According to the article “Ritual [Further Considerations]” in the Encyclopedia of Religion, “The term ritual remains difficult to define...For these reasons, ritual has been identified in many unexpected places” (Bell, web). However, if we consider what Mircea Eliade has to say about ritual within a culture, we can identify that one use of ritual is to manifest the sacred in an otherwise profane world, what he would term “heirophany...or that something sacred shows itself to us” (Eliade, 11). Through the yoga asana practices of our modern day, students are able to create this heirophany within themselves and experience not just the space in which they practice as sacred, but their own existence becomes sacred as the yoga practice allows the manifestation of the sacred to irrupt within them. As they do this, they move within their own life as an embodiment of the sacred, which gives the practitioner an elevated state of mind. What Patanjali would call in the Yoga Sutra “chitta prasadanam” or, blessed mind-stuff (Yoga Sutra 1.33). In his article on Yoga in The Encyclopedia of Religion, Eliade states that through the practice of asana, “one arrives at a certain neutralization of the senses; consciousness is no longer troubled by the presence of the body. Furthermore, a tendency toward "unification" and "totalization" is typical of all yogic practices. Their goal is the transcendence (or the abolition) of the human condition” (Eliade, Yoga, web). As Eliade discusses in his book, The Sacred and the Profane, the irruption of the sacred from the profane can occur just about anywhere. Within the yogic practices, the irruption occurs internally as the practitioner uses the tools of yoga to shed any profanity, or impurity (in Sanskrit, avidya) within the body and mind in order to view oneself and one’s very own existence as sacred. While yoga practitioners may not initially join their local yoga studio expressly for this benefit, this benefit, nonetheless arises. Generally, the initial pull into the yoga studio is the physical ritual itself and its more physical benefits of greater flexibility and health. The primary yoga practice of this modern day phenomenon is asana, literally “seat” in Sanskrit and it is the physical movements that often resemble a fancy combination of acrobatics and aerobics. This is a very modern development of the practice of asana, as initially the practice was the seat of meditation. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes asana as a way to singularly focus the body to and “is the first concrete step taken with a view to abolishing the modalities peculiar to the human condition” (Eliade, Yoga, web). As modern day yoga practitioners move through their various asanas, or postures, with one another in a studio, or even guided in their living room by one of the popular contemporary instructors via DVD or video streaming, they are doing a practice that helps them refocus their entire body and mind away from the mundane, or what Eliade would call the profane, in order to elevate their consciousness and reinsert themselves into their lives after the practice as a more sacralized human being. The practice of yoga is a mystical one, meaning it is an internalized process of using the body to create a physical experience that will elevate the practitioner’s mind and state of wellbeing. All of the various practices of yoga will do this, though the contemporary focus is on asana. And so, millions of practitioners flock to yoga asana practice and move and breathe together creating a modern, ritualized expression of the millenia-old yoga practice. The style of modern day yoga is largely a physical one consisting of postures known in the lexicon as asanas. These asanas move the body in various ways giving the yogi (one who practices yoga) not only flexibility and strength, but also a movement practice that allows them to embody yoga’s deeper benefits. The general course of a group yoga class in the various venues throughout the country will start with students in some kind of seated, or grounded position. From there, students typically warm up in a movement style called a “sun salutation.” This series reflects a type of full-body prayer or prostration done by pilgrims in India throughout the millennia, with the body beginning initially in a standing position, and eventually making its way to a type of bow where the body is closer to the ground, eventually coming back up to stand. The class then progresses with various postures that represent various forms of nature. There are bird poses, sage poses, angular poses, poses to different Hindu deities, and all these postures help the practitioner to experience themselves as each of these aspects of their world. The practitioner embodies the tree in tree pose, learns how the bird tucks its wings underneath him in crane pose, and finds the three angles in his or her own body in a triangle pose. Each of these asanas gives not only a physical