Yoga Union & Yoga Union Backcare and Scoliosis Center

06/26/2023

Community service share:
Balance Arts Center Discounted Rehearsal Space for Performing Artists - July & August 2023

In support of artists in NYC, we are happy to offer discounted rehearsal space for performing artists in July and August of 2023. Dancers, actors, and musicians are all welcome to apply!

Rental hours are 8am-10pm at the Balance Arts Center located at 151 W 30th Street in Midtown, Manhattan.

Discounted Room Rates:
Large Rooms are $20 per hour - Rooms 1, 5, & 9
The Karl Kemp Performance Space is $35 per hour
Small Rooms are $10 per hour - Rooms 3, 4, 6, 8, & 11
Medium Rooms are $15 per hour - Rooms 2 & 7
151 West 31st Street 3rd floor NY NY

Rooms 5, 11, and the Karl Kemp Performance Space each have a piano.

Click here for application:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflf0m1VYCHMs0ZmypFlDOYVW_h0hJkPEmzXaZg_bPDGX_gYQ/viewform

Balance Arts Center for the Alexander Technique

In support of artists in NYC, we are happy to offer discounted rehearsal space for performing artists in July and August of 2023. Dancers, actors, musicians, etc are all welcome to apply! Rental hours are 8am-10pm at the Balance Arts Center located at 151 W 30th Street in Midtown, Manhattan. Discoun...

06/22/2023

Virabhadrasana 1 (Warrior 1) on a Sling
There are countless ways to use support in all the poses we do. Each prop offers slightly different information and possibilities.
I’ve had fun exploring the sling in standing poses both at the wall and in the center from ceiling slings.

Here, using the sling sideways gives the body lateral support without traction towards or away from the wall, meaning without front or back traction. This centered support provides rest, just as a chair might, but it is a slightly movable if targeted support at the front sit bone.

See AlisonWestYoga on Instagram for videos explaining the work.
Have fun! And more later, showing Trikonasana.
Filmed at Mimi Brainard’s lovely studio, in Lyme CT.
Her small classes are ideal for focused alignment study and for backcare and scoliosis.

Note: NEW SLINGS have arrived! If you would like a 2- or 4-carabiner sling, please email me info@yogaunion.com.
You will receive the waiver/manual and more information.

02/25/2022

WORLD MEDITATION FOR PEACE MEDITATE FOR UKRAINE
SUNDAY FEB 27 9AM EST (See world times below)
Let’s cast a wide net of positive thought and prayer around all beings involved in this tragic situation and our planet as a whole.
Sunday February 27, 9-9:30am EST
Feb 27
6am West Coast
9am East Coast
2pm Iceland/England
3pm Western Europe
4pm Eastern Europe Ukraine Russia
7:30 pm India
Feb 28
10 am China



Please share!


Stephanie Quirk Ra Potasznik Chantal Eder-McKenna Юлія Юровська

02/05/2022

Rope Flow for seasoned practitioners with strong hands!
This high speed rendition can and should be done more slowly, breathing in each position 5-10x. CAUTION: Do not attempt the inversion and hanging forward bend if you are not used to holding the weight of your body on the ropes.

Join Alison West, a seasoned and innovative teacher in her classic
Online Ropes On Wall or Door
Basic Certification Program w/Recording
Sat-Sun, Feb 19-20
9am-12pm & 1:30-4:30pm EST

Registration closes Thursday, February 17.
Link in bio.
This unique Weekend Ropes Certification Program is open to both 200-Hour+ Teachers and seasoned students. This is a rare opportunity to methodically discover the wonderful world of wall-ropes and wall-slings. You will be able to do this work on a door as well.
Working with slings and ropes is one of the surest ways to enjoy effortless inversion, release the back and other joints, increase range of motion and develop strength, and practice restorative Yoga. But working safely and knowledgeably requires training and practice.

• Learn principles of practice and safety
• Develop strength, range of motion, release, alignment awareness, and more.

Essential Supplementary Material
You will receive a link to a folder with extra material including how to set up a door as a rope wall. You are asked to review this material BEFORE the workshop. It will take about an hour. This is an ideal way to become familiar with door ropes/belts before we start the workshop. We will not review this material during the workshop, so please do make the time to prepare.

