BODY PRAYER PRACTICES

Do you believe your mind and body are interrelated? These practices are for self-aware, self-sensing people who want to take care of their whole being. What type of embodied practice do you need?  My passion is Somatic Yoga which is a type of therapeutic movement that can relieve physical and emotional pain and balance the energy body.

The word YOGA means “to unite” in the ancient language of Sanskrit. Yoga teaches that the body and mind are not separate entities. It is rooted in the belief that the body and mind are intimately connected with the breath. You can experience the mind/body connection using the breath as a bridge in any of our alignment based Hatha classes including Slow Flow Yoga, Vinyasa Flow and Somatic Yoga. Looking to nourish and relax more?  Try Restorative Yin Yoga.

Wecome to the BFY Community!

All of our public classes have been taken outside or online. You can reserve a space for an in person OM In The Oaks Class, practice via live stream with us during an OM In The Oaks Class or access replays of classes on demand at your convenience.  To reserve your space or access a live stream or on demand video, go to the schedule and click “sign up” next to the class of your choice.  If you do not have a pass, you will be asked to purchase one.

BFY understands that we may miss the studio environment, but we have reinvented ourselves in a way that will keep our community together and let it grow beyond the brick and mortar walls.

What is your goal? And where are you starting from? Our goal continues to be to make yoga accessible to all and to offer times and practices that work for you.

Why You Should Say YES to Yoga Online:

Take classes when and where you want!

There is no limit to the number of people who can practice together or any geography that can keep us apart!

Take the no special yoga clothes necessary as step further –  wear your pajamas if you would like! (Or maybe you were already doing that at the studio?!)

Shorter commute and no reason to schlep your props around; keep your yoga space ready so there are no excuses.

Invite household members to practice with you!

You can choose your own background music.

Take an extended savasana – or even try seated meditation after class.

No one can hear you or see you! Embodied practices give us the space to release old patterns in our bodies and in our thoughts; Laughter, tears, bodily noises…they are just a few ways you might let go.

COVID-19 Update for Outdoor Classes:

You must bring your own mat and props for hygienic reasons.

We are outside in the elements so please dress accordingly. Layering is recommended. And perhaps bug spray.

Masks are not required since we are safely spaced in a private residence, but please feel free to wear one if you feel more comfortable.

We ask that you refrain from attending an in person class for 14 days if you have any flu-like symptoms or were in contact with someone who was COVID positive.

In the interest of supporting each other emotionally, please do your best to keep a 6 foot distance but send heartfelt eye contact and a loving bow of gratitude.

Therapeutic/Private Instruction

If you are new to yoga and hesitant to learn in a group setting, schedule a private class with a family member or friend and learn together! Private instruction can also be helpful if you want to create a personalized home yoga practice, prefer a tailored therapeutic practice to address a specific injury or illness, or have reached a plateau and would like to get more out of your current practice.

Before YogaDuring YogaAfter Yoga

Your first class can be intimidating but come as you are! You will be with other students of different ages, shapes and abilities. Wear comfortable clothing and arrive a few minutes early. Please leave cell phones and worries outside the studio door along with your shoes.

“Let awareness and sensation lead you. Let each breath deliver a gift. Let the mind be the mind. Under restlessness, one layer deeper is calm.” – Megan

The most important thing to remember during a practice is that it is an exploration. Each posture is an experiment and the results vary. Go slowly and listen to your body.  Work toward acceptance. Learn to determine whether you are pushing yourself too hard or lightly challenging yourself and need to try a little more. The postures require sthira and sukha – steadiness and comfort. In a society that pushes us to do more, offers constant external stimulation and focus on results, yoga postures are about being at peace internally with whatever you do.

And remember to breathe. When you are breathing in harmony with your movements, you are paying attention in a deep way. Your job is not to do more in the poses but to modify them so you can continue to breathe in a comfortable, harmonious way. Mindful awareness of the breath and body not only prevent injury but are also what the heart of what yoga is all about.

Consider the yoga studio as a room of small accomplishments; what you do in the yoga room becomes practice for what you do in life. One benefit of yoga can be that we put controlled stress on ourselves in a safe environment and observe our reactions without attaching to them.  We also get to experience what it is like to succeed, relax and feel good in our bodies. Your teacher is guiding the experience, but each individual will have their own unique experience.  We can all learn how to respond to challenges in our lives, recognize and enjoy our strengths and get to know ourselves from the inside out.

After the relaxation pose at the end of your session, note how you feel. If there is a feeling of lightness and equinamity in your body and nervous system, you are on the right track.  We may have bumped up to restrictions in the body, but we have control over the agitations of the mind – self exploration with compassionate discipline.  Remind yourself at the end of class that it is not about what you said to yourself or what poses you did, it is about how you feel.

Come back again soon! You are a valuable part of our community and we are here to support each other at our highest vibration.

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