Victoria Klein

Let me start by saying this is the first full version of the Bhagavad Gita that I’ve ever read, so I can’t make any comparisons to other translations. I have read many quotes from the text, but this is the first time I’ve read the whole Gita beginning to end.

That being said, this translation + brief commentary by Graham Schweig is phenomenal! 

I liken reading the Bhagavad Gita to reading Shakespeare - the text is rich with meaning, though it may be tough to grasp without extra insight. Schweig does a great job of providing a little bit of guidance while you let the text speak for itself. The final appendix, titled “On This Translation”, explains Schweig’s means of translating the ancient text + I highly appreciate how he did everything he could to maintain the text’s integrity + complexity when presenting it in English.

Having studied + practiced many of yoga’s core concepts, reading the Gita is a natural extension of delving deeper into the world of yoga. The Gita adds a much richer concept of what yoga is, compared to just reading the Yoga Sutras (which I’ve reviewed here + here).

Whether you’ve had an introduction to yoga or not, Schweig does a wonderful job making the Gita understandable - and you’ll likely be even more curious about yoga afterward! I can easily see myself reading + referring to this translation for many decades

Note: The Gita is a beautiful book for folks of all faiths to read, whether they consider themselves yogis or not. If you have devoted yourself to a particular religion or faith, keep an open mind when you read this book. Krishna, who is the highest God in the Hindu religion, can easily be seen as the God you have chosen to worship. Each religion has their own version of “the highest power”, but more often than not, they are preaching the same message: love one another + leave the Earth better than you found it.

What is your favorite translation of the Bhagavad Gita?

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I just finished this book + it is so wonderful that I don’t even know where to start this review. Experienced practitioner, total yoga newbie, + everyone in between can benefit from reading this book.

Having read Nischala’s book “The Secret Power of Yoga”, I already knew that I enjoyed her writing style + personal insights. Published 13 years ago (7 years before SPOY was published), HPOY draws on her experience in traditional yoga + modern medical settings to present a detailed plan to improve your mental, physical, + spiritual well-being.

There are oodles of wonderful yoga-related books on the market that delve in-depth into the historical writings + modern physical practices. This book is not one of them.

This book focuses more on the general lifestyle of yoga, as well as mental meditation, food meditation, gentle poses (asanas), breathing (pranayama), imagery, overall relaxation, + how to sleep peacefully. It may seem like a lot to cover in one book, but Nischala does it seamlessly. If this book came in a smaller size, I would carry it around in my purse at all times, consistently referring back to the countless passages I highlighted while reading it.

Being an introductory-style guide to yoga (especially geared towards disease prevention or reversal), my main concern was how the book would be written. I’ve read over 30 yoga books (which, in the grand scheme, isn’t that many) + at least half of them would have probably turned me off of yoga if I read them when I first started practicing. Delightfully, Nischala’s book does touch on spiritual + metaphysical aspects, but mainly stays in the realms of life that even a layman can relate to. In other words, anyone can read, understand, + apply this book to their lives.

I can’t say enough good things about this book, so I’ll end the review here. Go out, buy yourself a copy, keep a highlighter with you while you read it, + prepare to refer back to this book for the rest of your life - yeah, it’s that good. With an open mind, experience the book for yourself + allow it to affect you :)

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Online yoga classes are becoming more popular each day + are a great way to practice with teachers you may never have the chance to practice with in-person … but what are online yoga classes really like?

Are they safe?

Are they fun?

Are they engaging?

In this blog post series, “Online Yoga Class Review”, I invest my time + money to take online yoga classes - then I give you the nitty gritty, both from the perspective of a practitioner + a yoga teacher/instructor.

From Kundalini + Vinyasa to Yin + Restorative (+ so much more), I’ll try any yoga style + any teacher at least once - and then give you my honest, constructive feedback + finding those online yoga classes that you just gotta try :)

From YogaVibes.com:

This online yoga class starts with deep breathwork and slow stretches moving into a steady and slow standing sequence, ending with 25 minutes of restoratives, including chest openers and twists, and meditation. Take the inner journey into cleansing and heart opening. (84 mins.) 

Level 2 Vinyasa Flow, Restorative; Focus: Slow Flow, Chest Opening, Twisting

[Right-After-Class Impression]

Though I haven’t practiced with Hala Khouri in-person before, I am certainly aware of all the wonderful work she does as co-founder of Off The Mat, Into The World. 

This class was exceptionally wonderful, mostly because Hala reminds me so much of my own mentor, Danielle Osicki - not only because of her calming, supportive voice + chosen words, but also her sequencing + overall yoga style. Naturally, that made me feel quite comfortable while taking this class.