01/28/2022

Thich Nhat Hanh
October 11, 1926 - January 22, 2022

In a standing room only, hushed crowd of three thousand at St John the Divine on October 9, 1995, Thich Nhat Hanh held up a string bean and said, “this string bean is an ambassador of the cosmos.” And with that, the late and saintly master began a talk on the interconnectedness of all things. Light from the sun and elements from the birth of time had converged to bring about the growth into green being of this slender vegetable. Thich Nhat Hanh then touched a match to a sheet of foolscap that he allowed to burn down until all that was left was a delicate thread of smoke, another lesson in the dissolution of all matter into oneness with the universe—changed but not lost. We breathe in, we breathe out all of creation. Thich Nhat Hanh’s voice was gentle yet penetrating, his language spare yet kind and generous. Peace, faith, compassion.

The tone of the event was set by the manner of the great master’s walk, as though floating along the nave of the church towards a special pulpit set in the cathedral crossing, as I remember.

Many years ago, Sharon Salzberg taught both my students and myself this particular aspect of mindfulness in walking meditation, the conscious “touching” of the ground with the foot—touch, touch, touch. Eventually, one might feel as though the earth were the most delicate of beings, a partner, not a surface or a molten ball surrounded by a crust. Mostly we touch with the heel first, which sets up a vibration in the ground and in the body, but Thich Nhat Hanh seemed barely to graze the floor, shifting the center of his footfall forward and touching as lightly as a feather. We hardly moved or breathed as he passed by.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s reach is perhaps as broad as it is, or was and will continue to be, because centered in the essence of practice, of love and kindness beyond politics or creed, yet socially engaged. He was an exemplar, a cannon, a rule.

I learned of his death soon after it had taken place from the Shambala Publications newsletter, which celebrated the master by sharing his writing on dying and truly living: “Thich Nhat Hanh on Dying...and Living,”
https://www.shambhala.com/thich-nhat-hanh-on-dying/

What more perfect way to contemplate Thich Nhat Hanh’s gliding gently through that most subtle of doorways.
Photo: ©Alison West

06/07/2021

Alison is excited to be participating next week in the live Zoom event, Proven Strategies for Alleviating Pain! The conference will be recorded and available to all registrants.

Tuesday June 15 to Thursday June 17
11:30am to 2:30pm each day

Alison will speak on Wednesday June 16, 12:00-12:30pm
Alleviating Back and Spinal Pain Through Yoga

Click here to read more: https://bit.ly/3vWhu49

Over the course of three days, industry leaders are gathering to share their favorite tips about functional anatomy and to help you expand your skills in navigating pain and injuries. The event is complimentary to you - a gift from all of us, as are loads of free downloadable materials from each of us to support your learning long after the event is over.

You'll find Alison in good company with, among others, the great kinesiologist Joseph Muscolino, a fellow backcare specialist Esther Gokhale, and the Yoga anatomist David Keil. It's a terrific group brought together by the indefatigable and insightful Gina Schatz of the Schatz Method. I hope you will join me and let others know too about this great opportunity to learn from so many experts!

Click here to read more:
https://bit.ly/3vWhu49

05/05/2021

Thank you J. Brown for the time spent looking at both the past and the future!

Alison West , founder of Yoga Union and one of J's primary teachers, joins the show for the first time to talk about their shared past and the what they see going forward. They discuss Alison's former career as an art historian, her transition to yoga, when they met in the early nineties and her f

03/20/2021

Spring Equinox and Samavriti Pranayama, or Even Count Pranayama
Two days in the year—the Spring and Fall Equinox—perfectly symbolize the practice of the balance of the Sun and the Moon, or Pingala and Ida, in the poetic and subtle anatomy of Yoga, best exemplified through this pranayama practice.

Imagine that the tree trunk to the left is the left lunar channel and the trunk to the right the right solar channel as you face forward into the light.

Looking out quietly and closing the right nostril, inhale left for four, suspend while drawing inwards inward the light between the eyes for four and, closing the left nostril, exhale right for four. Pause for four and reverse, inhaling through the right nostril and so on. This gentle practice of samavitri, or even counts for each phase, is a balancing breath practice leading to more demanding alternate nostril breathing practices with longer retentions and exhalations.

If you know the bandhas, apply them.

02/06/2021

Knowing how to think about the hamstrings and lower back with a lumbar herniation or spinal osteoporosis can help avoid injury or further injury. In this picture, a belt around the right foot and left top thigh (blue arrows pointing to the belt) helps to stabilize the left hip as the left leg rests on the door frame, sitbones some distance from the frame. The right leg is through the door frame. By being away from the door a little, the left hamstring is not pulled so tight that it makes the lower back round into the floor. A small roll at the lumbar also helps it to retain its lordosis (or natural inward curve).

