Class Descriptions at The Yoga Sanctuary

Ashtanga Yoga – A yoga practice developed by Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. It is a dynamic and vigorous (faster pace) form of yoga that builds heat in the body. This set series of postures maximizes strength, concentration and flexibility with focused breath awareness.

Hatha Yoga - A slower yoga, as compared to Ashtanga. Through the holding of poses, proper alignment and mindful actions of the body can be found. Hatha Yoga brings balance, strength, and a sense of well-being to the practitioner.

Level I - Students are introduced to the breathing style and fundamentals of both Ashtanga/Hatha Yoga.

Level I/II – For students who have started to move beyond Level I classes and wish to begin exploring concepts and poses to lead them to the Level II or intermediate level.

Level II - These classes are designed to further the students’ strength, stamina and flexibility as more advanced postures are integrated. A greater range of inversions, back-bending and basic arm balances are introduced. This class is not for first time students.

Level III - Primary Series - These vigorous athletic classes build heat and stamina through emphasizing cardiovascular fitness and core strength. Students typically hold poses longer or find themselves moving quickly through poses, and practice more advanced variations and challenging sequences. Prior knowledge of standing poses, intermediate inversions, backbends and arm balances are required.

Hatha Flow – Hatha Flow links the postures practiced in a regular Hatha class together in a "flow", creating a more dynamic class.
Open to all levels.

Hatha Restorative Yoga - A gentle yoga class suitable to beginners and open to all levels. Connect with the breath as you bring awareness to the body through supported postures and a flowing series of joint freeing poses. Postures are often held longer to slowly release tension and to enable the mind to quiet.

Ashtanga Flow/Hatha Flow – While using both the poses and the pace of regular Ashtanga or Hatha classes, these classes sequence those poses differently and aim to keep the body moving with breath. Open to all levels.

Vinyasa (previously Ashtanga Flow) – Vinyasa means :flowing with breath" and "step-by-step process". These classes are dynamic and allow for a fluid transition from posture to posture, while becoming aware of the movement and breath connection. Vigorous sequences can be expected. These classes are creative and unique and change from class to class. Open to all levels.

Jivamukti - Jivamukti's challenging but playful signature class encompasses intermediate and advanced levels. It is a magical flow of standing poses, seated postures, inversions, backbends and relaxation practiced in a constantly changing sequence to keep it fresh and lively. Expect amazing hands-on adjustments, meditation, chanting and always inspiring music.

Pilates is a body mind exercise technique designed to strengthen deep abdominal muscles, improve posture, co-ordination, flexibility and deep body awareness. An excellent companion to yoga.

Pilates Flow is the best of both worlds combining the subtle releasing and abdominal work of Pilates with a gently energizing Hatha flow. Open to all levels.

Power Flow – These classes are dynamic and allow for a fluid transition from pose to pose, being mindful of the movement and breath connection. Be prepared to work your core, build strength and flexibility. These classes are creative and will incorporate techniques from boot camp style yoga training and various traditional styles of yoga. Challenging sequences with modifications will be offered to help students of all levels enjoy the class. Open to all levels.

Yin/Yang Yoga combines the balancing and complementary effects of passive (Yin) and active (Yang) postures. Yin yoga is a slow, deep practice that increases your flexibility by stretching and stimulating the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. Postures are held for up to a few minutes to encourage a deepening of awareness and sensation in the body. Yang yoga is a dynamic practice that focuses on the muscles and builds energy and heat in the body to create strength and endurance. Together this practice cultivates a balance between decisive effort and surrender, movement and stillness and inner will and contemplation. This class is suitable for all levels.

Yoga Clinic (formerly Mysore) – Self-directed practice in a supervised setting to fine-tune your experience of ashtanga, hatha, pranayama or bandha work. Develop your flow and your concentration and experience the benefits of private coaching in the supportive energy of a small group. Practice sheets are provided.

Yoga Geeks - A yogic playground for practitioners who want and maybe "need" a challenging class. Arrive at the edge of your practice by diving into long lasting creative sequences and transitions. Together we will explore advanced inversions and arm balances interwoven with playful vinyasa and deep exploration of meditative and philosophical practices of yoga. This is a time for fun, asking questions and participating in open discussions.

Yoga Grooves - Yoga Grooves is accompanied by a LIVE tabla player.

"Rocket" Vinyasa - This vibrant routine is called the "Rocket" because, "it gets you there faster." The Rocket is designed to wake up the nervous system and feed it the precious prana it craves while promoting a spirit of change and freedom in the practice.

Zen Stretch Moving Meditation is a perfect blending of Eastern and Western theories of health and Fitness. It draws from Yoga, Qigong, Pilates, and western kinesiology. It is composed of a series of 81 isometric muscular contraction combined with deep diaphragmatic breathing. Its design is to rebalance the Mind, Breath, and body.

Freedom Fridays - This is a musically choreographed class, using yoga asana (postures), pranayama (breath), meditation and other movement arts to prepare the body for expressive and soulful dance. The class will reach a crescendo in movement and rhythm and will then wind down, in similar fashion to the wind up, providing appropriate recovery and a descent into peaceful stillness.

For the price of a drop-in class, and accompanied by music from all over the world, you will be challenged, learn about yourself, heal, laugh, sing, dance and find moments of pure bliss, as only freedom can provide. All levels of yoga and dance are welcome.
$17 + gst OR use one of your pre-paid Yoga Sanctuary class passes!

Private Lessons:
In Class Private - In the comfort of the hands of a certified Yoga Sanctuary teacher, you will be guided in each and every movement during a class. The student is in a regular drop-in yoga class with a private teacher who stands beside them during the whole class giving them personal attention.
Private Class is a one-on-one class with a certified Yoga Sanctuary teacher. These 1-on-1 sessions allows the student to explore specific areas of interest such as alignment in asanas, philosophy, chanting, etc. Open to small groups. In Studio

Corporate Classes - Why not offer the many benefits of yoga to your equally stressed-out colleagues? The Yoga Sanctuary will send a certified yoga teacher to your workplace.

Yoga to Go - We bring yoga to you at your home, office or desired location. For more information please e-mail or phone us at either location. Maximum of 4 people per class.

Yoga Training Intensives – For advanced practitioners and yoga instructors, we offer weekend, 4 day, and 1 week intensives at both locations.

Evolving Spirit ~ Learning How To Guide ~ A Hatha Vinyasa Teacher Training our esteemed 16 weekend, 250 hour yoga teacher certification program at our College location.

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