Class Descriptions
Gentle Yoga - Yoga practiced with a slow, nurturing and soft pace. It’s a time to cultivate inner strength and peace. Easy non strenuous postures are taught, sometimes in a gentle flowing sequence supported by the breath. Expect measured stretching and range of motion exercises. Props are sometimes used to facilitate deeper release and relaxation. More emphasis on the meditative component of yoga. This is as an all level class appropriate for stress reduction, injury/illness recovery, and seniors (must be able to go to and from the floor unassisted).
Slow Flow - Slow Flow links mostly classical Hatha Yoga poses into a series of movements connected in a way that develops coordination, stamina, agility and strength. These series of movements, or sequences, are taught in such a way that the student learns to transition skillfully from one pose to the next. Sometimes there are pro-longed periods of staying in a posture which requires more focus, balance, attention to alignment and other more subtle details. Postures can range from easy to challenging and are taught with an emphasis on stability and self-centering awareness. Modifications are sometimes offered. Breathing techniques are taught and incorporated in a way that support steadiness in the poses and fluidity of movement between the poses. Slow Flow is a slightly slower pace than traditional Vinyasa which makes it particularly well-suited to newer students, or for those who simply desire a slower pace and a chance to go deeper into poses. Each class begins with grounding and centering and ends with a period of relaxation. All level class.
Yoga Nidra Meditation - This practice is similar to guided meditation but is done in a comfortable supine position. Blankets. pillows, and bolsters are used for optimal comfort, creating a yoga nidra 'nest'
Because participants are lying down and comfortable, Yoga Nidra promotes deep rest and relaxation that isn’t found in an average seated meditation practice. The technique mostly uses stages of body scan and breath awareness to calm the nervous system, like a 'massage' for the nervous system, leading to less stress and better health.
Some people crave the profound relaxation this practice offers, while other people enjoy the non-judgmental, safe and supporting atmosphere yoga nidra provides, as a window into themselves.
Yoga nidra offers a space to explore how you feel and what you need in the moment, as well as an opportunity to release any long-held tensions.
An immensely powerful meditation technique, Yoga Nidra is one of the easiest stress reducing yoga practices to develop and maintain.
Restorative Yoga - Experience ultimate relaxation and stress reduction. Restorative yoga implements the use of props (blankets, bolsters, blocks and straps) to support your body so you can stay in restful positions longer, allowing the time it needs for deep passive stretching.
Restorative Yoga positions are usually adapted from supine or seated yoga poses with the addition of props to eliminate unnecessary straining.
A restorative yoga practice, is an opportunity to align with optimal health and well being.
Stretch & Relaxation - This class is for those who are seeking a slower paced yoga experience. Enjoy stretching all the major muscle groups with the help of guided instruction and intentional breathing techniques. Release tension. Calm your body and mind. Overthinking and worrying uses a tremendous amount of energy. The tension put on the mind by worries, whether real or imagined, can use more energy than physical work. This class will help you balance, release, and reduce the stresses of your everyday life. Relaxation is necessary for good health and peace of mind. Without proper relaxation, the body and mind become tense, overworked and inefficient. Yoga can help you relax. When the body relaxes the mind relaxes. Come and enjoy this class to recharge your body and mind.
Vinyasa - Typically in a Vinyasa Class each yoga posture flows one into the next with shorter periods of holding. There's less emphasis on alignment and more emphasis on connecting each movement with the breath. Vinyasa challenges us to stay calm, centered and balanced, both physically and mentally. Vinyasa yoga can be quite vigorous and tends to build a lot of internal heat which is an important part of any transformational process. Often these classes feel very fluid and can create more of an aerobic/cardiovascular experience. As in most of classes described on this page, Vinyasa ends in a period of deep relaxation. Modifications offered. *Not Suitable for Beginners
Vinyasa II - is a more challenging variation of all level Vinyasa. More advanced Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing techniques) are incorporated. Practitioners begin to develop more refined body awareness, including a deeper understanding of the subtle body, enhanced concentration, endurance, balance and strength. *Not Suitable for Beginners.
Yoga Sculpt - This class, often offered as a 4 or 6 week series, combines traditional yoga poses and flow sequences with low impact resistance training and hand held weight strengthening exercises. Yoga fusion targets most major muscle groups. Yoga fusion provides the mental focus benefits of yoga while also testing the strength and endurance of the body as a whole. Unlike traditional yoga, yoga fusion workouts are consistently changing because of the vast amount of exercises that can be created by merging two types of fitness.
*AL = All Level, suitable for beginners.