John McConnell Yoga
By John McConnell
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Podcast Description
Welcome to the John McConnell Yoga free weekly yoga video class. These weekly classes are here to keep you connected to your yoga practice, and more importantly, to the goodness of your True Self. Enjoy!
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VideoGratitude | Today's class is based on a talk on I saw on TED about happiness. In the talk it mentioned the 5 things you can do to be happy -- journaling, meditation, exercise, acts of goodness, and gratitude. So, today's class is all about practicing gratitude. By the way, here's the link to the TED talk I saw: http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html Enjoy! John | 5/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 2 | VideoSeeing Your Own Light Reflected In Others | This practice was recorded on Valentine's Day, and is about connecting to your own heart and light when you see the light in another. Enjoy...and happy belated Valentine's Day! John | 2/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 3 | VideoThe Profound Power of the Practice | This week is a pretty mellow practice with the focus on being present and enjoying the practice and your breath. It's really quite profound that ultimately the thing that is so great about yoga is it's simplicity. At it's foundation yoga is about breathing and being aware of yourself. It really doesn't get too much simpler than that. What's crazy is how just doing that really turns people on. It's pretty great. So, enjoy the video...and enjoy your practice! John | 1/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 4 | VideoGoing With The Flow of Your Heart for the New Year - Free Yoga Video from John McConnell | In this class I talk about how when you really let go and allow yourself to go with what is happening in your heart instead of working with a strict agenda, you can cultivate this sense of seeing yourself as you innately are -- a happy fun person! Enjoy - John | 1/9/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 5 | VideoNew Beginnings - Free Yoga Video from John McConnell Yoga | This video is based on the philosophy from the first Sutra from Patajali's Yoga Sutras -- "Now, begin the practice of yoga." For me I think about that in terms of the idea that it is never to late to start anything, just start it NOW. Enjoy the class! John | 12/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 6 | VideoBeing Grateful - Free Yoga Video from John McConnell Yoga | In this weeks class we work on hip openers and back bends. The theme of today's practice is on being grateful for what we have. I was talking to a friend this week about all the little things we experience each day that makes our lives better -- things to be grateful for. So, in the class it's all about thinking of everything we can come up with to be grateful for…and there is definitely a lot1 Enjoy the class and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. :-) John | 11/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 7 | VideoDiscipline to Gain Freedom -- Free Yoga Video From John McConnell Yoga | In this video we work on being disciplined in our practice as a way to be more connected to our True Self and inner light. In the asana practice we work on balance and strength. | 11/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 8 | VideoBeing in the Present Moment - Free Yoga Video from John McConnell Yoga | This week we work on being in the present moment and looking forward. We take the inspiration from my dog who just had an operation to remove his leg and definitely isn't spending any time dwelling in the past. As long as we're together and having fun, three legs are just fine! | 10/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 9 | VideoTaking Control Of Your Mind - John McConnell Yoga Videos | The philosophical theme is this practice is about techniques to control your thoughts -- learning to be more in charge of your thoughts then they are of you. We consider a couple of stanzas for the Vijnanabharava Tantra: •• When you become aware of a desire consider it the time of a snap of fingers, then suddenly let go. Then it returns to the space it just came out of. •• Just as you get the impulse to do something, stop. Then, being no more in the preceding impulse or the following one realization blossoms intensely. •• As for the physical practice, we work on creating nice alignment with the neck and the upper back. Enjoy! | 10/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 10 | VideoWriting Your Own Positive Story - John McConnell Yoga | In this twisty class we focus on the idea of recogonizing the positive story of our life, and attaching ourselves to that instead of a negative storyline. Hope you enjoy it! John | 9/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 11 | VideoThis World Is A Learning Ground - John McConnell Yoga | In this episode we think about the power of being open minded and willing to learn. A quote that we focus on is from the Bhagavad Gita. This world is a learning ground, a place to discipline, train, and elevate all beings. If we decline to learn we cannot derive the benefit of the schooling. What Krisha is saying here is that no matter how hard it is to a face difficulty or conflict in our lives, we should because we are here to learn, and that will teach us something. I also like the idea that one's personal learning is not just of benefit to them, it's of benefit to overone. It's on job a citizens on the Earth to learn and share with each other so that we all grow from that. I think that's pretty