Herniation and Osteoporosis of the Spine Yoga Basics Online Workshop
Sunday, February 7, EST 12- 2pm
LA 9-11am; Paris 6-8pm; Moscow 8-9pm

Herniation and Osteoporosis of the Spine Basics is taught by Alison West, a leader in the field of Yoga Therapy for the Spine. She will share with you the fundamentals of safe movement both in and out of Yoga class. Understanding a neutral spine is important and fun. There is so much that you can do safely and you will leave with useful tools and working principles.
LA 9-11 am, London 5-7pm, Paris 6-8pm Moscow 7-9pm

Props: a mat, chair, yoga belt, two blocks, two yoga blankets.
If you don’t have precisely these things, don’t worry. You’ll have similar items at home, from regular blankets, towels, books (for blocks) and so on.

Level: all levels and teachers

Please register no later than Sunday morning at 10am, Feb 7.

Link available for 48 hours after workshop and available for purchase after the workshop.

ZOOM LINK: PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER if for any reason you have not received the Zoom link, which will be sent an hour before the event.

CALL 212 510 7404 if you are having a problem logging on.
Please do this no later than 11:45 am before the workshop. Do not email!

REGISTERING FROM ABROAD
If you are registering from abroad and get a message that you are not able to do so, enter England as your residence and include the studio number as your phone number: 212 510 7404. Wellness Living is working on making its registration compatible with every country, but it is taking time.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3j0UV8Y
$35.00

01/30/2021

Join me for an exploration of safe movement basics for Lumbar Herniation and Osteoporosis of the Spine on Sunday, February 7 12-2pm EST.
LA 9-11am; Paris 6-8pm; Moscow 8-10pm
Register by Saturday 12pm noon Feb 6. Registration link at end.

Herniation and Osteoporosis of the Spine Basics is taught by Alison West, ERYT C-IAYT. an experienced leader in the field of Yoga Therapy for the Spine. She will share with you the fundamentals of safe movement both in and out of Yoga class. Understanding a neutral spine is important and fun. There is so much that you can do safely and you will leave with useful tools and working principles.

In the image, you can see how both sides of the spine are safely lengthening to avoid compressing a lumbar herniation on the right side.

Props: a mat, chair, yoga belt, two blocks, two yoga blankets.
If you don’t have precisely these things, don’t worry. You’ll have similar items at home, from regular blankets, towels, books (for blocks) and so on.

Level: all levels and teachers

Please register no later than Saturday noon, February 6.
If for any reason you forget to register, just check the event online. If it is not sold out, you will still be able to register, up to one hour (11am) before the workshop.

Link available for 48 hours after workshop and available for purchase after the workshop.

ZOOM LINK: PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER if for any reason you have not received the Zoom link, which will be sent an hour before the event.

CALL 212 510 7404 if you are having a problem logging on.
Please do this no later than 11:45 am before the workshop.
Please do not email!

REGISTERING FROM ABROAD
If you are registering from abroad and get a message that you are not able to do so, enter England as your residence and include the studio number as your phone number: 212 510 7404. Wellness Living is working to make its registration compatible with every country, but it is taking time.

Register here:
https://bit.ly/3j0UV8Y
Only $35.00

01/22/2021

An interesting talk by Jim Mallinson, scholar of yoga and yoga philosophy

Dr. Jim Mallinson (SOAS), Ruth Westoby and Zeena Kalisperides walk us through the history of Tantra's influence on yoga postures, and why it is some people ...

01/20/2021

A new day, fresh and promising.
1.20.2021
And to the many who participated in the three-day meditation Be The Love, Be The Peace, Be The Light You Want To See In The World, thank you for creating such a rich Sangha or community. I feel deep gratitude for our time together and what it allowed us to practice in harmony.

01/20/2021

Meditation THREE Wednesday January 20, BE THE LIGHT
YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD, 8am EST
MLK DAY Monday Jan 18 - Wednesday Jan 20 Inauguration
1) Be the Love 2) Be the Peace 3) Be the Light you want to see in the world.
•
Monday January 18 Be the Love (replay available)
Tuesday, January 19 Be the Peace: Calm Abiding
•
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20 8-8:15 am
INAUGURATION DAY: BE THE LIGHT
Sign in by 7:55am if possible. We will start at 8am.
Sit in whatever way is comfortable for you on the floor or on a chair.There are no rules governing this practice. Just incarnate the principle of each meditation to the best of your ability.
There is no waiting room, so even if you have trouble logging in on time, you will be able to join without disturbing anyone.
The Zoom link is the same for all three days
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86316271938...
PASSWORD: 207789

These last ten days have changed our Nation.
On Wednesday, January 6, Georgia voted in two trail-blazing Democratic Senators, a black and a jew, and the Capitol was stormed under the President’s watchful eye by a group proud to identify as racist and antisemitic. We were observed by the entire world, our dis-unity on full display.

