Ahana Yoga
🔗 ahanayoga.com
📍 43 NE 38th St, Miami, FL 33137
📞 305-456-5339
💌 info@ahanayoga.com
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POWER FLOW
with Zarid Urbina ✶ 1/3/2024
This space was super interesting in the fact that its layout was an open concept. It really lent itself to maintaining a fresh and clean atmosphere. Because it was an industrial loft-style building, it didn't have the capability of making that after-workout musk that comes in a small closed room once everyone gets out of a class and another one is scheduled immediately after. The fans were turned on after the class that came before me, and 90 seconds later, it was as if the class that left before my practice began had never been there. The ceilings are monstrous and bare and lend to a very deep and echoey soundscape.
The floors were raw polished concrete, which I personally found incredibly intimidating when combined with the thought of falling out of a challenging pose - but that added sense of danger kind of gave me a bit more focus on form throughout the practice. I became hyperfocused on the smallest muscles in my body. My favourite teacher’s teacher explained that at the beginning of your yoga journey, you have just four basic limbs and that the deeper you enter into your practice, the more of the small minutia of the muscles you begin to claim. You begin to command particular small sections of your soft tissue instead of moving the leg as one large tube. I also use a rubber & cork mat without a towel for this same purpose, an extra small muscle movement challenge, but I digress.
Zarid was a killer choreographer, and because the sequence was so creative, I truly got to lose myself in the practice. I was never sure where he was going to lead me next, but I knew it would be daring. With his guidance, I got into two poses I'd never been able to achieve before. His flow was funky and fun, and I felt like I was dancing.
Zarid is a master of rajas. The room was unheated, but I still sweat my ass off. I enjoy sweating so much more when it’s from the practice itself and not just the atmosphere. I read somewhere that tears have different chemical compounds depending upon their trigger (joy, sadness, etc.), and I’ve always thought the same thing about sweat (anxiety, heat, workout, etc.) I do not know why, but for me, sweating because I’m working just feels so much better than sweating because it’s hot as hades.
I'm obsessed with this studio because it's the first studio in the Miami area that offered a nonheated advanced class, which I stumbled into. I enjoy Hatha, and even though this was an advanced flow, Zarid knew when to tell us to hold. And those holds were the highlights for me. I was so challenged by his sequence, yet I never felt like it was impossible once I just mentally committed to the fact that “this is only an hour, and what do I have to lose by giving more than I presumed I could.”
Zarid spoke about breathing the way I need to be reminded about it - in that it is a spiritual tool and guide. My preference is that a teacher never stop to speak of breath and the importance of maintaining breath through the nose. My YTT teacher had us read Breath by James Nestor. I highly recommend the read/listen (it was a great audiobook for a road trip). Zarid was in tune with Nestor’s preaching.
I was surprised by the modifications he made to simple poses that I always felt left out of because they were so easy for my naturally bendy body. For instance, he had us cactus our arms and balance on our fingertips during lizard lunge. I finally had to hold my body weight up by the hips, and boy, did it burn. It did a wonderful number on my shoulders as well.
Eagle-armed headstand was an incredible challenge for me, and I’ve never been cued to attempt it before. I definitely was unable to execute it, but I was able to imagine executing it while hovering my toes off of the floor. So exciting to have a pose like that to look forward to conquering.
Zarid gave me a hands-on assist during a handstand that I remember receiving in gymnastics as a child. But his verbal cues were so empowering that instead of faltering, I was able to hold my first handstand off of a wall in the middle of the room surrounded by an ocean of raw concrete. His ability to snap me out of imposter syndrome and quickly into self-assuredness while upside down was a gift. He is an incredible leader. I can’t wait to practice with him again.
I had so much fun learning new ways to approach poses, and I was finally able to execute Eka Pada Koundinyasana. To be honest, I was so mindblown that I was able to pull it off. I can’t remember if it was v.I or v.II.
Zarid knows no limits, and his conquering energy helped me to surpass the fear that had kept me from going into certain arm balances I've always sat out on. It was an incredible breakthrough practice for me, and I will be sure to be back.
