Welcome to the Ompractice End-of-Year Slow Down! Join us for classes designed to boost mindfulness, gratitude, rest, and community at a time when life feels too fast. Embrace the slowdown with us!

Who is this for?
YOU. Well, all of us! Yes, whether you are brand new to Ompractice or have been here for the long haul, this program is tailored to meet you where you are. We've designed this end-of-the-year program to be for the whole community: it’s about slowing down and building your commitment to yourself, focusing on adding small, meaningful things that make your day-to-day life better.
These classes will include (light) accessible movement (although you can also take them seated!) and some optional conversation. It's for everyone

What are the benefits of doing the challenge?
One of our favorite benefits is the number of ways you can "Slow Down and..." For example:
• Slow Down and Notice: Appreciate the little things in life. It's about tuning into the good things around you, even in your everyday routine.
• Slow Down with Gratitude: Join us in exploring the power of gratitude. Simple acts of thankfulness can boost your happiness and make your day-to-day experiences brighter.
• Slow Down for Restful Renewal: Take a break and recharge your batteries. Relax and unwind so you feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
• Slow Down with Community Connection: Connect with others – life is always better when we aren’t facing it alone. This is all about building relationships, finding common ground, and supporting each other along the way.

Here's all you have to do:
1. Sign Up: Take any three "Ompractice Slow Down" classes this month (eligible classes below).
2. Keep Tabs: Watch your progress and take your wins into the new year!

Welcome to the Ompractice End-of-Year Slow Down! Join us for classes designed to boost mindfulness, gratitude, rest, and community at a time when life feels too fast. Embrace the slowdown with us!

A light white and blue gradient image with a sloth.

The Annual Slow Down Challenge!

Welcome to the November Flexibility for Life Challenge! This month, we’re focusing on building flexibility habits that last a lifetime, enhancing your range of motion, and promoting overall ease of movement. Flexibility is essential for daily comfort, injury prevention, and physical resilience, especially as we prepare for the colder months.

Why Focus on Lifelong Flexibility?
Flexibility isn't just for athletes—it’s a vital component of health and well-being at any age. Improving flexibility can help reduce muscle tension, improve posture, and increase joint mobility, making daily activities easier and more enjoyable. By focusing on flexibility now, you can cultivate habits that support lifelong movement, physical comfort, and reduced risk of injury.

Benefits of Participation:<list>
<li>Enhanced Flexibility: Improve your range of motion and move with greater ease.</li>
<li>Improved Posture: Regular flexibility training can support better posture and relieve tension in overworked muscles.</li>
<li>Injury Prevention: By building flexibility, you reduce the risk of strain and injury, especially in colder months.</li>
<li>Relaxation & Stress Relief: Stretching and mobility exercises promote relaxation and reduce stress, supporting overall well-being.</li>
<li>Lifelong Health: Establish habits that promote lifelong flexibility, resilience, and freedom of movement.</li></list>

Join us this November for the Flexibility for Life Challenge, and let’s build lifelong habits that support a more active, comfortable, and flexible future. Embrace the freedom that flexibility offers and enjoy the benefits of moving with ease!

Join our November Flexibility for Life Challenge! Focus on improving mobility, easing tension to build lifelong physical and mental flexibility habits to move with comfort and confidence every day! Try any three classes below to complete the challenge!

The Flexibility for Life Challenge!

Get ready to put some spring in your spine with our October Challenge: "Back in Action"! This month, we're all about giving your back the TLC it deserves. Whether you're dealing with a cranky lower back or just want to keep your spine happy, we've got a lineup of online classes that'll have you feeling limber, strong, and ready to take on the world.

Why All the Fuss About Your Spine?
Think of your spine as your body's superhero. It's got your back (pun intended) all day, every day. But even superheroes need some support now and then. Back pain doesn't discriminate – it can sneak up on anyone, from desk warriors to fitness fanatics. By showing your spine some love, you're not just kissing goodbye to those aches and pains; you're setting yourself up for a more active, vibrant life.

