Class descriptions
All Levels Yoga (AL)
A class for students of all levels from a brand new beginner to an advanced practioner. Appropriate options will be given for your level of experience.
Back Care Yoga (BC)
Open to all levels of students, including people who have never taken a yoga class. Students of all ages are welcome. You will learn: poses to relieve muscle tension; safe poses to increase flexibility in the hips, shoulders and back; strengthening poses to give the spine and neck adequate support; ways to improve your posture and alignment; & relaxation techniques to help you to reduce mental stress often associated with chronic pain. These classes are suitable for all practitioners, but special care is made to assist those with back issues. Overall emphasis is also placed on building a strong and healthy back for everyone, so as to avoid future back-related problems.
Chair Yoga (CY)
These classes are appropriate for those with MS, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, cancer survivors and other conditions or those who want a slower paced class. The class is open to students who use walkers, canes, and wheelchairs.
Benefits of yoga include: improving range of motion and flexibility, involvement in a social activity, strengthening muscles and joints, and reducing stress. These classes include yoga poses for the body, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques.
Most of the class is done seated in a chair. For those who are able, some standing (with support) and floor movements may be given. For those who are unable, alternate poses will be given for those remaining in the chair.
Gentle Yoga (GY)
Designed for those who want a very basic, beginner level class. These classes include yoga poses for the body, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. Students of all abilities are welcome to attend including those who prefer to stay in a chair. The class is shorter and slower paced than a Level 1 class.
Level 1 Yoga (L1)
This is where your yoga journey begins! The perfect class for students who are brand new to yoga, students who have had very little yoga, and students who took yoga a long time ago.
Level 1 is a beginner yoga class that is designed to introduce students to the practice of Hatha Yoga. Classes emphasize a systematic approach that allows students to learn the basic techniques of proper alignment, breathing, meditation, and relaxation.
Level 2 Yoga (L2)
Level 2 is for students who have had at least three months of Level 1 classes. You will begin to explore more challenging poses and breathing techniques. Basic understanding of alignment and recognition of the names of the poses is needed for this class.
Level 2 Flow Yoga (L2F)
This is a more aerobic style of class that improves strength and endurance. These classes are flow style classes where the poses are linked together with the breath. There is much more fluid movement involved so the pace of the class is a little quicker. They provide a more aerobic style of yoga to improve strength and endurance. Alignment direction is given for the poses, but there is an assumption that the student knows the basic forms of the poses.
Students need to have attended at least 3 months in the Level 1 classes before attending this Flow class. This class is not recommended for students who have never done yoga.
Level 3 Yoga (L3)
Level 3 introduces more challenging poses and refines those taught in Level 2. More detailed breathing techniques are also taught. Students who have practiced yoga for at least 12 months in the Level 2 classes are welcome to attend. Students need to be proficient with the use of all props and familiar with Sanskrit names and poses. It is assumed that students have an understanding of the basic foundations of Inversion poses including setup of Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) with blankets.
Level 4 Yoga (L4)
These classes continue to refine poses taught in levels 1-3 and offer more challenging poses. Regular practice outside of class and understanding of alignment of all Level 3 poses are strongly recommended. Students must have at least 12 months of experience in the Level 3 classes. Confidence in Headstand and Shoulderstand are required (or, if those poses are contraindicated due to a medical/health reason, please know alternatives are appropriate for you).
Prenatal Yoga (PN)
Join teacher Melissa Leak, RYT who used yoga during 3 pregnancies. Classes begin on Sunday, August 7.
Benefits of prenatal yoga:
- Attention to the mind and awareness of the breath creates an inner calmness and allows anxiety about the birthing process to decrease.
- Knowing where you are tight or weak and working on those areas will help you prepare your body for birth.
- Brings a new awareness to your body and the changes that are taking place and gives you confidence that you can allow nature to take its course, by connecting the mind with the breath and the body.
- Yogic relaxation and poses can help to alleviate, lower back pain, nausea, indigestion, fatigue, swelling and leg cramps.
Power Yoga (PY)
Get a great workout without going to the gym!
Power Yoga classes provide a more aerobic style of yoga to improve strength and endurance. During these classes poses are linked together with the breath, the movement is more fluid and the pace is a little quicker. This class is not recommended for students who have never done yoga and recognition of poses is needed for this class.
Yoga Wall (YW)
Yoga Walls are special props that can be used for many types of poses from standing poses, back bends, forward bends, inversions & more. The Walls allow you to move deeper into poses, to understand alignment more in depth, and to just be more playful in your practice. The class is appropriate for students of all levels from brand new students to advanced practioners. 