(Tip: Power Flow is called Advanced Flow at this studio)
UPDATE ✶ 1/10/2024: I took a second class with Zarid. He’s simply the best. Zarid takes me to places I would never go alone. He has the rajas of a lion. He charged me with a primal power I didn't know I had. I am so grateful to have found him and will follow him wherever he teaches so long as I'm in the same city. I did things today that I would have never tried if another instructor cued them. He believes in you so deeply you can't help but believe in yourself in the highest capacity. He's a master of breathwork and bandhas, which most teachers overlook in an hour class. The knowledge he shares before class is what you would receive in a private lesson or YTT training. He's amazing - do not miss the chance to take his class.
Kirtan
with Dawn B, Kish Rico, and Kishor Gopal ✶ 1/7/2024
“In order to relink - you must relinquish.” I loved this line Kish Rico shared during Kirtan. Kish Rico had traveled six hours from his Hare Krishna temple to lead the practice. His devotion radiated around him and fed the room with love. Kishor Gopal had flown into Miami from his ashram to participate in the event - his passion radiated to the beat. Dawn B. - the owner of Ahana Yoga Studio - began the practice, leading us all in a beautiful chant. Her smile was infectious. Her energy sincere.
Pillows, bolsters, and blankets were set for us in a circle around the blanketed stage/shrine. Once the chanting began, we were asked to scoot closer towards the “stage” and become one with each other.
I lost track of which voice was mine and felt as if I had the power of 100 voices as I was singing. There was a ferociousness that erupted on the back end of the practice. It was such a great natural body high. The video above doesn’t do it justice because when it was most mindblowing, my eyes were closed, and I was singing. I tried to break myself from the trance for a few moments, so I would have something visual to share with you all.
To start, we were all led to hold a mystical and patient tone. As the hours went on, the fire started. We all began to dance and jump to the chant as one. The studio became a large vessel filled to the brim, overflowing with love and authentic intention.
I have not been able to experience Kirtan outside of a Hare Krishna temple. It was so nice to be able to experience it seeping outside the temple and elsewhere into the community at large. What a luxury to be able to experience and participate in Bhakti yoga outside of a holy space. Dawn truly comprehends the importance of providing access to more than just one limb of yoga at her studio.
The singing provided a deep, out-of-body experience. The blessed food provided afterward was amazing.
The personal stories shared in between chants made me feel so connected to the Ahana community. The loving energy derived from these yogis was just what I needed after a tough day. If you’re ever feeling down, lost, or alone, a solid Kirtan practice will for sure pull you out of it. I was so grateful to have been able to attend this event.
POWER FLOW
with Dawn B Feinberg ✶ 1/23/2024
Wow. Dawn has created a yogi community. I have never walked into a class and felt the energy of a crowd centered on absolute presence like I did here in Dawn’s class. She is a spiritual leader. The entire room was prepared for what was about to unfold, but I had never had the pleasure of practicing with her before, so I was in for a wild surprise. This room was in tune with each other - everyone was in sync, and I could feel devotion and love vibrating out of everybody that surrounded me. The room was packed. But since the space is open concept and huge, there were zero crowding issues. I had tons of personal space even though I was packed in and surrounded by loving yogis. There was no way not to feel your entire body vibrate when we all engaged in some beautiful Kirtan to open the practice. Everyone was singing at max volume, and their passion ran through my bones.
I am in love with Dawn’s energy. In a room full of what seemed like a hundred people, she was able to attend to private hands-on adjustments and cues. Even in a jam-packed room, she catered to me personally. I was amazed. I couldn’t imagine sustaining the energy required to make a large class like that so cohesive, and to add custom tailoring into the mix was truly expert. She is a powerhouse of intention. I felt so connected to my body and the hearts of those around me. Dawn has a very carefree and relaxed vibe. I have a very hard time feeling related to myself and others when an instructor has a holier-than-thou presence. Dawn is the exact opposite. She started the practice with an incredible visualization journey - similar to some of the Nidra classes I have taken. She got my mind right where I needed it to set a vibrant intention.
I was taken aback by how powerful her flow was. And the music was perfectly in sync with the sequence. Nothing felt awkward; everything felt perfectly in tune. Her laughter was interjected throughout the practice, and it really helped me ward away the intense resting bitch face that comes out when I’m challenged physically. I couldn’t help but smile multiple times throughout the practice. I love an instructor who understands the value of humor. I had so much fun during practice that it felt like it flew by, and I wished that it had lasted longer. I will definitely be back to take classes with Dawn. The natural high I got from her and the yogis around me is unbeatable. Absolute 10/10 experience, and I urge everyone to take a class with Dawn.
