What is this "Baptiste Power Yoga" stuff about?
To turn a yoga flirtation into a yoga lifestyle, the asana of yoga had to land with me. Baptiste Power Yoga landed. Here's my ESSENTIAL reasons why:
- It's a WORKOUT - sweat (soaked), burn (about 500 calories in an hour), results (serious muscle tone)
- My MIND gets QUIET - I didn't know it was possible, but it happens. I come to my mat (sometimes unknowingly) stressed to the max, and when I leave, I've dropped it. It makes me a nicer me.
- My body BENEFITS - my running is better, my weightlifting is better, I get less injuries. Anyone (golfer, cyclist, runner, executive, whomever) will improve by doing this practice.
What is Yoga?
Diving deeper, what is "yoga?" From Sanskrit, "yoga" translates to "union." There's a lot of information out "there" about yoga - a web search can leave you captivated for hours. To simplify - yoga is a practice involving many different aspects of discipline (outlined in the Yoga Sutras, complied by the sage Patanjali, as the Eight Limbs of Ashtanga). Most people in the Western world who "practice" yoga" are doing asana - or the physical practice of poses - as their primary form of yoga. There are many different styles of yoga, some more physical, some more meditative. All styles of yoga are what you make of them - as deep or whole as you choose to delve.
So, that's the tip of the iceberg - there are some great links below to get you started on exploring more. For me, yoga, in all forms, is a great accent mark - something to help in getting deeper and better in whatever your focus is upon. And so, here's my FAVORITE definition of yoga that I've come across - "moving from one place to a better place."
So, that's the tip of the iceberg - there are some great links below to get you started on exploring more. For me, yoga, in all forms, is a great accent mark - something to help in getting deeper and better in whatever your focus is upon. And so, here's my FAVORITE definition of yoga that I've come across - "moving from one place to a better place."
What is Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga?
Now, what's "Baptiste Power Yoga?" It is a freaking workout. You're going to push yourself to YOUR edge - you're going to sweat (it is a warm room... 90 degrees... though not the 105 of Bikram... hot enough to get limber, but not so hot that we can't move). It's also a meditation, you're going to be flowing - like serious vinyasa - so your mind can't drift to your "to-do" list, you're too busy working on your yoga practice. And it's that - it's a practice. It's not a yoga-do, it's a yoga practice. And - most of all, it's going to push you to your edge, you're going to grow, not just physically, but deeply as an authentic version of yourself. It's awesome, it's for EVERYONE, and it's so powerful!
I'm trained in the yoga style of Baron Baptiste - I am a Baptiste Certified™ Instructor, which is a certification through the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute that (in addition to my Yoga Alliance RYT-200 training) requires much physical growth and much more personal inquiry growth. A core component of Baptiste yoga is feedback - giving and receiving it' being aware of myself and letting myself be seen. It is from this place that I empower my students - and watch out, I'm going to empower you.
Here's an overview of Baptiste Yoga by Sarah Smith from DoYouYoga.com:
Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga stands for leadership, community, service, possibility and transformation…on and off the mat.
Walt Baptiste and his son Baron founded Baptiste Yoga. The asana or physical parts of the practice are inspired by the teachings of Krishnamacharya and his students Iyengar and Desikachar, whom Baron Baptiste studied with personally from a young age. Baron took what he learned from these great eastern teachers and created a style of yoga that worked to empower, strengthen, and stretch the bodies and minds of modern westerners.
Elements And Structure: Baptiste Power Yoga has 3 main elements; asana, the physical practice of yoga postures; meditation, the practice of focusing the mind; and inquiry, the practice of self-transformation. These 3 elements encourage students to step into their full potential by discovering their passions, creativity, and developing the confidence to step into new and big possibilities in their lives.
The structure of each class is inspired by Baron’s book, “Journey into Power.” It provides a method, organization, and theme for each sequence of poses that are taught in class. The alignment principles are presented in clear and concise way, enabling students to experience the power associated with physicality, movement and breath.
Benefits Of Baptiste Yoga: Baptiste Power yoga practice will strengthen, stretch and transform your body. Through 60, 75, or 90 minute classes in a room heated to 90 degrees, students are encouraged and challenged to explore the possibilities within their physical bodies. The physical practice is accessible to people of all athletic abilities and from all walks of life.
Baptiste Power Yoga is the ultimate wake up call. This practice has the power to change lives, communities, and the world.
Baron Baptiste says "come into practice as you are, not as you think you should be" - all shoulds are removed in Power Yoga - only be better than who YOU were yesterday. It's not about the person next to you. It's not about being in-shape, or bendy, or young, or whatever you may be shoulding about yourself. It's about showing up, being a yes for yourself and for the community of people around you who SO support you. You'll grow, you'll get messy, you'll have a blast... and you'll get an awesome work out. Oh - and, I think you'll be a nicer, more joyful, more real version of you.
I'm trained in the yoga style of Baron Baptiste - I am a Baptiste Certified™ Instructor, which is a certification through the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute that (in addition to my Yoga Alliance RYT-200 training) requires much physical growth and much more personal inquiry growth. A core component of Baptiste yoga is feedback - giving and receiving it' being aware of myself and letting myself be seen. It is from this place that I empower my students - and watch out, I'm going to empower you.
Here's an overview of Baptiste Yoga by Sarah Smith from DoYouYoga.com:
Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga stands for leadership, community, service, possibility and transformation…on and off the mat.
Walt Baptiste and his son Baron founded Baptiste Yoga. The asana or physical parts of the practice are inspired by the teachings of Krishnamacharya and his students Iyengar and Desikachar, whom Baron Baptiste studied with personally from a young age. Baron took what he learned from these great eastern teachers and created a style of yoga that worked to empower, strengthen, and stretch the bodies and minds of modern westerners.
Elements And Structure: Baptiste Power Yoga has 3 main elements; asana, the physical practice of yoga postures; meditation, the practice of focusing the mind; and inquiry, the practice of self-transformation. These 3 elements encourage students to step into their full potential by discovering their passions, creativity, and developing the confidence to step into new and big possibilities in their lives.
The structure of each class is inspired by Baron’s book, “Journey into Power.” It provides a method, organization, and theme for each sequence of poses that are taught in class. The alignment principles are presented in clear and concise way, enabling students to experience the power associated with physicality, movement and breath.
Benefits Of Baptiste Yoga: Baptiste Power yoga practice will strengthen, stretch and transform your body. Through 60, 75, or 90 minute classes in a room heated to 90 degrees, students are encouraged and challenged to explore the possibilities within their physical bodies. The physical practice is accessible to people of all athletic abilities and from all walks of life.
Baptiste Power Yoga is the ultimate wake up call. This practice has the power to change lives, communities, and the world.
Baron Baptiste says "come into practice as you are, not as you think you should be" - all shoulds are removed in Power Yoga - only be better than who YOU were yesterday. It's not about the person next to you. It's not about being in-shape, or bendy, or young, or whatever you may be shoulding about yourself. It's about showing up, being a yes for yourself and for the community of people around you who SO support you. You'll grow, you'll get messy, you'll have a blast... and you'll get an awesome work out. Oh - and, I think you'll be a nicer, more joyful, more real version of you.