Evolution Yoga - Burlington, Vermont » Teacher Videos

Connecting With Divine Consciousness — John McConnell Yoga Free Video Class

John McConnell — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:58:28 +0000

In this weeks free video I talk about a definition I came across for yoga in a new (used) book I got — Vijnanabhairava or Divine Consciousness by Jaideva Singh. It was written in 1979 and was the firsEnglish translation of the Vijnanbhairava, which is a sacred text written around the 10th century. It’s definitely my favorite philosophical text. It explains 112 different methods for practicing yoga. So, the yoga definition I came in the book says, “Yoga is awareness, transformation of the human consciousness into divine consciousness.”

I just really like that definition of yoga. In the book the ways of practicing yoga and connecting to divine consciousness are varied, and pretty straight ahead. From staring at the sky to connecting to your breath. Basic methods for being happier and moving beyond the human consciousness to something greater. It’s awesome!

Check out the video. The practice is a bit more upbeat. Give my feedback about what you think either here or on facebook. Take care – John

New! Yoga for Gardeners 6-week Series

workingwellvt — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:34:43 +0000

Starting Wednesday, June 22 from 5:45 pm to 7 pm

A 6-week yoga specialty series countering poses for gardening positions! In this series, we’ll explore yoga as preparation to haul dirt, dig, plant, weed and water. Open the groins with alignment for squats, learn low back stretches, shoulder alignment and strength, and more. Also includes recuperative and restorative poses to release muscles and open joints after the gardening hours. Brief guided meditations will help us savor the gardener’s communion with earth, sky and all the forces of nature. ($99) Register soon!

Yoga Music Playlist

John McConnell — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:25:29 +0000

Here is my most recent yoga playlist that I’ve been using in some form or another for a couple weeks in my yoga classes…of course, with a few extra songs thrown in for special occasion about bicycles and mortcycles, but you had to have been there. :-)

Anway, I’ve really been digging this yoga playlist! This music has been working really well, real nice flow to the whole thing. Individually there’s a few awesome new songs I really like on their own in the mix. Enjoy the music! John

Yoga Playlist for May 10th, 2011

Here’s a few of the individual songs in the mix I’m particularly liking right now:

Florent 2 A.M. by Blank & Jones – totally chill song with a great groove.

Take the D Train by Pete Rock – kind of a relentless groove, with a recurring melody I really like. Makes me smile.

Cafe Rue by Chris Parker - Nice percussion in this one, with a funky acoustic bass groove.

au-Pair by Kreidler – This one’s awesome. When it starts you’re not sure – sounds like a kid playing a casio. But the drums and bass get going and just can’t help but turning it up and dancing!

Amaterasu by Jasmon – Here’s a nice one for the start of class or as things slow down. Still funky, but slower.

Calm by Govinda – I’ve been using this song for a while, and it really sets a nice mood. Particularly like the repeating lyrics..”be calm be calm be calm”.

Gift of the Blue Pearl by Craig Kohland & Shaman’s Dream – Finally, here’s another song I used to play quite a bit and I’ve come back to it for svasana. Really takes you somewhere.

Seeing Your Innate Goodness – Yoga Video #33

John McConnell — Tue, 10 May 2011 05:10:38 +0000

Click to Play

This back bending class is about focusing on innate goodness, with a short meditation thrown in. There are a couple things I really like about the whole concept of innate goodness. First of all, innate goodness means that I am good exactly as I am. That’s pretty great! I don’t need to learn anything or change anything about myself; I’ve already got it going on. If I am good exactly as I am, then the more I am “myself”, the better I am. That’s why in yoga we always take about connecting to your True Self. This Self is your good self. It’s the Self that sometimes gets hidden under the stresses of the day and thoughts that can taint the view of ourselves.

The other thing I love about the concept of innate goodness is it’s not a select group of people who are good, and everyone else is out of luck — we are ALL good. Whenever I really am focused on this reality, the interactions I have with people are much more positive. Instead of taking things personally, or being mad at the way someone else is driving, I blow it off and just think they are having a bad day – it has nothing to do with me. Granted, sometimes that kind of stuff still does get to me, but it sure feels good to see everyone I interact with as a perfect, good soul.

So, I invite you to truly take on this idea of innate goodness for yourself – how does it make you feel? And, probably more importantly, how does it make you feel when you practice thinking of everyone around you as just as awesome as you are!

