Vinyasa style flow
Flow, open, stretch and release
Flow classes look and feel similar to a vinyasa style yoga class. The sequencing and poses move smoothly from one shape to the next helping both the body and mind to open, connect, and find balance.
Inspired by yoga, this class connects body and breath for a warming experience, building the strength your body needs so that it can safely stretch and release.
Why don’t we just call this yoga or a vinyasa class when it seems to be the “same thing?” Yoga is so much more than a form of exercise, but in the Western world, that’s often what we have come to think of it as. The practice of yoga extends far beyond the mat with many teachings including the 8 limb path. Western classes typically focus only on two of the limbs - Asana (the postures), and Pranayama (the breath). The Beat’s flow format is primarily a movement practice, and therefore we don’t feel right to call it a yoga class.
What is It?
Flowing, warming, low impact class that strengthen and stretches your muscles. Connecting body & breath, calming & refreshing.
Who is it for?
Beginner Friendly
Injury Friendly & Adaptable
Little to No Equipment Needed
What’s Required?
Yoga Mat
2 Foam yoga blocks (recommended)
Yoga props like straps and blankets can be useful but not necessary.
BENEFITS OF FLOW
Gentle strength training
Transitioning between standing poses, holding your arms out at shoulder height, and bodyweight moves build up strength in the body in a gentle, but consistent and effective way. In order for the body to release and stretch, it needs to know that it is safe. That means that to increase mobility and flexibility, we need to build strength as well! One of the safest and most functional way to strength train is with our own body weight. It increases our proprioception (knowing where our body is in space without having to look) and puts us on the path to aging well!
Breath & Body Connection
Many of the flow classes involve sequences where we are matching our breath to our movement in a 1:1 ratio. There are many benefits of moving this way including creating a mind-body connection, stress relieve by gently concentrating on the breath and movement to release anxious thoughts and worries, and even physical benefits like better pelvic floor connection and function.
Click here or on the image to try a belly breath technique.
Stress Relieving
Flow classes relieve stress in two ways - first is that we’re stretching out the muscles. Adding length where there is tightness through gentle stretches combined with increased blood flow when we move smoothly from one pose to another helps release physical stress and tightness in the body. Secondly, as mentioned above, combining the breath with the movements aids in relaxing our minds and creating a neutral mental state, focused in the present moment.
Click here or on the image to try some stretches to release stress and tension!
Feel good flows
Just like all of our formats, you’re always encouraged to work at your own pace. Whether you need to move slower or quicker to match your own breath, maybe you learned a variation of the same move from another teacher that feels SO GOOD for your body, or maybe you need to take a few more breaks throughout the class. All of that is welcomed and encouraged in our Flow classes. In our flows we often demonstrate variations to try and give you the information you need to know if it’s something you might want to give a go. We demonstrate options with props like blocks, straps and walls for balance, as well as different ranges of motion. It’s all about feeling good and getting into the flow!
Click here or on the image to see a (sped up!) version of a flow sequence.