WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga is a practice that is over 5000 years old. It is mostly easily recognized in the west by its interesting postures. Yoga literally translates “to yoke”. It is a practice to bring together our bodies, minds and hearts into harmony. Yoga is so much more than stretching and movement and there is a point of access into every pose for every body. At The Yoga Institute-Clear Lake we know that what we learn on the yoga mat translates out into the experiences of our daily lives.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Below are each of our classes and a brief description of their content. Each asana class will be a combination of movement, breathing, mindful focus & relaxation.

BEGINNERS SERIES

This is a 6 week class series designed to give you a foundation for your yoga practice. The brand new beginner will feel very comfortable here as we move slowly and start with the basics; explore how to sit, how to breathe, basic standing and seated postures (asanas) in each class.  

LEVEL 1

This level builds upon the foundation set in the Beginner’s class by adding new postures and alignment cues to your class experience. You will with your breath at a comfortable pace as we expand our awareness and knowledge of the practice in standing, seated, forward and beginner back-bending poses. We will also introduce more breathing practices and meditation tools.

LEVEL 1 & 2

 This class is going to offer a bit more of a challenge in the way of asana, breathing practices and meditation. Come ready to explore new boundaries in your practice and grow in strength and flexibility.

PRACTICE & PAUSE

This class will blend movement and stillness. We will begin with an asana practice and end with restorative/yin/meditation practices. This class structure aims to support our need for movement at the end of the day as well as create relaxation in the body preparing us for good sleep.

LEVEL 2

Each class is designed for the practitioner to be guided & challenged with deeper awareness, alignment, and practices. These classes will require more focus and refinement of action. Be ready to have fun, and explore your limits. We recommend each student feel strong with surya namaskar (sun salutations) and inverted L-pose. This class is not recommended for those with injuries.

GENTLE YOGA

This class offers a slow easy pace to nurture, stretch and strengthen the body. It is the perfect class all practitioners. It offers kindness and compassion for the body, regardless of whether a student is healthy or healing, young or old, pregnant or not. It is also perfect for beginners.

CHAIR YOGA

This class is a very gentle yoga class using a chair for balance, support and sitting. In this class explore what yoga can offer from the seat of a chair. This is a great class for students who are healing, can not comfortably sit on the floor and for those who may sit in a chair as part of their daily routine. A quick chair practice during the day renews energy and focus.

MEDITATION

In this class we will explore meditation. We will practice stillness using various methods; concentration & guided visualization. Each class is a practice. Meditation is not a perfect pose it is a journey of our inner landscape as we sit.

RESTORATIVE YOGA

This class requires no previous experience. Here we are fully supported by props(bolsters, blankets, straps, blocks) so that the body, mind and heart of the practitioner may rest and calm. Stillness is a key component here. Sometimes mindful non-doing means more rest, relaxation and restoration. Having a balance between doing and non-doing is key for our overall well-being. Restorative yoga is a great way to learn more about the benefits of the practice.

YOGA NIDRA

This is the practice and art of Yogic Sleep. In meditation you remain in the waking state of consciousness and gently focus the mind.  In Yoga Nidra you leave the waking state, go past the dreaming state into yogic sleep, yet remain awake. In this class you will be guided through a detailed meditation that will allow your mind, body and nervous system to slip into a deep state of relaxation. This results in a state of deep relaxation that reduces tension, decreases anxiety and improve sleep.  If practiced consistently, Yoga Nidra can even lead to deep personal transformation.   

YIN YOGA

Yin is a slow-paced kind of yoga where postures are held passively for longer longer periods of time (3-5 minutes).  The stillness of the body in poses can strain the tissues in a manner that feels very different from a more active yang practice.  This quiet, centering practice is a wonderful complement to our active lifestyles.