cool. I've put together a pretty mellow hip opener video with this in mind. In fact, the whole sequence is seated or lying down, which is a nice practice to have sometimes. Hope you enjoy the video. John | 9/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 12 | VideoSpatiality - John McConnell Yoga Free Video Class | In this shoulder and neck opening class, we contemplate one of my favorite stanzas from the vijnanabhairava tantra, "Oh great goddess, perceive the spatiality of the universe and become the jar that contains it." Enjoy the practice - John | 8/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 13 | VideoFollowing Your Dharma - John McConnell Yoga Free Video Class | In this week's class we do some hip openers and contemplate the bhagavad gita in regard to following your dharma. You can basically translate dharma as following your path. And, as Krisna says to Arjuna in the bhagavad gita, "It is more important to do your path fully than to follow someone else's path". That's just such a great thing to remember. I hope you enjoy the class - John | 7/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 14 | VideoMovement vs Action - Free Yoga Video from John McConnell Yoga | In this short video we work on the difference between movement in a posture, and the actions of a posture. To get an idea of what that means, in the movement of a posture it is more the direction the body is moving in, whereas the actions of a posture you are thinking about alignment principles no matter the body movement. For instance, if you stick your pelvis forward the movement of the pelvis is forward, obviously. :-) But, the actions in the head of the femurs (top of the thigh bones) is always the same, whether the pelvis is forward or not, which is to move back toward the back body. Even though the pelvis is moving forward the action in the thighs is back. Get it? It's pretty cool, and a concept you can use not only while doing postures, but as you are moving around in your day to day actives. Hope you find it useful! Take care - John | 7/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 15 | VideoTwisty Sequence - John McConnell Yoga | Today's class is a bit shorter, and working on a more advanced bound sequence. We go from bound parsvakonasana to bound trikonana toto bound ardha chandrasana. It's a fun little sequence and takes open hips, shoulders, and a deep twist. Enjoy getting twisty! John | 6/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 16 | VideoLow Impact Practice For Everyday - John McConnell Yoga Free Video Class | This is a pretty mellow, low impact yoga practice. If you are new to practicing yoga this is a really good practice to get started with. If you have been practicing a while this practice is well rounded, and is a good one to memorize to keep you coming back to the mat. Enjoy! John | 6/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 17 | VideoConnecting With Divine Consciousness - Free Yoga Video Class | In this class I talk about a new book I got on the Vijnanabhairava, which is my favorite ancient text on yoga philosophy. The book is called "Vijnanabhairava or Divine Consciousness" by Jaideva Singh. In it I found this definition of yoga that I really like - "Yoga is awareness, transformation of the human consciousness to divine consciousness." To embody that idea in class, we focus on a bit more challenging postures, working on muscular engagement as way of connecting to our divine self. | 6/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 18 | VideoRemoving Barriers | This video is a very gentle yoga class all about breathing, relaxing, and letting down external (and internal) barriers so we can be more connect to the forever bright place inside ourselves. | 6/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 19 | VideoSeeing Beauty - Free Yoga Video from John McConnell Yoga | The focus of this week's episode is on the spiritual practice of recognizing your innate inner beauty, and on the physical practice of working toward a fun standing hip opener - utthita hasta padangusthasana. | 6/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 20 | VideoPerceptions - Free Yoga Video #34 from John McConnell Yoga | In this class we do some hip openers and contemplate how perception can play a self-limiting role in our lives. As an example, I recently sold an old 1983 Mercedes I had for the last 5 years. It's really been a great car. I converted it to run on vegetable oil when I first got it - all diesel engines were originally created to run on oils, and they still can! Anyway, lately I've had the perception that the car was invaluable because it was "free" to drive and in my mind it was in pretty good condition, and with a little TLC I'd make it last forever and never get rid of it. But, I started to get clues and have my eyes opened that maybe this perception just wasn't true at all. For one thing, I started to keep track of all the time and money I was putting into to the car, and it was significant. Just this cost alone was the cost of a monthly car payment, not including the cost of my personal time. Not only was there the cost in parts and labor to keep the car running, but the fuel wasn't really "free". It took a lot of time to deal with using veggie oil, and because of cold weather and car issues, I wasn't using the vegetable oil that much anyway -- so that part wasn't true either. What really opened my eyes is I took the car to my mechanic recently, while I was still dedicated to the car and my relationship, and I was talking to some body repair guys who were in the shop. I had mentioned how I thought the car was great and