(LSD) Long, Slow, & Deep

About This Class

This nearly two-hour class is framed as a total deep-releasing session, ideal for the end of a long week when the body and mind have accumulated physical and psychic tension. Bryan Kest guides students through a measured, floor-heavy sequence that moves from child's pose and downward facing dog warm-up into long, sustained holds targeting the hamstrings, hips, inner legs, lower back, and spine. Key sequences include wide-legged forward folds, one-legged forward bends (including the notoriously demanding Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana), a figure-four hip opener described as "the mother of all hip stretches," reclined leg stretches with toe-holds, plow pose, shoulder stand, Karnapadasana, a seated cow-face-like pose (Gomukhasana arms), bow pose, and a climactic ten-minute seated forward fold (Paschimottanasana) held in complete stillness. The class closes with fish pose, supine twists, and an extended Savasana. Throughout, Bryan emphasizes breath freedom through the nose as the primary barometer of effort, encourages surrender over striving, and weaves in mindfulness themes of intention-setting, patience, perseverance, and self-care. Props are not formally called for, though students are coached to modify freely. The pace is deliberately slow with very long holds, making it mentally challenging and deeply restorative for anyone dealing with tight hips, hamstrings, a stiff lower back, or accumulated stress from desk work or a busy week.