Here's all you have to do:
<ul>
<li>Sign Up: Hop on board the "Back in Action" challenge train and take any three "Back in Action" classes this month</li><li>Keep Tabs: Watch your progress and celebrate your wins!</li>
</ul>

Ready to show your back some love? Join our "Back in Action" October Challenge! Enjoy spine-friendly classes like Yoga for Back Care, Pilates, Mobility Training & more. Say goodbye to pain & hello to better posture, flexibility, and strength. Let's get your back on track!

A brown gradient background with a dog stretching. It reads: October 2024 Challenge.

The Back in Action Challenge

Meet Marybeth, a relatively newer student on Ompractice who has taken almost 1,000 classes from a variety of teachers across multiple styles. Her current favorites lean more towards gentler, more mindful movement and breathwork. 

Take on "The Marybeth" challenge this September: complete 3 specific classes (or 3 of the same) to accomplish the challenge!

We asked Marybeth to recommend her three favorite classes and explain why she loves them. Here's what she had to say:

<a href="https://app.ompractice.com/schedule?teachers=125&tags=68">Yin Yoga with Alice</a>
Alice keeps the class interesting with her insight of Yin Yoga. The poses are each challenging but not too difficult. She offers modifications, if desired. I like how relaxed I feel, later in the day, after doing her class on Friday mornings.

<a href="https://app.ompractice.com/schedule?teachers=128&search=shoulders">Yoga for Tight Shoulders and Neck with Niki</a>
This class helps with posture by focusing on the neck and shoulder area. It has made me more aware of my head and my shoulder placement, especially when I walk. Niki keeps the class moving at a relaxing but challenging pace. She is very knowledgeable and friendly.

<a href="https://app.ompractice.com/schedule?teachers=89&tags=36">Breathwork with Eric</a>
Eric's class is a great way to start the day. It is very calming and soothing to go through the various breathwork techniques that he teaches. Eric has a friendly and calming demeanor.

We are so excited for you to try The Marybeth! And if you are looking for a challenge that's meets the other side of the energetic coin, why not try <a href="https://app.ompractice.com/challenges/the-kenny">The Kenny</a>!

Meet Marybeth, a relatively newer student on Ompractice who still has taken almost 1,000 classes from a variety of teachers across multiple styles. Take on "The Marybeth" challenge this September: complete 3 specific classes (or 3 of the same) to accomplish the challenge!

A teal background with a photo of Marybeth. It reads: The Marybeth Challenge, September 2024.

Student Challenge: The Marybeth!

Meet Kenny, an Ompractice veteran of 6 years with 1,100+ classes! 

Take on "The Kenny" challenge this September: complete 3 specific classes (or 3 of the same) to conquer this power yoga enthusiast's feat. Join us in celebrating Kenny!

We asked Kenny to recommend his three favorite classes and explain why he loves them. Here's what he had to say:

<a href="https://app.ompractice.com/schedule?teachers=126&tags=70">Lisa Rischitelli's Power Yoga Classes (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)</a>
Kenny finds Lisa to be an exceptional sequencer. He says, "For me Yoga is about cadence and consistency. Lisa is one of the best sequencers I've ever practiced with. She is very skilled at mixing it up enough to keep it always fresh." This variety in Lisa's classes helps Kenny maintain his enthusiasm and engagement in his practice, ensuring that each session feels new and invigorating.

<a href="https://app.ompractice.com/c/yoga-for-grace-slow-flow-dannika-ross-wednesday">Dannika's "Yoga for Grace - Slow Flow"</a>
For Kenny, Dannika's class offers a holistic yoga experience that engages both mind and body. He explains, "Dannika is my go-to teacher for the full mind/body yoga experience. Grace here is not 'low' effort or intensity. Instead it's a way of quieting the mind and paying more careful attention to the movements." This class seems to offer Kenny a chance to cultivate mindfulness and body awareness, emphasizing the meditative aspects of yoga alongside the physical practice.

