DISCOVER KRIPALU YOGA
Kripalu (KRih-Pah-Lew) Yoga is a style of Hatha Yoga that places particular emphasis on the mind-breath-body-spirit connection. It takes a gentle and compassionate approach to practice, and is adaptable for everyone - regardless of age, ability, size, or other circumstances.
Kripalu Yoga accentuates meditative breathing, physical healing, and spiritual growth that overflows from the yoga mat into one's daily life. It is a practice that teaches self-acceptance, love, and mindful observation. Kripalu Yoga is particularly powerful for students who are facing challenges in their life, and students often benefit from this practice's transformative and life-enhancing qualities.
A Kripalu Yoga class typically begins with a meditative centering, followed by pranayama (breath exercise). Students would then be guided through warm-up movements, followed by asanas (yoga postures). Classes finish with shavasana (relaxation), followed by a brief closing meditation. A Kripalu Yoga Teacher may often end the practice by saying "Jai Bhagwan," roughly translated to mean, "May your yoga (or the divine in you) be victorious."
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YOGA PROPS
Yoga props are objects used to help facilitate safe alignment in yoga postures. Yoga props can also be used to provide ease and comfort during practice. There are a number of yoga props on the market today, but highlighted here will be the most commonly used items:
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Yoga mat - or "sticky mat" - is a fairly essential tool used in practice. A yoga mat offers a surface that provides a grip to minimize unwanted movement during practice, and can be folded and used to provide cushioning on hard surfaces.
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Yoga blocks - blocks come in several varieties, including foam and wood. Foam blocks are most commonly used, and can provide stability and support during practice. Many yoga postures include modifications and variations where blocks can be utilized to support safe alignment.
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Yoga strap - or commonly referred to as a "belt" or "tie," is a cotton strap with a metal ring fixed to one end to allow you to loop and tighten the strap during use. Often used during fixed postures where tight muscles may need a little extra support.
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Yoga cushions & bolsters - cushions are commonly used during seated postures to help raise the hips above the knees, which allows the spine to lengthen between the sitz bones and crown of the head. Bolsters are common in restorative postures, and can be used to open areas of the body while providing comfort and ease.
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Yoga blanket - an everyday object that is very useful in practice, and can be used as a support to provide padding under the body, or warmth during shavasana when the body starts its cool-down process. Woven cotton blankets are highly recommended due to their ability to preserve their shape when being used.
GOOD READS
There are so many books and resources related to yoga, it would be impossible to fit them all here. Here is a list of a few of my favorites:
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The Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Edition by Eknath Easwaran
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Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat by Richard Faulds
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No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering by Thich Nhat Hanh
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One Degree Revolution: How Small Shifts Can Lead to Big Changes by Coby Kozlowski
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The Eight Limbs of Yoga: A Handbook for Living Yoga Philosophy by Stuart Ray Sarbacker
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Swimming with Krishna: Teaching Stories from the Kripalu Yoga Tradition, edited and commentary by Richard Faulds
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Pranayama: A Path to Healing and Freedom by Allison Gemmel Laframboise and Yoganand Michael Carroll
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Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping by Robert M. Sapolsky
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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
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Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
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www.kripalu.org
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www.yogaalliance.org
HOW TO USE ZOOM
Zoom is a free video-conferencing tool that can be used on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphone devices across Android, iOS (Apple), and Windows platforms. All online classes at reTHRIVE Yoga & Wellness are conducted through Zoom, and you must have the application downloaded on your device. You can access tutorials and set-up support through https://zoom.us/
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To sign up for your free Zoom account - http://zoom.us/signup
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To join a Zoom meeting you can click the meeting link sent to you, or go to https://zoom.us/join and entering in the meeting ID.
Audio - On most devices, you can join computer/device audio by clicking Join Audio, Join with Computer Audio, or Audio to access the audio settings.
Video - You are not required to have a webcam to join a Zoom Meeting; however, without a webcam you will not be able to transmit video of yourself. If you do have a webcam you have the option of turning your webcam off to prevent sharing video of yourself. You will continue to be able to listen and speak during the meeting and view the webcam video of other participants.
For more information, please visit the Zoom support center - https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us