Benevolent Place

About This Class

This full-length dynamic flow class with Bryan Kest builds steadily from child's pose and downward facing dog through multiple rounds of a sun-salutation-style sequence — cobra, plank, crescent lunge — before layering in arm balancing prep (knee-to-elbow, knee-on-tricep), warrior-family balances, standing one-legged poses (airplane/warrior III, bent-knee balancing, figure-four/tree-style standing hip opener, and extended leg lifts), and pigeon-style deep hip openers. The spine is warmed front and back with repeated cobra variations and a full bow pose (dhanurasana) to open the upper back and chest. The floor sequence closes with a wide-legged seated forward fold, lateral reaches to each leg, supine twists, and a knees-to-chest compression, before settling into a guided gratitude meditation and Savasana. Throughout, Bryan's philosophy is central: breath is the practice, gentleness prevents injury, and awareness — not acquisition — is the goal of yoga. The class suits students who want a substantial cardiovascular and strength challenge delivered with a mindful, non-aggressive ethos, and is especially valuable for those looking to build stamina, open tight hips and hamstrings, counteract desk posture, and cultivate mental calm under physical effort.