We are excited for all that August holds, and we hope to see you for a guest teacher event, a book club conversation, a drop-in class, or a social outing!  

August’s post of the month: Baddha Konasana (or Bound Angle pose)

baddha = bound
kona = angle
asana = posture

Baddha Konasana is a seated hip opener and groin stretch. This posture tones the pelvic floor and abdomen and releases tension from the hips. Baddha Konasana may help create a sense of safety and security, allowing the yoga practitioner to cultivate a sacred space. This pose can also be done against a wall and my personal favorite variation of this pose is Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle).

Everyone’s body is different! Our bones and joints are shaped and move differently, allowing each yogi to have their own expression of this posture. Keep this in mind as you come to your Bound Angle and focus on releasing your hips. Placing a block under each knee may also help facilitate a more comfortable opening for the hips.

To begin, sit cross-legged with your hands resting comfortably on your knees. Gently draw the soles of the feet together, allowing the knees to open out towards the sides as you draw your heels in towards your body in a comfortable shape. As you ground through your sits bones, lengthen through the crown of the head. Press your heels together and send the thighs outward diagonally to create space in your hip joints. Draw your chin back and in slightly to lengthen your cervical spine and align your head over your torso with a soft gaze.

—Liz

August’s guest teacher: register to join Danny Brewington on Sat., Aug. 16

Would you like to expand your practice by practicing yoga or meditation with a new teacher?  If so, we hope you can join us for one or both of Danny Brewington’s upcoming events at 4yoga!  On August 16, Danny, a Nashville-area teacher, will offer a chakra-themed Basics-level yoga class at 11 a.m. and host a meditation workshop at 1:30 p.m.  For more information about these special opportunities, see our website or our Facebook event; if you’re curious to learn more about Danny and the decades of experience he brings to his classes, check out his website.  If you’re ready to register, complete this form to reserve your space! 

August’s other updates and special events

In order of chronological appearance, here are some additional August highlights!

1. Double the weekend classes!  We now offer a pair of classes on Saturday morning (Basics, then Flow) and a pair of classes on Sunday afternoon (Basics, then something restful—Restorative, Yoga Nidra, or Yin).  Whether your weekend wants something more energetic or something more grounding, we’ve got you covered.
2. Book club discusses Atomic Habits on Sun., Aug. 3!  If you are trying to develop new habits or discourage ones that are not working, James Clear’s Atomic Habits offers practical tips to help support you along the way.  Drop in for the summer book club meeting to discuss what you’ve learned from the book and to help us select our next one! (For an archive of past books and a list of the nominations currently under consideration, check out this file.)
3. Donation class with Liz: support Xclaim!  Join Liz on Sat., Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. for the new Flow class! Our special monthly donation classes serve our community in two ways: 1) by providing an opportunity for folks to take a class without paying a fee—donations are entirely optional; 2) by supporting a local non-profit organization with the fees that are donated.  Liz has selected Xclaim! (Bowling Green Youth Theatre) as the recipient of donations to her class!
4. Two opportunities for yoga nidra with Shigeko!  To better reach everyone who wants to experience yoga nidra, we are continuing to offer it on two consecutive days.  Join Shigeko either on Sun., Aug. 10, at 5:30 p.m. or on Mon., Aug. 11, at 5 p.m. to spend 60 minutes being guided into a deeply relaxed state.  (Please note:  this will be the same yoga nidra, just offered on different dates to allow more folks to participate.)
5. Yoga social with Mt. Victor Revue on the Mellow patio!  Looking for a chance to hang out with fun people, hear great music, and enjoy delicious food and beverages?  Join us on the patio at Mellow Mushroom on Thurs., Aug. 28, at 6 p.m.!  Either attend Heather’s 4 p.m. Basics class at the studio and walk over together or just meet us there for a fun evening out.

We look forward to seeing you in the new month—for a full copy of the August schedule and descriptions of each style of class, please click on the calendar and class description pages or pick up a hard copy at the studio.