Master Class: Mastering Twists

DESCRIPTION:

A “Master Class” typically refers to an advanced, in-depth/in-person session that goes beyond regular classes, designed for practitioners (beginners to well seasoned) who are looking to deepen their understanding of specific aspects of yoga. Our Master Classes may include advanced techniques (think more complex asanas, pranayama, meditation, etc.), detailed instruction (think refining alignment, technique, breath control, breaking down postures/anatomy), taught by an experienced teacher with specialized knowledge/insights on the subject matter, longer in duration (2 hours) to allow thorough exploration of the subject matter, and a holistic approach (think integration of yogic philosophy, anatomy, yogic lifestyle practices, etc. for a more comprehensive, well-rounded yoga experience).

Essentially, a yoga Master Class is an opportunity to deepen one's practice, refine techniques, and explore yoga from a more advanced or specialized perspective. These practices can help newer students and well-seasoned students understand basic foundations as well as apply more advanced techniques in order to gain deeper wisdoms regarding their practice. For those that teach, this can help cultivate more advanced cueing and knowledge of the asanas and related philosophic principles.

B.K.S. Iyengar describes twists as a “squeeze-and-soak” action: The organs are compressed during a twist, pushing out blood filled with metabolic by-products and toxins. When we release the twist, fresh blood flows in, carrying oxygen and the building blocks for tissue healing. From the physiological standpoint, twists stimulate circulation and have a cleansing and refreshing effect on the torso organs and associated glands.

Twists rotate the spine and stretch the muscles of the back. This helps to restore and retain the spine’s natural range of motion. If we don’t employ our natural range of motion we run the risk of our joints hardening and fusing. The surrounding supportive soft tissue can also become short and dysfunctional. In twists you work with the spine and the action of ‘lengthening’ is to create space between the vertebrae. When there’s a lack of space our spine tends to slump or get stuck and our energy levels drop. Through twisting we lengthen the spine and get space between the bones. Then our energy can flow better. Twists give us an instant energy lift and decompress the vertebrae in a safe healthy way.

Foundational twisting postures to be explored in the scope of alignment, agonist/antagonist relationships, key muscle isolations, and creating bandhas throughout the body:

Revolved Triangle/Parivrtta Trikonasana

Revolved Side Angle/ Parivrtta Pasvokasana

Revolved Half-moon/ Ardha Chandrasana

Marichyasana I & III

Revolved Head to Knee/Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

Investment in self $40