Yoga & Meditation Class Descriptions

ALL LEVELS FLOW
Open to all levels, a class that focuses on introducing students to a flowing (or vinyasa) practice that connects movement and breath. Beginning with an easy warm up, sun salutations, and a series of poses including balances, twists, and inversions, designed to increase flexibility, balance, and an overall sense of well-being. There will always be modifications, so you can work at the level best suited for you. Good for most levels.

CANDLELIGHT RESTORATIVE YOGA
Using the soft candlelight, you'll flow through a yin yoga practice. Yin yoga is often described as the other half of a yoga practice. A yin yoga practice is a slower, deeper practice affecting the connective tissues of the body. Yin Yoga utilizes fewer poses during the practice, holding the pose for up to 5 minutes, it is more along the lines of a gentle practice.

GENTLE YOGA
This class combines gentle postures, stretches, and restorative poses to increase body awareness and mindfulness skills. Appropriate for individuals who are new to yoga, have physical concerns, or would like a slower paced class.

RENEWAL YOGA
Class will focus on gentle Yoga movement and relaxation to help you unwind from your day. Classes may include a mixture of Hatha, Yin and Restorative Yoga poses, Essential Oils, Sounds Healing and iRest® meditation. This style of Yoga is designed to help provide that physical and mental balance to prevent stress and anxiety, through the use of props that allow you to hold poses longer, giving you all the benefits of deep, passive stretching and deep relaxation. Reiki may also be requested if students are interested. No Yoga experience needed.

SANCTUARY YOGA
Join us for a weekly celebration of yoga’s spiritual dimension where the definitions of sanctuary meet yoga’s union of mind, body, and spirit. Sanctuary Yoga seeks to provide an open, safe and supportive environment where every body and soul is encouraged to explore life’s spiritual dimension through reflections, meditation, breathing exercises and the physical practice of yoga. All levels of yoga and spiritual development are welcome! Ignite and inspire yourself and those around you!

UPBEAT YOGA FLOW
Class is designed for all levels of yoga students, come prepared to have some fun, laugh, rock out to all genres of music, but get a serious workout. Class is constructed to build strength and less about extreme flexibility, it will challenge you but modifications will be offered for all levels of practitioner's. So come have fun, choose to challenge yourself or not, but you will walk away with a smile on your face and feel invigorated.

iRest® YOGA NIDRA
*Class will not involve movement, Restorative poses will be suggested for your maximum relaxation during class.
*Dress comfortably and bring an extra layer and socks for your comfort.
*Props will be provided unless you’d like to bring your own.

​What is iRest®?
iRest stands for Integrative Restoration.
Based on the ancient teachings of meditation, iRest is an evidence-based transformative practice that leads to psychological, physical, and spiritual healing and well-being. Its practice is integrative as it heals the various unresolved issues and traumas that are present in your body and mind, and restorative as it enables you to recognize your innate peace of mind that is always present amidst all changing circumstances of life. iRest provides you with tools to help you relax deeply, release stress, increase resiliency, improve your interpersonal relationships and provide you with greater mastery and control in your life. iRest nourishes noble qualities such as joy, peacefulness, empathy, forgiveness, patience and loving kindness toward yourself and others, and supports you to resolve issues such as insomnia, anxiety, fear and depression.
Please visit www.irest.us for more information about iRest.
Integrative Restoration iRest® Yoga Nidra ©IRI All Rights Reserved.

QIGONG
Qigong opens the flow of energy in meridians used in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. It enhances our ability to feel the Life Force underlying the physical world and to deepen our communication with it.
Physically, slow gentle qigong movements warm tendons, ligaments, and muscles; tonify vital organs and connective tissue; and promote circulation of body fluids (blood, synovial, lymph). Thousands of studies have shown qigong effective in helping to heal life challenges ranging from high blood pressure and chronic illness to emotional frustration, mental stress, and spiritual crisis.

DANCING MINDFULNESS
Dancing Mindfulness is a movement practice and mindfulness meditation created by Dr. Jamie Marich. It is a form of conscious dance, dance which is not rooted in a dance vocabulary and is not choreographed. Instead it is an invitation to allow the body to move organically and individually. Dance in this way can help promote the building of community, is a tool for communication, and builds physical strength and endurance. Dr Jamie Marich explains the experience of attending a Dancing Mindfulness class as “a collection of souls, each with their own unique story to tell, having fun and being in the moment. Seeing themselves in the moment, tapping into the fullness of their human potential. This is Dancing Mindfulness.” That excerpt was taken from her book “Dancing Mindfulness a Creative Path to Healing and Transformation”. Self actualization through movement and dancing your truth becomes possible especially when there are other people available to witness the dance.
 
Dancing Mindfulness follows a class structure that is not unlike a more traditional yoga class in that it starts off slow with some stretching and meditation. The middle of the class allows for a more physical practice with quicker movement as well as time for emotional work if that is available. Class often ends with a final resting posture and cool down. Class will often follow a theme which will be echoed in the playlist and vocabulary use to facilitate movement. All are welcome to attend this class, no prior dance training is necessary. Please wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. Bare feet are recommended to prevent slipping. Yoga mats and props are not necessary but are welcome if they are desired.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATIVE AND MINDFULNESS PRACTICES (LEVEL 1)
These classes are introductory and beginning level classes. We will explore the basics, principles, and techniques of different methods of mindfulness and meditation systems. The emphasis will be on the most essential, and practical aspect of these techniques.
Each class will introduce a simple, but effective meditation or mindfulness techniques. A brief discussion regarding neurobiological and emotional benefits of each technique will be discussed such as; anxiety/depression reduction, improve attention & concentration, increase relaxation, and improve emotional regulation and well being.
The discussion will be followed by 15-20 minutes of practice, and we will close the session by questions and feedbacks for the session.

DELVING INTO DEEPER SELF MEDITATION CLASS (LEVEL II)
These classes are reserved for people who have interest in developing a deeper understanding of themselves, and their psyche/mind. Several different methods of working with subconscious material that would synergetically enhance each other's effect will be suggested and explored. These classes are not limited to certain specific methods or techniques. Every attempts will be made to respond to the needs and desires of participants. However at this point following methods of self exploration are planned for the class; insight oriented mindfulness techniques, understanding dreams, and their individualized meaning, techniques of lucid dreaming, spiritual psychologies (Enneagram, psychology of ancient spiritual systems, etc).
In each session a method/technique of self exploration will be introduced, followed by a relevant practice, and closing with questions and feedbacks.These classes have an open format of discussion and dialogue rather than lecture presentations.

NON-DUALITY: WORLDVIEW, SPIRITUALLY, AND MEDITATIVE PRACTICES (LEVEL III)
These classes are designed for developing a universalist, and nondualistic spiritual practice., and deeper understanding of social, psychological, and ethical implications of nonduality. Although we will greatly borrow from several nondualistic ancient spiritual traditions of Persia (sufism), and India (Tantra), the universalist approach to these traditions will be maintained. In each session an aspect of non duality world view will be explored, followed by a meditaion/spiritual practice.
These classes have an open format of discussion and dialogue rather than lecture presentations.

ANCIENT TANTRA: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND PRACTICE (LEVEL IV)
These classes are designed for developing an in depth understanding of ancient classical Tantra, and its relevance of for the spirituality needs of the contemporary 21st century life style.
During these session we will explore; historical development, the distinguishing features of Tantra from other yogic schools, and somewhat more advanced techniques. These classes have an open format of discussion and dialogue rather than lecture presentations.