Class Descriptions
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Ashtanga Yoga / Mysore
All Levels
Ashtanga is a dynamic vinaysa practice that teaches students how to link the breath with movement through a systematic series of postures. Mysore is traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga taught as it is in India in the Mysore self-practice style. Students practice at their own pace and instruction is one on one within the group class setting.
Anusara Yoga
Level 2-3
Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means “flowing with Grace,” “flowing with Nature,” “following your heart.” Founded by John Friend in 1997, Anusara yoga is a school of hatha yoga which unifies a life-affirming Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment. Anusara yoga is growing quickly all over the world with over 250 certified teachers, 750 licensed Anusara-Inspired yoga teachers, thousands of teachers in training, and hundreds of thousands of students world-wide.
AcroYoga
All Levels
AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and the dynamic power of Acrobatics. These three ancient lineages form the foundation of a unique new practice that cultivates trust, connection and playfulness. Our highest aim is to bring individuals into a state of union with themselves, with each other, and with the divine. From this place of mutual support the true self can be realized, honored and shared for the benefit of all.
Kundalini Yoga
All Levels
Brought to the United States by the Mahan Tantric Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative discipline within the tradition of Yoga, associated with the subdivision of hatha yoga. It describes a set of advanced yoga exercises. The exercises are also sometimes referred to as Kriya Yoga or simply Kriya. According to Hindu tradition Kundalini yoga is a pure spiritual science that leads to enlightenment and God-Realization under the guidance of a Spiritual Master. The awakening of kundalini means awakening of inner knowledge.
All Levels
This fusion of vinyasa yoga, tai chi, and energy building practices is designed for moving energy through the body and building a relationship with the subtle forces that exist within and without. The foundation of the practice is based on the intuition that "yoga" means something different to each of us. Some exercises will include partner asanas with the intention of developing these same relationships to energy through fellow practitioners. This dynamic practice will vary from week to week and develop through the group of practitioners that participate in the class. Surrender, Open, and Grow...
Tibetan Yantra YogaBeginner Levels
This class is an introduction to the Ngondro (preliminary exercises) of Tibetan Yoga, one of the oldest recorded systems of Yoga that exists in the world. It is a system of Yoga that has come to us through Tibet, a land full of a vast and rich traditional Buddhist knowledge and wisdom. Through positions and movements combined with breathing, one's energy is coordinated and harmonized so as to let the mind relax and find its authentic balance, which is the basis for contemplation. In this class you will learn the vairocana posture, 9 purification breathings, and 3 sets of preliminary exercises, and the wave of the vajra clearing exercise.
Hatha Yoga
All Levels
In a hatha yoga class, students work through postures systematically (as opposed to flowing more quickly and focusing on strength). The focus will be to increase flexibility and time will bespent learning exercises designed to help work towards headstand,shoulder stand and hand stand safely. Restorative postures will beincorporated at times, to help create joint health.
Vinyasa Flow
All Levels
Vinyasa classes will guide youinto heat-building postures as you connect breath and movement. Great for strength-buildi
Rudraflo
All Levels
Rudraflo is a sitting practice brought to us by Swami Rudrananda of the Siddha Lineage. This meditative practice helps us to cultivate a deep need within ourselves to grow spiritually by practicing techniques of surrendering our tension through the breath. Class includes a reading from one of Rudrananda's various books.
All Levels
Tai Chi has its origins in Taoism and Martial Arts. Tai Chi Chuan means "Supreme Ultimate Boxing." The "Supreme Ultimate" here refers to the Tao, or more specifically, the framework within which the dualities of Yin and Yang manifest themselves in the field of time. The allusion to the Tai Chi in this context suggests that the art contains within itself (in its movements, shapes and patterns of breathing) all that is necessary for these dynamic forces to interact and be reconciled. The character Chuan refers to a school or method of boxing or combat. Therefore, it can be said that Tai Chi Chuan, as it was originally conceived, contains a sophisticated method of fighting based on the reconciliation of dynamically interacting forces. Structurally speaking then, the Tai Chi Chuan practitioner seeks to neutralize his opponent's use of force before applying a countering force of his own. In this give and take, this interplay of energies, Tai Chi finds its highest expression.
Feldenkrais
All Levels
Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais devoted his life (1904-1984) to understanding how humans learn and develop, and to creating a concrete way of helping people overcome their limitations. He rehabilitated himself from a severe knee injury, where he avoided surgery and learned to walk without pain. The Feldenkrais Method is for anyone who wants to increase general function and awareness and to learn and grow beyond their limitations in moving, thinking and feeling. It will help you overcome limitations brought on by stress, misuse, accident, illness or habits.
Awareness Through Movement lessons (ATM) are a sequence of gentle movements guided by the teacher’s verbal instructions to help you discover how you move and afford choices in movement that are functional, effortless and pleasurable.
Functional Integration lessons (FI) are one-on-one sessions designed to meet your personal goals. The practitioner moves you or directs your movements in the themes of healthy, functional patterns of the muscles and bones in alignment with intentional action.
Students of the Feldenkrais Method report feeling lighter, taller, more open, more alert, more balanced, more clear, more grounded, uplifted and inspired, feeling smoothness and ease in getting up and down and walking, performing mundane tasks, and improving athletic ability.
Tantra
All Levels
Tantra is a religious philosophy according to which Shakti is usually the main deity worshipped. Tantra is the use of ritual movement and prana to access the divine power that flows through the universe to attain purposeful goals.
Tantrism is a quest for spiritual perfection and magical power. Its purpose is to achieve complete control of oneself and all the forces of nature, so as to attain union with the cosmos and the divine. Long training was required to master Tantric methods, into which the pupil had to be initiated by a guru. The methods of Yoga, including breathing techniques and postures, were employed to subject the body to the control of the will. Mudras or gestures, mantras or syllables, words and phrases, and mandalas and yantras, symbolic diagrams of the forces at work in the universe, were used as aids to meditation and the achievement of spiritual and magical power.
ABOUT CLASS LEVELS:
All Levels
This class is suitable for any student. The instructor will create a class based on the students who show up, and include options for complete beginners as well as options for more experienced students. It is important in an all levels class to respect and listen to your body and always stay with the options the instructor recommends for your level. It can be challenging to see others doing more advanced poses thanyou're ready for, which presents an opportunity to learn humility and patience. Know that EVERYONE has started where you are right now. Honor yourself and your limits and your body will open safely and in its owntime. Some students with an athletic background will be able to attend these classes without attending beginner's classes. Most classes we offer at the SD Yoga Loft honor all levels.
Level 1
These classes refer to any student with some yoga experience and in their first year of yoga practice.
Level 2
These classes are suitable for students with 6 months or more experience, andalso for those who feel comfortable and have enough body awareness to practice safely and respect their limits. These classes are not suitable for the complete beginner. Classes will generally includenamaskars, or a series of linked postures designed to heat the body andto prepare for deeper postures. Standing poses, basic arm balances,seated and reclining poses will be incorporated as well as beginning and basic level inversion instruction.
These classes are suitable for students with 1 year or more experience, and for those who have a naturally solid foundation and are ready to increase intention and expand awareness, challenge limits, and engage in a more transformational practice. Classes will include namaskars, standing poses, advanced options in poses, inversions and arm balances and meditation.
