Bridge and then rest fully in the force of energy. You’ll need at least one block (ideally 2) and sliding surface (blanket/towel on hardwood or tile floor, or a slider/paper plate on carpet). Enjoy!

Get connected to a feeling of stability in the middle of the body (the spine and the entire canister of the torso), while we continue to practice moves that target the hamstrings for great full-body support. We play with several variations on Bridge Pose, including a “marching version,” while we attempt to keep the hips level. We flow through lunges and hamstrings stretches like Ardha Hanumanasana (Half Splits) and a Forward-Facing Triangle, and also play with rocking up from Happy Baby to a Straddle Boat Pose. Building strong support in the midline of the body equals opportunity for movement and mobility in the rest of the body, a nice metaphor for our current Shelter-in-Place holding. Enjoy!

Practice moving mindfully through poses that may be familiar to you AND some twists on poses that may be new to you. We start with a Reclined Sun Salutation series and then move into a cooling breath practice for hot days, the Sitali Breath. Next, we focus on some great variations on Bridge Pose to ask the hamstrings to get on board, and we bring that work into the rest of the flow to integrate the concepts learned in that activation into the body. You’ll practice a wonderful Twisted Upright Half Splits position, as well as a Diagonal Stretch, both of which ask that you recruit the legs to get a wonderful effect in the upper body. We also practice Buddha, Chair, Triangle and Half Moon in the flow. In many moments, I’ll invite you to let go of mental clutter and to drop into an intentional and mindful experience of the body and the breath. You’ll need a slidey surface (blanket/towel on hardwood or a paper plate/sliders on carpet) and also 2 blocks will be helpful.

Sometimes, we need to completely shift our perspective to see life from a different vantage point. Use this practice to practice this skill in action! You will probably not notice this, but this flow REVERSES much of the flow from the Hamstring Strengthening Flow #9 practice so you’ll get to experience it in a whole new way. We’ll revisit many of our now-familiar hamstring + hip flexor moves, and we’ll also do lots of twisting, ending with some playtime in Funky Dragonfly. 2 blocks will be helpful for this practice. Embrace what you’ve been avoiding, see what’s been unseen, and know that each of us humans does have a different perspective that needs to be heard and respected.