Istre Yoga

This is my calendar for June 2026!

We are getting close to the Summer Solstice, which is the time where the sun spends the most time in the sky. As we get closer to hotter weather, let's embrace our inner light, as well as the light we see around us.

Class Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxoo5d1YeQiHngTOVkywcTR94B6Zb1BQLRkYyyzOGIgz_uQg/viewform?usp=share_link&ouid=113884516307495519985

More on the Summer Solstice and Flows for June:
This is the time of year where we celebrate light and warmth as it nourishes our bodies and the earth. This warmth and light inspires connection with the community and celebrates the sun. As the longest day of the year, now we will witness the days grow shorter, marking a turning point in the year. As the sun reaches its peak, especially today, let us also find ourselves at a high point.

Then we will have a nice cooling vinyasa to combat all that heat and help us find a way to cool down during these hotter days. Whether it’s because the weather is hot, or you need a moment to cool down the mind, find some regulation in the body through movement and breath.

Upcoming Series in July: Hot Yoga, But It's Just Texas
Let’s take advantage of the weather we’re given. Load up on sunscreen and bring a towel, as we brace ourselves take our practice outside. What better way to get in a good sweat than the heat we’re given in our everyday? An extra bonus is that we have the chance to connect with nature and community.

Class will include a beginner friendly Hatha Flow, followed by some Restorative Stretching, Pranayama and Meditation to close.

Mix it up with your practice by taking it outside with us. Make sure to hydrate and bring all you need to make the most of this practice.

Here is the Group Glass Calendar for May 2026!

Our focus this month is a special Sun Salutation focused series in which we build up strength and mobility to achieve your first Sun Salutation. Let's get back to basics and learn about one of the key fundamental flows to the yoga asana practices, especially in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga.

To Learn more about Sun Salutations, and why I as a teacher think they're so important, read my blog about it: https://www.istremusic.com/post/the-importance-of-sun-salutations-in-yoga

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxoo5d1YeQiHngTOVkywcTR94B6Zb1BQLRkYyyzOGIgz_uQg/viewform?usp=share_link&ouid=113884516307495519985

Here is the full class pricing list, as well as registration forums for the various classes. You can submit a forum to sign up for a class, or call Essence for more information on class sign-ups and pricing.
Call: 214-897-4989
or Submit Forum the links below:

Schedule Open Class: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxoo5d1YeQiHngTOVkywcTR94B6Zb1BQLRkYyyzOGIgz_uQg/viewform?usp=dialog

Private Session:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScp3W_cG5C_ALFIGGO8n8FhLUwdeUZFBCyhyx3qgePpgj4N4w/viewform?usp=dialog

Semi-Private Session:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekdm9ACHr45LypDtnALYVZOAt85g5H2JXa9ccoCiuTc5HatA/viewform?usp=dialog

My Thoughts on Sun Salutations

I know, many people loathe the idea of doing sun salutations, let alone a lot of them. However, they are one of the first things I love teaching people because of their benefits. It became routine for me to do them in my own practice or before teaching a class. They are the perfect remedy for when I come to the mat and need movement, but don't feel like doing anything. I default to sun salutations, and know they are a great way to find an energy boost.

This routine first started during a challenge I did from one of the YouTube creators I follow. (Arianna Elizabeth, for those who want to look her up!). She had a 30-day Sun Salutation series, in which we did 10 sun salutations every day. This was also a routine established in most of my teaching certification classes. I ended up doing the 30-day challenge 3 different times, plus all my certification classes, to help improve my strength and posturing. While my chaturanga dandasana flow is still not perfect, I am proud to say I can do it!

Nowadays, 10 sun salutations take a maximum of 10-15 minutes for me to complete. When I started, I felt they were a chore. But now, I fully appreciate them, as they helped me build mobility, strength, and confidence in my practice.

Which is why I encourage everyone to start by working towards their 1st Sun Salutation, and then build on that practice before taking on any difficult flows or postures.

Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) are a series of set movements, typically in a hatha-styled or vinyasa flow , performed to wake up the body. They are not from traditional practices, as some may say, but are said to have been passed down by enlightened sages of the Vedic age. Many flows used in modern yoga are based on the basic movements in this series.

Sun salutations are always a good starting point when it comes to building on your asana practice. Working in pranayama (breathing) and meditation are also both ways to deepen your practice and find inner connection.

The most important part of yogic practice is doing what's best for you and your body.

The practice is always going to look different for each person. It's not a competition, and there is no race to improve strength and flexibility. I have been practicing for the past 7 years, and there are still many aspects of the practice I'm working to improve. It's not always smooth sailing. Take the time you need, and find grace and thankfulness for being able to do what you can!

Full Post and Posture Breakdowns:

The Importance of Sun Salutations in Yoga Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) are a series of set movements, typically in a hatha-styled or vinyasa flow , performed to wake up the body.

Intro to Nidra Meditation

Nidra meditation is a guided form of meditation that seeks to help the body reach a sleep-like state. It is also referred to as NSDR or Non-Sleep Deep Rest. The ultimate goal is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce cortisol in the body to help calm the nervous system down and promote healing in the body.

Every day we are in a fight or a life-threatening situation. Sometimes, various situations and traumas can cause us to remain in this state, causing unhealthy sleeping patterns and chronic pain. Nidra meditation is a primary tool that is used to address these issues.

By entering this state, we can relax the body and target various aspects of turning inwards. This helps us release that fight-or-flight sensation, or address the cause of that sensation by finding a place of release and retreat.

Performed on a regular basis, this meditation has many benefits, including the one above. It takes a lot of practice to be able to remain aware and awake during longer sessions, so it's beneficial to start with shorter practices before trying to extend the time spent in this state.

If you fall asleep during meditation, it's because you need the rest. Simply recognize you needed it, and move on. NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THAT!

Full Post:

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A Peek at my April Calendar!

We are continuing with the Elements Series this month. I will only be doing these classes and incorporating the breath work and meditation into the class time.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxoo5d1YeQiHngTOVkywcTR94B6Zb1BQLRkYyyzOGIgz_uQg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=113884516307495519985

My Class Structure

Our goal is to work through emotions and process them. What does our body do as we move through the space? How does the body work in these states? Why do we think this affects us? etc.

This approach is largely based on trauma-informed yoga and more traditional practices. By finding movement in the body, we prepare to find proper rest when we reach savasana (co**se pose) at the end of practice. This helps make the ending meditation so much more beneficial. It helps students find relaxation and release. The core of yoga is union with the "self," and during yogic practice, we observe before coming into a final reflection.

I organize a micro-class structure rooted in tradition but aimed at making yoga more approachable and focused on mental and emotional benefits. Both hatha and restorative classes follow this model—hatha offers more flow, while restorative centers on tension release and stretching.

This style of class is perfect for beginners, those seeking mobility training, people with aging joints or joint issues, lowering cortisol, stress relief, and targeting mental health. I’m going to stop there for now, but there are a lot more benefits to this style of class.

My goal as a teacher is to help people find connection and strength within themselves to promote creativity and resilience in both the body and mind.

Micro-Class Structure

1. Minutes 0-10: Breathing & Meditation with Little Movement
2. Main Practice
----Minutes 11-35: Main Sequences & Flows
---Minutes 36- 40: Light Stretching
3. Minutes 41-60: Final Breathing & Meditation

Full Class Structure and Breakdown:

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