Almond Milk

About This Class

This expansive class opens on the floor in child's pose with an extended foundation in deep nasal breathing — the thread Bryan returns to throughout. The warm-up builds gradually through multiple rounds of Down Dog, cobra, and a flowing vinyasa sequence, with Bryan consistently urging students to honor where they are rather than push beyond sensation. Standing work includes warrior poses, side-angle variations with arm binds, airplane balance (Warrior III-style), and single-leg balance sequences that challenge stability and focus. Hip openers progress from low lunge and lizard to deep groin stretches and a frog-like groin release on the forearms. Backbend work layers cobra, locust variations with interlaced fingers, bow pose, and camel pose done from the knees. The class moves through shoulder-opening twists, a shoulder stand / legs-up inversion, and a plow-like fold before coming to the floor for supine twists, a butterfly fold, seated forward folds, and core work with leg lowers. The practice closes with an extended seated meditation — first a concentration on breath sensation at the upper lip (a vipassana-style anchor), then a guided gratitude meditation, followed by a compassion (metta-style) meditation — before a long savasana. Bryan's teaching is philosophical, irreverent, and deeply personal, emphasizing self-inquiry, moderation, healing over ego, and the cultivation of qualities like acceptance, gratitude, and compassion as the true fruit of practice.