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Align + Reset

Taught in the tradition of Iyengar Yoga, this class is beginner-friendly and particularly good for students with some familiarity with yoga. Prior knowledge and/or experience in Iyengar Yoga is not required. Keeping basic props handy for class is strongly encouraged. (Please refer to the prop info.)

Our approach emphasizes proper alignment and cultivation of strength, flexibility, stamina and balance through practice of varying categories of asanas — standing, seated, twists, inversions, forward bends, back bends and restoratives. 

Sometimes, our focus will be on pranayama (breath meditation) and restoratives.

Through regular practice, we aim for not just physical health but also calm and emotional resilience.

Props
Consider having the following for optimal class experience, especially if you are new to yoga. Don’t worry if you don’t start out with everything in place. 

Kinda necessary:

  • Yoga mat (I think the sweet spot is about 3-4 mm in thickness. I have used Jade, Manduka, Tapas, etc. They are all decent. Be prepared to experiment.)
  • Yoga blocks (Please get the firm ones from Hugger Mugger or cork blocks. The cheapest ones from Amazon…well, let us just say you get what you pay for.)
  • Several blankets – I recommend proper yoga blankets (either acrylic, wool or cotton, they need to be firm when folded and of good size). In a pinch, thick bath or beach towels also work.
  • Yoga belt or any kind of belt – I would suggest 10-ft belts from Hugger Mugger. Other brands have longer lengths as well. Bathrobe belts can do the trick as well.

Nice to have:

  • Yoga chair or other sturdy chair – preferably without armrests and light enough that you can easily pick it up
  • Yoga bolster – couch or other firm cushions are good alternatives

 

Ashtanga Yoga

In these classes students will be provided a step-by-step approach to learn Ashtanga VinyasaPrimary Series. The asana in the primary series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga are curative in nature. They are also referred to as Yoga Chikitsa (purification). When we practice Ashtanga Vinyasa we start a purification process. We purify the body by practicing the physical asana. We purify the nervous system by the mechanism of Ujjayi, or Victorious Breath. We purify the mind by disciplining the mind to be focused on one thing at the time as we focus on the gazing point or the Drishti in each posture. The intent is to demystify all the postures in the series and try to learn the essence of each pose, rather than being too focused on how the poses look. At the beginning of the class we willexplore some of the curative aspect of a particular pose and at the end students will enjoy a guided deep healing relaxation. This class is available to all levels of students.

Ashtanga Foundations
This classes introduces students to the basic concepts and poses of the Ashtanga Yoga Series in a gentle, safe, and effective way. Basic philosophy is introduced along with an introduction to the sun salutations, standing poses, and some seated postures.
Extra time and attention are devoted to the breathing techniques and to establishing correct alignment within each posture. This class is designed to give the practitioner a firm and solid foundation in the practice, and is a great class for those new to the series or the experience student who seeks a class devoted to detailing their existing ashtanga practice.

Beginner/Intermediate Ashtanga class
This class builds on the basic introduction given in Ashtanga Foundations class, adding further intergration of breath and movement to the detailing of poses in the Foundations classes. In these classes all poses from the first half of the Primary Series are covered with variations for those newer to the practice. This class is recommended for those who have a strong background in yoga, athletics, or dance, or those who have had a comfortable experience in the Ashtanga Foundations class.

Flow for Strength

This Flow for Strength class is a yoga class that moves gracefully without rushing. It includes sun salute variations, postures and exercises that strengthen the upper body and core. Designed to physically engage and stretch the whole body and improve our ability to focus. This class is for all levels, modifications are offered and guidance is given on how to approach the class in a gentle, moderate or intense way. Skillful step by step instructions and a spirit of lightness and ease make this a class both enjoyable and enriching.
 
Class sequences remain similar each week allowing the student to know what to expect and dig deeper into postures and approaches they are already familiar with. Little by little new postures, variations and actions are introduced – providing the challenges necessary to keep the mind bright and the body growing and developing. 

Friday Ashtanga Led Primary Series

In this led class, the teacher calls out the postures and vinyasas (counted movements linking the postures with the breath) of the Ashtanga Primary Series.

The group moves and breathes together in sync, as each breath is counted out. These are focused, highly energetic classes and recommended for experienced students.

A Led Primary Series class is effective attenuating self-practice habits such as a wandering mind, losing the connection with the breath, or fidgeting between postures, and provides an opportunity to refine your practice by following the ‘count’ as it is traditionally prescribed.

Gentle Yoga with Ken and Elaine

The Gentle Yoga class was inspired by David Roche MSc., a certified Ashtanga instructor in his mid-70’s with a professional background in Modern Dance and Hatha Yoga as well as a variety of other psycho/physical disciplines. It is based on Ashtanga Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga, with numerous references to the writings of Tom Myers’ “Anatomy Trains” (myofascial connections within the body). It is appropriate for beginners and intermediate practitioners, and for those who are injured, pregnant, older, or otherwise physically stressed, or who find other forms of yoga too challenging as a daily practice, whether temporarily or longer term.

Gentle Yoga loosens the joints of the body from your toes to your nose, with gentle stretches and strengthening exercises for gradually increasing one’s range of motion. It incorporates the use of props (bolsters, straps, blankets), and coordinates breath with movement. It is intended to encourage one to recognize their daily physical needs and limitations. It thereby helps one to find greater proprioceptive awareness in order to modify their personal yoga practice as desired.

