Yoga 'n' More

Core Strength Vinyasa

Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga is both its own style of Hatha Yoga, and a set of physical and energetic alignment principles, core postures and core philosophies that any student can use to boost the benefits of their style. Core Strength Vinyasa (CSV) Yoga, founded by Sadie Nardini, can be taught exclusively OR used as a compliment to any other form. It helps reintegrate each pose back into the stability of foundation and the integrity of center. It helps the student build more heat, strengthen and stretch more completely and healthfully - all in less time. One of the hallmarks of CSV Yoga is that it multitasks the student, doing more within, and between each posture, so they get more benefits in less time. We say that doing a 60-minute CSV class is like doing 90 minutes of most other styles. Another main feature of the style is that it focuses on the student’s process of drawing inward to seek, and find, their inner strength. In the postures, this translates into moving into stability (Foundation) and proper core and spinal alignment, and then only expressing into the stretch of the pose until the integrity of the foundation and/or core begins to degrade. There is deep core work within the sequence of a CSV Yoga class, but the primary focus is on “Core Strength” as a bigger concept, one of self-centering as well as being selfless, of self generating love and strength and support for oneself so independence is gained, and of working every pose, and every transition from root to core to crown, so more freedom is gained in the practice.

Hatha

The yoga practiced by most Westerners is Hatha yoga, or the physical yoga that involves physical exercise, breathing practices, and movement. These exercises are designed to have a salutary effect on posture, flexibility, and strength and are intended ultimately to prepare the body to remain still for long periods of meditation. Hatha means "force" and represents the union of two words - ha, "sun," and tha, "moon." Hatha yoga is the ancient Indian system of physical postures and breathing exercises that balances the opposing masculine and feminine forces in the body, the "sun" and the "moon." It is an easy-to-learn basic form of yoga that has become very popular in the United States. Hatha Yoga is the foundation of most body focused Yoga styles. It incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (regulated breathing), meditation (Dharana & Dhyana) and kundalini (energy activation) into a complete system that can be used to achieve enlightenment or self-realization. It has become very popular in America as source of exercise and stress management. The ideal way to practice the Hatha Yoga poses (asanas) is to approach the practice session in a calm, meditative mood. Sit quietly for a few moments, then begin the series, slowly, with control and grace, being inwardly aware as the body performs the various poses selected for the practice session. Do not overdo the asanas or try to compete with others. Take it easy and enjoy.

Hatha Flow

Combination of Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga.

Iyengar

Is a form of hatha yoga named for the well known instructor, B. K. S. Iyengar a student of Krishnamacharya. Iyengar style yoga makes extensive use of mats, straps, bolsters, walls, plus wall mounted bars and straps (such as the YogaWall) to assist the student to attain proper alignment for asanas.

Kripalu Yoga

Uses classical hatha yoga postures and breathing techniques to help students enter a state of "meditation in motion." The principles of Kripalu Yoga are the foundation for Phoenix Rising yoga therapies. Kripalu Yoga incorporates into one system the physical and purification practices of Hatha Yoga; the mental disciplines of Raja Yoga; the prana awakening principles of Kundalini Yoga; the devotion of Bhakti Yoga; and the emphasis on service of Karma Yoga. More than a spiritual practice on the Yoga mat, Kripalu Yoga is a holistic lifestyle in which the principles of Yoga are applied off the mat in daily life. The key to the practice of Kripalu Yoga lies in understanding prana (universal life-force) as a link between body, mind, and spirit. The regular practice of Kripalu Yoga will result in the awakening of prana, which allows the deeper aspects of Yoga and meditation to manifest spontaneously and effortlessly.

Throughout Kripalu’s three-stage approach, you are guided to move at your own pace, honoring your body’s needs in each moment. Kripalu Yoga develops the body, mind and spirit in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. You leave the class feeling uplifted and centered.

• Stage 1

  Willful Practice (Body and Breath Awareness) begins with an experiential approach to understanding the details of alignment and the coordination of breath while moving into and out of postures.

• Stage 2

  Holding the Posture (Inner Focus and Concentration) guides you to focus your attention on inner sensations, thoughts and emotions. You learn to hold postures for longer periods of time while cultivating compassion and awareness.

• Stage 3

  Meditation in Motion (Absorption) is a unique and personal expression of Kripalu Yoga. You practice the art of moving in response to your body’s wisdom, with postures flowing from one into the next. This experience is often described as a state of prayer expressed in movement.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga has been passed down through the ages from guru to apprentice for centuries. In 1969, Yogi Bhajan brought this form of yoga to America, thereby introducing it on a global scale. Kundalini Yoga brings awareness of the breath to every movement. This in turn, helps balance all aspects of one's being.Kundalini Yoga classes are designed to build strength of will in a relaxed and comfortable setting. A typical class will begin with a meditative warm-up emphasizing the flow of breath and your awareness to it and then moves into physical asana which includes rhythmic movements of the body and the breath. This is followed by a Kriya, a specific sequence of exercises designed to bring about a specific metabolic change. Each Kriya has a goal, be that cleansing the liver, calming the nerves, or strengthening the heart, etc. Kriya also assists the ability to meditate. Although there is a specific function of each Kriya, every Kundalini Yoga class will help balance all the chakras and systems. Class will finish with a resting pose, a few good stretches, and closing mantra.