During the debate on impeachment this week, one of the representatives, a woman whose name I did not catch, said “Healing requires accountability.” While a smooth transition is vital, measures must indeed be taken to forestall further aggravated assault and sedition fueled by hatred, and to show that our system of justice addresses the misconduct of all, not just the powerless. But vengefulness cannot be part of the message.

Martin Luther King, whom we celebrate tomorrow, Monday, just two days before the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, always spoke of LOVE as the ultimate solution. Not blind love, but a love that sees and, while seeing, forgives. But is forgiveness the same as complacency and non-action? No. Again, just and peaceful action must be taken, action free of petty emotions and that is based on a justice both blind and clear-eyed.

The tenets of Yoga encourage us to see and understand the darkness without and within, and to address it with justice and equanimity, in other words with genuine concern for the welfare of all, ourselves included, and through correct action. We all owe it to ourselves to observe in what ways we might be contributing to the fire rather than to the balm, and how that energy might be re-channeled to better purpose.
Join me starting tomorrow, Monday January 18, Martin Luther King’s Day, through Inauguration Day on Wednesday January 20, for three special, short, early morning meditations in honor of love, peace and light. I extend this invitation to meditate together to support a decision to embody peace, love and light and to make that a special, personal offering to all. There is no registration. The Zoom link is below.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life
contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Alison
Director
Yoga Union Online

01/18/2021

Meditation TWO Tuesday January 19, Be The Peace,
of THREE 8am EST Morning Meditations
MLK DAY Monday Jan 18 - Wednesday Jan 20 Inauguration
Be the Love, Be the Peace, Be the Light you want to see in the world.
•
Monday January 18 Be the Love (replay avaialable)
•
TUESDAY JANUARY 19 8-8:15 am
Be the Peace: Calm Abiding
•
Wednesday January 20 8-8:15 am
Inauguration Day . Be the Light

Sign in by 7:55am if possible. We will start at 8am.
Sit in whatever way is comfortable for you on the floor or on a chair.There are no rules governing this practice. Just incarnate the principle of each meditation to the best of your ability.

There is no waiting room, so even if you have trouble logging in on time, you will be able to join without disturbing anyone.
The Zoom link is the same for all three days
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86316271938...
PASSWORD: 207789

These last ten days have changed our Nation.
On Wednesday, January 6, Georgia voted in two trail-blazing Democratic Senators, a black and a jew, and the Capitol was stormed under the President’s watchful eye by a group proud to identify as racist and antisemitic. We were observed by the entire world, our dis-unity on full display.

During the debate on impeachment this week, one of the representatives, a woman whose name I did not catch, said “Healing requires accountability.” While a smooth transition is vital, measures must indeed be taken to forestall further aggravated assault and sedition fueled by hatred, and to show that our system of justice addresses the misconduct of all, not just the powerless. But vengefulness cannot be part of the message.

Martin Luther King, whom we celebrate tomorrow, Monday, just two days before the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, always spoke of LOVE as the ultimate solution. Not blind love, but a love that sees and, while seeing, forgives. But is forgiveness the same as complacency and non-action? No. Again, just and peaceful action must be taken, action free of petty emotions and that is based on a justice both blind and clear-eyed.

The tenets of Yoga encourage us to see and understand the darkness without and within, and to address it with justice and equanimity, in other words with genuine concern for the welfare of all, ourselves included, and through correct action. We all owe it to ourselves to observe in what ways we might be contributing to the fire rather than to the balm, and how that energy might be re-channeled to better purpose.

Join me starting tomorrow, Monday January 18, Martin Luther King’s Day, through Inauguration Day on Wednesday January 20, for three special, short, early morning meditations in honor of love, peace and light. I extend this invitation to meditate together to support a decision to embody peace, love and light and to make that a special, personal offering to all. There is no registration. The Zoom link is below.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life
contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Alison
Director
Yoga Union Online

01/17/2021

Three 8am EST Morning Meditations
MLK DAY Monday Jan 18 - Wednesday Jan 20 Inauguration
Be the Light, Be the Love, Be the Peace you want to see in the world.
Link and password below
•
Monday January 18 8-8:15 am
Martin Luther King’s Day . Be the Love
•
Tuesday January 19 8-8:15 am
A day of contemplation on the State of our Union . Be the Peace
•
Wednesday January 20 8-8:15 am
Inauguration Day . Be the Light

Sign in by 7:55am if possible. We will start at 8am.
Sit in whatever way is comfortable for you on the floor or on a chair.There are no rules governing this practice. Just incarnate the principle of each meditation
to the best of your ability.

