Facing the Monster

About This Class

In "Facing the Monster," Bryan Kest leads a long, demanding flow class designed to test your ability to stay calm and focused through progressive physical challenge. The class opens in Child's Pose with an extended breath-awareness practice, then builds methodically through Down Dog, Cobra, and Plank-based vinyasas before launching into an intricate bilateral standing sequence. Each side features a full arc of poses — Runner's Lunge with a twist ("Grandma Twist"), a deep low lunge with four-point opening, Warrior-to-Triangle variations, Twisting Triangle, a novel extended-arm balance (improvised on the spot and humorously left unnamed), Standing Splits-adjacent balancing, and "Balancing Supreme" (a bound standing bow-like pose). Hip flexors, inner groins, and hamstrings receive deep passive attention via low lunge elbow-down holds. Core work includes scissors/flutter kicks and a Boat-like pose sequence. The floor sequence closes with Half Lotus forward fold, passive spinal twists, and a gratitude meditation before Savasana. Bryan consistently reminds students to work to their own degree, pace themselves, use modifications, and let the breath — not effort — dictate the experience. The class is explicitly framed as practice for equanimity in the face of life's difficulties.