Meditation

Meditation is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine. There are many types of meditation, most of which originated in ancient religious and spiritual traditions. In this class a person learns to focus attention. You will be invited to become mindful of thoughts, feelings, and sensations and to observe them in a nonjudgmental way. This practice is believed to result in a state of greater calmness and physical relaxation, and psychological balance. Practicing meditation can change how a person relates to the flow of emotions and thoughts.

Benefits:

Improvement of body luster and general health-When your mind focuses on a particular part of the body, the blood flow to that part increases and cells receive more oxygen and other nutrients in abundance. Today, many of the film stars and fashion models include meditation in their daily regimen.

Improvement in concentration – Many of the athletes and sports professionals regularly employ meditation methods. Studies have found a direct correlation between concentration exercises (meditation) and the performance level of sports professionals. Meditation strengthens the mind, it comes under control and is able to provide effective guidance to the physical body to effectively execute all its projects.

Though meditation is usually recognized as a largely spiritual practice, it also has many health benefits. The yoga and meditation techniques are being implemented in management of life threatening diseases; in transformation of molecular and genetic structure; in reversal of mental illnesses, in accelerated learning programs, in perceptions and communications beyond the physical, in solving problems and atomic and nuclear physics; in gaining better ecological understanding; in management of lifestyle and future world problems. Some benefits of meditation are:

  • It lowers oxygen consumption.
  • It decreases respiratory rate.
  • It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
  • Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
  • Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
  • Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.
  • Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
  • Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
  • Builds self-confidence.
  • It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
  • Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc.
  • Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.
  • Helps in post-operative healing.
  • Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of ‘natural-killer cells’, which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
  • Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.

Mindful Flow

We invite breath as a catalyst to feel the movement infused with lightness of being and stillness, moving at a moderate to slower pace with music.  We will flow and restore; integrating thoughtful transitions and asanas, complemented by approachable core strengtheners.  All with an emphasis on therapeutics of mindfulness- awareness of the breath and awareness of sensations in the body, with options to work more deeply or to go easier- to add or take away. Each class begins with morning stretches progressively moving to standing poses, seated, and reclining to start the day afresh and well-grounded.

Mysore Style Ashtanga

While we are closed for in studio classes, we offer self practice with the community mysore style online classes, free of charge. As well as in person Mysore Style class in the park on Wednesdays. Sign up for all is required to participate.

WHAT IS MYSORE-STYLE ASHTANGA YOGA?

Mysore-style Ashtanga is the traditional method of learning and practicing Ashtanga Yoga as taught by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and now his grandson Sharath in Mysore, India.

Unlike most yoga classes where the students practice in unison, here everyone works at their own pace. It’s  a self practice in a group setting. The teacher gives individual attention to each student according to their needs (based on age, health condition, injury, flexibility, level of experience…) to ensure a safe, and sustainable practice.

The room is almost silent. The main focus is the breath and the meditative flow that comes from the practice.

HOW TO START YOUR MYSORE STYLE PRACTICE?

To start your Mysore practice come and observe a class for half an hour or so.  We recommend attending a busy class, usually Sundays at around 8:00 A.M.

After that first encounter, arrive at 6:30 A.M. any day Monday to Thursday for the next two weeks. This ensures that our teachers have the time to start you on your practice when it is quiet. After those first 2 weeks, you can practice any time.)

The teacher will assign postures to you in accordance with your ability. Beginners tend to have a much shorter practice than more experienced students. As strength, flexibility, and concentration are gained, additional postures are given to the student.

If you get confused about the correct sequence of postures or need help with a particular posture, please let the teacher know. We are happy to help, no matter how many times you ask! If you are accustomed to led classes, the Mysore-style setting can seem strange at first. But with commitment and a little patience, you will be encouraged by how quickly you learn to do yoga as a self-practice.

COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRACTICE

The practice room is open between 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. during the week  and from 7.00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. on Sundays. However, instruction starts at 6:30 A.M. and ends at 9:00 A.M. (7:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. on Sundays).

Traditionally, in the Ashtanga method we practice every day except for Saturdays and Moon Days, which typically occur twice a month. New students are encouraged to make a commitment to practice at least 3 times a week for a month, it may be very difficult to commit to a daily practice, and it often takes one or two years to establish discipline.  Don’t be discouraged if you’re “only” practicing twice a week at first; your practice will grow.

To see Moon Days (rest days) click on the schedule page for the pdf.

CHEAT SHEETS

If you have a diagram of the Ashtanga yoga primary series postures, we encourage you to review and study the postures at home instead of bringing it to class. This allows you to learn the order of the postures more quickly and to place more focus on your breathing during class.

QUESTIONS?

For additional questions about starting a Mysore practice at YiY, email Sabina at yogaisyouth dot com or Beata dot s at mac dot com.

Pranayama

This is a 20 minute class and everyone is welcome, even if you have not practiced Pranayama before. Pranayama is the formal yogic practice of controlling the breath. We start the class with the cooling breath (shitali), continue with short belly breathing to oxygenate the body (kapalabhati), then go on to alternate nostril breathing with retention (nadi shodhana) and finally 10-15 second retentions (kuhmbaka). The class ends with a few minutes of meditation.

Sutra Discussion (free class)

Vinyasa Flow with Thoa

An ideal yoga workout during your lunch break through this challenging vinyasa flow yoga practice, in which movement is synchronized to the breath. This energizing class involves sun salutations, standing, balance, and seated poses, twists, backbends, relaxation.  Leaving the class physically, and mentally refreshed in a lighter and stronger body with a calm mind.