Island Yoga Space - Student Info

What kinds of classes and services are available at The Island Yoga Space?

We have a wide variety of yoga classes as well as other classes in therapeutic and mindful body practices. We offer classes in meditation and have a free weekly community meditation. IYS has workshops that will expand your mind, body and spirit. In addition, many of our teachers offer private sessions and are trained in therapeutic aspects of yoga or other healing arts. For the student who wants to deepen their yoga practice and learn modifications tailored for them, we recommend in class privates. This experience provides an opportunity for students to receive hands-on assists in every pose, helping the student to go deeper into the poses, while maintaining proper alignment. Refer to the instructor biographies for details of what each teacher offers. If you have a class that you are interested in offering or a class you would like to see offered please let us know by email at info@theislandyogaspace.org.

Which class should I choose?

We teach many styles of yoga, you can find class descriptions by clicking on the class names on our schedule. You can find information about our teachers both by clicking on instructor names on our schedule and on our instructor biography pages. Feel free to contact us if you have questions at (info@theislandyogaspace.org).

How do I get information on classes and events?

The schedule on our website is updated regularly, we list class changes, teacher changes and class cancellations as well as special events. Please fill out an Island Yoga Space enrollment form so we have accurate contact information to help you stay current with what is happening at IYS. Download a PDF form or pick up a copy in the studio.

“There is no perfect yoga body - yoga is perfect for everybody”

~ Ganga White

How do I prepare for my class?

Traditionally yoga is practiced on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after eating and drink plenty of water before hand.
Notify the teacher of injuries, medical conditions or if you are pregnant. This helps the teacher know how to assist you and give you modifications.
Let the teacher know if you are new to the practice.
Bring your own Yoga mat if you have one. We have studio mats and many props available for you to use as well. We recommend that you wipe you mat down with the sponges and cleaning solution provided in the prop area before using.

When should I arrive for class and can I come if I am late?

Try to arrive about 5-10 minutes early allowing time to sign in and get settled for class. If you do arrive late and the class is in the middle of chanting or the beginning “Ohm” please wait until they have finished before entering the room.

What is the purpose of the Aum (ohm) or chanting in class?

Sacred sounds like “Aum” or chanting are an integral part of a yoga practice. For thousands of years and in many different traditions sound has been used as a profound method to impact the body, mind and spirit. It has the capacity to purify our hearts and elevate our minds. Modern research is discovering that sound affects the functioning of the brain, heart and affects change in the deepest regions of our consciousness. Chanting is a way to express praise, show gratitude and inspire joy. To chant is to be enchanted.

What are ways to deepen my practice?

Meditation is the heart of yoga and starting a meditation practice is a wonderful way to deepen your practice and enhance your life. Join us for a meditation class or our community meditations.

The practice of Chanting is a powerful practice to center the mind and deepen meditation. Join us for chanting at IYS and look for links to people in our community that offer chanting workshops or gatherings.

See the workshop section and sign up or our email list to learn about opportunities in our area. Download a PDF list of community meditation groups and chanting groups in our area.

See our bibliography and feel free to look through the books that we leave at the studio to deepen your knowledge of many wisdom traditions.

What is satsang?

Satsang, often referred to as community, literally means to keep company with the truth. It is being with people who share the desire to learn and grow and provides support for a yoga practice. As you experience the transformation of yoga, many questions arise and Satsang provides the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a dialogue with like-minded people. At The Island Yoga Space we are striving to create community and welcome you to participate in events, workshops or just linger after class in our garden to make connections with our growing Satsang.

Is yoga a religion and do I have to join?

Yoga is not a religion but is a science of the mind that can help you make deep connections to yourself, to others and to spirit. Many people they find that their religious practices deepen through yoga. IYS honors yoga as an ancient wisdom tradition that can help each individual find their own true self rather than an imposing an identity. There are no beliefs you must ascribe to, or anything you must affiliate yourself with but instead we hope to open your mind to new ways of knowing yourself.

"…Yoga is the opening of the heart so that we have the capacity to feel tenderness, joy, and sorrow without shutting down. It is the opening of the mind to an awareness that encompasses rather than excludes. It is the startling and immediate recognition of our basic sameness. It is the practice of observing clearly, listening acutely, and skillfully responding to the moment with all the compassion we can muster. And it is a homecoming with and in the body- for it is only here that we can do all these things.”

~ Donna Farhi in Bringing Yoga to Life.