Beginners CLASSES

There are several ways to begin:

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about which approach is best for you.

Yoga Basics

For healthy adults who are new to yoga, this class includes moving into and staying in postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), meditation, and relaxation. The series builds gradually, allowing you to integrate what you learn.

Classes are limited to ten students, so you get the individual attention you need to make sure you’re practicing correctly. Benefits include increased flexibility, strength, and the ability to manage stress.

Series class, no drop-ins.


OPEN CLASSES - Experienced Students

Continuing Classes

The continuing classes are for those who already know the basics.  All classes include asana (movement and stay), pranayama (breathing practices), and relaxation. The emphasis is on well rounded practices that create feelings of vitality, joy, and equanimity. 

The classes are identified by level numbers—which indicate the strength of the practice, not a hierarchy of achievement.  The best ways to find the right class for you is either to ask the instructors or to experiment.

Strong Asana

For those who have the desire, fitness level, and self-awareness to work at their physical edge. To do advanced poses safely you must have strength, stability, and focus, as well as flexibility.  In this class you will develop flexibility and strength along the spine, stability and flexibility in the hips and shoulders, and mental focus. 

Each series of classes will concentrate on a particular type of asana (backbends, forward bends, laterals, twists, inversions, arm and leg balances), along with proper preparation and compensation.  Classes include working with the breath, meditation, and relaxation.

Series class only, no drop-ins.       

Restoratives (Pillow Yoga)

The ultimate in relaxation! You are propped and pillowed into yoga poses; then you listen to music and breathe.
The perfect antidote to busy-busy. Please allow 2 hours after a meal or 11/2 hours after a snack.

CLasses with a Therapeutic Emphasis

Therapeutic Yoga

Yoga has so many benefits for people with aches and pains!

This class is designed for those of you who have chronic pain and/or some limits to mobility due to age, sedentary lifestyle, injury, or illness. We will be working on the floor, standing, and seated in chairs, with yoga movements adapted to make the benefits accessible to you. The small class size ensures that practices can be geared to your individual needs.

Classes include moving into and staying in postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), meditation, and relaxation. Participants report decreased pain, more strength and mobility, increased ability to relax, and inner peace

The Yoga Path studio is upstairs. If your mobility is limited to the extent that you aren’t comfortable getting up and down stairs, or up and down off the floor, Yoga for Those with Chronic Illness or Private Instruction are better choices.

Drop-ins and Beginners are welcome. Please consult with Instructor before your first class.

Yoga for Those with Chronic Illness

For people who have physical limitations due to chronic illness, age, or injury, this fun class consists of movement, breathing, and relaxation. For most of the class we sit in chairs, with a small amount of standing. Adaptations are made for those who need to remain seated. Participants enjoy the feeling of community, increased vitality and ability to deal with pain, and feelings of peace.

Drop-ins and Beginners are welcome.

Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30 PM

These ongoing classes are by donation, and may be joined at any time. For ease of access, they are held at Islands Convalescent Center.

Pre- and Post-Natal

Pre-Natal

A safe and fun class for pregnant women in all stages of pregnancy. Emphasis will be on creating strength, flexibility, and relaxation in ways that are comfortable as your body changes. Yoga postures can bring relief to the common aches of pregnancy such as back pain, sciatica, nausea, and constipation. The breathing practices and relaxation help restore energy and calm the mind.

Drop-ins and Beginners are welcome. Classes are ongoing and may be joined at any time.

Post-Natal

Get out, get back into shape, relax, and enjoy the company of other new moms. Yoga can really help ease the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that occur after childbirth. Classes focus on strengthening and stabilizing core muscles, stretching to release muscle tension, breathing and relaxation to reduce stress. Please bring your baby!

Drop-ins and Beginners are welcome. Classes are ongoing and may be joined at any time.

YOGA IN DEPTH

Moving Into Meditation

Research shows that meditation makes people calmer and happier. When you are calmer and happier, your body, mind, and life work better. Traditionally, yoga always included some formal meditation practice. Because each of us is different, yoga offers a variety of meditation techniques. This is an introduction to some of those techniques. You will be guided through gentle movement and breathing practices to prepare the body and mind for a seated meditation practice.

Beginners and drop-ins are welcome.

Beginner’s Breath

Breathing is the easiest and most accessible way we have to increase our vitality and sense of well being. Learn the basics of relaxed breathing and the how and why of simple breath-control techniques.

Beginners are welcome. Series class, no drop-ins.

Pranayama

Ancient yogis developed a science of the breath called pranayama. They studied the effects of the breath on physical health and well being, the mind, emotions, and consciousness. Learn the how and why of these ancient breath-control practices. You will be amazed at the benefits.

This class is those who’ve completed at least one year of yoga practice that included breath awareness or breath control.

Series class, no drop-ins.

Sutra Study

Yoga is ultimately more about how we move through our lives than how we move our bodies. The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is an ancient text with surprising relevance to modern life. We will learn, apply, and integrate this wisdom through study, discussion, practice, meditation, self- reflection, and chanting.

Beginners are welcome. Series class, no drop-ins.

The Chakra System

More than a mental or psychological model, the chakra system is a map for the journey to our own Self. In this long-term class we explore that rugged internal terrain through the practice of asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, yoga nidra, and ritual.

“The chakras are a symbolic map of all the levels of human being, from basic survival to unlimited spiritual freedom. Working with the chakras supports the overall journey of spiritual development by removing the limited belief patterns that keep us from recognizing our true nature, which is limitless. Study of the chakras facilitates the process of deconditioning by defining exactly what the limiting belief patterns are and how to integrate them, bringing the mind to stillness.”
Joseph and Lillian Le Page

Series class, no drop-ins. Classes run September – May.