experience of embodiment, but also a psychological opportunity to shed the ego and experience oneself as a part of a greater continuum. As a physical ritual, the practice concludes with corpse pose, known as shavasana in Sanskrit, where the practitioner emulates a dead body by lying quietly and statically on the ground for a period of time. This little death symbolically ends the physical ritual by allowing the practitioner’s physical body to relax, and his or her psychological body to release any lingering hold by the ego, reflecting what Eliade said, in order to “transcend the human condition.” (Eliade, Yoga, web). And while many practitioners may not initially come to the physical practice of yoga in order to “transcend the human condition” and sacralize their life-experience in their world, many are lead to the deeper aspects of yoga simply through the physical ritual of the practice. The asana itself, with its integration of movement and breath, its ritualized group enactment and its place in yoga studios, which have swiftly become the new community centers of the modern era, eventually lead many of the most skeptical yogis to a deeper awareness of their physical, mental and psychological well-being. According to a study by Smith, Greer, et al, “participants in both the integrated and exercise yoga groups experienced decreased depression and stress, an increased sense of hopefulness, and increased flexibility compared to the control group” (Smith, EBSCO). Essentially, the yoga always does its job whether the practitioner comes to the practice hoping for an elevated state of mind (chitta prasadanam in Sanskrit), or whether the practitioner only intended to get a decent stretch and effective workout. In terms of Eliade’s description of ritual as an irruption of the sacred, the benefits of yoga elevate the state of mind of the practitioner, resulting in their experience of themselves as sacred. Yoga practitioners begin their practice in a different state of mind than when they leave it, no matter whether they show up simply for the physical benefits or not, the yoga essentially accomplishes its own goal of creating internal sacrality within the yogi, or as Eliade states, yoga ‘always has a soteriological purpose, for it is by knowledge of ultimate reality that humanity, casting off the illusions of the world of phenomena, awakens and discovers the true nature of spirit (ātman, puruṣa)” (Eliade, Yoga, web). As an embodied ritual, yoga has the potential to elevate the yogi out of their mundane experience to experience all life as sacred, as that is how they will view it from the lens of their own elevated state of mind. By Alanna Kaivalya
Alanna Kaivalya, has a mission: to convey a sense of joy and freedom through harmony and synchronicity, which she does beautifully through her classes, workshops, writing, and music. Alanna is known for her ability to translate the ancient practice of yoga into a modern day context. Visit Alanna's website and learn about the Kaivalya Yoga Method at AlannaK.com. Check out Alanna's newest book, Sacred Sound!
Click here for Alanna's complete listing of classes available at YogaDownload.com!
Works Cited
Bell, Catherine M. "Ritual [Further Considerations]." Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 11. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 7848-7856. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. Eliade, Mircea, and Willard R. Trask. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1959. Print. Eliade, Mircea. "Yoga." Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 14. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 9893-9897. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. Smith, Andy J., Tammy Greer, and Timothy Sheets. "Is There More to Yoga Than Exercise?" Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine 17.3 (2011): 22-29.Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. "Yoga Statistics." Statistic Brain RSS. N.p., 12 July 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2013.
Get creative. Have fun. Use what’s in your refrigerator. And let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear about your favorite Buddha Bowl creations and if you give millet a thumbs up!
By Julie Peláez and Jo Schaalman
Jo Schaalman and Julie Peláez are co-authors of the book The Conscious Cleanse: Lose Weight, Heal Your Body, and Transform Your Life in 14 Days, a best-selling, step-by-step guide to help you live your most vibrant life. Together they’ve lead thousands of people through their online supported cleanse through their accessible and light-hearted approach. They’ve been dubbed “the real deal” by founder and chief creative director Bobbi Brown, of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, beauty editor of the TODAY show. To learn more about “Jo and Jules” and to download a free e-cookbook for a sampling of the delicious food served up on the Conscious Cleanse, please visit consciouscleanse.com.
