Tension Melt

About This Class

Bryan Kest leads this full-length flow class with an overarching theme of "peaceful warrior" — meeting the body with gentleness rather than aggression. The class opens in Child's Pose with an extended invitation to settle the mind and establish deep, rhythmic breathing, which becomes the through-line for the entire practice. A multi-round warm-up sequence builds from Downward Facing Dog through Sun Salutation-style flows, progressively adding Crescent Lunge and standing movements. The middle section addresses the body's four key tension zones — neck, shoulders, hips, and hamstrings — via wide-legged standing folds, standing balance poses with interlaced hands, elbow balance (crow prep), deep hip-opening low lunges (lizard), Parsvakonasana with a bound variation, Warrior Two, and Warrior One. Backbody work includes prone locust variations, Bow Pose, and Cobra. The floor sequence closes with seated forward fold (Paschimottanasana), supine core work (leg lowers, scissors, boat-like holds), a gentle spinal twist, and a long Savasana with a guided gratitude meditation. Throughout, Kest repeatedly frames effort through the lens of moderation, stress reduction, and consistency — making this as much a mindfulness practice as a physical one.