wondered what it would cost to bring the body fully back to it's glory days. One guys said with a straight face, "Sell it. You never want to get emotionally attached to a car." This was really the final eye opener. I came to realize all my perceptions where self-created, and self-limiting. I'd dedicated myself to making this car work, when really it wasn't of any benefit to me. It was costly, it wasn't in the good of shape, and it was using all my time. After having my eyes opened to really what I had, it didn't take long to sell it to someone who was willing to put the necessary effort into keeping it alive. And, on the totally exciting front, after letting go of the weight of this multi-ton car, I bought a 200 pound scooter that actually is (almost) free to ride, extremely low maintenance, and FUN! This whole story is really about what yoga is all about. Yoga is about letting go of weighty perceptions that are self-limiting so we can get to the light, fun stuff. This doesn't happen over night, and it's also an ebb and flow of letting go and getting light, and then something else can come along you need to let go off to get back to the light. So, You just keep practicing. As you practice you try to practice with a willingness to shed those views of yourself that aren't helpful as well as perceptions of your world that don't do you any good, so you can see your true, fun, light self. Happy Scootering! - John | 5/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 21 | VideoEka Pada Bakasana - Advanced Yoga Posture Series | This short yoga video walks you through how to do the more advanced yoga posture eka pada bakasana, also known as one legged crow. This is a fun posture, but to do it you really need to engage in the core and hug energy to the midline. As a technique for overcoming the fear of falling on your head (which is a valid fear!) I stack up a couple blankets and then get into bakasana with my head on the blanket. Then, with strong engagement to the midline of the body, I slowly straighten one leg and lift my head off the blanket and lengthen forward. It's a rush! Then, when you get comfortable with that you can start in bakasana and extend the leg back as you reach the head forward. I've actually found starting from bakasana can be easier, but it's a little more scary. :-) So, either way, have fun with it and post on my website or on my John McConnell Yoga facebook page how it goes for you. Take care - John | 5/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 22 | VideoJumping to Handstand - Advanced Yoga Posture Series | In this short yoga video we work on some strength building for getting into handstand. Start in downdog with a block between your legs. Squeeze the block real strong with your legs as you jump with both feet into handstand. Doing this exercise makes going to handstand with one leg feel like child's play. :-) Enjoy! | 5/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 23 | VideoSeeing Your Innate Goodness - Yoga Video #33 | This back bending class is about focusing on innate goodness, with a short meditation thrown in. There are a couple things I really like about the whole concept of innate goodness. First of all, innate goodness means that I am good exactly as I am. That's pretty great! I don't need to learn anything or change anything about myself; I've already got it going on. If I am good exactly as I am, then the more I am "myself", the better I am. That's why in yoga we always take about connecting to your True Self. This Self is your good self. It's the Self that sometimes gets hidden under the stresses of the day and thoughts that can taint the view of ourselves. The other thing I love about the concept of innate goodness is it's not a select group of people who are good, and everyone else is out of luck -- we are ALL good. Whenever I really am focused on this reality, the interactions I have with people are much more positive. Instead of taking things personally, or being mad at the way someone else is driving, I blow it off and just think they are having a bad day - it has nothing to do with me. Granted, sometimes that kind of stuff still does get to me, but it sure feels good to see everyone I interact with as a perfect, good soul. So, I invite you to truly take on this idea of innate goodness for yourself - how does it make you feel? And, probably more importantly, how does it make you feel when you practice thinking of everyone around you as just as awesome as you are! | 5/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 24 | VideoFix Your Mind In Your Heart - John McConnell Yoga video #32 | In this episode we do some work on opening the shoulders. I actually created this class as a warmup to the "Gettin' Into Class!" I did last week that was focused on handstands. I know I probably should have done this class first, put what can you do. :-) Also, I talk about one of my favorite quotes from the vijnanabharava tantra. If you don't know about this spiritual text, it lays out the tantric philosophy of innate goodness and simple ways to find the goodness within yourself. So, here's what I read from the vijnanbharava tantra, stanza #51: Fix your mind in your heart when engaged in worldly activities, thus agitation will disappear and in a few days the indescribable will happen. I just love how simple and straight ahead this is. And, you know, it's probably true! Think if the whole world took the time out for a few days just to be in their heart -- no question the indescribable would definitely happen for the benefit of us all. While we waiting for the whole world to get on board, it's up to us. Enjoy! John | 