Releasing Tension

About This Class

This 60-minute flow class with Byron de Marsé is built around the theme of releasing physical and mental tension through intentional breath, progressive movement, and mindful holding. The class opens supine with deep diaphragmatic breathing and gentle hamstring stretches, then warms the core with leg-lowering exercises before rolling up to standing. A standing series moves through forward folds, low lunges, crescent pose, Warrior Three, Chair Pose, Warrior Two, and Reverse Warrior, with recurring emphasis on shifting weight into the fronts of the feet and drawing the hips back to find balance. Upper-body strength is developed through plank, side plank, forearm plank, and Cobra/Upward Facing Dog within a flowing Vinyasa structure. A unique "longevity handstand" — standing on the hands with feet on the floor — appears alongside tripod headstand as optional explorations. The class culminates in deep pigeon pose for both sides, a seated forward fold, and a long Savasana. Throughout, Byron weaves mindfulness philosophy around presence, peacefulness, and the distinction between stretching and releasing, framing yoga as a lifelong practice of undoing tension — physical and psychological.