Class Styles

ALIGNMENT BASED HATHA YOGA (IYENGAR INFLUENCED)

Hatha is a classical form of practice where there is longer holding of yoga poses. Classes will include warm up exercises, sun salutations (a graceful series of poses performed as one fluid movement, coordinated with the breath), and postures to encourage flexibility, strength and balance, as well as relaxation. There will be a strong focus on alignment inspired by teachings from Iyengar Yoga.

You will explore basic poses more deeply, as well as practice intermediate and advanced poses. By repeating poses and staying in them longer, you have time to discover a deeper level of understanding of both basic and more refined levels of alignment: inner and outer, shape and direction, form and function. Being still in a pose will become effortless and joyful.

Beginner to advanced, moderate to vigorous intensity.


ASHTANGA CLASSICAL VINYASA

This method of classical yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive sequence of postures (Vinyasa or Flow) - a process producing internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. 

Starting with Sun Salutations, the sequence moves into standing poses, which constitute the warm-up part of the practice. The Primary Series consists of seated forward bending poses, twists and a few backbends at the end. The sequence then moves to the cool down poses, consisting of inversions, cross-legged sitting poses and pranayama. Postures are held for 5 breaths and there is no rest in-between poses. It is a moving meditatation coordinating breath with movement and meditating on breath in poses. 

Mysore Ashtanga means, the way it was taught in Mysore, India, by it's founder Pattabhi Jois, and now his grandson, Sharath. The class is not led, but rather students slowly learn the sequence and move through it with phyisical and verbal assistance from the teacher. Students move at their own pace, working on the poses they can do, so each person is doing thier own practice, but in a group setting . You can come and leave at any time during the class. With repetition, your body will remember the sequence. Please contact Anna Winkler BEFORE attending, and with any questions.

Led Ashtanga means the teacher will talk you through the sequence of poses as a group, as in a regular class. Thursday evening is led (1/2 primary sequence).

This style of practice is appropriate for everyone who is ready to begin humbly and simply, perhaps modified with props. Be prepared to sweat. Vigorous.

GENTLE BEGINNER YOGA

This gentle beginner class introduces the fundamental principles of alignment and breath work in a flow of postures linked together by the breath.  

Students will be invited into yoga postures through step-by-step verbal description and demonstration.  Emphasis is placed on student safety and stability within each pose. 

This accessible class is an ideal choice for anyone looking to develop a practice of conscious, mindful gentle movement.

GENTLE YOGA & MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

No experience is required for this class. However it is suited for everyone, no matter if you are beginning on your yoga/meditation journey or studying for years.

This is an hour for you to relax and begin or deepen your practice. Each class will include mindfulness meditation practice, gentle yoga, and a guided relaxation meditation. Different meditation traditions will also be explored. Enjoy the gift of relaxation each week and learn to begin or deepen your meditation practice.

HANNA SOMATICS

Connecting to what we sense and feel in our body often gets lost as a result of chronic pain, physical or emotional trauma and stress throughout our life. Regaining control of movement, finding freedom and ease in the body deepens our feeling sense and self-awareness.  

Hanna Somatic Education, a neuroscience based movement practice, brings unconscious muscle contraction to the conscious level.

Learn simple, easy movements that teach you to trust what you feel, regain control and move with more freedom. It can be profoundly effective in supporting your yoga practice by freeing you from patterns that hold you in tension and away from a deeper practice.

This gentle but powerful work is open to all levels of practice.

HATHA YOGA

Hatha Yoga is a classical form of practice where there is longer holding of poses than in a vinyasa style. This gives time for students to learn and understand how to get into and out of poses safely and hold them more comfortably, with stability.

INTEGRAL STYLE HATHA YOGA

This classical form of Hatha Yoga integrates the various components of traditional yoga - Asanas: physical postures and stretching;  Pranayama: breathing techniques; Yoga Nidra: deep relaxation;  and Dhyana: meditation. During the class, each student is encouraged to practice at his/her own level of strength, flexibility and endurance. This style of Yoga was developed by Swami Satchidananda of the Yogaville Ashram in Buckingham, VA and Integral Yoga Institute in NYC.

Beginner to intermediate levels, intensity varies from gentle to moderate.
 

IYENGAR YOGA

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes precise body alignment and follows a safe, systematic progression of learning. Developed by yoga master Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar, it is suitable for every age, body type, and fitness level.  Iyengar Certified Instructors are rigorously trained, demonstrate poses clearly, and give detailed instructions.

Poses are held longer and done one at a time to deepen the students’ experience and intelligence. Individual corrections and adjustments are made as needed, often by the use of props. Iyengar Yoga is a complete approach to life, intended to create and maintain physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual well-being.