Starting the practice with prone poses (on the back) was definitely different. I was surprised when we did poses that most teachers do when the body is already very warmed up, such as Reclined Twist, Reclined Pigeon, + Bridge. Turns out warming up with those types of poses feels amazing.

Bonus: we did Lion’s Breath once in Cobra - nifty combo!

Toward the end of the standing sequence, Hala led us through an interesting, full-body tapping/cleansing practice. At first, it seemed a little awkward to do, but once we were done, I felt relaxed + energized at the same time - I think I’ll be doing this whenever I start to feel sluggish or scatterbrained!

There isn’t a note in the class description, but you’ll need 2 blocks, 1 strap, and a blanket for this practice. Thankfully, I already have these things on-hand, but some yogis might be irked when they get to the Restorative part of the practice + may not have what they need.

During the final seated meditation (+ I was tickled pink that it was included!), Hala keeps the microphone near her mouth, so you can hear her breathing, which can make it hard to focus on meditating. That being said, all you need to do is turn down your speakers and the sound is hardly audible.

Last but not least, here are a few quotes that struck my fancy:

Keep your mind in your body, present with whatever sensations are reveling themself to you. The better that we get, the more that it becomes a practice to be aware of the sensations in our body, the more that we’ll start to be guided by those embodied impulses and emotions; the more that we can cultivate an intuition that’s really based in present time and the signals that our body is giving us. Very often, our body is giving us signals, but we don’t listen, then we end up with chronic stomachaches, headaches, or even illnesses.

Spoken during the extended prone warm-up sequence, this really helps to set the tone for the entire class, reminding students to stay in their body, stay with the sensations that they are feeling - which is often the first thing we want to ignore.

Every posture is an opportunity for us to breathe more fully and to allow the breath to move into new places in the body.

Spoken towards the end of the prone warm-up sequence, this may be a short quote, but the meaning is very powerful. This is truly a core concept of + key reason to practice yoga!

So much of our culture right now is designed to keep us distracted and to tell us that we can’t tolerate being still.

Uh, definitely true! This is especially relevant to this class, which will likely be slower than what most practitioners are used to (unless you take Hatha, Ashtanga, or Iyengar-based classes). I often find myself trying to “waste time” instead of taking a momentary break between activities + enjoying the stillness - you should try it sometime! :)

[Next-Day Impression]

Day 2 + feeling fine. My hips + chest still feel very open, and Hala’s reminder to stay with the breath + be in each moment rings in my head (+ I mean that in the best possible way).

This is definitely a level 2 class because of the brief alignment cues given + the overall focus of the class (which includes breathwork, Restorative poses, spiritual language … etc.). Also, most new students find a slower flow class to be far more difficult than a fast-moving class, mostly because their mind is just as (or more!) active than their body + they want to drown it out.

On that note, try this class if you have some experience on the yoga mat + are ready for a different kind of mental + physical challenge.

Online yoga classes are becoming more popular each day + are a great way to practice with teachers you may never have the chance to practice with in-person … but what are online yoga classes really like?

Are they safe?

Are they fun?

Are they engaging?

In this blog post series, “Online Yoga Class Review”, I invest my time + money to take online yoga classes - then I give you the nitty gritty, both from the perspective of a practitioner + a yoga teacher/instructor.

From Kundalini + Vinyasa to Yin + Restorative (+ so much more), I’ll try any yoga style + any teacher at least once - and then give you my honest, constructive feedback + finding those online yoga classes that you just gotta try :)

From YogaVibes.com:

In Shala’s Yin yoga classes, you will target the connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. Postures will be held for several minutes at a time. Poses include several different pigeon variations, a reclining pose that will open the arches of your feet, and a cooling inversion. Shala cues modifications for all. You may want to have a block and blanket available. (60 mins.)

Level 1 Yin; Focus: Hip Opening

[Right-After-Class Impression]

I haven’t heard of Shala Worsley before, but I was instantly enamored with her when I found out that she teaches in Asheville, North Carolina - a city my husband + I almost moved to and adore.

This class is recorded in a beautiful space, though I was a bit thrown off when the recording of the class began right away in an opening seated meditation - it just felt a bit sudden with no intro. Thankfully, that “jolt” was the only unpleasant aspect - the rest of the class of delightful.

If you’ve never taken a Yin Yoga class, it is considerably slower than the ever-popular Vinyasa-style classes, but by no means easier. Unlike Restorative classes, which are known for being the most relaxing, Yin is a step up from that - it is relaxing, but it is also a challenging stretch.

While I agree that this is a level 1 class because the focus isn’t on sweating or strength, there were a few elements that might be foreign for a new yogi. During the warm-up, Shala talks about engaging the bandhas, though she doesn’t explain them in-depth. Also, she takes the class through a sequence of holding the breath (“square breath”, to be specific), which is also not usually recommended for newbies, though she also says that it is optional, so thumbs up for that. Finally, during Downward Facing Dog, she said, “general Down Dog alignment”, so I wouldn’t recommend this class for someone who has NEVER done yoga, but if you’ve had a few classes, you should feel safe.

