Student  Liability Release and Information
Please fill out the form indicated below prior to coming to your first yoga class. Forms are also available at the studio. For a copy of the form Click Here.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS 
(Scroll down to find “Practice Notes for Beginners” and “Yoga Etiquette and Good Practices”)

YOGA 101: Offered periodically - for those who are new to Yoga or those who want to refresh and clarify their understanding. We dive fully into the basic language and practice of Yoga. If you're a beginner, 101 is a great place to start as this class assumes you have little or no previous yoga experience. The only prerequisites are a curiosity about yoga and the ability to get up and down to and from the floor.

BASIC:  

The Basic class is a perfect follow-up to the 101 class or - if the 101 scheduling does not fit your schedule -  you can jump right into a Basic class.  Focus is on fundamental poses. Precise principles of alignment and skillful movement patterns are presented and students are introduced to yoga breathing techniques. Build a strong foundation in Yoga, cultivate strength, flexibility and stamina in your body, and deepen your discipline, focus and open-heartedness. 

ALL LEVEL

These classes accommodate a variety of yoga experience  Your teacher will gear the class to the majority of the students but will offer variations and modifications to accommodate students with less experience. More experienced students will learn to refine basic asanas, explore deeper poses and practice in a way that encourages a fuller integration of the principles of alignment into the poses that are practiced.

AROMATHERAPY  YOGA -   The asana focus is on fundamental poses, gentle movement patterns (vinyasa) and breath work. Aromatherapy is used as part of this practice and includes the use of botanical essential oils to enhance health, deepen relaxation and promote a more complete rejuvenation.

LEVEL II / III

This is a stronger and deeper practice. The asana requires experience with and an adept application of principles of alignment. Additionally, the class moves students deeper in their ability to go inward and sit in closed eye practices such as pranayama and meditation.

Open to students who have practiced Yoga for a minimum of 2 years and who are able to perform handstand at the wall and Urdhva Dhanurasana (full wheel pose) with straight arms and without assistance. Some exceptions to these prerequisite poses are available by teacher permission. 

“60” - Level II / III

This Level II / III 60 minute class is a led practice open to students who also attend a regular 90 minute class at Garden Street each week. It is an ideal way to supplement your regular class and fold another studio practice into the rhythm of your week.  All categories of poses are included. “60” is a led practice. This means the teacher practices with the class. 

SENIOR YOGA This well loved class follows the program of regular classes of the same level but at a slower pace and with a range of modifications to make the poses progressively more accessible. Taught by Thine (pronounced Tina) a senior herself, and one of the most talented teachers in the region, who says, “Seniors are much stronger than most people realize. They can do anything that younger students do, they just need more time”.

TRI YOGA: A unique yoga class for the serious Triathlete who would like to cultivate the edge of faster recovery, enhanced mental focus and fewer injuries.  Not for people looking for 'athletic' fast paced, 'power' yoga.  Prerequisites are that you have competed in or be training for a triathlon.

12 STEP YOGA - You are invited to “Practice These Principles”!  This is a yoga class specifically designed for 12 Step Recovery.  Students explore the spiritual principles outlined in 12 Steps of AA and learn how to weave them into the physical practice of yoga asana and apply them to the body.   In addition to spiritual principles, we explore principles of alignment which help the student align the body in each pose to create the most stability, strength, flexibility and freedom.  This class is an all levels class, which accommodates a variety of yoga experience.  Each class is geared to the majority of the student’s abilities, but variations and modifications are also offered to accommodate students with less experience.   This class is not affiliated with AA, but does use principles outlined in the literature as inspiration for practice.

RESTORATIVE YOGA  This is a healing and rejuvenating offering for all levels. It includes gentle stretches, breathing, and restorative poses, as well as simple movements to increase range of motion of the major joints. It is ideal for students with chronic symptoms such as muscle/joint pain, stiffness, weakness, or fatigue, or anyone who wants a restful practice. Aromatherapy is used as part of the Restorative practice and includes the use of botanical essential oils to enhance health, deepen relaxation and promote a more complete rejuvenation.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE - Offered periodically “Led Advanced Practice Level III/IV”, a challenging class that explores poses in the Level 2 and Level 3 syllabus, including challenging backbends, balance poses, and arm balances. Must be able to kick into handstand at the wall with ease, push up into Urdhva Dhanurasana with straight arms unassisted, hold headstand  for 5 minutes, hold shoulder stand for 7 minutes. This class is not appropriate for anyone with injuries or illness.

