Class Descriptions

Anusara

Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means flowing with Grace moving with the flow, following your heart. Anusara Yoga is a life-affirming and heart-centered style that was developed by John Friend in 1997. Currently, it is one of the most popular and fastest growing yoga styles in the world. Anusara’s uplifting philosophy is supported by the elegant and healing Universal Principles of Alignment. Nikki’s classes are upbeat and enthusiastic. All levels of ability and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences, limitations and talents. Her classes are infused with a celebration of the heart and a playful spirit. They are a celebration of the Divine beauty and essential goodness within us all.

Vinyasa Flow

This class integrates alignment of posture, attention to breathing and fluidity, and deep release of connective tissues. These are the principle qualities of Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Viniyoga, the three traditions in the lineage of Krishnamacharya, the pre-eminent twentieth-century yogi who defined yoga as it is widely understood in America today. Students will move from one pose to another in a flowing sequence of yoga postures while pausing to hold and work on alignment and deep body awareness. This allows the student to ease safely through the postures while maintaining a deep awareness of the breath and the self. This class works with the precision and care of Iyengar Yoga while incorporating the movement and heat building of Ashtanga Yoga and the therapeutic focus of Viniyoga™. Through flowing practice, heat is naturally and safely created within the body to warm, soothe, heal and strengthen the student from the inside out.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is what most people associate with the word “yoga”   and is most commonly practiced for mental and physical health.  In this class students will practice a moderate sequence of classic yoga postures, known as “asanas.”   Attention will be given to the breath and to proper alignment in each posture.  Suitable modifications for each asana will be offered for different levels of ability.  Asana practice is known for strengthening the body and balancing the endocrine, nervous and circulatory systems.  Regular practice of asana will help increase flexibility, rid the body of toxins and reduce stress.

Gentle Yoga

This is a gentle class led by certified yoga therapist, Stacey Urdang.  Students will start with breath awareness and centering and will then learn basic yoga postures.  The teacher will work with each person to adapt and modify the postures for his or her particular body.  The class is led using traditional Viniyoga ™  methods which allows each student to improve or maintain wellness.

As a style of practice, Viniyoga™ refers to an approach to yoga that adapts the various means and methods of practice to the unique condition, needs and interests of the individual. As a result, each practitioner is given the tools to individualize and actualize the process of self-discovery and personal transformation.

Slow Flow Hatha

The tempo of this hatha yoga class is slow. You will be inspired to deepen your mind-body connection while building strength and flexibility. Whether you are a beginner wanting to learn the basic postures or a more experienced student wanting a slower practice to explore the subtleties of each posture, this class is for you. Attention to alignment, breathing, energy lines, sensory mindfulness, visualization, and a spirit of inquiry are all used as tools to help students delve into the ever-changing dynamics between awareness and movement. You are encouraged to go at your own pace and listen to your body. Modifications are offered, if needed. This class complements the more vigorous fast flowing yoga practices as well as other exercise routines and is a wonderful toner to modern day on the run culture.

Restorative Yoga

This class is designed to calm the nervous system and induce the relaxation response. The focus is on relaxing and opening the body in restful postures with the use of soft props. This is not sleep, but deep rest that provides the body an opportunity to renew and to heal. Numerous studies have proven the physical and emotional benefits of triggering the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This is beneficial for a strong immune response, lowered heart rate and blood pressure and balancing the body’s response system. It is believed that when the PNS is under-active, the body is more susceptible to illness.

Strengthen Your Asana

This class is an energetic study of yoga postures, called asanas. You will gain strength and flexibility as you move through a variety of poses that will lengthen your hamstrings, strengthen your biceps, improve your balance and, most of all, build your core muscles. Taught using Anusara principles of alignment, this is a powerful practice that will make your heart and your abdominals sing.

Insight Yoga (Yin Yoga)

This class is primarily a Yin yoga class with some flowing movement. In Yin Yoga, floor postures are held passively for several minutes in order to access a safe and positive ‘stress’ on the deep layers of connective tissue in the body. Physically, Yin Yoga restores and maintains the natural mobility of the joints, primarily between the navel and the knees. Energetically, Yin Yoga opens the body’s meridian system, which enhances the body’s energetic flow and supports emotional equilibrium. We will hold the postures as we turn our attention toward our inner landscape, learning to live in our bodies in a wholesome way. As we surrender into the postures we are able come to stillness not only in our bodies but also in our thoughts. Through this stillness we will investigate our true selves and come to a place of acceptance. The practice is deeply relaxing enabling us to go inward towards a place of compassion for ourselves, for others and for all beings. This practice is suitable for all ages and for pregnancy as well. This practice can be quite intense not only physically but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Yoga for Teens

Please ask us about starting a series for your group  (minimum of six)
In this class, teens can begin to experience the enormous benefits of yoga: increases in strength, flexibility, balance, mental focus, and relaxation. Breath awareness and yoga postures will be taught with an emphasis on correct body alignment in an atmosphere of exploration, curiosity and fun!

Yoga for Children

Please ask us about starting a class for your group.
That Blooming Child with Meg Durkin classes focus on having fun! The children learn about breath, balance, focus and quieting the mind while stretching and strengthening the body. Every class, we read a story or tell a tale and the kids act out the characters with yoga poses. Or they might do several classic animal poses, such as downward facing dog or cobra while hissing like a snake or barking like a dog. The sequence of poses engages kinesthetic intelligence while stimulating imagination and playfulness. Meg sings songs with the kids while they explore different poses. At the end of class there is always a resting time to relax the body; sometimes in the afternoon classes children even fall asleep.

Private Yoga Sessions

There are times when you may want to schedule private sessions of yoga for yourself to work in a concentrated manner one-on-one. This is especially effective when you are working with an injury or limitation so you can learn to adapt postures when you are attending public classes.  Perhaps you want to learn a specific posture or work on opening a particular area of the body or you need advice and support in developing your home practice.   How about a private yoga class with a group of your friends, with your networking group or with colleagues?  Call us at the studio to schedule a private session.

Pranayama

Pranayama is a form of meditation based on regulating and observing the breath. In the eightfold path of yoga, it is the step immediately after asana (poses), and it precedes the other deeper forms of meditation. The Yoga Sutras describe pranayama as one of the most powerful practices of yoga – it has the potential to relieve stress, increase mental focus and physical health, and promote feelings of balance and centeredness. This weekly class will expose students to the techniques of pranayama and equip them to develop their own practice. Although yoga poses will not be performed in class, some experience with them is required.