Description
Yoga Foundations – All Levels
This all levels class teaches the classic yoga postures through a deep awareness of correct alignment and precise actions in the body. Highly therapeutic, this technique helps to refine your poses while it trains the mind to remain alert, focused and composed. This class is intended to help you get yoga in your body and to learn the language of yoga.
The basic postures are presented in challenging ways with a focus on the fundamentals of yoga. Classes address the needs of students who are new to yoga or those who might even have an advanced practice. Be prepared to hold the poses for an extended period of time with the use of props for proper alignment.
Gentle / Viniyoga – All levels & Beginners
This is a gentle class that combines yoga postures, breathing, and meditation. This class is geared toward students who wish to move at a slower pace.
Yoga provides the means to bring out the best in each individual. This requires an understanding of a person’s present condition, personal potential, appropriate goals and the means available. As each person is different, these will vary with each individual.
Viniyoga™ is an ancient Sanskrit term that implies differentiation, adaptation, and appropriate application. As a style of practice, Viniyoga™ refers to an approach to Yoga that adapts the various means and methods of practice to the unique condition, needs and interests of the individual. As a result, each practitioner is given the tools to individualize and actualize the process of self-discovery and personal transformation.
The Viniyoga™ approach evolved out of the teachings transmitted by T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar of Chennai, India.
*not all gentle yoga classes are considered viniyoga. The focus in all gentle yoga classes at KCYC is to move slower, with longer holds. These classes are suitable for students who might be coming to yoga later in life or with substantial injury in the body.
Power Flow – Level 2-3
VINYASA POWER FLOW (POWER YOGA): Vinyasa Power Flow classes at KCYC are lively, energetic, flowing classes synchronizing breath with movement. Build strength, flexibility, and concentration. Cleanse the body and calm the mind. Vinyasa Power Flow (Power Yoga) classes do not follow a set sequence of postures. Each class is unique and will vary from teacher to teacher. You can always expect a great cardiovascular and strength building workout combined with breath work (pranayama).
The term “vinyasa” is a Sanskrit word used to define the sequence in the sun salutation series of… chaturanga dandasana, up dog, down dog, all linked to breath. This sequence builds upper body strength and heat in the body, while stretching the legs and relaxing the spine. Vinyasa can also be found in classical Hatha classes where this sequence is used as a warm-up.
Most Vinyasa Power Flow classes are modeled on the Ashtanga style of yoga as taught by Sri Pattabhi Jois. The term Vinyasa Power Flow (Power Yoga) was created by teachers looking to make Ashtanga yoga more accessible. These classes can be appropriate for active beginners through to advanced students but we recommend a strong foundation in asana practice as not to overwhelm a new student. Modified versions of more challenging postures will always be given. A typical class at KCYC will include, abdominal strengthening, Surya Namaskara A and B, along with a strong standing sequence. Floor work will include hip-openers and back-bending. We will explore sirsasana(headstands), shalambasana(shoulderstands), handstands and arm pressure balances. Be sure to work at your own pace, and take breaks whenever you feel the need. Come and be inspired! This is considered a level 2-3 class, so be prepared!
Restorative Yoga – All Levels & Beginners
Yoga can work for many different types of bodies, many different stages in life, and for each person’s many different moods. While for some a Power Yoga class may seem like the way to go, for others a gentle restorative or Yin Yoga class may be optimal. For some people their needs change daily. However, the restorative effects of yoga should never be over-looked, no matter what age, and sometimes slowing down the practice, going deeper in poses, and just feeling the restorative power of them does wonders for the body.
Restorative Yoga focuses on relaxing the body in restful postures. Note that ‘rest’ is different than sleep. Rest provides the body an opportunity to renew and heal. Countless studies have proven the physical and emotional benefits of this.
Restorative yoga, as well as other forms of yoga, help to trigger the Parasympathetic nervous system also known as the PNS. The PNS is responsible for balancing the body and bringing its response system back into equalibrium. Stimulating the PNS helps to lower heart rate, blood pressure; it helps to healthily stimulate the immune system and keep the endocrine system operating healthily. When this system gets out of whack, or when the Sympathetic nervous system, SNS gets over-stimulated, the PNS helps to bring all back in balance. It is believed that is the PNS is tapped out or under-active, illness pervades. Thus, forms of relaxation, such as yoga and meditation, that help to stimulate the PNS are generally beneficial for overall body health.
Look at restorative yoga poses as “active relaxation.” By supporting the body with props, we alternately stimulate and relax the body to move toward balance. Some poses have an overall benefit. Others target an individual part, such as the lungs or heart. All create specific physiological responses which are beneficial to health and can reduce the effects of stress-related disease.
In general, restorative poses are for those times when you feel weak, fatigued, or stressed from your daily activities. They are especially beneficial for the times before, during, and after major life events: death of a loved one, change of job or residence, marriage, divorce, major holidays, and vacations. In addition, you can practice the poses when ill, or recovering from illness or injury.
Anusara Yoga – All Levels
Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means “flowing with Grace,” “going with the flow,” “following your heart.”
Founded by John Friend in 1997, Anusara Yoga is a powerful hatha yoga system that unifies a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment™. Currently, Anusara Yoga is one of the most popular and fastest growing yoga styles in the world with over 1200 affiliated teachers and 100,000 students world-wide. Anusara Yoga classes are now found throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Japan with a growing presence in many other areas of the world. Anusara Yoga is attracting media attention worldwide including a 2004 Yoga Journal cover story, CBS national news in the US, as well as newspapers and magazines throughout North America, the UK, and Europe.
Anusara Yoga’s remarkable popularity is due in large part to its uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a “celebration of the heart,” that looks for the good in all people and all things. Consequently, students of all levels of ability and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences, limitations, and talents. This life-affirming vision sets the basis for a yoga system in which the harmony and joy of a tightly knit community is exulted. Not only is Anusara Yoga an elegant system of alignment principles and non-dual philosophy, but it is also a wonderful community of highly trained teachers and fun-loving students. This community feels like it has the tightness of a family, yet the looseness of a merry band of bohemian artists.
As a community, Anusara Yoga is well networked and organized, yet there is a strong emphasis on creative freedom and individuality. Anusara Yoga is held together by everyone’s implicit alliance to the spiritual principles of Anusara Yoga philosophy, such as celebrating beauty in all its diversity, truthfulness, and honoring the creative freedom of the Divine in all beings. Everyone is aligned with the truth that Grace plays the key role in the successful flow of their practice, classes, and the community itself. Without a rigid dogma, the system is open to continual change and restructuring. Self-examination, discovery, and receptivity to new ideas are foundational to this dynamic system.
Individual creativity and investigation are always encouraged within the bounds of basic alignment principles and philosophic precepts of Anusara Yoga. Anusara Yoga grows with harmony and integrity through the combined vision of our Anusara Yoga teachers to unveil the innate goodness, worthiness, and supreme nature of each student and every being.
Kundalini Yoga – All Levels
Kundalini Yoga is considered to be the” Householder Yoga” It is fun, energetic, deep and transformative. It is the, “Yoga of Awareness”. In just 2-11 minutes one can regain serenity, emotional equilibrium and tranquility, re-energize, neutralize negativity, tension and anger, and regain control of the mind. These priceless gems, when practiced, will quickly add to efficiency, effectiveness, and everyday tools for the pace of modern life. Kundalini Yoga and meditation alters mental and physical states, ultimately restores balance, serenity and relaxation as well as yielding dynamic health and expanded consciousness. It takes practice to produce long-term effective results. Come EXPERIENCE to believe!
