Class Descriptions and Levels
Anusara
Anusara means "flowing with Grace," "flowing with nature," "following your heart."
Anusara was founded in 1997 by John Friend and immediately struck a chord with yoga practioners all over the world. Anusara yoga is a school of hatha yoga which unifies a life-affirming Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment. Anusara is guided by the elegant, concise "Universal Principles of AlignmentTM" These principles are applied to each asana (pose) in Anusara yoga. Central to these principles are the 3 A's: Attitude, Alignment, and Action. These refer to the foundational concept within the Anusara method in which every pose is infused with a meaningful intention, awareness of specific postural alignment, and balanced action between stability and freedom.
Alignment-Based Hatha Flow
This class is based on the teachings of John Friend and the tantric philosophy. It is taught by experienced teachers who are on track to achieve a level of certification within his organization, but have not completed the entire process. They have spent many hours working with certified teachers and mentors as well as studying the tantric philosophy.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa is a fun and flowing form of yoga that energizes, invigorates and recharges the body while helping to detoxify and relieve stress. Classes flow from pose to pose, building strength, stability, flexibility, balance and stamina, all while remaining focused on the breath. Vinyasa offers a wide variety. YogaVeda's teachers have trained with many of today's yoga masters and reflect those influences in their classes. They draw from a variety of Vinyasa styles and teachers including Baron Baptiste, Ana Forrest, David Life and Sharron Gannon (Jivamukti), Seane Corn, John Friend, Tias Little, Shiva Rea and others.
Express Vinyasa
Sixty minutes of Vinyasa yoga for those who need an invigorating and stress relieving mid-day break (in other words - all of us).
Forrest Yoga is a power vinyasa style that addresses the stresses and challenges, both physical and emotional of our everyday lives. Forrest Yoga use intense pose sequences, compassionately taught, to develop skills in awakening each of the senses.
The pillars of Forrest Yoga are Breath, Strength, Integrity and Spirit. It helps you connect to your core - becoming strong and centered and uses heat, deep breathing and vigorous sequences to sweat out toxins. Long holds in the pose progressions help flush, oxygenate and rejuvenate every cell. Forrest Yoga does not require strength or flexibility; it only requires that you bring a willingness to learn how to feel authentically and respond honestly.
Forrest Yoga honors and celebrates the beauty of life and the power of Spirit. It is an inspiring yoga practice that builds flexibility, intelligence and strength while helping deepen the relationship with your authentic self.
Designed to increase physical and mental flexibility, the class focuses on developing stabilizing muscles, strength and flexibility, as well as a greater range of motion. We use the Four Foundations of Mindfulness to examine how breath affects the body, feelings, mind, and Dharma (action), becoming aware of the internal dialog and mental formulations that arise in movement and posture. Through this, you will increase mental focus to cultivate natural balance, organization, and power -- creating a more efficient, agile body and quiet, flexible mind.
Postural alignment is a significant factor in the overall health of the body. It affects the spine, nerves, joints, circulation, energy and even the body's organs. Learn to identify and resolve imbalances in the body that lead to stiffness, pain and lack of energy. Increase your body's strength, flexibility and alignment. Boost your vigor, feel healthier, and increase your vitality. This class is moderately challenging with a paced mixture of flow, strengthening and stretchy poses. Suitable for all levels (including you baby boomers), with modified instruction for different abilities.
Breath Yoga and Restorative Yoga
This is a breath-based asana practice with 13 to 18 postures that are followed by Pranayama (breathing practices). The movements are gentle and coordinated with the breath. This practice will energize the body and calm the mind. Students will also work towards strength, flexibility, structural alignment, proper functioning of the body systems and mental wellness. It is a wonderful practice to reduce chronic stress. The Breath Yoga Class involves more movement than the Restorative classes.
Pre-natal yoga offers you the opportunity to deepen your connection to your body, your baby, your own innate wisdom and even to other moms-to-be in the community. You will practice poses that strengthen the pelvic muscles, open the hips and alleviate common pregnancy discomforts such as sciatica, back pain, leg cramps, circulation issues, varicose veins and swelling of legs, feet and hands. Yogic breathing (pranayama) will be taught to assist in restoring energy, balancing emotions and preparing for birth. The class is suitable for all stages of pregnancy.
Bring your baby from four weeks to pre-school. The idea is to spend time practicing with and around your children. They learn through absorption. Sometimes they participate, and other times they just are being themselves, a little whiny, a little fussy, but it allows mom a chance to practice and get some instruction during an otherwise busy day. The children do pick up the energy at some level and it is a very nurturing environment.
Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative discipline incorporating a set of techniques that use the mind, senses and body to create a communication between "mind" and "body." Kundalini yoga focuses on psycho-spiritual growth and the body's potential for maturation, giving special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system in the understanding of yogic awakening Kundalini Yoga concentrates on chakras in the body in order to generate a spiritual power, which is known as Kundalini.
Class Levels
L1: Foundational yoga suitable for everyone. No previous yoga experience necessary. All levels of strength, flexibility and experience are invited to attend.
L1/2: A bit more vigorous yoga workout with focus on breath, balance, core strength, flexibility and, in some classes, meditation. No experience necessary.
L2: A moderately paced class. Builds core strength, flexibility and inner calm. Inversions are introduced. Some skill needed.
L2/3: A more challenging class for those with an ongoing yoga practice. Vigorous and challenging on every level. Advanced postures and methods of practice will be introduced. Not suitable for beginners.
All Levels: These classes are suitable for students of every level. Teachers will offer modifications to the poses for those new to yoga and beginning to build strength and flexibility. More experienced yogis are encouraged to continue to grow in their practices by moving deeper and testing their edge with advanced versions of the asanas.