There is no waiting room, so even if you have trouble logging in on time, you will be able to join without disturbing anyone.

The Zoom link is the same for all three days
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86316271938?pwd=ODh6R0FvajdMWHhuMnVEYzZQa2tjUT09
PASSWORD: 207789
These last ten days have changed our Nation.

On Wednesday, January 6, Georgia voted in two trail-blazing Democratic Senators, a black and a jew, and the Capitol was stormed under the President’s watchful eye by a group proud to identify as racist and antisemitic. We were observed by the entire world, our dis-unity on full display.

During the debate on impeachment this week, one of the representatives, a woman whose name I did not catch, said “Healing requires accountability.” While a smooth transition is vital, measures must indeed be taken to forestall further aggravated assault and sedition fueled by hatred, and to show that our system of justice addresses the misconduct of all, not just the powerless. But vengefulness cannot be part of the message.

Martin Luther King, whom we celebrate tomorrow, Monday, just two days before the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, always spoke of LOVE as the ultimate solution. Not blind love, but a love that sees and, while seeing, forgives. But is forgiveness the same as complacency and non-action? No. Again, just and peaceful action must be taken, action free of petty emotions and that is based on a justice both blind and clear-eyed.

The tenets of Yoga encourage us to see and understand the darkness without and within, and to address it with justice and equanimity, in other words with genuine concern for the welfare of all, ourselves included, and through correct action. We all owe it to ourselves to observe in what ways we might be contributing to the fire rather than to the balm, and how that energy might be re-channeled to better purpose.

Join me starting tomorrow, Monday January 18, Martin Luther King’s Day, through Inauguration Day on Wednesday January 20, for three special, short, early morning meditations in honor of love, peace and light. I extend this invitation to meditate together to support a decision to embody peace, love and light and to make that a special, personal offering to all. There is no registration. The Zoom link is below.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free,
and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life
contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Alison
Director
Yoga Union Online

01/01/2021

Happy 2021!
May we be the light we want to see in the world.

Padma Mudra: the mudra of the heart.
Unconditional love.

12/31/2020

Be the light you want to see in the world!
This evening, join me in an ALL LEVELS practice of asana, breath, Tratak (steady gazing) and a loving kindness Light Meditation to celebrate the light as we transition from the tumultuous teen years of the 21st century to 2021, our coming of age!

6-7:30pm ETA (log on by 5:45pm)
Online New Year’s Eve class with Alison.
Register at link in bio.

Please register by 5pm today, Thursday, Dec 31. The Zoom link will be sent out shortly after that.
Register here https://bit.ly/3o7mhM0
for the candlelit joy of it.

This class will with few interruptions, and will not be characterized by Alison’s usual feedback and alignment instruction. The poses will be familiar to you and you will modify them according to your needs. If you have spinal issues, please be ready to do your sun (light) salutations with a chair or kitchen counter or other suitable surface to keep your spine happy and healthy.

Please have at least one candle, preferably a tall one in a candlestick. But not to worry, a tea light or two will do just fine. You will want to see a flame at eye-height for Tratak, or steady gazing, so check that out before class starts so that you can have what you need at hand: a stool to put the light on, for example. I use an overturned vase with a candle in a candlestick holder. That works just fine. If you can’t sit on the floor and need to sit on a chair, put your candle on the table or kitchen counter at eye-height. Just make sure you have figured that out before we begin at 6pm sharp.

You will receive your Zoom link around 5pm. Please, please, please, log on no later than 5:45pm!, so that we can all start on time together.

If you are having trouble registering due to waiver issues, send an email no later than 5:15pm to alison@yogaunion.com.
I will send you an invoice and put you on the roster.

12/28/2020

Join Alison on New Year’s Eve for a candlelight class for a soulful yet joyful farewell to 2020 and an open-hearted welcome to 2021. We will conclude with a loving kindness meditation visualized as loving light for yourself and all beings everywhere.

You will receive an email with your Zoom link about an hour before class as well as set-up information and what you might need--mat, blocks and blankets and, very importantly, at least one candle. You can of course have many candles. For tratak, a tall candle is best, but a tea light works just fine.

Please register by 6pm on Wednesday, December 30.
Special: $15.00
Register here https://bit.ly/3o7mhM0
for the candlelit joy of it.

Check on Dec 31 if you haven't registered but are still interested, to see if there is still room.