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Home > yoga

More Than a Physical Practice

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January 4, 2017 by mint-sk

Yoga is so much more than an awesome physical practice—it’s also a philosophy.  Sometimes, yoga teachers will take the time in the beginning of class during intention-setting, or towards the end of class, to discuss a yogic principle.  The basis of many of these principles is Patanjali’s Eight-Limbed Path, described in his Yoga Sutras.  Pantanjali was basically the father of modern yoga.  He’s kind of a big deal in the yoga world.  His wisdom, from over 1700 years ago, is still very relevant in today’s world.

yogastudio

 

The first two limbs of Patanjali’s Eight-Limbed Path are the yamas (restraints) and the niyamas (inward observances).  Here, we are going to look at a couple of the yamas.

 

There are five yamas:  ahimsa (nonharming); satya (truthfulness); asteya (nonstealing); brachmacharya (chastity); and aparigraha (non-attachment/greedlessness).  My favorites to teach are ahimsa and aparigraha.

 

Ahimsa means “nonharming.”  This not only applies to others—like restraining from physically striking another person, or verbally abusing someone—it also applies to how we treat ourselves.  How often do we let a self-defeating thought enter our mind, or ruin our day?  That’s not practicing ahimsa.  Pursuing ahimsa also means treating yourself with loving-kindness, and taking the steps needed to practice self-care.  This also applies to how you approach fitness in general.  For example, practicing ahimsa means easing up on the elliptical when your knee feels wonky, or opting for a night off when you accidentally pull something in your shoulder and need time to recover.   Ahimsa tells us to listen to our bodies and treat them well.

 

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Aparigraha is another favorite of mine—partially because it is fun to say (“ah-par-ee-gra-ha”), and also because of the story my yoga teacher uses to teach this principle in class.  The story was about a monkey and a jar filled with peanuts.  The jar’s opening was such that the monkey could slip his hand inside, but once he made a fist to pick up the peanuts he could not remove his hand from the jar.  In essence, he was stuck.  Trapped.  Hunters had set out the jar to capture the monkey.  While the monkey had time to escape when he saw the hunters coming for him, he just couldn’t bring himself to let go of the peanuts and free himself.  Aparigraha teaches us to not be that monkey.  Don’t hold on to things that no longer serve you—things that ultimately trap you.  Again, like ahimsa, aparigraha translates to life off the mat too.  Aparigraha can also apply to how you approach your fitness regime—are you clinging to an unrealistic body image or weight goal that is ultimately not serving you?  The princple of aparigraha tells us to let go of the things and thoughts that trap us so that we can be our best selves.

The yamas, of course, have implications for your yoga practice as well.  For example, on the mat, ahimsa means listening to your body and not pushing past your comfort zone to the point of hurting yourself.  Aparigraha might mean letting go of a thought that is keeping you from fully releasing into the practice and accessing all of the yummy benefits yoga has to offer.

 

Reading about yoga is a great way to learn more about the practice, but taking a class is a great way to explore the practice “in-action” 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.
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.

Filed Under: Club News Tagged With: dc yoga studios, fitness, health, strength, wellness, yoga, yogis

2016 at MINT: By the Numbers

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December 27, 2016 by mint-sk

screen-shot-2016-12-20-at-2-30-49-pm

Another year is coming to an end… and we’ve had a blast! Here’s what our year looked like at MINT… by the numbers!

4

new class studios/areas added

7,293

MINT classes conducted

888

pounds of complimentary coffee consumed

8,304

Power Playground class attendees

15,436

MINTFuze and cycle class attendees

11,445

yoga class attendees

6,756

barre class attendees

1,485

training sessions by Master Trainer, Mary Dorsch

512

visits to the club by Jennifer M. (Yes, really!)

