Yoga Alignment Workshop Series: Warrior Two, Virabhadrasana II

October 19, 2016 by mint-sk

Disclaimers: Consult a doctor before beginning an exercise regime. Never force a pose. Stop if you feel pain or intense discomfort. Yoga is meant to be yummy.

I love vinyasa yoga and I am obsessed with good alignment. This obsession doesn’t stem from a need for perfection, which would be very “un-yoga-like” of me, but from a passion for protecting the body from injury. Most bodies can safely practice yoga on a daily basis, but maintaining sound alignment is essential to your physical wellbeing. In this series, I will break down some common poses—explaining how to stay safe and fully enjoy each posture. Finally, remember to BREATHE consistently while practicing yoga to receive the full benefits of the practice … otherwise, you’re just stretching in Sanskrit. Today’s pose is: Warrior Two, or Virabhadrasana II.

This pose exudes fierceness

Feet are on the same “track,” roughly 4-5 feet apart. The right foot turns 90 degrees sideways, towards the right, while the left foot is ground down at a 45-degree angle.

Bend into the right knee at a 90-degree angle. The left leg stays straight.

Raise the arms in line with the shoulders, palms face down. Feel a line of energy running through the tips of your fingers, stretching them out in opposite directions. Keep your gaze on the third finger of the hand that stretches over your bent leg, or gently close the eyes.

Bring the shoulders up towards your ears, and then gently roll them back, bringing the shoulder blades together and shining the heart.

Engage uddiyanabandha, bringing the belly button in and up towards the spine. This is not an instruction to hold the breath. Continue to breathe fully.

Check that your hips are square. On this side, the left hip has a tendency to push forward, pull it back so that both hip points face out equally in front of you.

Release any unnecessary tension in your neck and face.

After you are done, try the pose on the other side to even out the body.

Practicing yoga on your own can be a ton of fun, but taking a class is a great way to explore new poses under the tutelage of a trained yoga instructor; check out MINT’s yoga offerings, here.

Ashley Binetti received her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training at Saraswatis’s Yoga Joint in Norwalk, CT in 2011. Her favorite pose is Triangle. When she’s not doing yoga, Ashley works as a nonprofit attorney. She is also a MINT Ambassador.

Scared of the same old workout?

October 18, 2016 by mint-sk

If you’re scared of the same old workout… you’ll want to enter to win a TREAT this month.

Put your card (or write your name on slips provided) in the pumpkin at the front desk of either club for a chance to win FOUR personal training sessions!

No tricks… just treats!

Yoga Alignment Blog Series: Standing Forward Fold, Uttanasana

October 5, 2016 by mint-sk

Disclaimers: Consult a doctor before beginning an exercise regime. Never force a pose. Stop if you feel pain or intense discomfort. Yoga is meant to be yummy.

– Feet should be hip-distance apart, or where your feet would naturally land standing (people have a tendency to interpret “feet hip-distance apart” as meaning feet on the edges of your mat—this is much farther than the distance of your hips. To measure, you should be able to place both of your fists between your feet).

– Toes spread wide and gripping into the mat. Weight is evenly distributed throughout the feet.

– Engage uddiyanabandha, bringing the belly button in and up towards the spine. This will give you more space to fold forward. This is not an instruction to hold the breath. Continue to breathe fully.

– Maintain a generous bend in the knees, especially if this is one of your first forward folds of the day. If you have more flexibility and would like to go deeper, maintain a gentle bend in the knees.

– Hands can rest on thighs, shins, or on the mat below you. If you’d like, you can bring hands to opposite elbows and hang freely in your forward fold.

– Release any unnecessary tension in your neck and face. Shake the head “yes,” shake the head “no.” Then find stillness.

Practicing yoga on your own can be a ton of fun, but taking a class is a great way to explore new poses under the tutelage of a trained yoga instructor; check out MINT’s yoga offerings, here.

Themed Ride: Middle School Dance Party

October 3, 2016 by mint-sk

Calling all ’80s and ’90s kids! If you were in middle school back when Nelly was making it “hot in here,” this ride is for you!

Middle School Dance Party Themed Ride – October 12th

Take yourself back to those awkward middle school dances where you were either the cool kid busting a move in the center floor, or felt too nervous and found yourself standing on the sidelines. Well, this class is your opportunity to relive the awesome music of those dance parties and put your energy on the spin bike. Join Melanie on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:45 pm at MINT Dupont for a Middle School Dance Party.

This ride is guaranteed to feature some of your favorite dance hits from artists like Nelly, Sir Mix A Lot, the Ying Yang Twins, Britney Spears and more. Come join the party and bring your best dance moves! Reserve your spot online or via the MINT app!

