balancedYoga

class levels

New Beginner—Getting Started
Our New Beginner classes introduce you to the postures and breathing techniques fundamental to yoga. New Beginner classes will prepare you to transition easily into Level 1 classes at Balanced Yoga. All students, regardless of age, size, or experience, are encouraged to start here to lay the groundwork for a strong practice.

Level 1—Foundations
Our Level 1 classes are designed to build the fundamentals of yoga: strength, breathing, proper alignment, skill and focus. These classes are taught at a slower pace to allow you to experience postures fully and to learn to incorporate modifications appropriate for your abilities and limitations. Level 1 is appropriate for students with some experience who want to develop a regular practice.

Level 2—Awareness
As your strength, skill and awareness increase and you feel more comfortable with basic postures, you may be ready for Level 2, which explores more challenging postures and sequencing. The key in Level 2 is building confidence and expanding your practice. Level 2 is appropriate for students who have been in Level 1 courses for some time or for students who have had sufficient prior experience and feel comfortable with more challenging classes.

Level 3—Deepening
Level 3 classes focus on deepening the inner stillness and attention to detail that will allow you to progress to an advanced level of practice. All postures are open to exploration, often from a different perspective, such as holding postures for longer periods of time in order to develop strength, fluidity and flexibility. Level 3 builds on the foundation carefully laid in Level 1 and 2 classes, emphasizing grace, poise and ease in the face of greater challenges. Yoga experience is expected before attending these classes.


class styles

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa: Vinyasa (also called Flow) classes maintain awareness and focus on the breath while moving through a series of postures. The sequence of postures may be different from class to class, but always follow an intelligent progression that moves from basic to complex. This style of yoga builds heat, flexibility and strength, while maintaining focus on good alignment and sound structure. Postures may be held for longer periods of time, and will flow together to unite the body to the breath and mind. Classes range from beginner to advanced.

Vinyasa Level 1: This is a moderately paced class and students continue to build awareness, strength, skill, and focus. It is helpful to have completed the Introduction to Hatha Yoga or the Introduction to Ashtanga Series, but this is not required to attend the class. Students of all levels will find this class accessible. Rise & Shine Vinyasa is a level 1 class.
Modifications are given to make the practice accessible to all students.

Vinyasa Level 2: Yoga experience encouraged. Students should have a basic awareness of yoga postures and their own bodies and limitations and be willing to modify accordingly. Various hand balances, arm balances and postures that require more strength are explored. Postures often are held for longer periods of time to increase strength and concentration.

Vinyasa Level 3: In this class all types of postures are explored in greater depth – there is an attitude of anything goes. Postures are explored from various vantage points – holding for longer periods of time, from the requirement of greater flexibility and strength, and from the standpoint of developing more poise and ease in the face of greater difficulty, the heart of yoga practice. Must have previous yoga experience.


Asthanga Yoga

Ashtanga: Ashtanga Yoga is a challenging, vigorous and flowing style of Hatha Yoga. The system was developed by Sri Pattabhi Jois and consists of a fixed set of postures divided into several series. The foundation of Ashtanga is the Primary Series, focusing on unwinding the back body, aligning the entire body and providing support in healing from illness and injury. Ashtanga also incorporates breath control, isometrics and focused gazing into the sequence of postures. Classes range from beginner to advanced. Level 1, the Foundations class, introduces students to the Primary Series; Level 2 is the Primary Series; Level 3 classes take students from the Primary Series into Second and beyond.

Ashtanga HighlightsTM: This class ingeniously bridges the gap between Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. It follows the basic formula of the Ashtanga Yoga practice—beginning with sun salutes and standing poses and concludes with backbends and the finishing sequence… However, the "meat" of this class will be a creative mix of postures designed to playfully draw students into more challenging poses. This mix is drawn from the various series of the Ashtanga system and presents a great opportunity to explore and play while refreshing your practice.

Ashtanga Primary Meets SecondTM: While the primary series of the Ashtanga system has a focus on forward bends, the second series focuses on the central nervous system and backbends. In this class, students have the opportunity to begin exploring the second series in depth. Modifications will be given as needed. This class is geared towards students with experience in Asthanga; familiarity with the primary series is preferable.

Mysore: Mysore is a self-directed style of practice rooted in the Ashtanga Yoga system and named for Mysore, India, where this practice is typical. Each student practices at his or her own pace under the instructor’s guidance. Rather than leading a formal Ashtanga class, the instructor is available to assist and give personal attention as needed. Mysore provides a chance to improvise and explore Ashtanga in a way not typically possible in more traditional class structures. Mysore sessions are appropriate for all levels of students, including beginners.


