Finding a yoga that flows into my life and fosters more living-

that's been the big hurdle since I moved out here.  I was practicing daily at my beloved Vibe, in my beloved Bloomington, Indiana.  The teachers there were so inspiring, the classes were challenging, and I always left feeling a sense of accomplishment and excited about practicing more.  When I came out here to Spokane, I found several studios...but none of them had the same lure...or maybe I was afraid of the unknown?  I fell hook, line and sinker for the hottest and hardest- a Bikram class in a studio close by.  It was more than challenging, devoid of inspiration, and draining.  I left feeling weary and dreading when I was going to work additional sessions into my week.  I kept it up for about a month, then took a month off, tried to get back into it...and finally threw in the (drenched) towel.  The same studio offers Baptiste style classes, for the same 90 minute duration.  The classes are offered a little less regularly, but I am enjoying yoga once again!  I realized how much I missed the flow, and I see now what an integral part the voice of the teacher is to my practice.

Below are the basics of a Baptiste style class, but the instructor exercises agency and focuses your attention on the higher, larger, more divine aspects of yoga which keeps the energy in the room really powerful!

The Baron Baptiste Vinyasa Flow

*Note: sun salutations can be repeated 3-5 times. For each of the series starting at Balancing (Equanimity), 2-4 poses are taught for a 60-minute class.

Integration Series: Presence· Child’s pose

· Downward facing dog

· Rag doll

· Mountain pose

· 3 OMs

Sun Salutation A: Awakening

· Arms up

· Forward fold

· Halfway lift

· High plank

· Low plank or all the way to the ground

· Cobra or upward facing dog

· Downward dog

Sun Salutation B: Awakening· Chair 

· Forward fold

· Halfway lift

· High plank

· Low plank

· Updog

· Downdog

· Warrior I (right foot forward)

· Chaturanga

· Updog

· Downdog 

· Warrior I (left foot forward)

· Chaturanga

· Updog

· Downdog

· 3-Legged dog (right foot up)

· Flip dog

· Downdog

· 3-Legged dog (left foot up)

· Flip dog

· Downdog

· High plank, heels together

· Side plank (right side)

· High plank

· Side plank (left side)

· Vinyasa flow

Warrior Series: Vitality· Sun Salutation B

· Crescent lunge

· Revolving crescent lunge (twist)

· Warrior II

· Extended side angle (with half or full bind)

· Vinyasa

· (Repeat on other side)

· Chair twist

· Fingers to toes forward fold

· Palms to toes forward fold (Gorilla)

· Crow

Balancing Series: Equanimity

· Eagle

· Standing leg raise

· Airplane

· Half moon

· Dancer’s

· Tree

Triangle Series: Grounding

· Sun Salutation B (Warrior II)

· Triangle

· Proserita

· Pyramid

· Revolved triangle

Backbends: Igniting

· Locust

· Floor bow

· Upward facing dog

· Camel

· Bridge

· Wheel

Core: Stability· Scissor legs and 60/30 lift

· Abdominal twists (bicycle)

· Boat

Hip Openers: Opening

· Half pigeon

· Double pigeon

· Frog

· Supta baddha konasana

· Happy baby

Release

· Seated single leg extension

· Seated forward bend

· Table top

· Fish

Rejuvenation

· Shoulder stand (headstand or handstand optional)

· Plow

· Deaf man’s pose

· Fish

Final Rest

· Supine twist

· Butterfly

· Savasana

The other thing I have gotten really interested in are these sequencing visuals for different yoga practices.  Here's an example:

I think artistic renderings of these style posters would be really neat!  Collectively, the images remind me of my favorite movie:

Specifically, this:

If you don't know what I'm talking about, get on it!  It's worth it- wrench your heart every which way.

In other news, my morning looks like this:

and taking care of this lil' lady:

and a small kitchen fire due to an overused candle :/  All's well though- just a raised heart rate and a worried pup.  Our smoke alarms works! An authoritative woman says, "FIRE!" in between the beeps.  She's right!