Meditation

Meditation usually refers to a state of extreme relaxation and concentration, in which the body is generally at rest and the mind quieted of surface thoughts. Several major religions include ritual meditation; however, meditation itself need not be a religious or spiritual activity. Meditation that cultivates mindfulness is particularly effective at reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. Mindfulness is the quality of being fully engaged in the present moment, without analyzing or otherwise “over-thinking” the experience. Rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, mindfulness meditation switches the focus to what’s happening right now. Mindfulness meditation is not equal to zoning out. It takes effort to maintain your concentration and to bring it back to the present moment when your mind wanders or you start to drift off. But with regular practice, mindfulness meditation actually changes the brain - strengthening the areas associated with joy and relaxation, and weakening those involved in negativity and stress.

Pranayama

Yoga breathing exercises, also known as Pranayama, are an important part of a developing yoga practice. Pranayama is one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga as defined by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In addition to deepening your yoga practice, learning ways to calm or invigorate the body through breathing will greatly benefit your life off the mat. Breathing is an involuntary act; it is an essential part of life. Although we cannot control whether or not we breathe, we can control the way that we breathe. A belief that different methods of breath affect the body's health and life force is the core of Pranayama practice.

Eight Limbs Of Yoga

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the ancient texts that is the basis for the philosophy behind yoga, there are eight “limbs” (Ashtanga in Sanskrit) of yoga. Each limb relates to an aspect of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life, and each builds upon the one before it. You may be surprised to hear that only one of the limbs involves the performance of yoga postures.

Pilates

This is an exercise system that is focused on building strength without bulk, improving flexibility and agility, and helping to prevent injury. It was developed in the 1920s by Joseph H. Pilates, who was a physical trainer and founder of The New York Pilates Studio®. It involves a series of controlled movements that engage both your body and mind. Pilates utilizes specifically designed exercise apparatus and is supervised by highly trained teachers. It was initially created for rehabilitation, but was later adopted by dancers and athletes and is now utilized by millions. A beginner class generally consists of very gentle exercises done on a mat in either a sitting or lying down position. The primary focus is on awareness of the spine, proper breathing, core strength and flexibility. The outcome of Pilates training is a balanced body which is strong and supple, flat stomach, balanced legs, and a strong back.

Tai Chi

Consists of graceful, continuous movements combined with breathing control to promote relaxation, balance, flexibility, muscle tone, and coordination while improving participants overall physical and mental agility. Tai chi teaches the cultivation, balancing and focusing of internal energy (chi). This ancient art that dates back to the 8th century is based on traditional defensive and offensive techniques. In addition to bare hand techniques, weapons such as the sword, saber and spear are also used. Several schools of Tai Chi include the Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun. Tai chi has been used as part of treatments for back problems, ulcers, and stress.

Thai Yoga

Has been taught and practiced in Thailand for about 2,500 years. Although the origins are somewhat vague, credit for the origin of Thai Massage is given to a famous Indian doctor, Shvago Komarpaj, who was the personal physician of the Buddha and Magadha king. It is said to have originated in the Vajrayana Yogic medicine of Tibet before coming to Thailand. Historically, manipulation was one of the four branches composing traditional Thai ceremonies and is based on the theory that the body is made up of 72,000 Sen, or energy lines, of which ten hold top priority. Thai yoga also involves peripheral stimulating, meaning it acts as an external stimulant to produce specific internal effects. Thai yoga is practiced either on a firm mat on the floor or on a table. This is instrumental in the effective use of the practitioner's body weight for compression and stretching. The Thais believe that stretching, compressing, and applying torque to the musculo-skelatal system creates energy as well as releasing blockages and allowing relaxation.

Vinyasa

In Vinyasa style yoga classes, poses will flow from one to another in conjunction with the breath. Transitions between poses are just as important as the pose one is going towards as the transition sets the foundation for the expression of the pose. If the teacher says “go through a vinyasa at you own pace," she/he means the sequence of Plank, Chaturanga (Crocodile), Upward Facing Dog, Downward Facing Dog.

Zhineng Qigong

Zhineng refers to wisdom and ability. Zhineng Qigong was created in the early 1980s by Dr He Ming Pang. It is very effective for healing, improving the level of self-cultivation, developing human potential, etc. Today, after thirty years of development, millions of people around the world regularly practice Zhineng Qigong as a health maintenance exercise. as a therapeutic intervention, as a medical profession, as a spiritual path and/or as a component of Chinese martial arts. Once more closely guarded, in the modern era Zhineng Qigong has become widely available to the general public around the world. Zhineng Qigong can help practitioners to learn diaphramatic breathing-- an important component of the relaxation response which is important in combating stress. Medical qigong treatment has been officially recognized as a standard medical technique in Chinese hospitals since 1989 and has been included in the curriculum of major universities in China.