Iyengar
Yoga Classes
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| BKS Iyengar |
Iyengar Foundation A
Level 1
Basics
is where to start if you are a beginning student. This class
introduces you to the fundamental principles of yoga and the
Iyengar system. Step by step instruction is given on the fundamentals
of body alignment through yoga postures. Students
develop their ability to practice yoga safely and to understand
its beneficial effects. It is recommended to attend this level
for 3-6 months.
Iyengar Foundation B
Level 2
This class is the perfect
choice for new students or students looking to build a stronger foundation
to their practice. In this class we work to build
strength, stability and ease focusing on classical standing poses, seated poses,
and relaxation poses. In these classes students with previous injuries,
weaknesses or limitations are supported to develop a strong, steady, intelligent
yoga practice. Students can stay at this level for 6 months
to 12 months or more.
Practice and Refinement
Level 3
Practice
and Refinement is a step up from Basics and Level 1. This faster paced, mixed level class encourages students to cultivate a consistent,
personalized, and informed practice enabling the student to benefit from
the powerful effects of yoga. This class introduces students to a range
of poses including beginning forward and back extensions as well as twisting
postures and the beginnings of inversions. This level was formerly
known as All Levels.
Power of Practice
Level 4
The Power of Practice deepens
the students' awareness and experience of the more subtle and profound aspects
and effects of asana. Having attained a level of stability and ease, students
hold asanas for longer periods of time and begin the journey to
reflection and meditation in asana. At
this level students are strongly encouraged to practice at home regularly
so that their personal understanding of yogic postures begins to fuel their
understanding of refinements taught in class.
(various class names)
Level 4
This level is for experienced
students only; we ask that you get the permission from the instructor to
participate in these sessions. It is not always essential to be advanced
in performing asana per se, what is most important is that one's practice
has the quality of ahimsa (non-violence); it is mindful and sensitive including
self-observation and analysis to prevent injury and build greater self-mastery. At
this level students are encouraged to read yogic texts including the writings
of BKS Iyengar to improve their understanding the broader scope of the
system of yoga. Sutra readings are generally incorporated at this level.
Healing/Restorative - Open Level
Restorative poses are
stress relieving sequences of asanas performed with significant support of
props and is ideal for students that prefer a class with a very relaxed pace.
Healing/Restorative is a powerful antidote to being "stressed
out", weakened or fatigued. Allowing the body to be supported in restorative
postures together with conscious breathing brings balance back to the physical
and energy bodies and a clear calmness to the mind.
Therapeutic (General for Back or other)
In the Iyengar
tradition, therapeutics play an important role in the spectrum of asana and
teachers certified at higher levels are allowed to guide students through
powerful sequences to support and heal various conditions. Students with special
issues are given sequences of postures designed as a "therapy" to treat their individual
conditions. Typically these include back care, joint issues, energetic/hormonal
imbalances, lack of mobility due to injury, and much more. Currently Laura Allard-Antelmi
is the only teacher in the studio certified to teach "Therapeutic" classes
in the Iyengar tradition. Back Care Class is open to all students and provides
a sequence of asanas to prevent or treat back pain.
<read about Iyengar Yoga in general> |
Ashtanga
Vinyasa Yoga Classes
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| Sri K Pattabhi Jois |
Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word that means "breath based
movement".
In Vinyasa class each asana is linked to the one before and
the one after it by graceful movements of the body that are
tied to the breath. Breath is the central focus when first
learning vinyasa yoga until it becomes natural and organic.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Foundation A
Level 1
This class is where to start if you are brand new to yoga practice.
Students will learn the fundamentals of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga
practice such as Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations), standing
poses that open the body, and various seated postures. These
classes will lead students to connect with their body's innate
intelligence and create a new sense of space. Most importantly
students will be introduced to the concept of mindful breathing
and deep relaxation. This work in class will cultive strength
and flexibility and self-confidence which can open the door
to greater ease in life outside the yoga room.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Foundation B
Level 2
Students develop the building blocks of
vinyasa practice by working more deeply with fundamental asana
and discovering how strength and softness are two sides of the
same coin. By focusing on standing poses and the
vinyasa that connect them, students learn the importance of
the feet and the legs as the foundation of each posture and
how grounding creates a rising energy that can last for hours
after practice. Students are introduced to Ujjayi pranayama
and gently
encouraged to explore it during class.
Ashtanga Vinyasa "Strength & Flexibility"
Level 3
In this faster paced mixed level class
we expect students to have some mastery over the focuses of the
Foundation class (above) and here Ujjayi pranayama (breathing)
becomes a central focus. Boundaries are gently pushed as
we begin to generate internal heat which cleanses the blood and
detoxifies the body. The practitioner begins finding more flexibility
both in body and mind. We begin to explore more seated poses
linked by vinyasa, that over time begin to create a reserve of
core body strength in the practioner.
Mysore Practice
Open Level (no raw beginners)
This class is named after the city in which Pattabhi Jois taught Ashtanga all his life, Mysore India. You'll find this type of class taught at all serious Ashtanga centers all over the world. The format is a self-led practice where the students do "their practice" on their own surrounded by a sangha of other practitioners and supported by their teacher. In this type of class the students are guided by the instructor but not led. This is THE BEST way for students of Ashtanga Yoga to learn and practice, to get personalized attention from their teacher, and to advance in their practice and their life. Queue cards will be available for those who do not have the entire series of postures memorized which students may take to their mat. If you are new to Mysore style classes then check with us about whether this would be a good class for you. In general you should be comfortably practicing in the Level 3 strength and flexibility class or higher and/*or* have an established Ashtanga practice already. Seaph is practicing 3rd series and can work with students practicing 1st, 2nd and 3rd series Ashtanga.
<read about Ashtanga Yoga in general> |
