Tru105

Tree Stand — Vṛkṣāsana (Tree Pose) is a grounding practice that invites balance, presence, and connection. Inspired by the strength and stillness of a tree, Vṛkṣāsana encourages us to root down while reaching upward, creating stability in both body and mind.

In yoga, Vṛkṣāsana comes from the Sanskrit words vṛkṣa, meaning “tree,” and āsana, meaning “pose” or “seat.” Like a tree rooted firmly in the earth while its branches reach toward the sky, this posture asks us to find steadiness within movement and strength within stillness.

Practicing Tree Pose can help develop balance, stability, focus, and body awareness. It encourages you to quiet distractions, engage your core, and become fully present with each moment.

On a deeper level, Vṛkṣāsana is a reminder that growth begins with strong roots. We can bend without breaking, remain grounded through change, and continue reaching toward what is ahead.

Root down. Stand tall. Find your balance. Grow forward.

Pranayama is the practice of intentional breath control—a foundational part of yoga that brings awareness, balance, and vitality to both the body and mind.

Rooted in ancient yogic tradition, the word Pranayama comes from the Sanskrit words prana (life force or vital energy) and ayama (to expand or regulate). Rather than simply breathing, Pranayama is about consciously directing your breath to cultivate a deeper connection between the body, mind, and spirit.

Through steady, intentional breathing, Pranayama helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, improve lung capacity, and increase focus and mental clarity. It encourages the body to shift from a state of tension into one of rest and restoration while creating space for greater presence and inner awareness.

On a deeper level, breath is considered the bridge between the physical and the spiritual. By slowing down and becoming mindful of each inhale and exhale, we learn to quiet the noise, center ourselves, and reconnect with the present moment.

Take your time with each breath, let it be effortless, and remember: every inhale is an invitation to receive, and every exhale is an opportunity to let go.

✨ Have you met our newest instructor yet? Meet Chanda! ✨

If you haven't had the chance to take one of Chanda's Pilates classes, now's the perfect time! She brings a welcoming energy, a passion for movement, and a focus on helping every client feel stronger and more confident with each class.

Chanda's classes emphasize core strength, balance, flexibility, proper alignment, and mindful movement—making them perfect whether you're brand new to Pilates or have been practicing for years. She offers thoughtful guidance, personalized modifications, and encouragement every step of the way, so you'll leave feeling challenged, accomplished, and refreshed.

Come see why we're so excited to have her as part of the TRU 105 family. We can't wait for you to meet her on the mat! 💙✨

🔥 Sue's Hot Yoga Myth of the Month

MYTH: The more you sweat, the more calories you burn.

BUSTED! 💦

Sweat isn't a direct indicator of how many calories you're burning. Sweating is simply your body's natural way of cooling itself down.

While hot yoga may cause you to sweat more because of the heated room, the calories you burn are primarily determined by your movement, muscle engagement, heart rate, and the effort you put into your practice—not the amount of sweat on your mat.

So don't judge your workout by your sweat puddle. Instead, focus on building strength, improving flexibility, finding balance, and connecting your breath to your movement.

Remember: Sweat measures cooling—not calorie burn.

Have a yoga myth you'd like Sue to bust next? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Yoga doesn’t end when you roll up your mat—it carries with you into everything you do.

Off the mat, the benefits of yoga show up in powerful, everyday ways:

• Improved strength to support daily movement and posture 💪
• Increased flexibility and mobility throughout the body 🧘‍♀️
• Better balance and coordination ⚖️
• Greater body awareness and connection 🌿
• Reduced stress and tension 😌
• Improved mindfulness and present-moment awareness 🧠
• Enhanced ability to pause and respond instead of react 🌬️
• Emotional grounding and mental clarity 💛
• A deeper sense of calm and inner peace ☁️

Yoga isn’t just something you do—it’s something you live.

Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) is a powerful heart-opening posture that brings both energy and intention into your practice.

Rooted in traditional yoga, Dhanurasana comes from the Sanskrit words “dhanu” (bow) and “asana” (pose). In ancient practice, it symbolizes the bow of a warrior—representing strength, focus, and the ability to aim your energy with purpose.

In the body, Bow Pose creates a deep stretch through the front line—opening the chest, shoulders, and hip flexors while strengthening the back, core, and legs. It can help improve posture, stimulate digestion, and increase overall spinal flexibility. On a deeper level, it’s often used to release built-up tension and emotional heaviness stored in the chest and abdomen.

While it can feel intense at first, Bow Pose is ultimately about balance—strength and surrender working together in one shape.

Take your time with it, breathe into it, and let it remind you: openness takes practice.

POV: holding side plank in class is like…

You know the moment 😅 the shake sets in, time slows down, and suddenly you’re negotiating
with your core to just hang on a few more seconds.

We want to hear it—what does it feel like for YOU?

Drop your best side plank survival thoughts in the comments 👇