Archive for the ‘Karma Yoga Center’ Category

Honoring Denver Yoga Teachers: Brooke Seiz

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Today I took Brooke Seiz’s All Levels Flow yoga class at Karma Yoga Center.

I arrived to class feeling harried. A busy day loomed ahead and a formidable to-do list cluttered my mind. I was planning my day down to the minute.

Brooke began her yoga class by asking us to set an intention for our practice. I set my intention towards peace and calm. The sweet steadiness of Brooke’s voice brought me closer to my intention, inviting me to slow down and steep in the power of my breath. Both the tone of Brooke’s voice and the tempo of her class coaxed me towards a different pace. My racing mind and rushing feet were quelled. My movements slowed and my breath deepened. Through the consistent calm of Brooke’s instruction and class, I felt myself softening to the moment and savoring instead of anticipating.

Time passed effortlessly until Brooke brought the class to a close. She ended class with a simple blessing: ”May you have peace. May you share peace with others. May peace guide you in your life – today and always.” Brooke’s blessing was all too fitting – a blessing for peace from a conduit of peace.

Have you taken Brooke’s class? Leave a comment! Also, Brooke will be subbing my Monday class at Karma next week. So, come check her out!

Have you experienced that kind of peace in class? What does it mean to you?

Posted in Brooke Seiz, By Denver Yoga Studios, By Denver Yoga Teacher, Denver Yoga Classes, Karma Yoga Center, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Honoring Denver Yoga Teachers: Lisa Schlelein

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Yesterday, I took the first class in my new blog project to highlight and celebrate other local yoga teachers in Denver. I went to Lisa Schlelein’s All Levels Flow class at Karma Yoga Center in Wash Park.

Summer has arrived in Denver and the heat was sticking to my skin by the time I arrived to this late afternoon class. Lisa’s theme for the practice focused on cooling the fiery pitta energy that often gets thrown off balance during the summer months. We began with some refreshing Sitali breath – a perfect start to a summertime practice.

Even as sweat dripped down my face throughout the class, I felt cool and centered. Lisa’s calm and balanced energy encouraged meditative movement through the poses. Her even pacing, clear and precise alignment instruction, and soothing voice guided us towards a peaceful, yet rigorous, practice. Throughout the class, Lisa made a point to note the physical and emotional benefits of the poses we moved through, further inspiring an attention towards reflection and purposeful action on our mats.

One of the things I love most in a yoga class is when I can tell that the teacher put careful thought into the sequencing of poses towards an apex pose. The obvious care and precision that Lisa brought to her sequencing made me feel honored and held. When a teacher takes the time to craft a class carefully, my heart soars. I feel as if the teacher has offered me a precious gift on my yoga mat. Lisa’s clear and unwavering focus on opening our hips and shoulders culminated in Dragonfly pose. Thanks to the care she put into the sequencing, the pose felt easeful and freeing when I arrived into it.

Lisa’s class was a true offering to her students. It confirmed for me the importance of this project. Lisa, like other great yoga teachers, carefully crafted her class as a means of honoring and uplifting her students. I hope that, through these posts on the beauty and power of the yoga classes in Denver, I can do the same for our local yoga teachers.

Here’s a picture of the beautiful Lisa Schlelein! If you have the chance to take her class, don’t miss it!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in By Denver Yoga Studios, By Denver Yoga Teacher, Denver Yoga Classes, Karma Yoga Center, Lisa Schlelein | 2 Comments »