Class Descriptions
FOUNDATIONAL YOGA
You've heard so much about yoga. You know it's supposed to be great for you - make you fit, flexible, focused and obliterate stress. But you don't know where to start (or what it actually is). Or maybe you've done the videos, but you're not sure what you are doing is OK.
We are your beginners' oasis. We'll guide you, step-by-step, as you discover this wonderful practice. Each class may cover:
Simple breathing exercises that are common to our practice;
Foundational yoga postures and how to adapt them to your abilities and needs;
Meditation techniques to reduce stress;
How to breathe so that you may link postures together and never feel out-of-breath.
We repeat things a lot so you are sure to learn them. And, we also make time to teach you how to modify the postures to accommodate your body and its unique needs.
We accommodate everyone...those who are new and have no experience, those with little experience, those who have not done yoga in a long time, those who want a refresher, and those who love working the foundational aspects.
HATHA YOGA
Our Hatha Yoga classes offer a traditional practice. Emphasis is placed on gaining proficiency in poses via strengthening exercises and deep stretching. Careful attention is given to alignment and finding proper variations so students of all levels can progress.
Hatha Yoga also teaches breathing techniques from proper diaphragmatic breathing to more advanced pranayama. Working with the breath enlivens energy and soothes the nervous system.
Each class also includes a guided relaxation and meditation training.
MEDITATION
Science has shown that meditating restructures our brain and can train it to concentrate, feel greater compassion, cope with stress, and more. We now know exactly what happens in the brain and in the cells of the body when you meditate. We know too what happens when you are stressed and how to bounce out of anxiety, depression, panic, anger, frustration, fear, etc.
In this session, you will discover that meditation also has benefits far beyond what science has revealed. There are changes both subtle and profound understood only through direct experience. All you need to start is a little willingness to sit and be with your own mind.
You will learn how to relax, focus and move into deeper levels of concentration. It teaches you how to relieve and eliminate anxiety, cope with the stress in your life and calm your self. You will be taught different methods of meditation from quieting the mind to focusing on the breath or an object or a thought to visualizations to affirming-type meditations to loving-kindness. You will also learn to prepare the body to sit comfortably and practice stillness.
We base this course on the teachings of the Yoga Sutras, the teachings of Neville Goddard, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Gregg Braden, Bruce Lipton, Advaita Vedanta, DU, and ACIM offering a unique blend of old and new. It will be both theoretical and practical. That is, you will be taught something and given the opportunity to sit quietly for a period of time.
OPEN FLOW YOGA
In this class, we flow through poses with an emphasis on bringing the body into optimal alignment in order to enable an experience of transformation. Classes allow you to experience the detailed alignment principles and heart-oriented spiritual teachings.
Students of all levels, abilities and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences, limitations, and talents although class participants should have at least one year of yoga and/or a strong yoga practice.
QI GONG CLASSIC
This class will draw on several classic Qigong sets, all officially recognized in 2003 by the Chinese Health Qigong Association for health maintenance. The class format will include minimal direction. Previous experience is not necessary.
The practice sets:
Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue)
Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin)
Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (Yi Jin Jing Qigong)
The format will include various taoist longevity practices to serve as warmups and end with self-massage tapping.
Outdoor Yoga
In the warmer weather, we practice yoga outdoors.....
Location : behind St. Mary's Apartments, near the 200 foot tall smoke stack, behind Amherst State Park / St. Mary's Apartments, at 400 Mill Street in Williamsville, NY
So, come salute the sun, experience the grass beneath your feet, the sweet air of the morning, the sounds of nature, a canopy of trees, the occasional deer, the creek down below, birds singing, and maybe a little glow.
The haven of the outdoors coupled with an intelligent sequence of strength and flexibility movements makes for one incredibly beautiful morning!
Inclement Weather: if the temp is below 60° or it is raining, class will be online. If it is below 60° (like 58° and the temp is rising, we will be outdoors). Dress warmly and peel off layers as your body and the outside temps increase.
Top 10 Reasons to Practice Yoga Outdoors
Being Outside. If you live north of the Mason-Dixon Line, you have to take advantage of the opportunity to get outside and blow the stink off. Seriously, any chance you can get outside for any activity between May and the first freeze have got to be taken advantage of. ’Nuff said.
Amazing Scenery. How cool is it to do a spread-legged forward fold and then, when you twist to the side, see a beautiful blue sky or the green leaves of a tree flapping in the wind? This is the view I had today during this very pose.
Challenge. Anyone can practice inside but not everyone can practice with their feet in the sand, on grass, or on rocks. The ground might be uneven, an ant might crawl across your mat, or the sun may be shining in your eyes, but that is what makes outdoor yoga so rewarding. You get to go outside your normal routine, feel the earth beneath your feet, and make playful adjustments to your asanas.
The Music (Sounds of Nature) courtesy of chirping birds, cicadas, the breeze through the trees, the rustling leaves, and the occasional dear. A better playlist could not be put together. Close your eyes to the sublime.
Special Effects. You may get the unexpected delight of seeing birds fly overhead, a hawk gliding by, squirrels dancing in the trees, or a deer a few feet from you.
Growing Your Practice. Said special effects can also provide extra challenges in staying mindful and present.
Sunshine. There's just something special about doing a sun salutation when you can reach your arms up and truly salute the sun.
Wind. Sometimes an outdoor yoga class can feel like hot/warm yoga. It can get a little toasty out there, but this is Buffalo, so we get our fair share of cool wind brushing across our faces.
Incredible Inversions. Getting into a handstand or a deep forward bend always feels pretty good, but when you get to do one while hearing the sounds of nature, the pose takes on a whole new meaning.
Post Practice Curriculum. Once your practice is complete, the postgame activity choices are pretty cool. A favorite is a walking meditation, a hike, or sitting with your eyes closed meditating near the water. Letting the sounds of nature envelop you provides an excellent way to seal in your practice.