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Martin Doluz Yoga Instructor
Martin is my Yoga Instructor. I love the hour and a half I spend taking care of my mind, body and spirit. Martin teaches a power vinyasa flow class that is building strength in my core as well as my upper body. I am one of his older students, and I have benefited so much. My balance and flexibility are improving and I know that all the weight bearing poses are helping to increase my bone density. Martin's soft voice guides us through our poses, with reminders as we strive to correct our alignment . He is an experienced teacher, very knowledgeable about anatomy as well as yoga. I feel confident when trying a new pose like a head stand, that he is there for encouragement and safety. I have been practicing Yoga for about 5 years and Martin has been the absolute best teacher I have had. His spiritual “words of wisdom” at the end of our practice sets the peaceful tone for my day! Namaste! Yvonne King
Martin believes in yoga and community. He brought us together. Martin makes me feel empowered and gives me core strength. Sharon
What I like about Martin's class is the exhaustion I feel after the 1.5 hour class, the bliss. His class makes me feel like I accomplished something and went beyond my limit. Each class has a familiar rhythm and flow. Starting easy and finishing easy with some real heat and sweat in between. Martin really encourages the juvy breath and making noise when you breath and I find this really helps me maintain my energy and also it seems to heat my body. Although I had to force myself to do it a first, now I find it important to maintain my energy flow and concentration. Martin likes to explain when we are doing the crow that the knees should not be in pain but that it is OK for the back of the thighs to be screaming and he tells us to breath into the pain and relax.
Today he said "for every pressure there is a release" and this helped me realize as we compress one side of the body we stretch the other side. I really thought this was interesting and immediately thought how conflict in life must also in a way bring peace. Ying and yang in body mind and spirit. One of our last classes Martin talked about how we are no different than a blade of grass just bigger. How we are all made of the same elements, cells, atoms and how we all fit into the universe. Then he said we should visualize peace. Kinda reminds me of Gandhi saying we are all part of the same breath. How individuals are like drops of water in the ocean part of a bigger force.
Each class I feel my limit expand and what felt impossible a few weeks ago is now comfortable, When we started head stands I couldn't get upside down, never mind stay there. But thru persistence, and a few sore necks, I can now hold each stand for about 5 minutes. Yesterday I did a head stand on the beach, and, yes, I did get a mouth full of water.
This week we started hand stands. Martin showed how to invert by leaning against the wall and bumping the wall with his butt. He made it look easy and so I was surprised when I couldn't get my butt to hit the wall. He demonstrated for me a second time and I noticed if you bring one foot up first it is easier and I got my feet above my head. But when I looked down, I felt my face might implant so I tumbled down onto my feet. It takes a lot of stamina to hand stand and, although I only inverted for a few seconds, I am hoping to double that next time we try hand stands. Maybe in a few weeks I will be thinking back on hand stands like I did head stands. Martin has helped me realize if I do not judge myself and where I am at and if I try my best to hold a pose, I soon find it is easier and my body is more comfortable in a new position.
I was having trouble in the backward bend because my hands don't hit the floor flat when I put them behind my head. I told Martin this and he showed me how to put two blocks against the wall and put my hands against them and now I am doing the back bend. Even though my strength still will only let me stay up for about 10 seconds, I am getting the feel of flexing my back and straightening my arms. For many of these poses I feel it is a combination of strength and mind control. Almost will power to endure, to grow and understand how to get our body to work in the pose so we are not using just brute force. I think when I first learn a pose I try and muscle it and later I learn to relax and my body helps by balancing and aligning for minimal effort. So mind over matter is a good lesson for life not just yoga and that is what Martin helps me master....non judgmental growth is rewarding..... Kini
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