YOGA THERAPY (Offered by Appointment)

Yoga Therapy uses the techniques of yoga to help with pain management, increase flexibility, and improve posture. Anusara® Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment™ safely and effectively realign your body toward its optimal blueprint, reducing tension, stress, and pain. In your private session, you’ll receive one-on-one, hands-on adjustments, and learn stretching and strengthening techniques to use at home. Please call or e-mail to schedule an appointment.

CORE & SUBTLE BODY (Offered Periodically): Strengthen the physical and energetic (pranic) core.  Abdominal work, bandha (deep core strengthening), somatic movement (inspired by Feldenkrais and Hanna Somatics) pranayama (breathing practice),  and guidance in meditation. 

MEDITATION (Offered Periodically):  

Highlights of this six-week class series:

•Receive guidance and support for navigating the physical and mental challenges that occur during meditation

•Rely on the presence of a teacher and the support of the kula (“good company” of the class) to strengthen your capacity to sit in meditation

•Although there are many excellent styles of meditation, this series focuses on mantra meditation technique. 

•Each class will include inspiration and encouragement to practice, theory of the practice, time for questions and answers, and meditation.

Meditation’s physical and psychological benefits are well documented and recognized. The Mayo Clinic, for example, emphasizes the benefits of yoga and meditation for its patients, noting improvement in areas including Anxiety and Depression, Cancer, Binge Eating and Substance Abuse, Allergies and Asthma, Heart Disease, Blood Pressure, Insomnia and Chronic Pain. 

Perhaps even more inspiring is that a regular practice of meditation can begin to open you to a steadier connection to, and alignment with the Intelligence of the Sacred that moves in you and around you. Meditation will, gradually but inevitably, align your perspective with the Light coming through you – and through the world.

For best benefit:

•Attend all six classes

•Be interested in committing to a 20-minute period of meditation daily

•Be willing to keep a meditation journal to help you notice your progress and log questions that can be addressed in class.  

•Be established in a regular practice of Yoga Asana which is the traditional and wise prerequisite to meditation.

PRACTICE NOTES FOR BEGINNERS (For a copy Click Here)

Yoga Etiquette and Good Practices

Before Class

•   Arrive a few minutes before class begins.  If you must arrive late please wait quietly at the back until the class finishes the centering practice, which happens at the beginning of each class.

•   Please bring your own mat to class. Although there are a limited number of loaner mats available, it is a good idea to practice using your own personal mat for both sanitary and energetic reasons.

•   Inform your teacher of any injuries or concerns you may have.

•   Be aware of good hygiene to avoid offending your fellow yoga students.  No strong perfumes, please.

•   Unless you have a special need, please turn off all cell-phones and pagers before class begins.

During Class

•   Leave your competitive nature at home.  Honor your inner voice and your edge.

•   In keeping with the yogic principle of “Saucha” (clarity, purity) set your mats out in an even and orderly fashion and avoid 'camping out', i.e. having jackets, bags, etc. clustered around you.  This helps to maintain clarity of alignment in the room, which in turn helps to create clarity and alignment in the body and mind.

•   Keep your awareness on your breath and your practice.  Guide your focus inward.  Avoid looking around too much.  Avoid too much chatting with other students.

•   Have a light heart and a good time.  Laugh at your teacher's jokes even if they are not funny.

•   Leave time for a good Savasana (relaxation pose) at the end of class.  If you have to leave early, take your own Savasana before you go.  Do not leave during the class Savasana so as not to disturb this time of stillness.

After Class

•   Please return all props neatly where they came from.  Take time to re-fold blankets neatly, if necessary.

•   Move slowly and with awareness to maintain the vibrancy and stillness you have gained during class.

1. •  Smile and offer the fruits of your practice outward to all you encounter.