5/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 25 | VideoShoulders In Handstand - Gettin' Into It! episode #2 | In this yoga video we work on thinking about the movement of the shoulders in handstand. Often times going into handstand the shoulders are really tight and there is no "play" in the shoulders. Instead, it's good to think of shoulder movement in handstand like the hip movement when you're standing. Just imagine how hard it would be to stand if you didn't let there be movement in the joint of the leg and hip - even a little movement helps keep us up. So, same deal in the shoulders in handstand. It's not huge movement, but subtle adjustments. Give it a try and happy handstands! John | 4/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 26 | VideoFinding Spanda In Your Yoga Practice - John McConnell Yoga Video #32 | This yoga class is about finding the spanda in your practice. Put simply, spanda is the pulsation of energy in the universe. By thinking about spanda in your practice, you focus on the security of bringing energy and engagement in, and the freedom of extending energy out. This truly can bring your practice to a deeper level. I hope you enjoy the class! Visit johnmcconnellyoga.com and et me know if there are any postures or sequences you'd like to work on for future videos. Take care - John | 4/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 27 | VideoGettin' Into It! with John McConnell - episode #1 | I am starting a new series of videos called Gettin' Into It! In these videos we'll be working on more complex postures and what to work on and think about to get into them (hence the name). :-) In this first episode we move from astavakrasana to eka pada koundinyasana -- it's really fun! Let me know what you think. If there are any postures you are working on, simple or complex, let me know via email or my website. I'll make a video about it! Have fun. | 4/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 28 | VideoNow, Begin The Practice of Yoga - John McConnell Yoga Video #31 | In this practice we contemplate the first sutra of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, "Now, begin the practice of yoga." ;We work on being present in the "now" of this moment, but also respect this moment as leading toward a future of our own design. | 4/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 29 | VideoAlways Look On The Bright Side of Life - Yoga with John McConnell: Video #30 | With this practice we do some twists and side bends and contemplate a brighter self. | 4/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 30 | VideoSeeing The Positive You - John McConnell Yoga Video #29 | In this yoga class we focus on seeing through the things that hide our true nature. | 3/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 31 | VideoCalming The Mind To Calm The Body - John McConnell Yoga Video #28 | In this more mediative class, we focus on the idea of having a clearer, calmer mind as a way to for more relaxed physically. | 3/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 32 | VideoBeing Humble - John McConnell Yoga Video #27 | In this practice we work on being humble on open. During the asana we work on some hip openers. | 3/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 33 | VideoJohn McConnnell Yoga - Video Class #26 | In this class we are getting back to basics, working on opening the hips and the shoulders. ;Enjoy. | 2/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 34 | VideoFollowing Your Sva-Dharma : John McConnell Yoga Video Class #25 | This is the 25th(!!!) yoga video I've created. ;Thanks to everyone who has been watching and enjoying these videos. | 12/9/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 35 | VideoRemoving Outer Layers To See Inner Beauty | In this week's video we use the analogy of sanding an old wooden floor and uncovering the beauty underneath in relation to ourselves and removing our outer layers to see our own inner beauty. | 12/1/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 36 | VideoKeeping Good Company - John McConnell Yoga video #23 | In this class we contemplate the idea of keeping good company. ;Not only good company of people, put good company within ourselves in our mind, body, and spirit. | 11/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 37 | VideoWith The Sword of Wisdom, Sever The Doubt In Your Heart - John McConnell Yoga video #22 | A practice contemplating a quote from the ;bhagavad gita, "with the sword of wisdom, sever the doubt in your heart." | 11/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 38 | VideoAppreciating Your Practice - John McConnell Yoga video #21 | This week the focus is on really appreciating your yoga practice and the fact that you are practicing at all. ;We are all lucky to know about yoga, whatever your abilities. | 10/30/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 39 | VideoRecognizing Abundance In Your Life - John McConnell Yoga video #20 | This is the twentieth free weekly video yoga class I've made -- I hope you enjoy it! ;In this yoga practice we focus on seeing all the abundance we already have in our lives -- friends, knowledge, family... | 10/23/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 40 | VideoFinding The Bliss In Transitions - John McConnell Yoga video #19 | Often in life we focus on doing an activity or getting to a place, and we miss out on all the time, and bliss, that exists between activities and going from place to place. For this class we focus on finding the joy between our inhales and exhales and in the transitions between our postures. | 