Was a bit concerned when I decide to start the 70 minute class as I did not feel super energetic, but the clas progresses pretty slow at first and is never overwhelming. It is not your standard power yoga with lots of sun salutes, fast paced segments, etc. it has more of a meditative character, with lots of reminders to return to the intention you set for the class. Greta to get out of your body and head and into your heart. Very fitting to have donation based class be centered around Meta

I liked the actual exercises and I think it s great to hold some positions for a long time. It helps to perfect the posture, develop the muscles, and concentrate. I disliked the commentary. The problem for me was not that it was too preachy, but that is was too negative. Psychologically, we react negatively to words like affliction, disease, hate, etc. even if there is a "not" or "no" in front of them. Stating things in the positive: loving kindness, empathy, cooperation, support, etc. would have been more uplifting. The second time through, I put my own music on and tuned out Darnelle when she was not talking about postures.

This is a very relaxing and centering class, but still somewhat challenging since the poses are held so long. Just what I was looking for today!

I thought this class was slow and somewhat frustrating. I wouldn t classify it as an Intermediate class given the slow speed, but some of the poses were definitely north of Beginner. We held the poses for so long that they became uncomfortable and I would have appreciated less talking and more instructing.

Very challenging for intermediate level, but really good flow. I found the mantra stuff distracting as well-trying to stay up in poses AND listen to Dawnelle was a little too much for my brain! I would have appreciated more silence, less talking, even though the poses themselves were challenging and energizing.

I stopped about 3/4 way through and just melted into my mat--tired out and as relaxed as I ve been for a looong time! As a Christian, it s a challenge to keep the meditation stuff Christ centered rather than worldly, but it s pretty much the same message Jesus shared, to love others as you love yourself. Great class to be enjoyed again and again.

I d give this 5 stars, except that Dawnelle forgets to do dancer s pose on the left side.

I did the 35 minute class. Though I generally really like Dawnelle, the class was very basic and slow, not at all rigorous .

While others have found the mantra enjoyable, I found it preachy, repetitive, and extremely irritating. Too much preaching, not enough flow. I do yoga because the physicality naturally induces feelings of happiness and compassion - that s the point, right? If I want a sermon telling me to feel and practice these things, I ll go to church. I wound up more irritated by the end of the session than I was at the start.

Deleted from my playlist.

I did the 70 minute donation class. The beginning meditation/warm-up was very slow, but it fit well with the mantra of the class and with the pace overall. The asanas were fairly basic, but some postures were sustained for quite a bit. Dawnelle encouraged movement even in fixed poses through breath and subtle alignment cuing. The repetition of the class mantra was valuable, but it did get a little, well, repetitive. Overall, I left my mat feeling very peaceful and breathing deeply, strong and supple, like I had been challenged exactly how I needed to be that day. I feel that the focus on the class mantra and Dawnelle’s great cuing helped me connect my spirit to my practice in order to really fine-tune the class to my own vibration. This is one I will come back to for inner balancing.

This is a gorgeous and challenging moving meditation that focuses on Metta, loving kindness. Dawnelle does a beautiful job of guiding the meditation while teaching the poses. There is time to breathe into each one and to focus on the concepts. I found it intense and spiritually moving. Some of the poses were a bit advanced for me, which I liked, I’ll learn them. I felt both empowered and calm when I was finished. I look forward to this practice again. Namaste.