Bonus: she included Lion’s Breath in a few poses! (which is cool just because I don’t see it very often)

Last but not least, here are a few quotes that struck my fancy:

As you inhale, feel like you’re breathing from the earth up the backs of your legs. As you exhale, feel like you’re breathing from your tailbone, down your back, off the top of your head toward the earth … Feel like you are breathing some strong, stable, cool earth energy up the backs of your legs & breathing out whatever stress and tension you’re carrying today, just let it roll off your spine … let the earth hold whatever you’ve got to let go of.

Spoken during Standing Forward Fold, this is an incredibly effective description to make the most of the stretching + calming effects of the pose - awesome!

As you get more and more relaxed, try not to space out. Enjoy the sensation of space you’re creating in your body, in the space you’re creating between your thoughts, but rather than floating into outer space, stay very present with everything going on … You’re feeling yourself relaxed and alert.

Spoken during an interesting pose which is a cross between Pigeon + a Reclined Twist, it is a wonderful-sounding + aptly timed reminder.

For the first minute of Savasana, see if you can notice the effects of all the poses, all the shapes, and all the breathwork. Notice places that feel alive and tingly and full, and the places that still might a little stuck, tense, or empty. Feel your body effortlessly bringing itself back into balance as it rests here on the ground.

Spoken at the very beginning of Savasana, this was a chance of pace. Normally, I get into Savasana + try to relax as fast as possible. By doing this short observance, I noticed where my body was still tight (upper + lower back) + where I was already relaxed, thanks to the class. Slowly but surely, my back began to relax + “open up” like the rest of my body was, allowing me a fuller, deeper sense of relaxation.

In the safe space of these few minutes of Savasana, let go of more than just your physical form. Let go of all the titles, roles, and responsibilities that you hold in this life. For these few minutes, put them down and feel who you are underneath … any title, any role that you play in life and the responsibilities that go with that role, as it occurs to you, strip it off like you’re peeling off a layer of clothing, and feel who are underneath, more and more free, for these few minutes in the safety of this space. Free. 

Spoken right after the previous quote, this quote deserved a space for itself. Some folks like to leave music on during Savasana, while others turn it off. Some folks like to have utter silence during Savasana, but some teachers present spectacular gems of wisdom during this time - and that is exactly what Shala did here. Sometimes, full silence during final relaxation feels wonderful, but this quote was a perfect ending to the rest of the class. As those titles, roles, and responsibilities were released, each felt like a layer of stress + symbolism peeling off of me, allowing for even deeper relaxation + a immense sense of peace with my core Self.

[Next-Day Impression]

I woke up feeling quite rested + “settled” into my body. Naturally, my joints + muscles were a bit tighter, but that happens when you sleep.

This is a delightful class that would be great for any yoga practitioner, provided you have taken a handful of classes + understand the general safe alignment for poses like Downward Facing Dog. Focused on hip opening, this class also stretches the core, glutes, legs, + a little bit of the shoulders. 

Shala’s class is going on my must-do-again list (+ definitely looking forward to trying the other 2 Yin classes she has on YogaVibes!).

It’s been 8 months since I graduated 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training + it’s time for an update. For a bit of history, read my check-in posts from 1-month + 3-months + 4-months.

Wow - it has been FOUR MONTHS since my last post in this series! As you’d expect, a lot has changed in those mere four months.

I am no longer teaching at 3 of the locations I was teaching at during the time of my last post. I started teaching at a new location in January … and now that opportunity is gone.

A key point I made in my last post:

I’m quickly discovering that I’d prefer to teach 1-3 classes as 2-3 different locations, instead of 1-2 classes at 5-6 different locations.

I LOVE the concept of developing a caring community with your students + that can be quite difficult to do when you are spread between so many different locations.

… and that still stands. At this point, I am only teaching regularly at 2 locations, both of which I adore immensely + intend to become a more significant part of in 2013. Sadly, I no longer have a steady (weekly) class that only I teach, which feels like a distinct step back in my teaching career.

That being said, I’m going with the flow + soaking up all the experience I can get as a teacher (both with students + behind-the-scenes). Hopefully, by 2013, my schedule will start to stabilize + I can narrow down my teaching locations + really create that sangha (community) I adore.

Well, 2013 is here + my schedule is anything but consistent. I’ve heard that having your schedule change numerous times a year is very normal for yoga teachers, so I try to keep that in mind. 

Gladly, I have found 2 yoga studios that I happily practice + teach at - now I just have to become an even greater part of their sangha + hopefully expand my teaching schedule there.

