Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi — Local services in New York

After my morning class today at Forest Hills Body & Brain Yoga/Tai Chi Center, I wanted to write a follow-up review to the first one that was posted in early 2016. What was said then still holds true today. This time I wanted to reflect on the overall experience of the classes.

So, while I was resting comfortably on my back stretched out on the floor after a high-octane vibration workout where pent-up emotions were released, followed by a guided meditation and energy healing, a thought came to mind: waking up the whole being in a joyful way is a beautiful start to one's day—the body is energized, mind is relaxed, and the spirit seems more alive. I was in the moment!

Not one class is ever the same. Sometimes I wonder in amazement at the endless variety in the stretching, meditation and breathing exercises introduced. All appears carefully choreographed, transitioning seamlessly from one to another, that the goal to get the mind in the body, to feel the body, so we can learn to listen to it and help with the healing process does eventually happen. The exciting part for me is to feel the energy in and around me and moving it with intention during meditation and Tai Chi/Dahn Mu Do practices.

The real challenge is not in the poses I hold for a certain length of time, it's when I step out of the center, into the world. It's like I'm suddenly transformed back into a wild creature of habit, set on auto-pilot, to run a marathon throughout the day. And even when I have more than enough time to get to point B, I still rush. Fortunately, the Masters, being ever so observant, continue to voice the practice of being mindful and in the present till the very end as they embrace the students goodbye for the day.

I would like to reiterate what I'd written in the 2016 review--that the primary factor making this Forest Hills center special for me are the Masters there. It is so important for me to learn and understand what I'm doing, so when I say they are great teachers, they truly are. Everyone that walks into the center is special to them. They extend themselves to help if you want it. They always have time to listen—perhaps too well, in fact, because there were times they would follow up on something I had said that I didn't even remember I did.

You see, the whole practice is not just for them, but for helping others to be self healers and be the best version of themselves individually and collectively.

1st Review: February 2016

Just three short months at the Body & Brain Yoga/TaiChi in Forest Hills, I have felt physically more flexible, stronger and grounded. The body and brain techniques and exercises have definitely challenged and strengthened my will to not give up so easily; thus, opening my mind to push through the “I can’t” thoughts to the “I can” ones successfully. More surprisingly for me was to finally feel the energy life force (chi) tingling between my hands and coursing through my body.

What makes the center more special are the Masters there. They genuinely care for their students and are always available to listen and help. The welcome embrace sets the tone upon entering and whatever worries you have going in eventually dissipates.

The Masters know your name. So when you come, be prepared to be greeted with acceptance and love; be ready to receive a new family of friends who are all there to help one another to heal. You will find a new way to achieve healthy balance and harmony into your everyday stressful lives. And you will, as I have discovered, come out refreshed, energized, focused and surprisingly peaceful. And that is a...

i am so happy to have the opportunity to share my experience with Master Sean. At the start of the pandemic classes were being offered online. From the start, there is a wonderful bright and sincere smile along with an exuberant, and encouraging voice inviting the opportunity to take this special time just for US.. taking that moment to set the intention - what do we actually want from the class .. It is a newfound camaraderie - a formation of a team of me and myself to search inside and experience the body and what it is doing and feeling and as we do this, the mind relaxes, the attention shifts to what is felt in the body - where that mind goes, the energy flows… opening and circulating riding on the waves of the breath… He has an amazingly creative way, replete with explanations at just the right time, helping everyone to stay in their range of motion and ensuring special tips so as not to get injured - we can go beyond what we think we can do.. and voila, you find your body stretching and opening in ways not experienced before - joints releasing, the “ouches" invited to say “feels good” i am especially grateful also for the participation in several workshops M Sean has offered .. During the strength training - i again witnessed how wonderful these classes are.. Just when you think you can't do something, there he is encouraging us to “do your best” “you can do it”and the reminder to stay within one's range of motion - He helped me to recognize what i was doing in plank and other challenges that was inhibiting the full potential of the practice, and i made strides that i have not done in the past. He graciously offered individual time and observed what it was that i was doing and helped me with modifications that resulted in enhancing the practice.. stronger, lighter , less effort and recognizing that i can change my energy … So thankful am i - and in the 21day strength training - which i am still practicing- very different from ordinary strength training because of the mind body spirit orientation.. always inserting info about and practice with breath, mind, and body- and always at the end - meditation, energy and breath work to further release and accumulate and store the energy … I have been practicing this system for about 20 years..The integration in every class of mind body and spirit through M Sean’s creative instruction, has significantly raised my awareness, impacting my life in many significant ways. and i am happy to share and teach it with my patients, friends, family, etc, And now just a few weeks ago M Sean is teaching a fantastic Kigong course. I teach as well and appreciate the nuances of and importance of importing and infusing the body kind spirit awareness. - I had been studying with another Body n Brain M Andrew , also fantastic (as they all are ).. again , such exquisite learning in ways I have not previously experienced, and furthering such profound change within me

A most humble “cahmsahmnida” (thank you in Korean) to a most special, most...

I've been attending classes about twice a week at Body & Brain for around two and a half years and I can honestly say this practice has been life changing for me. I went in with no expectations, having met Master Amy at a street fair when I knew I needed to start doing something physical to feel better and relieve stress. I was interested in yoga and meditation, but always had a hard time focusing and stopping my to-do list from racing through my mind. I was feeling stiff but also like a blob from not doing much physical activity regularly, and I had trouble sleeping and blocking out anxiety even when I had no good reason to be stressed.

Through the classes and several workshops organized by Body & Brain (including an incredible trip to Sedona!) I've discovered so much about myself and what I'm capable of. Every class is different and the instructors take great care to make sure everyone feels welcome and offer modifications so people at all ages and activity levels can benefit. My strength and flexibility have definitely increased as a result, and I'm much better equipped to handle stressful situations. My professional life and relationships are so much better as a result. I've taken some other yoga classes while on vacation and I enjoy them but I miss the parts of Body & Brain that make the practice unique.

When you become a member there are some notes in the brochures about what to expect when starting out and I found these to be true. During the first 6 months I felt a lot of pains I hadn't felt before and I got sick a lot. I sometimes regretted reconnecting with my body! I'm really glad I stuck with it because after that period the pains went away and I feel a million times better across the board.

Like most things you will get as much out of this practice as you put into it, and I have benefitted immensely. If you're looking for a nonjudgmental place with positive vibes to get your body and brain in...