Functional Movement
What is Yoga?
Is it an exclusive concept for the flexible hippie crowd?
Is it exercise, chanting, handstands, dancing?
What goes on in class?
Yoga is a word that encapsulates a lot of ideas. It is a discipline of action, wisdom and LOVE. In a structured class environment we focus on a discipline known as Hatha Yoga. In current studios and spaces, you may be sold the idea that ‘Hatha’ means a gentle or still asana (pose) practice. However, the word itself in sanskrit is translated to ‘force’. All movement, breathwork and flow is a hatha practice. This is the yoga we are all so curious about defining and understanding. Since yoga has been commercialized in pop culture and workout trends it is easy to be intimidated by terminology like “Power Yoga,” “Core Power Vinyasa,” “Cardio Strength Vinyasa” etc. All of these labels are designed to sell a system of health and mobility. It is basic and every lineage of the practice offers an avenue to study movement. Hatha is the practice of force. This is a gravity defying life force energy to strengthen and study our physical form- the body. Our philosophy is straightforward, we believe in breathing. We believe in movement- even more specifically, functional movement. We also believe in having a great time doing it! No matter who we are, what we do, what we believe and how we flow through this mysterious world; one thing is fact. We have a body. This body breathes. It moves. It feels. So, what does the body do? What is it capable of? What is our potential? This is OUR practice. Functional Movement for sustainable strength, focus, health, and optimal creative energy. Ask yourself a few questions and keep it real.
Can you sit on the floor and stand up with ease? Did you use your hands?
Do you typically use your hands to stand up from the toilet?
Can you stand up from a chair without placing your hands on your thighs?
Are you breathing while you read this?
Did you judge yourself on the answers to these questions?
These are daily movements that will create physical suffering if we lack mobility. Gravity is constantly weighing the body down and adding pressure on our physical form. It is simple science, the more you move, the better you will feel and gain deeper access to your life. We have designed all of our movement to create the ability to answer yes to all of these questions. Even better, to find ease and grace in your daily existence. We add movement as simple as sitting down and standing right back up. We use our fingertips and toes to balance so when we slip in our daily struggles, the body is trained to catch itself. We train ourselves to breathe as we move because the higher the quality of our breath, the higher the quality of our life. With a determined spirit, we fight through the struggles of a perfect body image and we surrender to any and all motion the body is willing to find each day we choose to show up.
When we say “We exist to move people” it is so we can make your real life a more natural experience. Maybe you will find a sense of peace or purpose, but ultimately we do this so we can all feel good, strong, better. As we move we lubricate our joints, we create pathways to breathe bigger. As the body increases the capacity to breathe, we increase our potential to feel deeper. This is the power of the practice. We use a physical experience to introduce ourselves to the potential for divinity, creativity and self actualization. We see it constantly and it is what we are most proud of. When the body becomes stronger and the mind thinks less about the ailments, aches and pains, space is created for the imagination. Suddenly the awakening happens. Curiosity about philosophy is inspired as a result of peeling through layers of dis-ease. When ease arises, the mind opens. A heavy mind has no where to go in a weak body. Add strength and structure, potential becomes light and limitless. This is the sweetness of our practice.
We will see you on the mat xoxo