Chalasana

This is a yoga practice that comes from the Sanskrit word "chalana" which means "to churn." In this deeply interior practice you will be guided into a posture and encouraged to explore it longer and more deeply than you ever have before. The body will become warm, and there will be the intense desire to release. But in the act of holding beyond the first,(and maybe even the second or third) desire to release, and surrendering to prana, you will break old confining energy patterns and experience a fresh burst of energy and vitality you have never felt before! ( This will rock you out of any funk or "stale energy pattern" you've been stuck in.)

This practice is for suitable for everyone except raw beginners.

 

Balances, Binds and Bandhas

As anyone who has tried to hold "tree pose" for more than a few breaths can attest, there is nothing that will focus your attention, get you sweating, and take your mind off the world and worries faster than a balancing pose! In this class we will be practicing a series of standing balances and I will throw in some arm balances too, just for fun.

Then we'll move into some binds. These postures can be some of the most challenging, but also the most gratifying achievements in yoga. It always makes me laugh to hear someone say for the first time, "Yay! I got into a bind!" (Only in yoga class is a bind an "achievement.") A liberal use of the yoga strap and lots of hands-on assists will take binds from the realm of the "impossible" to the infinitely "do-able."

Bandhas are subtle energy locks that empower your practice and enable you to sustain balance and feel increased freedom in any yoga posture. Mula bandha and uddiyana bandha will be explained and explored. Watch your practice soar after this class!

 

 

Chakra Yoga

In yogic philosophy is it believed that a person is born with all of his or her potential coiled like a snake at the base of the spine. As we grow and mature, this energy potential uncoils and begins to move energetically up the spine, passing through energy centers called "chakras."

For most of us, certain life events, or our conditioning, inhibits our potential from manifesting fully. When this happens, the yogis say, one or more of our "chakras" are blocked.

In this 3-week session we will explore each chakra, determine its energetic qualities, inquire through a short questionnaire if we may have blockages there, and then learn and use specific yoga postures to unblock and unleash our full potential.

This will be a short, fun, introduction to the complex study of Chakra Yoga.

 

 

All Levels

This class is suitable for all levels. Each class consists of extensive stretching and warm-ups, followed by a mixture of standing, seated, belly-down and balancing postures. Proper alignment and breathing are emphasized. This class is suitable for the novice as well as the experienced yoga student who wants a good, all-round yoga class.

Sunrise Yoga

Roll out of bed and into the studio for some luxuriously slow, gentle stretching. Experience the deep, slow, meditative quiet of a morning practice. Feel stiffness melt away as the body and the mind become awakened and energized for the day ahead. Morning is the best time of day to do yoga because the benefits can be experienced all day. (This class is not offered during the winter months.)

Yoga for Strength, Power and Grace

This session will combine the best of Power Yoga, Yoga for Strength and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. It will begin with a vigorous Sun Salutation  sequence, followed by a challenging set of postures designed to build strength, balance and endurance. This class is perfect for anyone wishing to enhance athletic performance, or simply to enhance an established yoga practice. This session is suitable for advanced beginner to intermediate students. It is not suitable for beginners.

Pre-Summer Yoga Challenge Session

This  session is open to April Yoga Challenge participants only. During the month of April, Challenge participants estblished  a strong daily practice  foundation.  In this follow-up session, you will  build on  that foundation. Each week of this 6 week session we will explore variations and adaptations of postures you already know, and add brand new postures, bandhas and pranayamas. This will be a fun-filled, as well as a "challenging" session.

Power & Grace

This class will be divided into two parts. The first part will be devoted to building power through a vigorous Warrior sequence. In the second part, the focus will become more introspective and meditative as we move into "Latika Namaskar" the Grace Salutation--a lovely sequence of postures designed to open the hips, imparting grace and flow to body and mind. This class is suitable for all but raw beginners.

Vinyasa Flow

Vinyasa flow links classical yoga poses into a dance-like continuous flow of movement. Sun and Moon Salutations, as well as elements of the Grace Salutation will be explored. This is a somewhat vigorous class suitable for those with previous yoga experience

Meditative Yoga

This class is designed around postures and pranayams that foster a reflective, meditative awareness. Some longer holding times will allow for deeper exploration in some poses and a prana response. Suitable for All Levels.

Beginner Kripalu Yoga

In the 6-week session the basic postures are introduced, plus sun salutation, basic yogic breathing and meditation techniques. Each week builds on the previous one so at the end of the session each student will have the basis for a personal yoga practice.

Advanced Beginner

This series starts where the beginner series leaves off. Suitable for anyone with experience of basic yoga postures and breathing techniques. The focus will be on fine tuning alignment, exploring variations, and experiencing longer holding times in some poses.

Intermediate Kripalu Yoga

In this class students will refine their alignment and explore variations of standard postures. New postures will be introduced. Only for students who have completed the Beginner Session OR who have been attending All levels classes for 6 months or longer OR who have maintained a consistent home practice for a year or more. Come and explore new edges!

Power Yoga 1

Power yoga is an invigorating practice that will strengthen, tone and increase overall flexibility. Each class will consist of Sun Salutations, a vigorous standing series followed by an abdominal (core) sequence. Gentle stretching and a brief relaxation will round out this hour-long class. This is hot, vigorous yoga. Students already familiar with basic yoga postures and breathing techniques are welcome. This class will be led, rather than taught, so previous experience with yoga is necessary.

Yoga for Strength

In this brisk, hour-long class, the emphasis will be on postures that build upper and lower body strength. These are weight-bearing poses that promote bone health (a concern especially for women looking to prevent osteoporosis) as well as build strength in the arms, legs, back and abdomen.

Yoga for Teens

This class is designed around postures that will help teenagers manage stress, enhance concentration and creativity and improve sports performance. Yoga is non-competitive, peaceful, energizing and fun. Give your computer games a rest; come and stretch!

Chair Yoga

Chair Yoga is the practice of classical yoga poses adapted for the chair. Students will learn the Sitting Mountain Series as well as exercises to stimulate blood flow to the arms, legs and hands reducing stiffness and fatigue. Chair Yoga is for anyone interested in the many benefits of yoga without having to be on the floor or having to change into special clothes. Anyone who can sit in a chair can do Chair Yoga. The chair makes the movements easier for those who may have back or hip ailments and are uncomfortable on the floor. Chair Yoga will improve posture, promote deep and effective breathing, as well as build strength and flexibility.

Yoga for Weight Loss

In this 6-week session, students will learn vinyasa style flow yoga, plus postures that will stimulate metabolism, reduce stress, and build lean muscle mass. Yogic breathing techniques, visualization, meditation and instruction on Transformational Nourishment will replace old, destructive “die-eating” patterns. This is a totally sane and transformative way of dealing with the imbalance of too much weight in the body.

Slow Yoga

In this class we will move slowly and continuously through a number of yoga postures. The emphasis will be on transitioning slowly in and out of poses and repeating poses mindfully. This technique builds fat-burning muscle and bone density leading to increased stamina and flexibility. In addition, the slow repetitions demand the complete attention of the mind, which induces a meditative state. This class is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.