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Connect to Core - Jo Schaalman
Hot Yoga Detox Class - Julie Peláez
Yoga is a practice of uniting mind and body in order to connect to our highest self. Although not always in alignment, the mind and body always influence each other. Often we use our mind to rationalize and cut off the signals we receive from our body. We excuse aches, pains, and illness as something that is happening to us separate from thoughts, experience, and stored emotional trauma. When we prevent the mind/body from aligning, we live in a disjointed state never fully functioning as our optimal self. Disjointed, we are like Kubera unable to give to ourselves, or to others, from a state of pure selfless service. In yoga classes, we are frequently asked to release attachments to our past. We are asked to let go of regrets, ego, and anxiety caused by our actions and choices. Other than to tune into our breath, we are rarely instructed how to release old traumas. Often breathing in the new and exhaling out the old is not enough. Our ego clings to the past because much of our identity lies in what already has occurred. Our body stores memories and experiences. Anyone who has moved into a yoga pose and suddenly experienced anger, grief, or joy can attest to this. Recently, in savasana, memories two decades old came back to me. As a college undergraduate I was involved in an unhealthy relationship. I recalled how I allowed my whole being be hijacked by another person. Unable to escape the thoughts, I cringed that I was ever in such a low, dark place. Throughout the years, thoughts from my college relationship would appear and my habitual reaction was to recoil and stuff them into a closet in my heart. I believed hiding them would help them disappear. In savasana, I let the memories flood in. I felt the shame and humiliation. My skin prickled, got hot, and my breathing grew rapid. I surrendered into the moment. Then the unexpected happened. I saw everything in my life since that relationship: breaking down, getting up, moving on, growing up and growing out. The soul-searching and confusion contributed to my growth. Who I am now is because of who I was then. As I acknowledged this, I witnessed the shame and humiliation disappear. My ego no longer attached to the victim image and I felt lighter…happier. I felt bliss. For us to grow, to give, to selflessly love, we must remove the obstacles that keep us divided from our most compassionate and brightest Self. Like Ganesha, we are not satisfied by egotistic tendencies that oftentimes drive our habitual behaviors. There is no one way a teacher can instruct a student to release attachments. This can only be done through one’s readiness to wholeheartedly surrender into body, mind, and spirit.
By Kimi Marin
Kimi has a master’s degree in literature and loves to combine the power of stories with yoga. Her Yogic Lore workshops are a fun combination of stories, asana, meditation, and mantra. Kimi was featured in Origin Magazine’s Inspire Series and was the featured ambassador for Ahnu Footwear June 2013. Visit www.kimimarinyoga.com
Begin your inward journey with the following YogaDownload Classes:
Gentle Hatha 5 - Jackie Casal Mahrou Yoga to Unwind - Kylie Larson
Vata's are usually smaller, petite framed and lose weight very easily. When they are out of balance, they have intermittent digestion, constipation, drop weight or hold it in their hips, and feel stressed, ungrounded, and frazzled. When they are in balance, they are creative and great multi-taskers. Pitta's are usually a medium, athletic build and can be quite fiery when out of balance. An unbalanced Pitta can have a temper, break out in rashes, and suffer form heartburn or huge surges of hunger. Pitta's have good digestion that when imbalanced, becomes slightly fiery in the form of indigestion and heartburn. A pitta who is in balance is sharp, strong, and has a fantastic memory. Kapha's tend to be larger framed, both taller and larger bone structure. Kapha's tend to gain weight easily and have sluggish digestion. A kapha who is out of balance can become super mellow and not get much done. A kapha who is in balance has high energy reserves and is mellow without becoming lazy.
By figuring out with dosha you are, or what combination of doshas you are, you can learn to balance your digestion, your weight, and your energy levels. To find out which dosha you most likely are, head over to one of these resources: Deepak Chopra Quiz John Douillard Quiz Joyful Belly Ayurveda Just remember that while these are great tools, they are not medical advice nor are they as thorough as seeing an Ayurvedic Practitioner. This is more of way to pinpoint where you might be at right now, and what might be throwing you off-balance or away from health. By Jessi Andricks Jessi Andricks is a Charleston, SC area yoga and fitness teacher. She specializes in a mind-body approach to fitness, to help people regain their energy and learn to fuel their lives through exercise, whole foods, and holisitic habits. Read more about Jessie at thehouseofhealthy.com.
“My passion on the mat is proper alignment, powerful breath and effortless flow so you feel that off your mat. Your practice becomes sacred space where you arrive to find more meaning, depth, authenticity and integrity in your life."