Suitable for all levels, moderate intensity.

KIDS YOGA

KUNDALINI YOGA

Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D., is a great way to recharge your body.  It stimulates the nervous and immune systems, improves strength and flexibility, centers the mind and opens the spirit.  Kundalini yoga develops your relationship with your mental potential.  You learn to use the neutral, intuitive, comprehensive mind.

From your very first class you'll start reaping the rewards, which include relief from back pain, stress, addiction, depression, insomnia, and weight control.  Plus, Kundalini Yoga can help keep you stay young.  Everyone can do it!! 

Kundalini Yoga differs from other traditional approaches, in that the focus is on rapid, repetitive movements (called Kriyas), coordinated with "breath of fire" breathing practice. 

All levels are welcome. Intensity level is moderate to vigorous.

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, has numerous benefits and is called the Yoga of Awareness: it works the immune and nervous systems; supports healthy glandular, endocrine, and lymphatic systems; calms the mind with meditation and focused awareness; detoxifies the inner organs and body tissues with pranayam (breathing exercises) and physical exercises (asanas); and it also strengthens the body through sometimes vigorous movements and series of exercises known as kriyas.

 

This class is suitable for all levels, beginners and beyond.
 

 

PRANAYAMA (monthly)

Come take some time to restore and renew as Ellen guides you through postures to open and expand the chest and lungs to prepare the body for pranayama, working with the breath. Basic pranayama techniques will be introduced and refined.

 

Last Tuesday (6:15pm) and Thursday (11:30am) of every month.

Increase your pranic energy while restoring the body, and refreshing the mind. At least one year of regular yoga practice required. 

 

PRE & POSTNATAL YOGA
 

REIKI HEALING CIRCLE (monthly)

RESTORATIVE YOGA

Therapeutic and restful, this style of yoga utilizes props to make it easier for the body to get into certain poses, and thus, surrender to the pose. Practicing poses using props provides a completely supportive environment for total relaxation. The more your body is supported in the poses the deeper the sense of relaxation.

This practice soothes your nervous system, helps you quiet your mind and invites you to release deeply held tension.

All levels are welcome and encouraged. Intensity level is gentle, though some poses will provide a strong stretch, and your level of mental and physical relaxation will be significant.

SLOW FLOW VINYASA - Breath Centered

This class will slow down the more vigorous pace of a traditional vinyasa class. Suitable for all levels, we warm up the body to slowly increase flexibility and strength, transitioning from asana to asana with ease and grace. Some restoratiave poses may be practiced as well.

The breath is the focus of the practice. Emphasis is placed on synchronizing breath with movement, with the breath pacing the movement and setting its tempo. 

All levels welcome. Intensity level is moderate to vigorous. Each student is encouraged to practice at their own level of strength, flexibility and endurance. Yogis can embrace modifications for poses, as well as explore advanced options as needed.

SUNRISE YOGA

A one-hour early morning yoga practice designed for yogins of all levels who want to get their yoga on, but have busy days ahead of them.  Typically, the Sunrise Yoga practice starts with a few moments of seated breath work, followed by sun salutations to warm up the body and an ever-changing sequence of postures including standing poses, hip openers, shoulder openers, inversions, twists, forwardbends, and/or backbends.

You will leave Sunrise Yoga feeling relaxed yet energized and ready to start your busy day with a clear and quiet mind and a spring in your step, ready to face the challenges of the day with a positive outlook that will improve your productivity, efficiency and concentration.   

All levels are welcome. Intensity level is moderate to vigorous.

TAI CHI

VINYASA FLOW - Alignment Based

Vinyasa Flow is a fluid yoga practice based on the Ashtanga system of yoga, focusing on the integration of body movements with the breath in a continuous flow. Moving with the breath and mindful awareness through sun salutations and basic or more advanced postures, vinyasa is a dynamic practice emphasizing strength, flexibility and alignment.  Like a moving meditation, this class will help quiet the mind and leave you feeling calm, balanced and rejuvenated.

All levels are welcome. Intensity level is moderate to vigorous.
 

YIN YOGA

The stillness of Yin Yoga takes us deeper into our observing nature where we learn to find happiness, acceptance and more honesty with ourselves.  Poses are floor postures that are held longer to encourage energy flow into the denser tissues of our bodies, bringing movement and flexibility into our joints.  Following the Yin Yoga practice, we will enjoy a resting Yoga Nidra session that slows the brain waves while remaining awake, encouraging healing in the deep subconscious mind.  

 All levels are welcome. Intensity varies from gentle to moderate.