The Elements #9

Gorgeous class! My shoulders dropped a few inches by the end. I love the combo of slow pace with a challenging peak pose. Really terrific class.

What has kept me going so far through this series is the variety of poses, creative routines and Christa's calm, clear instructions. I find however, that there is very little actual sense of the elements that the classes are based on. I also find the transitions to the challenging inversion poses way too fast and they come as a surprise. There's no way I could safely attempt the tripod headstand so quickly. As this is a multi-level course, adaptations and warnings about challenging poses would be helpful.

It's not a big deal but Crista's intro and the blurb on the main Challenge page advertise this as a water class, with a certain hand mudra. But the class, itself, is an air class with a different hand mudra. Lovely class, though!

excellent class slow but intentional and deep

What an excellent class. Invigorating, fun, and a wonderful release. I love the mudra as well.

Maybe my favorite class of the challenge so far! I've never done figure-four headstand before, it was a fun pose. The seated twist at the end was a revelation. Thank you, Crista!

Juicy flow! That seated twist towards the end just made my day, felt so much release in part of my body I didn't even know existed haha! Thank you again Christa, amazing!

Oh my gosh, Crista, perfect as always. It never fails that I finish the classes feeling on a wonderful high. You seem to get it all in, physical, spiritual, and mental. Thank you so much. Namaste

I have loved everyone of the daily challenges! This one was so fun. I like that you almost always include pigeon pose, on day nine, my hips feel so much more open! I love inversions, so I also am thankful that you often include options for headstand, handstands, and forearm balances, even scorpion one day! I have never tried getting into headstand while in figure 4. I was excited to get into it but felt challenged to come back down safely. Will have to go back and watch how you did that! Thanks for these very fun challenges, can't wait to finish and start all over again! As a nurse on an acute care unit, it is a lovely gift to escape the current anxieties for 45 minutes. Thank you!

Lovely class!!! The intro clip is incorrect but don’t let that deter you, you’ll leave the mat feeling as light as air!

This is a beautiful class. Once the intro doesn't match the rest - as in water intro for an air class, but other than that it's perfect.

Hi Crista, there is an error here regarding the mudra and the element theme. The written class description refers to the air element. In the beginning of the video you explain the water mudra, with the thumb and pinky finger. When the class starts you explain curling in the first finger with the thumb holding it down. This is what is also used in the rest of the class. So the clip in the beginning must be for a different class? I also noticed your hair looks different so that part of the clip must have been added here by mistake. Regarding the class itself, I liked the incorporation of om with the movements. It's easier said than done and although I felt I fumbled through it this first time, I'm looking forward to trying it again. Also, there are some very creative surprises in the classes in this challenge which are really fun. :)

Now this one, I loved!!! I liked that even though I didn't try headstand, I still got time to practice my flying pigeon pose. I also liked the little pauses for child's pose and pigeon pose interspersed throughout the practice, and Crista's creative sequencing, as always. Cheers!