Class Descriptions

(contact instructors for more information)

Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous flow style of yoga, linking breath with movement. It is designed to strengthen, align and purify the entire body and mind and comes from the lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. We offer several ways for students to learn the Ashtanga Vinyasa method. Ashtanga Mysore instruction is designed for students interested in learning the traditional Vinyasa method as originally taught by Pattabhi Jois. Learning in this way supports the development of a personal yoga practice, which helps to build self-reliance on and off the mat. This class is suitable for all levels; postures are taught one at a time, based on each student's individual needs. Students progress silently, at their own pace, with the help of a teacher. This class is not conducted; the atmosphere is quiet, allowing for deeper concentration and going inward. See website for more details. The Beginning Ashtanga Workshop is designed for students new to the Ashtanga system; students learn the foundation of this traditional yoga system in a led-class environment. The Intermediate Ashtanga Workshop is designed for experienced Ashtanga students who want to deepen their current practice by focusing on the postures in the second half of the primary series and working on the intermediate series. The Ashtanga Yoga class is suitable for practitioners of all levels. The Ashtanga Led Primary class is for students with prior Ashtanga experience. It will include all poses in the primary series and will be taught in a continuous manner without stopping.

Beginning, Beginning/Intermediate and Intermediate Yoga classes are informed by various yoga traditions, including Iyengar-style yoga, as well as a broad range of body-mind disciplines. Emphasizing an internal understanding of the yoga postures, these classes offer a fluid practice to develop flexibility, strength, body awareness, and relaxation. Meditation may be included.

Iyengar Yoga Yogacharya BKS Iyengar brought his revolutionary style of yoga to the west in the 60's, and his legendary book has become the bible of yoga for generations since. Iyengar has been called the "Michaelangelo of Yoga," and was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people.

Alignment, awareness, and consciously directed change are the marks of Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar's precise focus on alignment and breath immediately centers the mind and empowers specific therapeutic knowledge of one's own body. This enables students of all ages, conditions, and body types to cultivate strength and balance wisely and intelligently. Props allow longer stays in the postures and fully support tight, weak, or injured areas, retraining proper joint action and muscle tone, and relaxing the emotions. Through the innovative approach of this method, students can shift their body structure dramatically and penetrate beyond the physical layers to the full integration of mind, energy, and spirit.

Kundalini Yoga & Meditation, the Yoga of Awareness as taught by Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D., Master of Kundalini Yoga, is a great way to recharge and heal your body quickly. Each class generally follows a similar structure designed for optimal results physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Every class begins with a centering mantra, followed by warm-up exercise, which prepare the body for yoga sets (kriyas). Each yoga set involves a series of physical postures (asana), breath work (pranayama) and a meditation. The last portion of the class allows for a short meditation and a long, deep relaxation for a peaceful integration of the practice, regeneration and stress release. Classes close with this song of blessing, which can be sung or just listened to:

"May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide your way on."

It is recommended that you not eat for an hour before class, bring water, and come with an open mind for a different yoga experience.

Meditation is a practice of focused attention, mindful breathing, and stilling the mind that will infuse your day with potent and easeful action. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe the fundamental practice of yoga to be the cessation of mental chatter--random thoughts, feelings, mental images, sensory impressions, and elaborate stories. Meditation practice is a formal session to cultivate the ability to clear the mind and direct attention consciously. We will explore various basic practices such as mindful breathing, self-inquiry, guided imagery, and loving-kindness. Principles of meditation and mindfulness will be briefly introduced prior to the formal meditation in order to encourage this series of progressive practices to become integrated into our asana practice, relationships, and daily speech and actions. This is a celebration of the unique human ability to create, sustain, and actualize a vision. Clarity of mind facilitates discernment and mindfulness throughout our day, beneficially impacting both our physiology and our experience of life. This session is open to beginning or seasoned meditators and is not linked to any religious tradition, but draws upon carefully selected practices from various wisdom traditions. Please be prepared to sit for 20-30 minutes. By donation.

Nia Technique Class takes place on every Wednesday at 12:15 and on particular Fridays listed in footnotes on class schedule page. Dance For Joy — Body. Mind. Spirit. Nia Technique is a guided-but-free transformational dance class, with great music, that unlocks the range of potential in your body. You will enjoy a perfect, fully-balanced workout... and it's FUN! Experienced dancers and those who are new to dance are welcome. Try this class and see what it does for your body, mind and spirit. If you're not satisfied, I'll give you your money back. What's there to lose?
See www.iamlivinginmotion.com/nia for more information. Fee: $15 per class. Multiple class discounts available.

Prenatal Yoga is taught by an experienced teacher and mother and prepares pregnant women for labor and delivery through postures, breathing exercises and relaxation.

Postnatal Yoga, like Prenatal Yoga, is oriented to the special needs of new mothers. Babies of pre-crawling age are welcome to this class.

Vini Yoga is a style of yoga made available in the West by T.K.V. Desikachar. Each person is encouraged to practice in a way that is suitable to that person's present state of health and mind. This yoga style often involves repetition of simple movements, one at a time, with the breath, and an emphasis is placed on cultivating the right balance of effort and ease throughout the practice. Yoga Sutras are frequently discussed and explored, and regular students are encouraged to work privately with the teacher in order to address more precisely their particular concerns, issues, and goals.

Vinyasa Flow classes offer sequences of poses designed to stretch and strengthen muscles while opening the body to increasing challenges. Focus is on remaining aware of the importance of breath and core strength. There is ongoing encouragement to find an interior steadiness in the face of external exertion. All levels welcome but some yoga experience is helpful.

Yin/Yang Yoga provides the benefits of a balanced practice of Yin and Yang styles of yoga. The Yin style of long-held passive poses opens the body to more flexibility and chi flow through the subtle channels while also engendering a more contemplative, non-reactive quality of mind. A more active, dynamic, Yang style of vinyasa will follow, strengthening and invigorating the body and mind. Yoga texts and poetry frequently contribute to the atmosphere and themes of each class.

Yoga for Basic Stress Reduction addresses the issue of stress, which has become an epidemic in our society. This class will focus on reducing stress physically, mentally, and emotionally through the practice of yoga postures and breathwork.

Yoga for Every Body is a slow, deep practice using body, breath and relaxation as a doorway into the vaster field of awareness, which is always unchanging. You are invited to sense your body, as a movement in awareness. You are encouraged to welcome emotions and thoughts as a movement in awareness, opening the door to the Ground of Being. All levels welcome.

Please check the schedule for availability of classes and instructors.