by ninaeliseh | Nov 1, 2016 | Blog, Yoga, Yoga Tutorials
Hi all!
Finally getting settled back into the states, and I have a little time to put on a few workshops! Melt Hot Yoga & Fitness will be hosting me at their studio for an arm balance series – check out the info below!
Part 1: December 4, 2016 2-3:30 pm:
Fundamentals of arm balances
We will explore the fundamentals of arm balances, focusing on drills for strength & flexibility. No experience required!
Part 2: December 18, 2016 2-3 pm:
Intermediate poses
Eka Pada Galavasana, Astavakrasana, Eka Pada Koundinyasana, and variations of crow/crane – building on the fundamentals of Part 1.
**Recommended to attend “Part 1” in the series before taking this workshop
Part 3: January 8, 2017 2-3 pm :
Advanced postures
Mayurasana, Pincha Mayurasana, Ganda Bherundasana – some experience needed.
**Recommended to attend “Part 2” in the series before taking this workshop
Sign up under the workshop tab at the link below! You can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 workshops!
by ninaeliseh | Aug 29, 2016 | Blog, Workshops, Yoga, YTT
Hi!
Earlier this year, I signed up for Shana Meyerson’s handstand workshop at GoYoga in Columbus. Shana is a bubbly, fun instructor all the way out in California (btw – her name is pronounced Shawn-a, not shane-a…. a mistake I made the entire time she was here… sorry Shana!!!). While I’ve never taken a class from her before, I have watched a few of her youtube videos, and I loved her teaching style (check her out, she has a ton of great videos for beginners to advanced!). So, once I heard she was coming out to Ohio, I immediately signed up to take her workshop!
Shana is a little different than a lot of yoga instructors – she is passionate about yoga obviously, but has such a fun, quirky personality that you can’t help but instantly like her. She wears her hair in 2 long braids all the time, and is very engaging while teaching – you won’t get bored!
Her 2.5 hour workshop was a lot different than other workshops I’ve taken – Kino MacGregor focused on a lot of strengthening drills, and Matt Giordano was more focused on anatomy/technical skills. Shana emphasized the strength of your core, as well as hamstring flexibility. We used the wall for the first half of class, and then the last half we were able to work without a wall. There were a few people that were able to find their balance for a little bit, which just shows how well Shana can teach handstands 🙂
While I am not a newbie to handstands, I am always looking to refine & improve what I can already do. I always learn from every teacher I encounter, and Shana was no different!
Afterwards, I grabbed dinner with her & 2 other women who attended the workshop. Shana was very down to earth, and I loved being able to connect with everyone! If you ever get the chance to pop in for a class while out in Los Angeles, California, check her out!
What has been your favorite workshop that you have ever taken? And why was it your favorite? Leave a comment below!
by ninaeliseh | Apr 25, 2016 | Blog, Workshops, Yoga
This past weekend, I attended a weekend workshop with Matt Giordano. A local studio always hosts really great teachers, and after a little research, I absolutely had to learn from this handstand master!
I took the 3 workshops below:
Shoulders: Boundless Freedom: 2 hours
Shoulder Openers Dissolve tension and tightness in your shoulders and learn the biomechanics that make it easy! Many of us fall into patterns where we believe if we continually repeat an action, our goals will eventually workout. This only rings true when we are repeating a recipe for success. Matt Giordano will offer you a yoga practice that gets you into your body and gives you a strong understanding of a complex joint that can otherwise be a bit of a mystery. Having rehabilitated his own shoulder from a nearly shattered collarbone and fractured scapula, Matt’s knowledge speaks from experience and an excitement to share the tools he has picked up along the way. Boundless Freedom is appropriate for all levels. This course can be used for therapeutic and/or advancement purposes.
Discover the Joy of Backbending: 2 hours
The back bending practice can be some of the trickiest poses in Yoga, and can seem like either something you just can or can not do. While some people naturally have more flexibility in an arched position others have to take a more studied approach. In this workshop we will go over techniques that will bring joy and ease to your back bending practice. Those that are less flexible will focus on techniques to unlock tension. Those that have an established back bending practice will be able to take themselves to a whole new level using precision in their approach!
