Yoga Styles

Following are descriptions of the various styles of Yoga as well as some related practices, such as Meditation (integrated into many styles of Yoga) and Pilates. Try various styles that appeal to you and discover which resonate for you personally.

ANANDA ~ Gentle yoga combining breath awareness, affirmations, and yoga postures to move from body awareness through energy awareness to silent, inner awareness. Asanas (yoga postures) are usually followed by meditation. Not an athletic form of yoga.

ANUSARA ~ Heart Oriented. Integrates the celebration of the heart, alignment, and balanced energetic action. Spiritually inspiring, Anusara (pronounced ah-new-SAR-ah) means “following your heart.”

ASHTANGA ~ (Astanga) ~ The Power of Yoga. A serious workout~a fast-paced series of sequential poses beginning with sun salutations. Continual flow, linking movements to breath. Builds strength, flexibility, and stamina.

BALLETONE ~ A non-stop workout that combines elements of fitness, ballet, and yoga into a strength-building cardio class that also calms and stretches. This workout session is done without shoes to strengthen the feet and focus on active flexibility, core training. You will move with grace and power as you sculpt the lower body and strengthen the abs in this dancers’ workout for non-dancers. No experience required, but a sense of humor is probably a good idea.

BIKRAM ~ Turn up the Heat! Room temperature anywhere from 85 degrees to 100 degrees. Students perform, always in the same order, 26 poses designed to cleanse the body from the inside out. A vigorous workout.

CANDLELIGHT YIN ~ A quiet, passive class that focuses on deep, long holds that stretch into the connective tissues and joints. Yin poses are held for several minutes, adding a quality of stillness and introspection to the practice.

CHAIR YOGA ~ Gentle practice for anyone; especially good for those with any physical challenges/limitations.

CHI YOGA (YOGA CHI) ~ Blending the wisdom and practices of yoga and tai chi /chi kung.

DHARMA YOGA ~ Slow, gentle Hatha yoga combined with mindfulness meditation, loving kindness practice, mudras and breath work.

ECSTATIC ~ Integrating Yoga, Tantra, & Spirituality, Ecstatic Yoga is a new form that combines Hatha, Kundalini, & Energy yoga w/active & passive stretches for individual or partner practices.

GENTLE ~ Softer, with a more restorative focus. Calm your mind and open your heart.

GYROKINESIS ~ Works the entire body through seven natural elements of spinal movement, as well as all other joint articulation. Systematically and gently works the joints and muscles through rhythmic and undulating exercises. Movement which stimulates the body’s internal organs and different corresponding breathing patterns are integrated. Invigorates and re-educates the body to move with fluidity, relaxation and power.

IYENGAR YOGA ~ Focus on Symmetry & Alignment. Use props such as straps, blankets, wooden blocks, and chairs to achieve postures. Each pose is held for a longer amount of time than in most other yoga styles.

JNANA YOGA
Jnana Yoga is the yoga of Self-inquiry which uses awareness to “witness” the workings of the mind in order to unravel the illusions of the ego. There is no physical movement involved. Students sit in circle and practices involve sharing, discussions and partner inquiry work.

KID’S YOGA ~ Yoga for kids ~ Call listed studios for ages.

KUNDALINI ~ This ancient form combines active movement and stretching with many specific breathing techniques (pranayama). Facilitating circulation throughout the spinal column, exercise sets (kriyas) are combined with sound vibration (mantras), hand positions (mudras), and body locks (bhundas), in order to enhance their effectiveness.

MEDITATION ~ Yes, meditation is relaxing and stress relieving, but when you maintain a regular practice, you will find improved clarity, intuition, focus, and above all, a more peaceful lifestyle.

PILOGA / PILATES YOGA ~A fun floor based workout combining the breath and flow of yoga with the strong concentration of the core through Pilates.

PRENATAL YOGA ~ Improves strength and flexibility and allows moms to become more in tune with their bodies’ needs during this special time. Postures focus on opening the pelvic parameters, strengthening the legs and learning breathing exercises to relax and become more in tune with the body and the breath.

POSTPARTUM / MOMMY & ME ~ Postnatal yoga is oriented to the special needs of new mothers. Babies of pre-crawling age are welcome to this class.

POWER (Vinyasa) ~ Based on Ashtanga Yoga, this style is a continuous flow of postures linked together with thebreath. Can be aerobic, thus increasing cardiovascular and muscular strength. The heat generated greatly increases stamina and strength.

QIGONG (pronounced “chee-gung”) is a low impact moving meditation practice that taps into the unlimited energy of the Universe, allowing one to attain better health and vitality, eliminate stress, restore balance, and cultivateone’s higher spiritual being.

RESTORATIVE ~ Rejuvenate and restore and let your body & mind completely let go.

SATYANANDA ~ Incorporates the major aspects of Hatha Yoga postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), concentration (dharana), meditation (dyyana), relaxation (yoga nidra), and chanting with a more holistic yoga lifestyle in mind.

SENIORS YOGA ~ Classes specifically tailored to the needs of senior citizens.

SIVANANDA ~ Takes student through sun salutations, postures, and incorporates meditation and deep relaxation in each session. Teachers encourage students to embrace a healthy lifestyle that includes a vegetarian diet and positive thinking with meditation. Popularized by Swami Vishnu-devananda, publisher of one of the classics of yogic literature, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga in 1960.

SLOW FLOW ~ Vinyasa, only slower. Deeply physical, butspiritual too. This class will make you sweat & invite you to surrender to what is.

SVAROOPA® ~ Emphasizes the opening of the core tensions in the body by beginning at the tailbone and progressing through each area of the spine. Integrates the foundational principles of asana, anatomy, and yoga philosophy, and emphasizes the development of transcendent inner experience, which is called “svaroopa” by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. This yoga practice is based on relaxation and comfort. The asanas are deeply effective and create powerful experiences of healing and transformation.

TANTRA ~ A spiritual path that includes our sexual energy, our life force energy, as a powerful tool for personal transformation & living ecstatically every moment of our lives. Experiential processes include ritual, energy work, breathing meditations, and communication to create deeper intimacy with ourselves, others, and the Divine.

TRIYOGA ~ TriYoga is a system of hatha yoga characterized by wave-like spinal movements, with focus on breath and economy of motion. Students learn to increase their awareness of internal energy flow, physical posture, and movement.

TYKES ITSY BITSY YOGA ~ Offers a fascinating flow of poses, songs, stories, and games through which parent and child (Ages 2 through 4 1/2) can deepen their bond. This 45 minute class helps Tykes and their parents discover and enhance their physical and social development. No yoga experience required.

VINYASA ~ A continuous flow of postures linked together with the breath. Can be aerobic, thus increasing cardiovascular and muscular strength. The heat generated greatly increases stamina and strength.

YIN ~ If you have ever sat for a long time with legs crossed, you know the hips and lower back need to be strong and open. The sensations you felt were deep in the connective tissues and the joints. Yin Yoga opens up these deep, dense, rarely touched areas.

YIN YANG ~ This class begins with a more active, dynamic practice (Yang) and ends with a contemplative, inward series (Yin) to send you off energized and relaxed.

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