Class Descriptions
Yoga 101
Learn the basics from the ground up. This class is perfect for newcomers and anyone looking for detailed guidance on common poses found throughout our yoga classes.Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is a general term for physical styles of yoga practice. In our hatha yoga classes, instructors draw from a range of styles with an emphasis on Vinyasa style. Students will practice the basic skills in strength, flexibility, and balance that can help establish or deepen the foundation of their yoga practice. These classes encourage breath awareness, proper alignment, and mindfulness (non-judgmental awareness of the present moment). These level 1 classes are perfect for newcomers or for more experienced practitioners who wish to strengthen their foundation.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa is a flowing style of yoga that connects postures and breath in a logical sequence. This practice builds heat, endurance, strength, and mental focus. In these classes it is assumed that the practitioner has a basic foundation of the traditional poses and sequences. Level 1/2 Vinyasa Flow classes are appropriate for those who are familiar with basic postures. Level 2 Vinyasa Flow classes include typically include more complex postures and less detailed instruction on the basic postures and sequences, so we recommend that you become familiar with common terminology and postures before moving on to Level 2 classes. It is perfectly fine to attend classes that you don't quite have the strength and flexibility for, because you can always make modifications to suit your current needs. What's most important is to listen carefully to your body to determine what is most helpful for your practice.
Gentle Yoga
This class that focuses on yoga postures to faciliatite stretching and relaxation. Helpful for calming the mind and body.
Yoga for Backs
This is a gentle class that focuses on stretching and strengthening to help rehabilitate and prevent back pain.
Deep Relaxation & Meditation
This class draws from mindfulness meditation principles, restorative yoga practice, and the psychophysiology of relaxation to guide participants into a deep state of relaxation and a positive mental state to aid with sleep and personal transformation. This class is led by clinical psychologist, Natalie Masson, PhD, who specializes in treating anxiety issues, facilitating emotional healing, and teaching positive strategies for personal transformation.
Yoga Alignment
This is a special class taught by Marguerite Tyrell, who brings 30 years of yoga experience to the mat. She incorporates Iyengar Yoga principes for proper alignment of the body, and combines a variety of yoga styles to bring strength and resilience to bodies of all ages.Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga uses props such as bolsters and blankets to help the body experience supported positions that are deeply calming to the nervous system. This class is ideal for those who are seeking to counter daily stress. Calming the nervous system helps stimulate the body's natural self-healing processes. Restorative yoga techniques are incorporated into our Deep Relaxation classes.
Restorative Breathing
This class combines mindfulness meditation, gentle movements, breathing awareness, and guided imagery. The objective is to restore optimal breathing patterns to the body by reducing physical tension patterns and shifting mental attitudes that may restrict the flow of the breath through the body. By restoring healthy breathing, the body becomes more fully nourished, the mind is able to calm, and self-healing processes are supported. The mental principles that are practiced through this class are drawn from eastern mindfulness philosophy: awareness, non-judgment, acceptance, present-moment focus, validation, tolerance, compassion, invitation, patience, and practice. The effects of this practice can be profound and are likely to extend into multiple facets of your life. (Restorative Breathing is being incorporated into the Deep Relaxation class rather than as a separate class at this time. It is also offered as a 4-week workshop; See our Events page for upcoming workshops.)
Meditation
The Practice of Vipassana, or Insight Meditation, has been an aspect of meditation practice from ancient times in India. One of the first practices given by the Buddha Shakyamuni to the original monks, was the practice of insight meditation, passed down to us in the Sattipatana Sutta, also translated as the direct path to realization, elaborating on the fundamental practice of Vipassana known as “The four foundations of mindfulness”.
Vipassana has been translated as clear seeing or true insight. The practice focuses on the refinement of awareness through observation of the processes of feeling, cognition and breath, using our immediate moment to moment experience, to begin the process of recognizing our unconscious motivations and reactions.
This class will focus on the practice of the four foundations of mindfulness and will encompass practices that focus on other teachings from the various Vipassana traditions such as compassion, loving- kindness, death awareness and concentration. While this is not a class on Buddhism, many of the discussions will reference Buddhist text and theory since Vipassana has been cultivated to such a high degree within the various traditions of Buddhism, in particular those of Southeast Asia.
Healing & Meditation
When we are healthy energy flows easily and naturally through our bodies and our surrounding energy field (our aura). When this flow is blocked illness, disease and/or emotional unrest will manifest. Releasing these blocks are key to healing as it allows our energy to once again flow naturally and thus the body is able to heal itself. In this unique and powerful class, Michael combines meditation with intuitive energy healing. This offers a wonderful opportunity to relax and release any stress while receiving the benefit Michael’s energy-healing transmissions.Michael Mollenhauer is an intuitive energy healer, teacher and author. Years of practicing, teaching and studying martial arts lead Michael to look for “something more”. In his search he discovered his love, passion and affinity for healing. Michael also realized that by healing ourselves within, we not only heal our bodies but also our relationships and life situations. To learn more about intuitive-energy healing visit Michael’s website.
Prenatal Yoga
Yoga is increasingly being recommended by doctors as a healthy way to stay fit and active through pregnancy. While we do not offer a specific prenatal class, we have several instructors who are capable of guiding pregnant women in their regular yoga classes. Pregnant women who are new to yoga may benefit from scheduling a private session to build comfort and familiarity with modification options prior to starting yoga classes. More experienced yogis may find that guidance offered during group classes is sufficient.
The following instructors are certified for teaching prenatal classes: Simone Ressner, Jennie Olson. These instructors are not prenatal certified but are knowledgeable about appropriate modifications: Laura Downing, Margurite Tyrell, Maya Montoya, Laura Munkholm, Stephanie Pafford. Gentle and restorative classes are generally safe during pregnancy. Always listen to your body, communicate with your instructors, and consult with your physician if you have concerns or questions.