Yoga at Pure with Marco Rojas

My amazing yoga student Al invited me to join in three days of fun yoga at Pure. While we loved class with Matt, we heard that we should take class with Marco Rojas. Marco teaches Vinyasa 2, and apparently the class is usually packed and extremely popular. I had heard about this particular instructor before and was eager to take the class. While I was considering taking a class before the Vinyasa class, I enjoyed my sleep and showed up in time for Marco's class. I situated myself at the back of the class again, and stretched out in silence. In walks another student who asked me if I had ever taken Marco's class before, and I said no. Slowly the other students begin to trickle in, and in walks Al. I knew that I would have to modify a lot, since my toe may not be able to transition through a level 2 Vinyasa class, but I was excited and grateful to take class nonetheless. In walks Marco, he is a tall lean yogi, salt and pepper hair, beautifully tatooed arms, commanding strength, with a kind spirit that echos in his Latin eyes and a charming smile. I jump up to greet him and explain that I am recovering from a broken toe. I asked him if it was alright that I modify, and he was so happy to hear that I wanted to modify rather than sit and watch. The class size was not as big as I had anticipated, and also Marco noticed that, so he asked the students to slide the mats to the walls. He introduced his lovely assistant Veronica and began the class. He taught the most amazing yoga class, keeping us in poses for a very long time, emphasizing the importance of awareness of dual forces in the body/spirit, and having us in multiple inversions. I am so grateful to have taken this class, as Marco made a point to adjust me in almost every Handstand variation he taught. I felt very blessed! One time when I was upside down in handstand, he was assisting me and had his hands on my hip bones, it was so ticklish, I had to come down and get the giggles out. I told him how I had broken my toe by landing wrong in a series of handstands, but it did not stop me from enjoying every handstand in his class. When I say every, I think he had us in at least 10 handstands by the end of the class. It was absolutely awesome! He is extremely dynamic when he speaks, which I loved! His assisting and demonstration of poses was spectacular! He is clear with his cues, charming, and at times funny. Many of the students would laugh off the sweat when he would remind us that we would be holding the pose for 4 more breaths. He also had a familiar way of expressing his views on energy, and after class when I thanked him for class he told me he has studied with Alan Finger. Aha!! That is the familiar essence I was picking up. Alan Finger is an amazing renowned Yogi (founder of Ishta) and original founder of Yoga Works who combines energetic awareness, Ayurveda and yoga in his classes. Marco is a remarkable teacher who I would love to take regular classes with, he is truly wonderful. Thank you Marco for an awesome class!

Pictured: Ambria and Marco

Yoga @ Pure Yoga with Matt Giordano

Last week, one of my amazing yoga students (Al) invited to me to take classes at Pure Yoga with him. The space at Pure yoga is huge and lovely. They have many studios and exceptional instructors. We decided to take Slow Flow Meditation with Matt Giordano. Eventhough, I had taken Master Class with Sri Dharma, I was not sure if I wanted to jump into a fast paced vinyasa class. I entered into the studio and situated myself at the back of the class, as I like to do, and in walks Al. Al was surprised I was not right up front, and I explained to him I prefer to be at the very back of the room when I practice. In walks our instructor Matt, and begins to lead us in a lovely class. Matt takes time to explain the structural anatomy of the poses, using blocks, and wonderful verbal cues. While the name of the class is "Slow Flow Meditation", everyone was damp with sweat. Towards the end of the class, Matt lead us in a lovely meditation and sang us through Savasana while playing guitar. He then had the entire class singing the chant when we woke from our Savasana. It really was magical and lovely! Thanks Al for inviting me to take classes at Pure! Thank you Matt for an amazing experience!

Pictured : Ambria, Matt and Al

Jivamukti Yoga with Alanna @ Pure Yoga

After a long time of practicing Yoga on my own, I revisited the classroom and took a Jivamukti Yoga class with Alanna @ Pure Yoga.  My body has been tight from my personal Yoga practice but my heart was aching for a group class.

I enter in the classroom, the mats are spread out, with fresh towels and blocks.  Alanna enters in with her guitar and has an assistant Danna to help students get into the pose.  We begin class chanting "Om Nama Shivaya", and slowly Alanna starts to play her guitar.  Her voice cascades over all of us like a trickling water fall.  As with all Jivamukti classes, each month there is a set theme that all teachers use.  The theme for this month is addiction.  She guides us into Child's Pose and every student has the aromatic Jivamukti China Gel rubbed into the sacral area.

The class is an amazing Vinyasa class.  We go through a fantastic flow with Sun Salutations, twists, trees, and more.  We are taught to jump through to sit, prepare for headstand, breath in pigeon pose, and enjoy the workout that Yoga provides.  The assists that Alanna and Danna provide are brilliant.  We sweat, we smile, we stretch, and we slowly compile into Savasana.  

The part I loved about this class so much was the Savasana.  The lights are off, our bodies melt into the mat and Alanna revisits her guitar.  She sings a gorgeous song that carries us into this relaxation pose.  While Jivamukti is known for its approach to chanting, Alanna brought such a warmth to her chants and assists.  I recommend a Jivamukti class with Alanna anytime.  For more information about Jivamukti style Yoga classes visit:http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/index.html

Yogi Beans At Pure Yoga

New York city was faced with a monsoon rain, and today I was faced with the challenge of commuting all over the city.  With 2 Yoga classes, a Private Body Work session, and finally a Yogi Beans class at Pure Yoga.

So as my fabulous day trickles down,  I arrive at Pure Yoga on the East Side of Manhattan completely wet from the rain.  The entrance alone invites you into another world of tranquility.  It is the Mega Dream Yoga studio of NYC.  I am guided downstairs and meet my students.  We begin our class.  We Om, we breathe, we salute the sun, we stretch, we go on a Yoga Adventure, I read a Yoga Story, We sing, and finally we do Mandalas.  Mandalas are beautiful geometric diagrams that kids can color and are very meditative.

My amazing student Chester colored his Mandala and presented it to me with "For Ambria, Love Chester" written on top.  He told me he wants me to keep it so I remember him forever and ever.  AND I WILL!!! How sweet!!!  He also told me that there is an Island in the Caribbean called "Ambrialand" and that I am the President.  Loving that idea!!! Wow, teaching Kids Yoga definitely makes commuting in the rain worth every drop.