| |
Karma Yoga Studio currently offers the following types of classes. If you still have questions after reading the class descriptions below, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Please note that unless noted otherwise in the descriptions below, all classes are taught at a temperature of 72 to 75 degrees F.
There are many different styles of yoga being practiced around the world. All yoga styles are based on the practice of physical postures (also called poses, or asanas) and some styles also incorporate additional elements such as breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, or chanting. Each style empasizes different postures, different ways of sequencing these postures, and different ways of combining elements. Here are some
PHYSIOYOGA™
(developed at Karma Yoga Studio)
PhysioYoga is a yoga style founded on the commitment to the preservation of traditional Hatha Yoga and to the principle of ahimsa (non-harming). Additionally, drawing inspiration from the Dali Lama's work with the academic and research community, PhysioYoga believes that applying science to the practice of yoga is inspirational and enlightening. The tenets of PhysioYoga are student education, empowerment, and prevention of injury.
Gentle 1 PhysioYoga: This class is designed as the perfect introduction to yoga, for absolutely any and every one. No one can ever feel out of place in this class, and everyone will feel they belong. The class is a mild practice session that is entirely appropriate for true beginners, more experienced students looking for a gentle stretch, or even for persons with minor injuries or physical limitations. This class is also appropriate during pregnancy (just let the teacher know that you are expecting at the start of the class). The overall pace is slow and steady, with gentle warm-ups and attention to the details of each posture. This class is a very educational class but it is also very laid back.
Gentle 2 PhysioYoga: If you have been to the Gentle Level 1 and have a good grasp of the benefits of a properly-aligned form, an awareness of safe and effective body mechanics, and you pride yourself on how well you pronounce "proprioception neuromuscular facilitation”, then your are ready for Gentle Level 2! Much of the material is the same, but we will focus less on learning and more on relaxing when appropriate and laughing our way through the core work. If you want to attend a class where no one is allowed to speak or a class where someone tells you what your spiritual experience should be, this is not the right class. If you believe that laughter is good for the soul, that your teacher should view you as an equal, and if you like a world of music--not just yoga music--there is a good chance that this is a class for you.
Moderate PhysioYoga: This class is designed for intermediate to advanced practitioners. Students will learn the anatomical alignments of the classic intermediate-level yoga postures in a way that protects your body and creates results. We will also explore variations and techniques that will help us gain a deeper understanding of the poses, give us more effective stretching, and build better strength and body awareness.
Core Strength PhysioYoga: Target your "power-house" muscles with a group of focused exercises that develop and build your core strength. The "core", or "power-house", is the torso of our bodies and it includes such major muscle groups as the abdominals and the paraspinals (the muscles that support the back). When we have a strong and flexible torso we can better support our whole body, enhance our posture, and improve the function of our digestive process. (Not to mention getting those abs!)
Optimal Stretch PhysioYoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] This class is open to everyone, as stretches are customized to each practitioner. As we learn to lengthen the time we hold our stretches, we gain the ability to release deep-rooted tension and rejuvenate our bodies. If we always just flow from one posture to another we only gain a partial stretch. Moving too quickly can also strain our joints and create undesirable contractions in our muscles. It takes time for our muscles to lengthen and achieve their maximum--or "Optimal"--flexibility.
Relaxation PhysioYoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] Medical studies show that chronic stress increases heart disease, weakens the immune system, and decreases the brain’s ability to focus, remember and problem solve. Learn how to release tension and stress through supported postures, breathing, and meditation techniques. Re-juvenate your body, re-vitalize your mind, and re-new your spirit with easy-to-learn exercises. This class is beneficial at any age and is appropriate during pregnancy and for anyone recovering from injury, surgery or illness.
Restorative PhysioYoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] Re-connect, re-lax, and re-invigorate your body and mind. "Restore" your body to its natural, healthy state through a series of supported postures, breathing and body awareness exercises, and gentle motion to re-balance the body’s strength and flexibility. This class is beneficial at any age and is appropriate during pregnancy and for anyone recovering from injury, surgery or illness.
OTHER SPECIALIZED YOGA STYLES
(alphabetically listed)
These classes are taught by specialists or certified instructors in each of the
following specialized yoga styles:
Anusara-Inspired Yoga: The Anusara style blends a spiritual context, which awakens and celebrates the heart, with the Universal Principles of Alignment, which bring the body toward its optimal muscular, skeletal, and energetic blueprint. Anusara translates as "stepping into the flow of grace" and is a practice that emphasizes freedom and honors individuality.
Elemental Yoga: A fusion of Flow (Vinyasa-style) Yoga and bodywork, this style features frequent isometric stretches, innovative use of props, and creative sequencing. A synergy of long holds, a slow flow of poses seamlessly linked by the breath, and extensive alignment instruction, Elemental Yoga is designed to promote myofascial release and expansion while enhancing students' self-knowledge and body awareness in order to shift long-held patterns of thought and movement.
