Styles

Anusara

Founded by John Friend in 1997, Anusara yoga is a school of hatha yoga, which unifies a life-affirming Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment. Anusara’s uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a “celebration of the heart” 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. For more information on Anusara Yoga Please visit www.anusara.com

Asthanga

A system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009). This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. For more information visit Ashtanga yoga.

Integral

Integral Yoga, developed by Swami Satchidananda, integrates all aspects of yoga into life to help us find and maintain our natural condition of an easeful body, peaceful mind and useful life.  It combines various methods of Hatha Yoga including the physical postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayamas) and relaxation techniques.  Integral Yoga also emphasizes other branches of yoga including selfless service (Karma Yoga), meditation techniques (Raja Yoga), self-inquiry (Jnana Yoga), devotion and prayer (Bhakti Yoga) and mantra repetition (Japa Yoga).  

The goal is to create a body of optimal health and strength, senses under total control, a mind well disciplined, clear and calm, an intellect sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, an ego as pure as crystal and life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy.  “Swami Satchidananda”. For more information please visit www.yogaville.org.

Iyengar Yoga

Created by B. K. S. Iyengar this practice is characterized by great attention to detail and precise focus on body alignment. Iyengar pioneered the use of "props" such as cushions, benches, blocks, straps, and even sand bags, which function as aids allowing beginners to experience asanas more easily and fully than might otherwise be possible without several years of practice. Props also allow tired or ill students to enjoy the benefits of many asanas via fully "supported" methods requiring less muscular effort. It is firmly based on the traditional eight limbs of yoga as expounded by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras, emphasizing the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana). Through the practice of a system of asanas, it aims to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. This discipline is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life which in turn can help promote total physical and spiritual well-being. For more information visit www.bksiyengar.com

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga helps restore overall health and well-being through a series of postures fully supported by props (blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, sand bags, walls and chairs). Through a restorative practice, we learn to set up a pose with props and “wait”, promoting self-inquiry and mindful observations. We then add length; fill spaces; add or take props away until we can achieve a deep state of relaxation while staying in the pose. We learn to be calm, flexible, and strong, tuning into stillness and turning knowing into doing and being. We are no longer doing the pose to do the pose but doing the pose to FEEL the pose. With the use of props, we hold poses for longer periods of time, with the goal of getting to a place where we feel fully restored. We learn that when supported we allow the body to release, relax and open, providing a unique backdrop for exploring the mind/body connection. With the use of props the body provides feedback, encouraging us to become more curious about how we feel in a pose and developing an interest in our own body mechanics, helping us find a quality of comfort and presence in each pose while promoting a deep relaxed state of being.

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga has been popularized in Western Culture by teachers Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers and it targets connective tissue, specifically ligaments and tendons in the joints and spine.  The practice includes finding your edge in a supported pose, remaining still and holding the pose for 3-5 minutes. Holding the pose gives a static stretch that applies stress, in the form of tension, to the muscle and connective tissue in the targeted region. The muscle, more elastic than the connective tissue, responds immediately, lengthening to its limit. When the muscle is fully stretched, the stress reaches the connective tissue, which is not elastic and does not immediately lengthen. Because of the long duration of asanas, one of the key values cultivated in the practice of yin yoga is patience.