Tapas Flow
Our Tapas Flow class is a 90 minute, mixed-level course which, through variations and modifications in postures, accommodates all levels of yoga practitioners. The course is an eclectic mix of Ashtanga, Hot, and Power Yoga designed to offer a vigorous, cardiovascular yoga practice. We begin in a heated room (approximately 85 degrees) in order to relax and stretch the muscles, prevent injury, and aid in detoxification. The external heat works in combination with the internal flame generated through vigorous movement and breath which serves to thin the blood and cleanse the body. We open the class with restorative postures and Pranayana breathing exercises in order to center our practice and remove the pressures of external circumstances and set our intention for the class. We then move into a cardiovascular sequence of postures to create an internal flame and promote detoxification. We continue through a series of standing and balance postures, seated forward bends and back bends, as well as inversions, always focusing on alignment, consciousness, and intention. Overall, the course serves to build strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance. We end the class with Shivasana (a guided meditation using corpse pose). Sequences change from class-to-class with the substitution of new and various postures, while maintaining consistency through a core sequence grounded in Surya Namaskara A and B (Salutations to the Sun). All of our courses encourage you to take advantage of the physical as well as the spiritual benefits of yoga by seeing the physical as an opportunity to experience a connection to a greater universal consciousness.
Tapas: Sanskrit, n. warmth, heat, practice causing change, spiritual austerity, the 5 fires to which a devotee exposes himself in the hot season, 4 fires lighted in the four quarters and the sun burning from above, pain, suffering, bodily mortification, penance, severe meditation, the hot season, special observance (e.g. "sacred learning" with Brahmans, "protection of subjects" with Kshatriyas, "giving alms to Brahmans").
Flow: English, n. A term used in yoga for the Sanskrit Vinyasa: "a flowing sequence or arrangement of movement."
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Anjali Flow
Our Anjali Flow is a 90 minute class designed to accommodate yoga practitioners at all levels and is especially good for beginners and those looking for a restorative and meditative yoga practice. As an intense emphasis is placed on the alignment of breath and movement, this is a class for those who want to go deeper with their personal practice. We emphasize slow movement and a restorative, calm practice of mind-body awareness. Anjali Flow is all about slowing down the body, the breath, and the mind; some have referred to this course as the "tai-chi" of yoga. We practice in a warm room (80 degrees) working to ultimately arrive at a place without hesitation between breath and movement through symbiosis of the kinetic movement with the breath. We start with an extensive Pranayana breathing series, Salutations to the Sun, and standing balance postures. We then move into a series of seated and prone postures with a deep mindfulness of breath and movement. All of our courses encourage you to take advantage of the physical as well as the spiritual benefits of yoga by seeing the physical as an opportunity to experience a connection to a greater universal consciousness.
Anjali: Sanskrit, n. A prayer gesture in which the palms are pressed together and the fingers face upward; an offering made from the heart, which flows forth into expression. |
Hot Hatha
Our Hot Hatha class is a 90 minute, mixed-level course which, through variations and modifications in postures, accommodates all levels of yoga practitioners. The class is conducted in a heated room (approximately 98.6 degrees) in order to balance the external temperature with the internal temperature of the body. We practice on wooden floors rather than carpet for hygienic reasons. The course is designed to increase stamina, balance, and provide detoxification while building core strength. This is a well-rounded, cleansing, and restorative practice. Fewer positions are held for a greater duration in comparison to our Tapas Flow class and the focus is on mindfulness, alignment, and adjustments. Particular focus is given to core strength building. All of our courses encourage you to take advantage of the physical as well as the spiritual benefits of yoga by seeing the physical as an opportunity to experience a connection to a greater universal consciousness.
Hatha: Sanskrit, n. joining of sun (ha) and moon (tha), force, by force, forcibly, obstinacy, pertinacity, absolute or inevitable necessity, as the cause of all existence and activity necessarily, by all means.
Yoga: Sanskrit, n. the act of yoking, joining, attaching, harnessing, the connection of a word with its root original or etymological meaning, syntactical dependence of a word, the union of the individual soul with the universal soul, devotion, pious seeking after God, in the practice of self-concentration, the means by which the human spirit may attain complete union with the Supreme Spirit.
Hatha Yoga: a system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama as a preparatory stage of physical purification that renders the body fit for the practice of higher meditation. The practice utilizes Asanas and Pranayama breathing in order to physically train the body for long periods of meditation and restore the energy channels. Hatha Yoga is the form of yogic practice most commonly found in the West and is practiced for mental and physical health.
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