Upper Body Power Hour

About This Class

This 66-minute vigorous flow with Bryan Kest is built almost entirely around upper body conditioning and arm balance work. Students move through repeated cycles of plank, slow lower-downs, cobra, and locust/sphinx variations to heat and strengthen the back, shoulders, chest, and arms. The middle section features an extended one-armed down dog series, three-legged dog progressions into standing half-moon-like balances, knee-to-elbow transitions, and a demanding bow pose (dhanurasana) with interlaced hands. Throughout, Bryan emphasizes breath as the primary tool for self-regulation, encouraging a "sweet degree" of effort rather than straining. The class closes with seated shoulder stretches (gomukhasana arms, lateral neck/trapezius stretch), a supine spinal twist, and a brief savasana. A consistent theme is mental equanimity—using the breath to stay calm amid challenge—making this class as much a mindfulness practice as a strength session.