Unfolding the Lotus: 1st of a 3 part Series: Hip Openers

looking forward to part 2

I have an old knee injury that made some of the poses a little painfull,...

I have an old knee injury that made some of the poses a little painfull, but for others with the same problem I suggest to go slow and technical!! I needed a hip opener class so this was great.

This is my favorite class, judging by how many times I have been returni...

This is my favorite class, judging by how many times I have been returning to it. Just makes me feel perfectly stretched and more stretched every time I do it. All the poses are exactly what my body needs most.

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two ...

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two things that could have been better -- I would have liked the warrior/triangle sequences to start with us facing the screen, and when Neesha first demonstrates the seated pose cradling the knee it would have been helpful to see her, rather than focus on the girl doing the full pose. Overall though, a very good class.

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two ...

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two things that could have been better -- I would have liked the warrior/triangle sequences to start with us facing the screen, and when Neesha first demonstrates the seated pose cradling the knee it would have been helpful to see her, rather than focus on the girl doing the full pose. Overall though, a very good class.

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two ...

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two things that could have been better -- I would have liked the warrior/triangle sequences to start with us facing the screen, and when Neesha first demonstrates the seated pose cradling the knee it would have been helpful to see her, rather than focus on the girl doing the full pose. Overall though, a very good class.

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two ...

Basics are essential, this is a nice way to remind oneself of them. Two things that could have been better -- I would have liked the warrior/triangle sequences to start with us facing the screen, and when Neesha first demonstrates the seated pose cradling the knee it would have been helpful to see her, rather than focus on the girl doing the full pose. Overall though, a very good class.

I liked the pace of this class. Good advise. My feets got involved but ...

I liked the pace of this class. Good advise. My feets got involved but I expected more work for my hips.

Revelatory to learn that we have to strengthen the calves and feet to o...

Revelatory to learn that we have to strengthen the calves and feet to open those tight hips. An adjustment or tip to help those of us who are so tight in the hips we can't manage full firelog, etc. would be helpful. But nonetheless great.

Ouch my hips are tight, but this feels like a great class to train the f...

Ouch my hips are tight, but this feels like a great class to train the feet & legs to be stable to open the hips. The instruction, if a little repetitive, is detailed & useful on the anatomical level

I have very tight hips and have difficulties getting into some asanas. N...

I have very tight hips and have difficulties getting into some asanas. Neesha is so detailed in this class that I was able to get into every pose, comfortably (as possible with tight hips!). I highly recommend this class for everyone, but especially those with tight hips, it's amazing!

I liked learning about the pinky side of foot method. That really makes ...

I liked learning about the pinky side of foot method. That really makes all the difference in how my knees feel.

wonderful instruction and tips on better opening of the hips and strengt...

wonderful instruction and tips on better opening of the hips and strengthening knees. I would like some more ideas on modifications, though.

Neesha is wonderful when it comes to talking about how anatomy helps eas...

Neesha is wonderful when it comes to talking about how anatomy helps ease you into poses, and why proper alignment is so important. This class is a new favorite! I loved gently getting into the seated hip openers.

Neeshsa gives so many good pointers! I have knee problems cased from im...

Neeshsa gives so many good pointers! I have knee problems cased from imbalanced hips and this class really helped me understand how to support my knee while trying to open my hips so i don't cause further damage.

After my second time doing this session, i can feel the improvement in m...

After my second time doing this session, i can feel the improvement in my knees' stability (3 years recovered from ACL injury) - feels great.

I love learning about my body and Neesha is always good at teaching awar...

I love learning about my body and Neesha is always good at teaching awareness of anatomy. This class she emphasised strengthening your peroneal muscles in order to achieve safe hip opening. At the completion of class I googled peroneal muscles and now have a whole new piece of knowledge to use while practicing. Thank you Neesha

Yep! I've had surgery on both my knees. This class builds strength in th...

Yep! I've had surgery on both my knees. This class builds strength in the legs no doubt! Note to self: plan on doing it again. Didn't quite get the pinky toe/shin thing though but next time!

will be coming back to this one to build lower leg strength!

All these months studying under my live Anusara teacher and I NEVER hear...

All these months studying under my live Anusara teacher and I NEVER heard about shins in/thighs out racing stripes! Fabulous class and I definitely felt the burn in all the right places. I did spend 15 min. in Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall pose) just to cool and calm my legs which felt delicious. Can't wait to see what Part 2 offers (after I get Part 1 a bit smoother.)

I've done this class and the second one of the series a few times now, I...

I've done this class and the second one of the series a few times now, I absolutely love them - the body has had so many "aha!" moments. I've been trying to get my hips to open for years and finally I have learned some of the subtle tricks. Peroneal racing stripes, shins in, thighs out. Love it. Looking forward to seeing the third part of the series. Thanks so much Neesha! Super classes as always.

Poses are appropriate for novices, but the narrow focus will probably ap...

Poses are appropriate for novices, but the narrow focus will probably appeal to slightly more advanced yogis who are looking to perfect their hip-opening poses. Nice pace, excellent instruction from Neesha (as usual).

it amazes me that after practicing Yoga for 6 plus years that something ...

it amazes me that after practicing Yoga for 6 plus years that something can brought to a pose that is new and enlightening. Pinky toes and racing stripes,I love it. Go Neesha.

A nice work shop class that definitely focuses on the finer and more pre...

A nice work shop class that definitely focuses on the finer and more precise movements of muscles...hips feel wonderful!

looking forward to part 2 and 3 of hip opening class! thank you!

Lots of more challenging standing poses...not expected in an all-levels ...

Lots of more challenging standing poses...not expected in an all-levels class, so I loved it...can't wait for parts 2 and 3!

I really loved the pace of this class. I never felt like I was being rus...

I really loved the pace of this class. I never felt like I was being rushed into the next pose, which gave me plenty of time to really think about all the muscle work we were building upon. I am going to try to use what I learned in this class every single time I step on the mat. 'Shins in, thighs out'!

This class really does open up your hips. I enjoyed it all, except for t...

This class really does open up your hips. I enjoyed it all, except for the last standing pose set... and only because it was difficult for my tight hamstrings! :)

This class really did relieve my lower back pain as it opened my hips. T...

This class really did relieve my lower back pain as it opened my hips. The shins in/thighs out instructions is amazingly efficient. After all these classes, Neesha still comes up with new 'tricks'!

Shins in, thighs out is the message throughout this class. Great hip ope...

Shins in, thighs out is the message throughout this class. Great hip openers as well as a few extras like crow.

I found the hip opening tips effective immediately AND as I practice the...

I found the hip opening tips effective immediately AND as I practice them throughout the day I find that my chronic back pain is almost gone! Still working on relaxing my tongue while working the feet though...;-)