Class Descriptions
Hatha is a classical form of practice where there is longer holding of poses than in a Vinyasa style class, which moves more quickly between poses.
Classes will include warm up exercises, sometimes sun salutations and yoga postures to encourage flexibility, strength and balance, as well as breath practice and relaxation. There will be a focus on alignment, inspired by teachings from Iyengar Yoga.
All levels are welcome. Moderate intensity.
Beginning Yoga
Beginning Yoga is a perfect introduction for those who are new to the practice, as well as an accessible refresher to those trying to establish a new routine. Kati will guide you through the asanas inviting you to move mindfully and intentionally.
The classes will explore your breath, stability, and range of motion.
Gentle & Restorative Yoga
Treat yourself to a time when you slow down and connect to the quiet part of you with a softer yoga practice. Start and end with restorative poses that are supported, comfortable and give you time to sense and notice your body as muscles gradually open and release. In between, move slowly with awareness of the body movement and breath connection through a yoga sequence that circulates the energy, builds flexibility and balance and calms the mind.
Gentle and Restorative. All levels are welcome.
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.
Intro to Ashtanga Vinyasa
Inspired by the Ashtanga yoga method, this class incorporates postures and vinyasas from the primary and intermediate series. Postures are linked together with the breath in a flowing sequence (Vinyasas) with cues to use of the bandhas (energetic and muscular locks) which assist you in moving safely in and out of postures and holding them.
The use of props and modifications will enable practitioners to access the full expression of the poses.
This class is orchestrated in a fun, energetic and light-hearted way. Yoga is a celebration of life, a way to express your unique self, and a time to enjoy connecting with mind, body and spirit.
Beginner to intermediate levels, intensity varies from moderate to vigorous.
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.
Mindful Flow Yoga
This class will focus on the fundamentals of a traditional hatha yoga practice. We will bring awareness to our physical and mental patterns as we move through the asanas. Maintaining mindfulness of the breath as the bridge between our body and mind will help bring both physical and mental balance. The class will begin and end with chanting and include deep relaxation after the asanas.
All levels are welcome. Gentle and Breath Centered.
Mindful Nourishment
Dive into all things nourishing, from daily diet and routines to mindfulness practices and habit-building, through a supportive group coaching experience.
Weekly sessions will include conversation, breathwork, and gentle therapeutic movement to support whole-body health.
Together, we’ll explore topics around nutrition and deep health, like: choosing the best diet, understanding metabolism, healthy aging, and managing stress; include deep relaxation after the asanas.
All are welcome.
New Moon Women’s Circle Monthly
Calling all powerful women!
Mothers of children, of new projects, of new beginnings, of the beautiful New Earth, let’s gather to seed 2024 with intention, love and presence!
We get together, we create sacred space, we share our stories, we meditate, we open our hearts to manifesting dreams and fearlessly tend to their growth process.
We remember together that we are holders of life, as were our mothers and all women before them. From remembrance, comes strength and with strength we create anew.
All women are welcome.
Reiki Healing Circle (monthly)
2024’s numerology amounts to 8, which is a number that invites us to stand strong in our personal power. We are approaching the end of a 9 year cycle of much growth, understandings and changes, both internally and externally.
Integration of what has occurred since the beginning of the cycle is what will occupy our attention for the next two years, so we may be ready for new adventures.
Monthly Reiki Circle Dates: January 25, February 29, March 28, April 25
The monthly Reiki Circles are an opportunity to connect with our inner needs, truth and light and with each other. We regroup, receive healing and bring it all into the world, and then repeat. Coming into community in a loving, supportive atmosphere is an important balancing key, always and especially now.
The format of the circles includes a meditation tailored each month for the needs of the group, followed by Reiki transmission and healing.
All are welcome, beginners and practitioners alike.
Restorative yoga is a therapeutic modality as it down regulates the sympathetic nervous system and up regulates the parasympathetic nervous system which is often referred to as “rest and digest.”
In this course we will learn to cultivate internal awareness to calm the body and mind through gentle practices and breath work. Restorative yoga is intended, with minimal or neutral sensation, to promote deep relaxation as the body is fully supported.