<a href="https://app.ompractice.com/schedule?teachers=85&tags=94">Dawn's "Vinyasa Yoga"</a>
Kenny values the extended format of Dawn's 75-minute class, which allows for a more expansive and unhurried practice. He shares, "Dawn uses her 75 minutes to artfully build the sequences over an extended period of time. I never feel that the extended class is too long, and it's nice to have the luxury on the weekends to not rush on to the rest of the day." This longer session provides Kenny with the opportunity to delve deeper into his practice, enjoying a more comprehensive yoga experience without feeling rushed.

His comments also underscore the importance of finding the right instructor and class style to maintain a long-term, engaging yoga practice. Kenny's enthusiasm for these classes demonstrates how a well-rounded yoga routine can incorporate different elements - from high-energy power yoga to more introspective, slower-paced sessions.

For Ompractice students looking to diversify their practice or find new favorite classes, Kenny's recommendations provide a great starting point. Each of these classes offers a unique approach to yoga, catering to different needs and preferences within the practice.

We are so excited for you to try The Kenny! And if you are looking for a challenge that's meets the other side of the energetic coin, why not try <a href="https://app.ompractice.com/challenges/the-marybeth">The Marybeth</a>!

Meet Kenny, an Ompractice veteran of 6 years with 1,100+ classes! Take on "The Kenny" challenge this September: complete 3 specific classes (or 3 of the same) to conquer this power yoga enthusiast's feat. Join us in celebrating Kenny!

A teal gradient background with a photo of Kenny. It reads: The Kenny Challenge, September 2024.

Student Challenge: The Kenny!

As the final days of summer approach, we invite you to mindfully transition into the new season with a yoga challenge tailored to your needs. Whether you're looking to squeeze the last drops of summer energy or gently ease into a more relaxed autumn mindset, this challenge is designed for you.

Challenge Goal: Complete three yoga classes in August, choosing ONE of these options:
• Energize: Take 3 classes tagged in the schedule filter as "Vigorous" OR
• Unwind: Take 3 classes tagged in the schedule filter as "Gentle"

Why This Challenge? The end of summer is a unique time. Some of us want to embrace those last bursts of energy, while others are ready to slow down and reflect. This challenge allows you to honor your body's needs and set the tone for the coming season.

How to Participate:
1. Sign up for the challenge through your account.
2. Decide whether you want to "Energize" or "Unwind" this August.
3. Complete three classes with your chosen tag between August 1st and August 31st.

Tips for Success:
• Schedule your classes in advance to stay committed.
• Listen to your body. Even within your chosen path, some days may require more or less intensity.
• Reflect on how your chosen path affects your energy and mindset as summer transitions to fall.

What to Expect:
• "Energize" Path: If you choose "Vigorous" classes, prepare to build heat, challenge yourself, and tap into an inner fire. These classes will help you maintain summer's firey energy and carry it into the cooler months.
• "Unwind" Path: Opting for "Gentle" classes allows you to cultivate calm, release tension, and create space for reflection. This path helps you gradually adjust to the slower pace of the approaching autumn.

Remember, consistency is key! This challenge is designed to help you establish or maintain a regular practice that aligns with your current needs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, these three classes will help you stay connected to yourself and mindful of the seasonal shift.

Join us in this "Summer Stretch" and discover how aligning your practice with your energy can create a smooth transition into the next season. Let's make these last weeks of summer feel celebratory and fun!

Close out summer your way! Choose to take three vigorous classes to energize or three gentle classes to unwind this August. Whether you're looking to ramp up or wind down, find your perfect end-of-summer stretch for your mind and body.  Two finishers will win a special prize!

A yellow and teal gradient background with a cat doing yoga at the top. It reads: August 2024 Challenge, The Summer Stretch.

Ompractice Challenges

We Want to Hear from You!