- Dana Damara: mother, author, yoga instructor, speaker and yogini. Visit www.danadamara.com
How could we not start by talking about 15 year old Russian figure skating phenom Yulia Lipnitskaia? She might be double jointed everywhere, but she gives elegant new meaning to what’s humanly possible. Work toward her standing split backbend in Backbend Into Your Morning with Mimi Ferraro (55 min Intermediate class for $2.99).
The aptly named Skeleton event involves racing head first down an icy slope at 70 miles an hour on a plastic yoga mat,which is an exercise in control, trust, a heck of a lot of bravery and a strong upper back. Follow in Great Britain’s Shelley Rudman’s tracks with a healing practice, Jackie Casal Mahrou’s Yoga For Back Pain 2 (30 minute All Levels class for $1.99).
It isn't called a power pose for nothing. Chair strengthens the thighs, calves, ankles and spine, reminding downhill skier Bode Miller to breathe for stamina. Find it abundantly in Dawnelle Arthur’s Power Vinyasa Flow 2 (45 min Intermediate class for $1.99).
USA Snowboarder Shaun White knows his way around Utkatasana variations. Make space in your body to get down the mountain with speed and style, with help from Twisting Out Negativity and Doubt with Nancy Nielsen (20 min Intermediate class FREE).
Russian goalie Sergei Bobrovski expertly demonstrates the full yoga split. This hip opener is highly beneficial for the hamstrings, groin and pelvic floor muscles. Find it in Hips and Hams with Channing Grivas (60 min Adv. Intermediate class for $2.99).
Curlers (the player who releases the stone toward the target) are well practiced in Crescent Lunge, but did you know that many players also use the throw as an opportunity for a deeper hip opener? Here, Canada’s Cheryl Bernard demonstrates Lizard, also found in Danielle Diamond’s Xen Strength Yoga with Weights (30 min Adv. Intermediate class for $2.99).
By Anitra Lahiri Anitra Lahiri is an avid Yogi, Yoga Instructor, mother, and writer who strives (and often fails!) to infuse all aspects of her life with Yoga philosophy and practice. Her Yoga blog, Under the Lotus Tree, is for anyone who simply wants to live a healthier, more meaningful life. Read more from Anitra at her blog - underthelotustree.com.
This smoothie recipe is especially useful if you’re trying to fill your kids and loved ones up with healthy food and they tend to resist. You can hide almost anything behind Peanut Butter + Chocolate. Smoothies are the simplest way to pack a big nutritional punch and this is a delightful recipe to do it.
Jessica Wyman Executive Wealth and Wellness Chef Ingredients:
By Jessica Wyman
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessicaWymanWellness
The power of the mind is intriguing isn’t it? I mean, to take on the responsibility of your life is slightly daunting isn’t it? It’s much easier to blame people, circumstance, environment and your ancestors for what shows up in your life, isn’t it? Let me ask you this: Do you believe that our life is pre-destined or do you think we have a hand in what transpires? What a thoughtful question to ask yourself at this time on the planet. Personally, I believe we all show up with karma; an agenda if you will, that on a soul level, we want to clear. And this karma shows up throughout our lifetime. (Okay, lifetimes!) It presents itself as challenging situations, risk taking opportunities, day to day activities, and conditions that blow our heart wide open… pushing us to the depths of our being. Now, we have a choice: we can let them blow by, chalking them up to coincidence or we can breathe into them and witness the magic. We can point our finger outward or we can look inward and ask how we contributed to what is showing up and even deeper, why we created it. And you know, one way isn’t right and one isn’t wrong, it’s just a matter of how deep you really want to go with all of this. Ask yourself this question: “If I could be, do or contribute anything in this lifetime, without limits, what would it be?” First off, notice how quickly the mind comes in with its limits and restrictions, listing the reasons why you can’t be all that! It happens that fast…because mostly, those limiting beliefs are unconscious and they race through your mind like wildfire. Then ask yourself: “Is this idea or vision anywhere present in my life and if it’s not, why isn’t it?” This usually sets off what I like to call the “snow-globe effect”, where things start to get shaken up a bit. Nothing makes sense, however, underneath it all, it ALL makes sense; you’re just waiting for everything to settle. Because the truth is, we CAN create our lives. We DO create our lives. We ARE creating our lives. We are manifesting in every single moment, of every single day. Our thoughts truly do create our reality. And what’s funny is manifestation can happen in an instant or it can take some time. It’s really dependent upon how much we feel into that thought; how much we believe that thought and how much we are willing to clear from our life in order to allow that thought to manifest. What happens when we look at our lives and ask, “How did I get here?” An avalanche of unconscious beliefs has just come crashing down on us and is lying in a pile of rubble at our feet. And what is underneath is who we have been all