10/16/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 41 | VideoFacing The World Head On - John McConnell Yoga video #18 | In this shoulder opener class we focus on facing the tension in our bodies as a practice for facing tension in our lives, and with doing that remove the tension and connect to our true selves. | 10/9/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 42 | VideoSeeing Your True Nature - John McConnell Yoga video #17 | WIth a focus on twists we create space to contemplate the light and goodness of our true nature. | 10/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 43 | VideoYoga As An Adventure - John McConnell Yoga video #16 | In this class we focus on finding the freshness, and adventure, in the practice. We work our way into some nice backbends. | 9/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 44 | VideoHandstand Preparation - Foundation | This week the "class" is really more of a workshop style, where we are working on a really short study on hand and shoulder position (foundation) in order to get a fantastic handstand. | 9/16/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 45 | VideoForward Folds for Contemplation - John McConnell Yoga video #14 | For the practice we do lots of forward folds. Forward folds are great for connecting to your breath and for deep contemplation -- enjoy! | 9/9/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 46 | VideoYoga As Vacation (Shoulder Openers) - John McConnell Yoga Video #13 | In this class we do some nice shoulder openers while thinking about the yoga practice is a way to take a short vacation from your daily life. | 9/2/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 47 | VideoTwisting With Awareness - John McConnell Video #12 | In the class we are focused on some nice twists while being fully aware of how we feel while we are practicing. Enjoy! | 8/23/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 48 | VideoActions Speak Louder Than Asana - John McConnell video class #11 | In yoga you want to focus of the "actions" that create the posture, as opposed to just getting to the supposed end result of the asana. This week's episode is all about actions as we do some sweet hip openers. | 8/19/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 49 | VideoChit Ananda - John McConnell video class #10 | This class we do a series of backbends keeping in mind the idea that the yoga practice is about remembering our true nature of goodness -- chit ananda. | 8/12/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 50 | VideoFinding Support In Community - John McConnell Yoga video #9 | This class focuses on connecting to your personal muscular energy as a way to find a connection your community of family and friends. | 8/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 51 | VideoKnowing Yourself Through Awareness - John McConnell Yoga video #8 | This class focuses on being extremely aware of how you feel in your body, mind and heart during the practice as a way to better get in touch with who you are. | 7/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 52 | VideoCreating Space To See Goodness - John McConnell Yoga video #7 | In this class we focus on creating space in the body to see the innate goodness that is always there inside. | 7/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 53 | VideoTweeting with HHDL - John McConnell Yoga video class #6 | Using the Dalai Lama's tweet about compassion as a starting point, we have a nice practice connecting to our sense of compassion. | 7/15/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 54 | VideoDon't Stop Believing - John McConnell Yoga video #5 | In this practice we focus on believing in yourself and appreciating who you are with some deep shoulder openers. | 7/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 55 | VideoSeeing The Good | We focus on some hamstring openers along with some fun twisting. | 6/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 56 | VideoJohn McConnell Yoga - Video Class #3 | Finding a new perspective with inversions. | 6/16/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 57 | VideoJohn McConnell Yoga - Video Class #2 | In this class we work on backbends and finding the fullness in the current moment. | 6/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 58 | VideoJohn McConnnell Yoga - Class 1 | In this class we are focused on practicing some simple hip openers. | 5/26/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 58 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
john rocks
John is an amazing yoga teacher! He is inspiring and nice, and I learn a lot from his classes. It's a balance between challenging myself and being aware of my breath.
Yoga is fun!
I loved going to John's beginner classes weekly until childcare started to become an issue - so now I "attend class" at home with John's podcasts instead. I don't follow the classes sequentially, but rather pick and choose which part of me wants the most work that day and select a podcast that will suit my needs. John is a patient and kind teacher who takes his craft seriously, yet without pretension. John makes a workout fun! If you can't make it to his classes live (which are so worth it!) you can still practice at home with the podcasts. I know he can't hear me - but I always say thank you out loud to him at the end of class.
great teacher - great videos
John is an excellent teacher and does a great job of making every student feel personally welcome. class is always both enlightening and fun and John does a fantastic job in making the videos feel personal as well.
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