Class Descriptions

Ashtanga

This class is an introduction to the Primary Series, with options for fewer vinyasa sequences, to accommodate new students and those learning the sequence, building strength.
Class is suitable for those who are physically fit or who desire to be physically fit, and encourages listening to and honoring the body, enhancing self-awareness, letting go of fears and attachments.

This Practice is Heat-Generating! Ashtanga releases stored toxins from within the body; regular practice tones the organs and muscles, and improves the student's physical, mental and spiritual health, clearing the mind, allowing for overall flexibility, clarity, and veracity. Beginners are always welcome. Studio is warm for this class (75 to 80 degrees), not ‘hot,’ as students are encouraged to generate the heat from within.

B. Flow

Breath...  Beauty...  Bliss…

B. Flow classes, with Chris Warner (M.Ed., E-RYT), incorporate foundational yogic elements of breath-work, deep stretching,
and engagement with core energy, moving into the joyful expression of Ashtanga-based flow, inviting students to open to the beauty of movement at one with breath, building strength-without-aggression through mindfulness-centered awareness.  Practice is supported by the structural integrity of principles of alignment, and the intention and purpose grounded in ancient insight and wisdom traditions.  Offered in a variety of intensities, thus making the practice available for students of all levels, desires, and abilities to enjoy.

Notes:

‘All Levels’ classes are truly suitable for all—beginners to yoga welcome and supported, while more experienced students given options for stronger work within the sequences and postures;  finishing with restorative postures.

‘Moderate to Vigorous’ classes offer a more energetic flow tempo, as well as options for advanced adaptations of postures for student exploration.

‘Core Focus’ classes incorporate sequences specifically targeting the main muscle groups that comprise the ‘core,’
allowing us to connect to and to tone and develop our center of power—physically, as well as emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  

All students, in any and every class, are always free to explore suggested asana instruction, or to rest in Child’s Pose, when needed. 
There are no prizes awarded in either case.
Remember, the teacher is not your guru—you are.

Be at one with the breath, in this moment.
Release into  the natural beauty of the flow of yoga, the flow of life.
Rest in the bliss of your true nature, your authentic, best self.
Just BE.

Chakra Journey Yoga (Not offered Fall 2010)

In Chakra Journey Yoga, we systematically engage with the energetic aspects of the subtle body, the chakra system, discovering, clearing and balancing our excesses and deficiencies within each energy center. Through asana practice (in both the Yin and Yang styles), chakra-specific guided meditation, pranayama, and mudras, as well as through weekly chakra-specific activities, we will cycle through each of the 7 major chakras, which run along the spine and which correlate to specific physical organs and their functions, and thus to specific mental, emotional, and/or psychosomatic symptoms. Through clearing and balancing these energy centers within the subtle body, we will also address physical/organic symptoms, skeletal imbalance, and muscular symptoms, as well as chi energy blockages, allowing us to open more fully to life, and to achieve optimal health, on every level—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Community Mindfulness Meditation

By donation ($5 and up). Sundays, 8:30 am (except first Sunday of each month). Practicing in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village. all are welcome, beginners supported with light instruction.  Chairs, as well as cushions provided.   Proceeds from community classes benefit the efforts of the Practice for a Cure Foundation.

Community Yoga classes

By donation ($5 and up). Sundays, 9:30 am (except first Sunday of each month). Class time, 60 minutes.  Practice suitable for all levels of practitioners to enjoy. Proceeds from community classes benefit the efforts of the Practice for a Cure Foundation.

Core Focus

Class incorporates elements of Pilates-style conditioning movements and Power Yoga Flow, designed to warm up the body and strengthen the 4 muscle groups associated with ‘the core.’ Strengthen and tone, and banish lower back pain for good! Suitable for all levels, especially those who wish to increase their level of physical fitness—modifications offered for those just beginning.

Evening Mix

A dynamic, invigorating class, suitable for those who are physically fit or who desire to be physically fit, encouraging listening to and honoring the body, enhancing self-awareness, and challenging each student to let go of fears and attachments.   Regular practice tones the organs and muscles, and improves physical, mental and spiritual health, clearing the mind, allowing for overall flexibility, clarity, and veracity. Beginners are always welcome. Studio is warm for this class (app. 80 to 85 degrees), not ‘hot,’ as students are encouraged to generate the heat from within.

Hatha Yoga: Form and Flow

A gentle to moderate class, focusing on the foundational elements of the practice of yoga, including meditation, pranayama, asana (both Yin and Yang styles), relaxation, and tenets of yogic wisdom. Suitable for all levels, beginners especially encouraged. Practice is designed to promote flexibility, gentle core strengthening and muscle toning, proper breathing techniques, proper alignment within each pose, and finishing with guided, total relaxation. Learn more about Hatha Yoga.

Restore and Renew/ Candlelight Restore and Renew

Restorative sequencing moves us slowly into a deep somatic experience. Forward folds open the back and calm the nervous system, prompting self-investigation. Light abdominal exercise replenishes our well of energy. Mild, supported backbends and twists spread energy throughout the body, freeing places of gripping, grasping, and resistance. Gentle inversions relieve the daily demands made on our legs and hips. Slow flow sequence selected for restorative quality releases anxiety, tension, and fatigue, allowing the body to stretch and lengthen and relax. Finishing with guided relaxation (deeper and longer in the Candlelight class).

**Please bring your own face/hand towel for use during class.

Yin & Yang Yoga

Unlock hidden tension, unlock tight joints, lengthen and strengthen the ligaments. Explore both activity (‘Yang’) as well as stillness (‘Yin’) within deep stretching postures. In the active portion of the class, students are invited to explore movement while building endurance and core strength, and in the stillness portion of the practice, are asked to remain with deep postures over longer periods of time, activating the organism's ability to heal itself and to grow, releasing toxins stored with the joints and connective tissue (fascia). Increases flexibility, strength, and endurance. This practice prevents joint fixation and degeneration, lengthens and strengthens the ligaments, restores suppleness to the connective tissue and pulls apart the bones. Class also introduces foundations of mindfulness training and breath awareness, building focus and concentration, reducing mental, emotional, and physical reactivity, thus allowing the body to remain in the sensation-generating postures. Suitable for most who are able to come to the mat.