628

rascal visits at the MINTkids childcare center

657

page views on the most popular blog post, Breathing and Running,
part of a Just Breathe series by MINT instructor, Piper Hendricks

 

Filed Under: Club News Tagged With: 2016, barre, cycle, fitness, goals, MINT, new year, power playground, wellness, yoga

Yoga Alignment Blog Series: Fire Log Pose, Agnistambhasana

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December 26, 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 Fire Log Pose, or Agnistambhasana.

Fire Log Pose, Agnistambhasana
Fire Log Pose, Agnistambhasana
  • Start in a gentle cross-legged sitting pose.
  • The lower half of your legs will stack like fire logs in this position (hence the name of the pose).
  • Take the left leg and rest it on top of the right leg. Flex both feet to protect the knees.
  • If your left knee doesn’t quite reach your right foot, use a blanket to support the knee.
  • Sit up tall stretching through the spine, and then fold forward. Again, if your left knee isn’t quite reaching your right foot comfortably, bend towards that knee.  If you are warm enough in the body, you can stretch straight out 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.
  • This pose is a great alternative to resting half-pigeon—both give the glutes a nice stretch.

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.
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.

Filed Under: Club News Tagged With: alignment, dc yogis, yoga, yoga pose, yogi, yogis

Yoga Alignment Workshop Series: Boat Pose, Navasana

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December 14, 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 Boat Pose, or Navasana.

Boat Pose, Navasana
Boat Pose, Navasana
  • Sit on the mat, stretching the legs straight out in front of you.
  • 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.
  • Raise the legs, bringing your body into a “V” shape. If this is too intense on your back, generously bend your knees. If this is still too intense, you can gently rest your feet on the floor, keeping your knees bent.
  • Toes are spread wide and feet are flexed.
  • Arms are stretched out in front, palms face up.
  • Spin is straight, shoulders roll back and down the spin, should blades come together at the midline. The heart shines towards the ceiling.
  • Release any unnecessary tension in your neck and face.
  • This pose is a great for abdominal toning, and also helps improve back strength.

 

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.
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.

Filed Under: Club News, Fitness Tagged With: alignment, boat pose, workshop, yoga, yogi

Yoga Alignment Alignment Series: Tree Pose, Vrksasana

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December 7, 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 Tree Pose, or Vrksasana.

Tree Pose, Vrksasana
Tree Pose, Vrksasana
  • Stand in tadasana at the top of your mat.
  • Bend the right leg, and place the foot at the left ankle, calf, or upper thigh. Never rest the foot directly on the knee.
  • Raise your arms towards the sky. Shoulders roll up and down the spin, away from the ears. Shoulder blades come together at the midline.
  • Arms slightly externally rotate, meaning that palms begin to face towards the back of the mat.
  • Hip points should face out equally in front of you, and your bent knee should extend towards the right.
  • Release any unnecessary tension in your neck and face.
  • For a challenge, try balancing while closing your eyes, and/or gently swaying your arms like a tree in the wind.
  • 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. 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.

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: alignment, dc yogis, fitness, health, mint yoga, wellness, yoga, yogis

Yoga Alignment Workshop Series: Child’s Pose, Balasana

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November 30, 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 Child’s Pose, or Balasana.

Child’s Pose, Balasana
Child’s Pose, Balasana
  • This pose is amazing. It is a resting pose in most vinyasa classes (you can take it at any time you need a break during class!), and is also frequently employed in restorative yoga sessions.  If you suffer from anxiety or insomnia, a few minutes of deep, calming breaths in child’s pose really helps support the parasympathetic nervous system and relax your body and mind.
  • Bring your knees mat-distance apart, big toes touching.
  • Gently fold forward, allowing your heart to sink towards the mat.
  • Stretch your arms out in front of you, fingers spread wide and fingertips gently gripping into the mat.
  • Forehead rests on the mat.
  • Close the eyes.
  • Release any unnecessary tension in your neck and face.

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. 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.

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: child's pose, dc yogis, MINTyoga, yoga, yoga alignment, yogis

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