These gentle practices invite us to rest in the present moment and to recognize the joy of relaxation
Saturday Sunrise Practice
A one-hour led yoga session for students with at least some yoga experience. Practice with an experienced Iyengar Yoga practitioner to warm up, energize, and start your day with a yoga mindset, improving your productivity, efficiency and concentration.
Joni will practice with you while directing poses you will probably be familiar with. She will not stop to give detailed instructions or corrections as in a regular class.
The session may include yogic strength and mobility work, chest and shoulder openers, pelvis and leg openers, release, integrity-increasing and awareness work. There may be some vinyasa, but most poses will have long holds.
Intensity level is moderate.
Somatic Movement Class
Observe how the body holds tension and explore ways to release it.
Repetitive movements and prolonged stress can result in muscle tightness that leads to chronic pain. This class is designed to help identify and release involuntary tension held in our bodies. Students will be guided through a series of small, subtle, and conscious movements rooted in the practice of Essential Somatics to encourage awareness of stress reflexes, release tension, and achieve greater freedom of movement.
Gentle but powerful, suitable for everyone.
Start UP Yoga
Begin or Begin Again or again or again… We’re all Beginners.
Join C-Ray for a playful look at the shape and direction of the poses in unique and accessible ways. Engage with your body/mind/breath as it is now, in the moment, with curiosity and care. Props will be used.
No experience necessary. Suitable for ALL Levels. Come PLAY with C-RAY!!
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, forward bends, 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 & Chi Gong
The first half of class is QiGong practice.
We continue working on the 8, the 24 Style Yang Movement, and the 40 and with swords…
ALL are welcome. Gentle.
Teen Yoga Series
Today’s lifestyle is very fast and we expect a lot more from our teenagers than ever before. These are important years. This is when they start finding who they are. Yoga can help and be a coping tool. It is known that Yoga and meditation will help with concentration,anxiety, stress and will inspire us to adopt a more holistic life-style.
This class is inspired by Ashtanga and Hatha yoga practices.
We will begin with sitting, breathing and gentle warm-up exercises. We learn and practice Sun Salutations, basic standing and sitting poses. We will also do some gentle back-bending and easy inversions. We will use props and modifications when needed.
Classes will be fun and we will be laughing too!
Suitable for beginners (we are all beginners).
Yin Yoga & Marma Therapy
A relaxing session unblocking physical and emotional stagnation through prolonged holding of postures combined with body work.
Marma Therapy is an ancient Indian healing art gently stimulating Marma Points which are similar to acupressure points in TCM. In Yin Yoga we work with releasing the connective tissue in the body (myofascial meridians), doing the opposite action to tension created by daily activity/inactivity and stress.
Combining Marma massage and Yin postures, the practitioner will be able to experience an enhanced balancing effect of the internal systems and feel how with a little help from the instructor the points work like switches for the subtle body to allow the energy to flow.
This practice trains the mind to maintain a relaxed focus in challenging situations and generate feelings of trust, surrender and self-confidence.
Yoga @ 50 & Better
Especially designed, but not exclusively for, the 50 and better practitioner.
This class will benefit muscle tone and strength, with a focus on breathing and postural alignment, promoting better balance and more self-confidence.
Copious use of props will enable people of All Levels to enjoy a deeper understanding of and access to yoga practice.
Yoga for Stress Relief & Back Care
Practice mindful yoga poses and breath work to release tension and calm the body/mind.
Core strengthening exercises and gentle stretches will help support the spine and relieve back pain.
Explore the use of props to enhance your practice and create balance.
Ongoing stress and back pain can have a negative impact on the quality of our lives and sense of well-being. Studies have shown that gentle yoga practice can help to reduce stress and relieve back pain.
This class is appropriate for everyone. No experience necessary.
Zen Meditation Practice Group
Please join the South Mountain Zen Circle for silent Zen meditation (zazen).
There are two meditation periods, each 25 minutes long, with a short break in between, followed by a brief Dharma teaching or discussion.
If you are new to Zen meditation, please arrive 15 minutes early for beginning instruction.
Experienced practitioners are also welcome. If you have been on a Zen retreat, practiced at another Zen center, or done meditation in another tradition, you are very welcome to join us.