Also, 2013 has brought me the opportunity to take a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training program (more details in an upcoming post!), so having a somewhat open schedule is beneficial, as it gives me more time to read, study, + practice. 

My professional goal is to have a teaching schedule of 5 classes at no more than 3 locations, no more than 2 classes per week day + maybe 1 on the weekend. The 500 YTT will take up the majority of my professional studies this year, but I’d love to get certifications in Yin Yoga + Prenatal Yoga someday … maybe in 2014 :)

Online yoga classes are becoming more popular each day + are a great way to practice with teachers you may never have the chance to practice with in-person … but what are online yoga classes really like?

Are they safe?

Are they fun?

Are they engaging?

In this blog post series, “Online Yoga Class Review”, I invest my time + money to take online yoga classes - then I give you the nitty gritty, both from the perspective of a practitioner + a yoga teacher/instructor.

From Kundalini + Vinyasa to Yin + Restorative (+ so much more), I’ll try any yoga style + any teacher at least once - and then give you my honest, constructive feedback + finding those online yoga classes that you just gotta try :)

From YogaVibes.com:

Core Fusion® Yoga inspires students with a combination of yoga asana to raise the body’s heat and increase cardio endurance, intense core functional training to strengthen and tone the core, and Qi Gong movements and stretching to produce a state of inner calm and balance. You may want to have two blocks and a strap available for this practice in addition to a mat. Music provided by Audiosparx. (63 mins.)

Level 2 Core Fusion®; Focus: Core

[Right-After-Class Impression]

One word: oi!

I’ve heard of Core Fusion® Yoga before, but haven’t experienced it before this class. I think the description from the company’s website serves the practice well:

An athletic yoga practice incorporating elements of Core Fusion. Asanas are blended with additional legwork and core work to enhance the yogic challenge and breath awareness. This flowing yoga class will leave you sweating, strengthened, and stretched.

Translation: if you are looking for a “yoga workout”, this it it!

This is absolutely a level 2 class, with helpful but brief alignment cues which assume you have a familiarity with the poses already. A strong focus is given to core + gluteal/butt strength, so be ready to work hard. Also, there are a number of non-beginner poses (as I would call them), such as Standing Splits, Warrior 3, Plow, + Shoulderstand, just to name a few.

This practice is also a great example of how people can be easily injured in group yoga classes. A quick-moving, vinyasa-style class (with useful, albeit brief, alignment cues) is definitely not for a person who is new to yoga … but some folks will still try it anyway.

Full disclosure: I had to take brief breaks many times during this practice. Cardio + core strength are not my strong suits, but this was a wonderful challenge. This could be a great “benchmark” class to test the progression of cardio endurance + core strength development (similar to Gigi’s class that I reviewed).

All of that being said, if you have practiced yoga before, don’t hesitate to take the plunge + at least give this class a try - it really is a hoot! (Well, we’ll see if I say the same thing tomorrow, haha, + I doubt I’d be able to do a class like this every week).

Last but not least, here are a few quotes that struck my fancy:

Anytime throughout the hour, if you need to take a break, rest in Child’s Pose as long as you need to.

Spoken in the beginning of class, before the flowing + sweating began, it is always a joy to hear teachers remind students that it is OK to rest whenever you need it. Tammy spoke these words with sincerity + genuine encouragement for each yogi to listen to their own body in every moment (+ I certainly did!).

This entire hour, if your mind starts to wander, come back to the sound of your breath - let the breath initiate that transformation this hour.

It was a quick, short line, but holds so much meaning. Especially in vinyasa-style classes, the breath during a yoga practice (+ every moment of every day, for that matter) is far more important than any strength or endurance you have. No breath = no life. 

To be frank, it is quite difficult to let the mind wander during this particular class … but if that should happen, find your breath :)

The breath is so important here everyone … let the breath help you get out of your head and into your body.

Another short, but wonderful, reminder from Tammy. Like the breath, it is easy to let the mind take over during a yoga practice, analyzing + judging your every movement + posture (or lack thereof). Listen to your body - it may not speak as loud as your mind, but it is much more interesting to hear!

[Next-Day Impression]

One word: oi (again)! I woke up today with a sore back, core, butt, + shoulders … and I couldn’t be happier! My sore (but not painful) muscles remind me that I gave it my all + pushed both my body + mind further than they normally go. Change only happens outside of your comfort zone + this practice took me there.

This amazing practice is quite different from the yoga classes that I’m used to, but it is a nice change of pace + challenge. I’d certainly never recommend this class to a new yoga practitioner, but it is wonderful for those with a bit of history on the mat - specifically because of the quick, flowing nature of the class + ensuring you maintain safe form.