Class Descriptions
Our classes include physical postures (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), chant and sound, philosophy, guided meditation and deep relaxation. The following descriptions are meant to give you an idea of the pace, intensity and style of each practice, but each class is as unique and inspiring as the teacher who leads it. Check out our Biographies page to learn about our individual approaches. Better yet, attend classes offered by different teachers and be open to new experiences!
If you have never tried Yoga we recommend that you attend a ‘Yoga Basics’ session to give you some familiarity with poses, breath and philosophy. Check our ‘workshops’ page to find out when the next session starts. Unless a class is labeled ‘preregistration required’ you are welcome to drop in on any of our classes regardless of your level of experience. We encourage you to do what is appropriate for your own body and to find your own practice. You will never be asked to move beyond what is safe for you, but keep your mind open and you might surprise yourself. Don’t worry about what you can’t do; find out what you CAN do!
Yoga Basics
An introductory course taught in six week sessions, intro-ducing the principles, philosophy, movements, breathing and relaxation tech-niques of yoga. Designed specifically for the new student. Pre-registration is required. A yoga mat is required (available for purchase $25-35).
Adaptive & Chair Yoga
This class is not a traditional active yoga class. It is designed for people who have limited agility or those with illness such as COPD, Multiple Sclerosis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Parkinson's, etc. It consists of a carefully designed and comprehensive system using gentle repetitive movements of the body, sometimes performed while seated in a chair or standing with use of the chair for support, plus restorative yoga postures (which are relaxed supported positions, using props such as blankets and foam blocks to gently support the body). All movements are simple and fun yet effective in building strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
There will be a strong emphasis on breath awareness and breathing technique, relaxation, and guided meditation. This class is suitable for anyone with health concerns and the benefits are accessible even to those recovering and living with injury or illness. These classes are a compassionate way to relax & renew, to build inner awareness and are infinitely adaptable to individual needs.
Ashtanga Inspired Vinyasa
A vigorous practice based on a sequence of dynamically linked asanas.
Community Yoga
Community classes are priced to benefit the individual looking for quality yoga training at a price they can afford! $8/class
Foundations
is perfect for beginners or for anyone wanting detailed, compassionate and light-hearted instruction in the foundation of yoga practice. Classes may include some flowing sequences, but the focus is on teaching the building blocks of practice – philosophy, skillful breath, basic postures, proper alignment, awareness and non-harming.
Gentle Yoga
is suitable for everybody. Focus is on breathing tech-niques, postures, relaxation and meditation to release tension and improve flexibility, resulting in a reduction of pain and stress. Appropriate for the older student as well as those with special physical concerns, or for those who are just interested in moving at a slower pace.
Gentle Fluid Yoga
Bring joy back into movement, health back into body and peace back into mind. Learn to listen to the inner wisdom and combine it with outer expression building strength, stamina, relaxation and increasing energy.
This gentle class is appropriate for the older student, for students with special physical concerns, or for those who are just interested in moving at a slower pace. Yoga Basics is recommended, but not required.
Gentle/Yin Yoga
Gentle yin yoga postures are all done on the floor so that the muscles can relax and allow the deep connective tissue surrounding the lower back, the pelvis and the joints of the femurs to be gently stretched. We hold each posture between 3-5 minutes, with 1 minute transition between postures ending with a 10 minute relaxation. The intention of yin yoga is to keep energy flowing smoothly throughout the body. By bringing simple awareness to the breath, without judgement or control, without striving to make it any different, the breath will naturally lengthen and deepen. The mind will begin to quiet, to be more at peace, becoming more still and present. This is the yin way. Joy in being alive here where we always are, in the present moment.
