Class Descriptions

Strong Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is the generic term for the various forms of yoga practiced in America today. This is a strong and playful class that incorporates detailed instruction in the postures (asanas) with longer holds to promote strength, flexibility and balance both on and off the mat. There are nearly 200 hatha yoga postures, with hundreds of variations, which serve to make the spine supple and to promote circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues!  You will be challenged!

Alignment cues are refined to develop internal heat, strength, mental focus and flexibility. Taught by an instructor originally certified at the 500 hour level in the Anusara system, Nikki’s classes are infused with a celebration of the heart and a playful spirit that emphasizes 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.

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 precise 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 Children or Teens

Please ask us about starting a series for your group. Minimum of 8 students.

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.

Deep Stretch and Flow

Long held floor postures with the belly down on the mat will stretch the connective tissue to open and prepare the body for flowing yang (energetic) poses. This practice combines passive and active asanas with pranayama and meditation.  All levels welcome. (first class begins 9/30/12)

Community Class

Come explore with a new teacher at half the normal class price on Thursday nights!  This class will be taught by a recently certified yoga instructor who is dedicated to becoming a great teacher by gaining experience teaching.  This will be a well-sequenced vinyasa flow class for students at various levels of experience. It is recommended that you have some experience with yoga.

Yin Yang Yoga Fusion

Eclectic Hatha Yoga

Expand your horizons! There are many styles of yoga and it is nice to discover new practices to keep your practice fresh. Kim Dwyer will draw from a broad variety of teachings to bring a different flavor to each class: from Kripalu, vinyasa (flow), yin to kundalini yoga styles.  Meditation, breathing techniques (pranayama), and strong standing postures will be explored among many others.

Power Vinyasa

This class focuses on strong poses with fluid movements. Following the “one movement, one breath” pace, this class incorporates cardiovascular training with strength building and flexibility. Built on the Ashtanga yoga tradition, this class will focus on building up to more advanced postures such as inversions and arm balances. Pranayama and bandha engagement will be introduced producing a higher core temperature for the practitioner, contributing to the detoxification of the body and a higher caloric burn. Although still highly focused on alignment, this class is designed for those seeking both a cardiovascular work out and improved strength and flexibility.