along, but it’s seemingly new so it feels uncomfortable. It’s been safe and comfortable, living underneath that pile of rubble. Because you didn’t have be vulnerable, you didn’t have to take responsibility, you didn’t have to show your Self. What I have found, over the past few years though, is that once that initial avalanche falls, you feel… exposed. Life all of a sudden looks different. And honestly, you never really go back to “how did I get here.” You really don’t. You fall into the breath, slow-mo your life and feel it all. And in those moments, it’s like your life is flying across the ticker tape of your mind and you see all the choices you made that got you to that moment. You realize that you did create the situation you are in. You understand the power of your mind and your heart harmonizing in creation. And you feel pure reverence. It’s like time stands still and you witness that space…you SEE what choices made, what thoughts you thought, what words you said and what you wrote in the privacy of your own journal, that brought you right there…in that moment. And this is all REGARDLESS of what the moment is! Because you can’t attach to the moment! Not even for a second! That’s what usually throws people off… labeling the moment. Because if the ego comes in and labels the moment as good or bad, right or wrong, then the mind starts playing games…usually the blame game. Which never ends on an enlightened note. You’ve got to stay with the breath, that’s the only way…and in the heart which is where the breath lives anyway. It never ceases to amaze me, blow my mind or take my breath away: that acceptance of the power we possess. In an instant of being, when I am offered that space to notice, I am in full reverence for the pure magic of creation. In that long deep breath of awareness, I notice my words, my meditations and my vision boards. I see my circle of influence, my prayer, my heart and I realize I am in union with God, creating my life. You are an amazing manifester. What do you want to create? By Dana Damara
Hearts Wide Open
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This dish is a surefire hit for any super bowl party. No one will ever guess it’s healthy and can be your little secret. Don’t expect any leftovers when you take your casserole dish home. Here’s the deal about the creation of this recipe . . . I’m seeing maple and bacon combinations everywhere – especially on donuts! I’m certainly not suggesting you serve donuts and try to call that healthy. But this alternative could set that craving straight. WARNING! Donuts aren’t good for you – but this recipe is!!! WARNING! This recipe is really addictive. Just have one serving. You can always make it again. WARNING! Your family will ask you to make it over and over and over again. Before you get the recipe, let’s talk a minute about the ingredients... Sweet Potatoes: These orange little babes are packed full of nutrients (in addition to being nature’s candy). Vitamin C helps with immune health and with collagen building. Say hello to sexy youthful skin. Bacon: I know, to anyone who doesn’t eat Paleo, this probably sounds like a dirty word. While I don’t recommend a daily bacon habit, I do think it’s important to discuss bacon and what to look for. Most bacon is packed with toxins you do NOT want in your body. Here is what to look for: nitrate and nitrate free - Uncured. Buy ORGANIC and pasture raised when it comes to your bacon (all meat actually, it’s higher on the food chain). Bacon bonus: it’s high in choline which improves your memory, smarty pants. Cranberries: These tart little ladies are naturally high in fiber and low calorie. Ingredients: 2-3 pounds of sweet potatoes, cubed 1/2 pound of bacon, uncured-organic-nitrate & nitrite-free 1 tbsp dried rosemary, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2-1 cup dried cranberries 2 tbsp Grade B Maple Syrup Directions: Wash the sweet potatoes really well. You can peel if you prefer, but I like to leave the peel on to increase the fiber and nutrients. Plus it’s less work and I just call it “rustic” style cooking. Cube the sweet potatoes into about 1 inch pieces for faster cooking. Toss the sweet potatoes in the olive oil and chopped rosemary. Spread out on a shallow baking sheet or even a pretty casserole dish you can serve it in. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. While the sweet potatoes are roasting in the oven, cook the bacon on the stove-top. Over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is lightly crispy. What does that mean? You can crumble it and non of the fat is still squishy…but it’s not blackened yet. This doesn’t take long. Do NOT add any oil or grease to the pan. Set the bacon aside on paper towels so the fat can drain off and it will cool. Once cooled, chop the bacon into bits. After the 25 minutes of baking the sweet potatoes, remove from the oven and mix in the bacon bits, cranberries and maple syrup. Transfer to a serving dish. Serve and enjoy. Believe me, everyone will enjoy this. If you are vegetarian, simply omit the bacon and this dish is still just as delicious! Click here for a free copy of Jessica's popular eBook Sugar Free Treats. In fact, it’s full of recipes that could be excellent for your Super Bowl festivities. May the team you’re rooting for win!
