- The Level 1 class introduces students to the foundation of hatha yoga (poses), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation. Students learn basic yoga poses with emphasis on alignment and ease as well as breathing techniques to de-stress the body and mind. Class ends with deep relaxation and a short meditation. The asanas, pranayama and meditation all help to promote an overall sense of well-being, physical strengthening, mental/emotional calm and focus.
- The Level 1-2 is a bridge to a more advanced practice. The Level 1-2 helps build endurance and strength and introduces students to a wider variety of poses.
Photo: Ed Fausty
- The Level 2 class offers more challenging poses, for example handstand, headstand, backbends, and a deeper pranayama practice. The class ends with deep relaxation and meditation.
- The Express class is a fifty minute yoga class with all the essentials: poses for stretch, strength and balance - and, of course, relaxation.
Photo: Betsy Bell
- The Restorative class offers plenty of quiet time to recharge the body and mind. A restorative pose is different from the typical yoga pose in that it is usually held for 10 to 15 minutes. We use a variety of props to support the body in passive, optimal alignment for deep release of tense, overworked muscles. Students get a sustained stretch in supported backbends, forward bends, inversions, and twists. These long quiet stretches also help improve digestion, circulation, and balance of the endocrine and nervous systems. The immediate effect is usually increased physical energy and mental alertness, balanced emotional state, and deeper sleep. This class is beneficial for anyone looking for stress relief: beginner to advanced, prenatal and postnatal.
Photo: Ed Fausty
- The Therapeutic Stretch class is open to students of all ages, new to yoga, or seasoned practitioners. In this class, instructors with advanced training in yoga therapeutics teach yoga poses at a slower pace than Level 1 and carefully work on alignment with isometrics. The goal is to create physical and mental balance and to relieve pain and stress. Yoga props—blocks, straps, bolsters, and weights—are used as stretching aids. This class is good for people who experience discomfort from injury, tight muscles, back problems, or numerous chronic conditions. This could also be a good starter class for our Level 1 Yoga.
Photo: Maureen Miranda
- The Prenatal class offers women a yoga practice to nurture a healthy, comfortable pregnancy and to prepare for labor and delivery. One of the most important benefits of prenatal yoga is the friendship and support of other women during pregnancy and after the birth. Over the years, our prenatal classes have created a beautiful community of family and friends. Partners, mothers, and friends are always welcome to join the prenatal class.
- Family Yoga is a class for kids and parents to move, stretch, breath, hop like a frog, slither like a snake, and bark like a down-dog. The instructor takes you on imaginative adventures while you and your child explore yoga poses together. The class uses songs, props, and games to engage and inspire. We finish with a foot rub for all the young participants. Appropriate for ages 2½ - 5. Drop-ins welcome. Come play!
- Sunday Evening Meditation Sun of Awareness Sangha, sitting & walking meditation, dharma discussion following the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the Order of Interbeing (visit www.plumvillage.org for more information). For more info contact Brian, inthemask@aol.com or Tiina, tajmedel@earthlink.net.