Hot Mama-Buddha Baby
After your baby is born, you address the demands of nursing, cradling and caring for a growing baby. Taking care of yourself is essential now that you are taking care of your baby. Yoga helps to build confidence as a parent as well as a strong and healthy body. Hot Mama & Buddha Baby Yoga is practiced with your baby. It is doing yoga to help you restore your muscle strength and tone, breathe more efficiently, as well as stretch and relax as you hold your baby or have your baby next to you. Some of the postures will even help your baby sleep better, relax and encourage their muscles to develop and grow! This class is appropriate for the beginner as well as for someone who has been practicing yoga for years (6-8 weeks post-partum—pre-crawling). The movements used respect the special demands put on the body of a new mother. Dad’s are sure welcome too!
Meditation
Meditators who have participated in the Introduction to Meditation course and who would like to continue studying the Eight Point Program of Sri Eknath Easwaran are welcome to attend ongoing satsang on the first and third Fridays of the month, starting in March 2004. We will continue with weekly videotape instruction by Sri Easwaran and finish each Friday with group meditation. We will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will usually finish between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m.If you are interested in learning to meditate and participating in the ongoing practice but haven't been able to participate in the Introduction to Meditation course, we recommend reading the book Meditation by Sri Eknath Easwaran (copies are available at Yoga Loka). If you have questions or would like to join us, please call Mary Dugan at 851-4408
Mindful Flow
is a practice of awareness and compassion toward the self. Flowing sequences of poses and detailed instruction on individual postures are both included, along with breath work, meditation and chant. These classes meditatively move the body and spine through their full range of motion, accentuating the importance of alignment using props and adjustments. Challenging poses such as inversions may be included but you are always encouraged to work at your own level on poses that will prepare you for the more advanced asanas. This practice tends to move slower than vinyasa yoga.
New Generation Yoga for Kids
A fun and creative class de-signed for kids ages 6-12, that introduces the benefits of Yoga. Classes will include singing and movement as your child connects poses to nature and sees how Yoga can positively affect their life.
Pre-Natal Yoga
A special practice addressing the changing phases of pregnancy, connecting mother and baby, while preparing for a healthy, mindful, more natural approach to the challenges of labor and birth.
Rocket Series
The Rocket Series is an Ashtanga inspired practice that begins with sun salutations, followed by a standing sequence and balancing postures done to build strength, finishing with a modified primary series.
Tai-Chi
is a form of slow moving standing exercise to keep you strong in body and mind. Tai Chi for Health is suitable even for a complete novice. The Yang Long Form is appropriate for anyone with 6 months or more experience in Tai-Chi.
Vinyasa Yoga
describes an active practice in which we move from pose to pose along a strong and steady support of breath. The state of yoga arises when mind, body, breath, and energy to come together in the flow and it becomes a moving meditation. Classes can be quite vigorous, building strength and flexibility, creating heat and clearing toxins, and moving energy throughout the body. Be prepared to sweat! Sun salutations are the backbone of this practice, with classical postures of all types (including inversions and arm balances) included in the flow. We will always offer variations and adjustments to ensure every participant finds his or her ideal pose, so anyone interested in finding the balance of intensity and ease in their practice is welcome.
Yin Yoga
postures are all done on the floor so that the muscles can relax and allow lengthening and rejuvenating of the deep connective tissue. We hold each posture between 3-5 minutes, with 1 minute transition between postures ending with a 10 minute relaxation. The intention of yin yoga is to keep energy flowing smoothly throughout the body. By bringing awareness to the breath without striving to make it different it will naturally lengthen and deepen. The mind will quiet, becoming more still and present. This is the yin way: joy in being alive where we always are, in the present moment.
Yin/Yang Yoga
combines Yin-style practice (long supported holds to lengthen connective tissue) with active vinyasa- style practice (heating and strengthening) to bring balance.
Yoga Dance
is an insightful way to tap into the body's potential through asana infused with playful movements. Come celebrate your physical apparatus while inviting a more spontaneous spirit to live on the surface. Building on a solid yoga foundation, we will weave liquid undulations into our practice, increasing synovial fluid within our joints. Linguring in the space between the postures we find the authenticity to move within. This class is suitable for students with some yoga experience and an understanding of alignment within the poses.