Handstand!: 2 hours
Learning to handstand is a process, abundant with discovery and amazement. Whether this is your first inversion workshop or you are well versed in the art of handstands, brace yourself as we delve into alignment, work toward mastery of the shoulder girdle, and explore acrobatic principles so you can build confidence and manifest a greater sense of balance. You will learn exercises that unify body and mind to create a solid foundation for a lifetime of standing on your hands. As a group we will create a safe and transformative space that will be appropriate and for all levels of practice. Take your handstand practice to the next level!
Obligatory handstand pic 🙂
I’m always looking to learn new things about the anatomy of the body, and different & better ways of doing/teaching all things yoga. While I’ve been having shoulder issues, backbends are my least favorite thing to do, and handstands are my favorite thing to do, these workshops aren’t just for me… I love learning & expanding my knowledge for my yoga students! I’ve only been teaching for about a year, and I feel like I know nothing… I want to be able to teach my students the best & most safe ways to practice, and workshops provide a wealth of info to help me & my student’s progress!
Anyways – I have been to a lot – A LOT – of workshops from “famous” or well-known yogis, and this weekend has by far been the most beneficial out of any teacher I have ever learned from. The technical & anatomical breakdown was taught in such an easy way to understand – and if you didn’t understand it – Matt would take the time to work one-on-one with each person to figure out exactly what was going on. It was so refreshing to work with someone who genuinely loved teaching and helping people, no matter their level.
More specifically with my own issues – Matt was able to pinpoint shoulder weaknesses in my everyday practice AND handstand practice – something I have been trying to find answers for a while now. I know I am a pretty strong person, but there are areas of my practice I felt like I was hitting a wall. No other teacher was able to look at what I was doing and tell me exactly what I needed to work on, and now I know exactly what to focus on. I already pre-ordered the handstand strength training video series on his site – you’ll know where to find me as soon as it’s released!! (My apartment, locked up, phone turned off, for the next month until I see improvement from these videos LOL)
Overall, while I teach my own workshops, I know I still have so much to learn. Continuous yoga education is so humbling, and I love every second of it!
Has anyone taken a workshop with Matt? Or any other amazing yoga teacher? If not, what do YOU love to learn about, just for fun??
by ninaeliseh | Feb 23, 2016 | Blog, fitness, Health & Fitness, life, Workouts, Yoga
Hi!
As promised, I have been working on putting on more inversion workshops for all you wonderful Yogis!
Sunday, March 13th @ 1pm – Learn the basics of Crow & Arm Balances!
This workshop is perfect for anyone, whether you can do an arm balance or not. It’s all about breaking down the poses so they are easier (and less scary!) to get into 🙂
Check out the schedule & sign up here: Melt Hot Yoga Fitness in Westerville
Or the mind-body app on your phone
If arm balances aren’t your thing, don’t worry – I teach 2 different classes on Sunday mornings:
8 am: Melt Hot Power Vinyasa
This class brings together the strength challenge of holding postures for 5 breaths with the cardio challenge of flowing in between asanas. Practitioners should have a basic understanding of fundamental yoga postures, vinyasa style yoga and the unique style of Melt Hot Yoga.
9:30 am: Melt Hot Vinyasa Yoga 1
This is a great place to Learn the fundamentals of yoga postures and flowing in a vinyasa style, one breath, one movement.Taught to super chill tunes in a room heated to 99 degrees and 50 % humidity. This class is great for both beginners and advanced students wishing to deepen their understanding of vinyasa style yoga and to grow their understanding of the various asanas( poses) as well as learn the unique style of Melt Hot Yoga.
Remember, first timers can take their first yoga or fitness class for free!
See you all at Melt <3
by ninaeliseh | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog, fitness, Workouts, Yoga
After a busy December month, I was FINALLY able to secure a date to put on a handstand workshop! Put it on your calendars, folks: Sunday, January 24, at 1 pm.
Sign up HERE
Space is limited to the first 20 students – but don’t worry, if this isn’t a good time, or if you are wait-listed, there will be more! I will always post dates for upcoming workshops as soon as they are confirmed!
Also – for anyone who is currently taking my 8 am Sunday morning class, or for those who haven’t gone because it’s just too.damn.early – you are in luck! I will now be teaching an 8 am heated power flow AND a 9:30 am heated power flow! So if your alarm goes off after a late Saturday night, and you absolutely need that extra hour of sleep – I will be at the gym, ready for you at 9:30 am 🙂
Check out the schedule here to sign up – or the mind-body app on your phone. Remember, first timers are always free!