Connect with Jessica at: Websites: www.JessicaWymanWellness.com www.HotMamaNutrition.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessicaWymanWellness www.facebook.com/HotMamaClub
This article has also been published on the Cozy Orange blog.
By April Laliberte
Energy Infused Yoga
Chakra Awareness Meditation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessicaWymanWellness www.facebook.com/HotMamaClub Click here for a free copy of Jessica's popular eBook Sugar Free Treats
Solar Flow 2 - Lisa Richards
By Celest Pereira
Celest is a trained dancer and martial artist with a BS in Physiotherapy and over 10 years yoga practice. Celest completed her Yoga Teacher Training in India in 2009 and has been teaching full time since then. Witnessing her classes really begin to buzz with increasing numbers of regular students she founded CITYOGI, a website aimed to make yoga more accessible to the city professional. Celest's greatest passion is to teach Vinyasa Flow Yoga. She has classes in top yoga centers in London, such as Triyoga and Evolve and regularly takes groups to exotic locations for yoga retreats.
Start letting in love in with the following classes from YogaDownload:
Robyn Parets is a journalist, editor, yoga teacher, and owner of two yoga-related businesses: Breathe Joy Yoga studio and Pretzel Kids, a trademarked children’s yoga brand. She also blogs about yoga, business and life in general and can be found at awayfromom.net.
Okay, we may be a little biased here, but we think that a YogaDownload gift certificate is the perfect gift for any yogi or yoga-curious person in your life! Bonus: between now and December 25th, you’ll get a gift certificate for yourself for half the purchase price of the original one for free!
Who doesn't love a good board game? Split Decision isn't your average board game, though. Forcing players to decide betweem "two equally plausible answers to eerily difficult questions," hilarious bewilderment is bound to ensue. $24.99 is a small price ton pay for such fun. Click here for Uncommon Goods' last-minute shipping options.
The yoga mats were rolled by the chimney with care, In hopes that there'd be 20 minutes to spare. The children were nagging, not going to bed, While visions of Wanderlust danced in my head. With hubs in his yoga pants and I in mine too, We were deeply in need of our Inner Guru. When up on the roof there arose such a blast, You’d think Shiva Rea was giving a free class! And what to my wondering third eye should I see, But Santa himself, breathing in Ujjayi. His hands placed in mudra, he looked so serene, Sitting in Lotus, right under the tree. “Santa!” I exclaimed, “how can this be?” “I came to align your chakras,” said he. He rose up to standing (His pants were see-through, He must have bought them last year at lulu). We rolled out our Mandukas and lit our inner flame, And he whistled and shouted each yoga pose name. “Now up dog, now down dog, now to chaturanga! On cobra, on cat/cow, on parsva bakasana!” The prana was flowing, my worries were gone, My mantra, “I am grateful,” carried me on. Santa, it seemed, was a wonderful mentor, The yoga was helping me come back to center. “Your practice need never be out of your sight, YogaDownload is with you, all day or all night.” And I heard him exclaim as he drove off in his sleigh, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all Namaste!”
Get grounded for the holidays with these YogaDownload classes: Gratitude Flow - Lauren Pech Ground into Essence - Alex Cordoba Gentle Hatha 5 - Deep Release - Jackie Casal Mahrou