A warm welcome to start your own inner exploration within the framework of a both playful and deeply experiential yoga class.
What is “Root and Elevate” Yoga?
Root and Elevate Yoga is a yoga practice that includes Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin and Kundalini Yoga.
Vinyasa can be translated as “arranging something in a special way,” like yoga poses for example. In Vinyasa yoga classes, students coordinate movement with breath to flow from one pose to the next. It can be invigorating and a great warm up in preparation for deeper postures.
Hatha Yoga is a is an old system that includes the practice of asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), which help bring peace to the mind and body, preparing the body for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. Its pace is usually a bit slower than Vinyasa.
“Ha” means Sun. “Tha” means Moon. Hatha is the yoga of balance between the feminine “moon” (cool, receptive, calming) and masculine “sun” (hot, active invigorating) energies within all of us. Hatha practices are designed to align and calm your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation.
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of modern yoga with postures that are held for longer periods of time—for beginners, it may range from 45 seconds to two minutes; more advanced practitioners may stay in one asana for five minutes or more. This kind of yoga is not intended as a complete practice in itself, but as a complement to more active forms of yoga and exercise. It applies moderate stress to the the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility.
In Yin, great care is given to observing the kinds of sensations one experiences, emphasizing the mild end of the sensation spectrum—not pushing, pulling, or striving to go deeper, and always avoiding any signal of pain.
Kundalini Yoga can be translated as the “yoga of awareness”. It incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, mudra (hand positions), eye-focus meditation, body locks (or gentle contractions) and the chanting of mantras.
There is a great variety of techniques and each class is likely to be different. The goal is to build physical vitality, strengthen the nervous system, expand lung capacity, purify the blood, balance glandular system and cultivate awareness.
Students do not need extraordinary strength or flexibility to benefit from Kundalini Yoga. Just one class creates a powerful lasting effect. Regular practice opens up vast possibilities for relaxation, health, grounding and elevation.
“In Kundalini Yoga the most important thing is your experience. It goes right to your heart. No words can replace your experience. Your mind may accept the words or it may not, but your consciousness will not accept just words.”
–Yogi Bhajan, The Aquarian Teacher Training manual, p. 20
Root and Elevate Yoga usually begins with a series of postures and breathing exercises to warm up the body and then it moves into Kriyas (an organized system of exercises) to achieve a specific outcome. Each Kriya is exquisitely designed to deliver an outcome.
What you can expect:
No yoga experience necessary. My style of sharing the practice is spontaneous and the same time structured. English is not my first language so be prepared to have a laugh when if I say something weird or make mistakes!
At least for the duration of the practice, we strive to leave judgment and expectations behind (of yourself and others). The only requisite is an open mind, willingness to explore and to challenge yourself (your power and your energy) and have curiosity.
The goal is not perfection (of poses and what not) but rather your own personal and unique exploration.
This is a process that takes us to places in our body that move easily and places that feel blocked, inactive or even painful. These places usually long for our conscious connection, the presence of our breath and gentle movement that can help them to slowly release. As we grow more connected with this process our mind reconnects to our bodies, emotions may release as we begin to experience the deep joy of being who you are.
Let’s get started! This will be more fun than you think.
Yoga in Hawaiian Paradise Park (Makuu and 26th) Call, email or text for directions.
Tuesdays 7:30am-9am.
Thursday 7:30am-9am.
We start at 7:30am sharp. Make sure to arrive 10 min earlier to sign up, set up your mat and give your body time to pause before we begin. We close the gate a bit before 7:30am. No late arrivals.