Flying Yoga series begining Sunday, May 8th

Kelli Mae — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 09:25:35 +0000

This 6 weeks series of in-depth Flying Yoga classes will build your skills from the foundations up(side-down!). If you want to deepen your practice, this is sure to be a wonderful experience. Working consistently with the same people makes a huge difference in how much you can learn. And if you know someone that’s been curious about Flying Yoga but felt intimidated by the drop-in, this series will be a fantastic introduction to the practice. So sign up, tell your friends and get ready to fly with Kelli Mae Willis on Sundays from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm (May 8 through June 12). Watch the video to get a glimpse of Flying Yoga!

yogaLIVE! is back — Friday, April 22nd, 6-8PM

John McConnell — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:23:06 +0000

yogaLIVE! with Steve Ferraris on percussion

yogaLIVE!
6-8pm / Friday, April 22nd
Evolution Yoga
$25
Register Here

It’s time once again for another yogaLIVE! class. Right on!

If you haven’t been to yogaLIVE! it’s a combination of me teaching along with the accompaniment of Steve Ferraris, a world class percussionist. Steve has played and taught percussion across the US as well as in Europe with a diverse range of musical groups. Steve will accompany the class on a wide variety of percussion instruments – creating a groove and energy that makes a for a truly unique and fun yoga experience. I have taught around 10 of these with Steve, and it definitely gets better every time. It’s really fun.

After class we’ll have snacks and drinks provided so people can hang out and mingle for a while after it’s over, which is always nice.

The last time I taught this class a couple months ago it sold out, so sign up early to be sure you get a spot — see you there!!

Register Here

Beginner Series II

John McConnell — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:39:53 +0000

Six Week Beginner Series II
5:45pm – 6:45pm on Wednesday @ Evolution Yoga
Starts on March 23rd
Cost: $85
Register Here

At the end of the month I’ll be teaching a new six week yoga series — Beginner Series II. I’ve taught quite a few beginner series sessions and inevitably students have asked at the end of the series if there is another series they can take to follow up on the first. Well, here it is! And, for those who haven’t taken the first beginner series but do have some yoga experience and want to take this series, you can add a comment on this post or send an email and we can talk about it.

To give an idea of the series, the setup of the class will be similar to how the first beginner series has been — working together to learn more about practicing yoga in a fun, supportive environment. We’ll keep working on good alignment principles, learn more breathing and medication techniques, and go further in the postures toward more complicated and deeper postures. What’s nice about the series is it is a great way to commit to continuing practicing and learning, which can be hard if you are just starting out. It also always feels good to be in a room with other people around your same level and feel the support and encouragement of other students.

My intention is that after taking both the beginner and beginner II series, students will feel very comfortable taking a beginner or even intermediate class – fortified with the knowledge of proper alignment, good breathing, and the realization that we are all innately good, and the practice is about truly celebrating that goodness!

So, hope to see you in the series – John

John’s Yoga Music Playlist

John McConnell — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:42:16 +0000

I have a playlist I’m currently using for my classes and quite a few people have come up after to ask for it. So, here it is. :-) The first song on the playlist was “Across the Universe” by The Beatles, but that didn’t come up on the iTunes playlist for whatever reason.

Also, if you want to see some of my other playlists you can click on any of the links on the playlist below and it takes you to iTunes. From there you can click “See All iMixes By This User”.

Enjoy! John

Iyengar Yoga for Low Back Health Workshop

Lydia Hill — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:27:28 +0000

Sunday, December 5th from 2 pm to 4 pm

Dear Friends and Students in yoga,

I’m pleased to announce another workshop for those among us who suffer from back pain. Yoga is a gift for lower backs and helps to relieve symptoms and release tight areas. The sequence is long and chairs will be used. I’m excited to offer this wonderful collection of poses! Sunday, December 5th from 2 pm to 4 pm ~ Cost of workshop: $20. Please register online or call 802.864. YOGA (9642) to sign up!

Merry Holidays! Lydia

Keeping Good Company

John McConnell — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:38:56 +0000

Swami Sivananda

In classes this week I’ve been teaching about keeping good company. Not only good physical company of people, but choosing to have a good company of thoughts and of spirit. I’ve been reading this quote from Swami Sivananda that, well, speaks for itself.

If the dust is in the company of the wind, it soars high in the sky.
If it is in the company of muddy water it becomes a dirty mire.

If the air is in the company of jasmine, it wafts a sweet aroma.
If it is in the company of offal, it disseminates a foal odor.

Put a parrot in the company of a wicked man. It was start abusing.
Put it in the company of Sadhus, it will repeat, “Ram, Renga, Renga”.

If one is in the compnay of a sage, he attains knowledge and
soars high in the realm of elternal bliss.
If he is in the company of a drunkard,
he drinks and commits vicious acts.

Here’s a video with that quote in mind. Enjoy – John