A nurturing practice



To progressively awaken you...

As you align with the rising sun.

 

Essence Alignment at Sunrise

This gentle and relaxing yoga practice is especially ideal for beginners, but is equally suitable for anyone who enjoys a nurturing, steady-paced, spiritually rich yoga practice. Essence Alignment blends the teachings of Kripalu, Shivananda, Kundalini, and Chakra yoga styles to deliver a well-balanced practice which channels prana (universal life-force energy) throughout your body as you stretch, twist, bend, awaken, and align yourself to the warm rays of the rising sun.

Essence Alignment starts with light pranayama (control of life-force energy, or breath) and chakra meditation, which align our energy centers, build and channel life-force energy throughout the body, still the mind, and focus our every thought on the multidimensional experience of the practice. A series of seated asanas (postures) which have us gently rocking, swinging, twisting and bending, progressively stretching from head to toe, increase our flexibility, stimulate our internal organs and release physical, mental, emotional and spiritual tension. Simple balancing postures then move us to our feet, where we root our lighter, lengthened, subtle selves to the earth, and plant our dreams and convictions like seeds in the ground, feeding them with the breath of life flowing though us so that they may grow strong. Alas we cultivate the breath of joy, which boosts our energy, effortlessly guiding us into the suryanamskara (sun salutation) series. Fully aligned, stretched, grounded and focused, we witness the spontaneous union of breath, body-mind, and spirit in a state of perfect harmony.

Finally, at one with ourselves and the flow of universal life force energy, we settle into silent shavasana (yogic rest), which sweeps our "en-lightened" spirit up to the universe's origins, to receive grace and messages of inspiration.

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A dynamic practice

To inspire you beyond limits...



So that your spirit may soar free!

Spirit Flow at Sunset

This fluid, intermediate, power-yoga practice is ideal for those who prefer a dynamic, physically challenging yoga practice which awakens the spiritual warrior within. Spirit Flow is based on Vinyasa Flow Yoga, and develops stamina, strength, flexibility, balance, while promoting a sense of courage, conviction, honor and grace. Led by positive affirmations and guided visualizations, the practice awakens the your higher self, who fearlessly guides you beyond your perceived limits so that your spirit may soar free.

Sprit Flow starts with standing meditation and a dedication of the practice to our heart's desire. As we cultivate ujayi (the breath of life), which invites the spiritual warrior to become present in our practice, we flow into the Surya Namaskara (sun salutation) series, and then continue to to incorporate a variety of standing and seated postures which stretch, twist, align, awaken and channel energy to every aspect of our being. A series of balancing postures which progressively call for increased levels of concentration, patience and determination, challenge us to draw out the courage necessary to win the battle for harmony within ourselves. Ha Krija (an energy chant which builds inner strength) empowers us more fully to continue the practice with grace. A backbends series taps into the sacred energy of the spine and guides it upward to our heart, from where it is released to the universe. Challenging inversions further stretch the spine and simultaneously reverse the flow of blood in the body, improving circulation and boosting the heart & body with fresh energy.

The battle to live for ones dreams has been won for the moment, and now our fully expressed self may withdraw into shavasana (yogic rest) to receive grace and messages of inspiration from the heavens.

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Dedication

Ong Namo, Guru Dev Namo*

Cast open the shutters to the window in your heart as the glistening rays of the radiant Hvar sun bathe its slumbering dreams in warmth and light.

Breath to the rhythm of the dancing winds and sea, as they whisper subtle messages to your heartbeat. Their sweet serenade caresses your soul - a beckoning sound which calls you forth and sets you free.

Awakened, alas, from a long, drowsy slumber, in touch with your spirit, more so now than ever. You fill with desire to live life anew and feel the rise of conviction swell within you.

Arise, dear warrior, in honor of your life. Give thanks for your blessings and acknowledge your birthright - to live for your dreams without compromise and soar up to heaven without regret in your eyes.

Aum*

Balancing Eagle - Garudasana	Warrior Prayer - Virabhadrasana I	Warrior Battle - Virabhadrasana II	Triangle - Utthita Trikonasana

*This is the Adi Mantra that precedes Kundalini Yoga practice, tuning one in to the higher self. Ong is "Infinite Creative energy in manifestation and activity". , Namo is "reverent greetings' implying humility, Guru means "teacher or wisdom", Dev means "Divine or of God" and Namo reaffirms humility and reverence. In all it means, "I call upon Divine Wisdom".

"Om" or Aum is God absolute and un-manifested

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