Exciting Yoga Programming Updates!

October 2, 2016 by mint-sk

Calling all MINT yogis! We’re excited to announce FIVE new yoga classes, all of which will start this weekend (October 8 and 9).

The first three classes, which will take place on Saturdays, are geared towards young families at MINT (prenatal yoga and MINTkids classes!) The next two classes, which will happen on Sundays, are for yogi newbies and yoga lovers who need some extra time to sleep in on Sundays! Read on for more details!

NEW on Saturdays:

Mamas at MINT – Prenatal Yoga – Sunday class recently moved to Saturday at 9 in the main studio at MINT Dupont with Kate Miller. Prenatal yoga gives mamas the important time and space to relax and feel more comfortable with their changing bodies, as well as to deepen the growing relationship with their baby. This class is open to all levels of yoga experience, during any stage of pregnancy. Each class includes alignment based yoga instruction to help with the common aches and pains associated with with being pregnant. While building strength and flexibility in the body, concentration and mindfulness techniques will help prepare for birth and parenthood. This class is lead by Kate Miller, certified prenatal yoga teacher, professional birth doula and childbirth educator. As a birth worker, Kate weaves her knowledge of comfort measures and laboring techniques into her classes. If you’re expecting, you won’t want to miss this class to help support your pregnancy, birth and baby!

MINTkids: Yoga for Movers and Tots (crawling – age 4) – new time, new location, new teacher! Saturdays, 10:15 am in the new Barre Studio at MINT Dupont with Moriah Childers. Yoga for Tots is a class for crawlers, movers, and preschoolers along with parent or care-giver. Explore yoga together! Learn yoga songs, games and poses that you will enjoy together and be able to practice at home! For children from crawling to age 4.

MINTkids: Yoga for Big Kids (age 4 to 6) – new class for MINT’s slightly older kiddos. Saturdays, 11:15 in the new Barre Studio at MINT Dupont with Moriah Childers. Yoga for Big Kids is a class for kids around 4 years old and up with a care-giver. Older siblings are welcome, but please let your instructor know first. Explore yoga together! Learn yoga songs, games and poses that you will enjoy together and be able to practice at home!

NEW on Sundays:

Fundamentals of Flow (beginners welcome!) – new class to introduce students to the basics of vinyasa flow class, Sundays, 10 am (i hour) in the main studio at MINT Dupont with Kristin Adair.

Vinyasa Flow (mixed levels) – Sunday flow class with adjustments for all levels, Sunday, 11:10 am (75 min) the main studio at MINT Dupont with Kristin Adair. We will start this class as mixed levels and if we find that we can ramp up to a more intermediate or advanced class we can make that adjustment as needed.

Both of these classes (and all yoga classes at MINT) are included with MINT class-access memberships. Non-members can purchase our traditional class packages.

Learn more about our yoga program, our amazing yoga instructors and browse our full yoga schedule at both studios here.

Deskercise: How to Exercise at Work

September 30, 2016 by mint-sk

We all know that sitting for too long isn’t good for your health. Insert the century of at work fitness. First, it was the ball-chairs that keep your core engaged during your 9-5. Then it was the stand-up desks. I’ve heard rumors of friends of friends who have co-workers using treadmill desks, but I have yet to see one. What does all this mean? We’re craving activity at work.

From dips to planks there are an array of activities that you can do during the workday. The key to incorporating exercise into your routine? Schedule them on your calendar and/or find a buddy to do them with you. My suggestion? Start with doing something twice a day, once before lunch and the other in the afternoon. Expert tip: don’t schedule them on the hour. That’s when meetings start. Have them 5 minutes before the hour instead.

screen-shot-2016-09-27-at-9-03-25-pm — *Becky and her co-workers give new meaning to the word “teamwork.”*

My office does push-ups (click the link for proof!) when we’re sluggish after lunch. Someone will sense the low energy and promptly announce that it’s push-up time. If you aren’t on the phone or otherwise engaged, you assume the position. Feet in your office, hands in the hallway and we count. We do them in sync, with lots of variation in form. When we started there were some who did them from a kneeled angle, and now, we even have some who have upgraded to clapping push-ups. Doing them regularly has allowed each person to demonstrate growth, no matter where we each started.

Whether you do wall-sits or seated leg raises, try adding something new to your deskercise routine. You’ll be surprised at how well office supplies double as dumbbells, or other exercise props, from paper weights to reams of paper you can find all sorts of things to pick and put back down as part of a weigh-inclusion routine. See how creative you can get!

NEW on Saturdays:

NEW on Sundays:

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