Hatha Yoga

Hatha Blend: Hatha yoga is the physical form of yoga and contains the foundation postures for all styles of yoga. The Balanced Yoga Hatha Blend classes focus less on flowing movement and more on alignment, and will tend to be less vigorous since they do not concentrate on continuous movement. Our teachers are trained in many different styles of yoga. This class blends those backgrounds. Classes range from beginner to advanced.

HathaliniTM Yoga: In Yoga literature, Kundalini is depicted as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, representing our untapped potential and energy. Kriya means “energy enhancement,” and the Kundalini kriyas incorporated into this class magnetize the spine, build stamina, and direct the life force that calms and refines the nervous system. This non-traditional yoga class integrates the Kundalini kriyas and meditation into a creative Hatha practice that includes traditional postures to build strength and bring grounding to the practice. HathaliniTM is appropriate for all levels of students.

Lunch Time Yoga: Need a yoga break in the middle of your day? Come and join us for this fun and relaxing lunch time class. Open to students of all levels.


Viniyoga

Viniyoga: Viniyoga is an ancient Sanskrit term that implies differentiation, adaptation, and appropriate application. Founded by Gary Kraftstow, this therapeutic style of yoga incorporates various methods and approaches to provide the tools necessary to develop a practice that suits the individual needs and goals of the practitioner. This gentle style works with the breath to create evolving sequences that draw the individual deeply into the postures. Concepts such as repetition and staying with muscular contraction over varying periods of time are practiced. This class is suitable for all levels of students, including new beginners and those recovering from illness or injury.


Anusara Inspired

Anusara Inspired: Anusara Yoga is an integrated system of Hatha yoga developed by John Friend. It is inclusive of universal principles of alignment and energetic action as well as a celebration of life. The literal translation of anusara is “flowing with grace”. This class will explore the three elements of yoga practice – attitude, alignment, and action. These elements will be looked at in all aspects of yoga postures. It is preferable to have had some yoga experience.


Pranayama/Yin Yoga, Restorative, Meditation

Pranayama/YinTM: Pranayama works with breathing patterns to generate energy, calm anxiety and clarify the mind. Yin Yoga refers to a meditative and focused approach to seated and reclined postures. In Yin Yoga, postures are held for longer periods of time to facilitate the deep stretching of the body’s connective tissues. Students remain on the floor and props are often used to help the body relax into the postures. This is a gentle, restful class that often includes readings and teachings on the philosophical aspects of yoga. This class is suitable for all level of students and those recovering from illness or injury.

Restorative: Restorative yoga allows the body to gently stretch and open within a pose by using props such as bolsters and blankets for support allowing for deep and therapeutic relaxation. Restorative poses refresh, renew, and nurture the body and mind. This peaceful, recuperative class is appropriate for students of all skill levels and those recovering from illness or injury.

Mindfulness Meditation: In mindfulness meditation every aspect of experience is welcomed and appreciated, whether we are working, exercising, or enjoying a meal. However, this at times seems to be an impossibility due to the “distractions” of daily life. We them might “medicate” the problem with numerous distractions. In this class the groundwork will be established to help us to re-establish our connection with life experiences, finding enhanced peace, joy, and wisdom in our lives. The class will include meditation instruction, awareness training, dharma wisdom teachings, inquiry work and discussions/explorations. Participants must have had mindfulness meditation exposure, having completed at least the 4 week introductory course or afternoon workshop.


Prenatal Yoga, Mama & Baby Yoga, Family Yoga

Prenatal Yoga: This class will help to ease the possible discomforts of pregnancy and to prepare you physically, mentally, and spiritually for childbirth and motherhood. On the physical level, yoga will strengthen and stretch your body, helping you adapt to the constant bodily changes of pregnancy, encouraging optimal fetal positioning, and readying you for the physical challenges of childbirth and motherhood. On the mental level, yoga teaches concentration, objectivity, and self awareness which will all help you to stay calm, focused, present, and positive. On the spiritual level, yoga brings you into intimate connection with your own beauty and power and gives you confidence in yourself and in the reproductive process. Pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are facilitated by a balance of strength and softness on every level, and yoga practice will allow you to discover that balance within yourself.

Mama & Baby Yoga: This postpartum class enables the new mother to share her yoga practice with her baby(ages six weeks through crawling). We include poses to help Mama regain strength and increase energy and Itsy Bitsy Yoga TM poses to help Baby relax, digest more easily, and grow strong. You will enjoy connecting with yourself, your baby, and other mothers. Please bring a blanket for your baby and a few small toys.

Family Yoga: Come move, play, and share the joy of yoga as a family. This is a fun, active class that will build strength, flexibility, balance, and confidence in your growing child. We incorporate song and imagery into the practice to make it lots of fun for children and their grown-ups. Yoga comes naturally to children, so start practicing with them now! Light the way for a lifetime of health and overall well-being. This class is accessible and fun for all ages who are willing to be playful and silly, and is a wonderful opportunity for parents, children, and extended family to connect to one another.