Yoga Classes

Yoga Girl classes use the dynamic actions of inhaling + exhaling to link a series of yoga postures together. The fluid movements build internal heat while creating a moving meditation. Yoga poses called asanas work by safely stretching your muscles. This may release lactic acid that builds up with muscle use, which may cause stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue. Yoga increases the range of motion in joints which creates ease and fluidity throughout your body.

Yoga also stretches the soft tissues in your body such as ligaments, tendons, and the fascia sheath that surrounds your muscles. You will see & feel the benefits of yoga in a very short period of time. In one study, participants had up to 35% improvement in flexibility after only eight weeks of yoga. Yoga keeps the body supple and is efficient in preventing injuries and maintaining the general balance in the body. Yoga postures create a muscle massage which increases the blood supply to the muscles as movement and breath creates through each vinyasa pose.

Prana breath causes internal body heat in which boosts metabolism, relaxes muscles, detoxify & rid impurities from the body. Yoga increases stamina, strength, range of motion, flexibility, & overall wellness.

The breath is called Ujjayi breath. Ujjayi (pronounced oo-jai) is an ancient yogic breathing technique that helps calm the mind and body. Commonly translated as “victorious breath,” Ujjayi has a balancing influence on the entire cardiorespiratory system and releases feelings of irritation and stress. Ujjayi breathing constricts the back of the throat, similar to the constriction made when speaking in a whisper. It is an audible breathe that is often compared to the sound of the ocean. The breath flows in and out through the nostrils, with the lips remaining gently closed.

There are several important attributes of this form of Ujjayi pranayama:

1. 1. Improves concentration in the physical practice. Becoming absorbed in Ujjayi allows the practitioner to remain in poses for longer periods of time.
   2. Instills endurance that enhances a flowing practice that maintains a meditative rhythm of the class.
   3. It diminishes distractions and allows complete focus of self awareness in the practice.
   4. Ujjayi breath regulates heating of the body. The friction of the air passes through the lungs and throat which generates internal body heat. It allows the core to become warm from the inside, in which the body becomes prepared for the asana practice. This internal heat makes stretching safer while the inner organs can be cleansed of toxins.
   5. Ujjayi breath can release tension and stress in the tight areas of the body and allows us to practice full deep breaths during our vinyasa practice.

Regular yoga practice helps to reduce stress responses in your body, according to a study in the 2010 issue of “Psychosomatic Medicine.” Reducing the inflammatory response to stressors on your body will help reduce your chance of stress-related conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Meditation is also an effective stress reducer that is used to help reduce anxiety, panic disorders and agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder.

Many people are plagued by sedentary jobs where workers sit most of the day. This leads to reduced muscle mass, fitness and flexibility. In addition, office work increases neck and shoulder strain from hunching over in front of a computer all day. Yoga poses focus on stretching and lengthening the muscles. Increased flexibility will help you with daily movements such lifting and bending.