Vinyasa (Flow) Yoga: [this class might be taught in a room heated to aprox. 90 degrees F; please check the schedule to see if it is designated as "heated"] A very popular contemporary yoga style, this class requires a good-working knowledge of the basic yoga postures. The class leads through a series of breath-synchronized postures which are linked to one another through a flowing movement--thus "flowing" into one another and inspiring the style name, Flow Yoga. The class harmonizes each movement of the body to each breath taken, so the breath is not forced to follow the actions of the body as occurs with other forms of exercise. Some Flow classes will use a heated room--see if "heated" is specified on the class schedule.
Forrest Yoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] [this class is taught in a room heated to aprox. 80 degrees F] This is an inspiring yoga practice that uses heat, deep breathing, and vigorous pose sequences to sweat out toxins, build strength, and rejuvenate every cell in the body. The attention on conscious breathing encourages you to connect to feeling in your emotional and physical body while working safely at your edge. Forrest Yoga does not require previous experience, only that you bring a willingness to learn how to feel and respond authentically.
Hatha Yoga: This general yoga style utilizes different postures and flows for the purpose of strengthening, opening, and cleansing the body. Please note that this general-style class is conducted in a unique way by each different instructor--so Hatha with one teacher might not be the same experience as Hatha with another teacher.
Jivamukti Yoga: Jivamukti Yoga is a vigorous, flowing practice where traditional asanas are linked creatively but sensitively. Each class has a specific physical and spiritual focus and explores pranayama, meditation, and yogic philosophy. Inspiring music, perceptive hands-on assists, and deep relaxation (savasana) help to keep this challenging practice restorative and playful. The name Jivamukti means 'liberation while living'. Jivamukti is taken from the Sanskrit term, Jivanmukti, which is used to describe the state of enlightenment.
Kundalini Yoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] Open to all students, Kundalini is an ancient technology which incorporates breathing, yoga postures, mantras, mudras and meditations. These five components are used in specific combinations or sequences called Kriyas. Kriyas enable the creative energy (Kundalini) to flow and circulate up the spine. Through this process the body, mind and spirit are brought together in an integrated experience of the universal self.
Prenatal Yoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] This class is designed to help prepare women for the journey of child birth, helping to ease the stress placed on the body during this special time. The mom-to-be is taught to breathe effectively and consciously relax while also strengthening and stretching the muscles commonly used during the birthing process. Partners welcome.
Power Yoga: [this class is taught in a room heated to aprox. 90 degrees F] Description coming soon.
Slow Flow Yoga: [not currently on the schedule this month] As the name indicates, this class slows down the pace of a regular vinyasa-style yoga class and breaks down poses in order to focus on three things: bandhas, breath, and alignment. Bandhas, or energy locks, help us retain own own energy. Breath is our life force, and alignment keeps our bodies safe in postures. Sun Salutation postures are performed slowly, with conscious awareness to detail. In this mindful yoga practice, you will release tightness and gain strength in a nurturing environment.
SoulPower Flow Yoga: SoulPower is an athletic yet accessible flow style of yoga with an emphasis on breath. The practice is suitable for all levels and is set to inspiring soulful house music with R&B, Latin, African, and Afro-Beat influences. Get ready to sweat!
NOT YOGA!
(alphabetically listed)
These classes are taught at our studio because they complement, enrich, or are related to the practice of yoga.
Buddhist Meditation: [not currently on the schedule this month] The practice of meditation has been proven to calm our minds through the self-regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now. Meditation also cultivates wisdom, loving-kindness and compassion towards all sentient beings. Meditation is available to all people throughout the world and by anyone in any culture regardless of race, gender, or age. When our minds have inner peace we experience a sense of meaning and happiness even in the most adverse conditions. However, if our minds are without inner peace, even the most pleasant external conditions will not bring us happiness. In Buddhist meditation, the basic psychology of Buddhist philosophy is taught including: the law of Karma; the state of Samsara; the Bodhicitta mind; the state of Nirvana; the "six perfections"; and the Heart Sutra.
Chi Kung: The Chinese equivalent of yoga, this is an ancient exercise that uses simple flowing movements, breath control, and "standing" meditation. Easily accessible to beginners, it is an excellent tool to promote overall strength in the body, freedom in the joints, and calmness in the mind.
Nia: [not currently on the schedule this month] Nia classes are an invigorating mind-body-spirit cardiovascular workout that combines elements from dance, martial arts, yoga and awareness techniques. You will build strength, stability, mobility, agility and flexibility through this expressive movement practice. Nia classes are integrative, exhilarating, and most of all...fun!
Pilates: [not currently on the schedule this month] This yoga-influenced exercise program is a uniquely transformational method of body conditioning appropriate for people of all ages and abilities. Pilates focuses on improving core strength while lengthening and stretching all the other muscle groups. This class is taught as a "mat" class (i.e., using a yoga mat).
Pilates-Based Conditioning: [not currently on the schedule this month] This pilates-inspired class applies the principles of the Pilates method (Concentration, Breathing, Centering, Control, Precision, and Flowing movement) with the purpose of achieving greater flexibility, functional strength, mobility and muscle balance. We incorporate exercises to increase pelvic, shoulder girdle and spinal stabilization and we work on the concept of “neutral spine”. The results are a body more stable across a wide range of movements, and thus more efficient and less injury-prone.
|
 |
