Yoga

We offer two very different Yoga programs.

One program focuses on traditional Hatha Yoga.

The other program is a modern fusion class that incorporates techniques from both Hatha and Kundalini Yoga plus adds in movements from modern physical therapy protocols and the Feldenkrias method.

Students are able to specialize in either program or experience the wonders of both. The monthly fee of $60.00, per month entitles members to attand both Hatha Yoga and the Fusion Yoga program.

Both classes are done on a fully padded, old style gymnastic mat that is extremely comfortable. Yoga mats are available, but not required because of the softness of the floor.

No special clothing is required. Clothing that allows unrestricted motion is recommended.

Our traditional Hatha Yoga Program

Yoga "literally means "to yoke or to harness".

In India, yoga is closely associated with Hindu religious beliefs and philosophy and has roots that extend back thousands of years. There are types of yoga that emphasis things we in the West do not normally think of when we think of Yoga.

For example there is:

Raja Yoga that is concerned with developing ones intellectual capacities;

Karma Yoga that is concerned with developing ones Karma thru devotion to duty; Bhakti Yoga that is concerned with developing ones love of God; 

Jnana Yoga that is concerned with developing ones knowledge of the absolute.

These various types of yoga all employed various mediation techniques to attain their goals. In the 1500s, another type of Yoga, Hatha yoga, was codified as a series of postures and stretches to allow yogi to survive the rigors of the forms of mediation that their type of Yoga demanded.

In the West, the religious and philosophical aspects of Yoga have been generally striped away and emphasis is placed upon the postures of Hatha Yoga (asanas). Various Hatha yoga masters have traveled to the West and introduced their versions of the Asanas. In America, most schools of Yoga date from the techniques introduced in the 1920's.

An exception is Kundalini Yoga which was a formerly secret, north Indian style of Yoga that was only introduced to America in the 1968. Kundalini yoga utilizes rhythmic motion combined with breath control to liberate the body's internal energy. 

Hatha Yoga is what most people think of as Yoga. We follow the principles of B.K.S. Iyengar who emphasizes the importance of body alignment and allows the use of props, if necessary, to achieve this alignment.

 A series of static stretching postures are held for a few minutes. This is an ideal class for those seeking greatly increased flexibility and a vigorous workout. Students will leave the class with the refreshed afterglow of exercise.

Our Hatha Yoga program is offered on Thursday evening at 7:30 PM and Saturday morning at 9:00 A.M.

Our fusion Yoga Program

Kundalini Yoga emphasizes rhythmic motion to activate the body's internal energy, as shown above.

Our fusion Yoga class is an innovative class that blends several forms of mind/body exercises. The class begins with Oriental breathing exercises *(primarily Qi Gong) and flows into an alternating sequence of Hatha Yoga (that emphasizes stretching and range of motion) and Kundalini Yoga (that employs rhythmic motion to awaken and energize the body's internal energy)

This Yoga class provides the same benefits as Interval Circuit training but without the weights, bright lights and fast pace of a gym.

The environment of the class is one of sacred space. The music is simultaneously relaxing and invigorating. The lighting is dim, in the Kundalini tradition, to encourage the student to "feel" more of themselves and the benefits of the program.

This is not a "work out" that one might get at an aerobics class, but more of a "work in". You will leave feeling more "in touch" with your body awareness. One of the elements that truly makes this class unique is the integration of movements from modern Western Physical therapy protocols and from the Feldenkrias method.

The class finishes with Oriental Breathing and Chakra work. At the end of class, you will feel rejuvenated and relaxed with an awareness of whole being and well being.

Our Fusion Yoga Class is offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9:00 to 10:00 A.M.