Core is a dynamic vinyasa practice focusing on accessing and activating the core muscles of the entire torso: front, back, sides, all-around. Often thought of as just the abdominals, the core is more accurately comprised of the spinal column, forming an axis around which the body organizes itself.

This class applies principles of toning and engaging the core to fluid movement, providing the body with stability and strength, as well as flexibility and mobility—the union of opposites that defines yoga.

Short on time? Low on energy? Less is more in this brief but effective practice that gets straight to the point without sacrificing quality over quantity. In just 30 minutes, Quick Core targets the abdominals, obliques, back muscles, even throwing in isometric strength and endurance training with the arms and legs. Open to all levels, perfect as a stand-alone practice or complimentary to other movement regimens.

"The core is what's left when everything else is stripped away. When we feel naked and raw, simple and radiant. Whether in the midst of sheer brilliance or unfathomable anguish, our core connects us to something deep within the truth of who we are, the very essence of our being.
It may feel like a vulnerable place, but it is also a place of incredible strength and endurance. When the ground beneath our feet begins to quake and the world around us starts to fall, the core is there—still and untouched." —Nicole Lindstrom

Knowing your core is the starting point of who you are, and this class provides ample opportunity to get in touch with your center through challenging postures and sequences. Allow yourself the space to tune in, listen, ask, pursue, contemplate, and persevere.

This dynamic class adequately prepares the shoulders, wrists, core, and hips leading up to crow, flying splits, and flying pigeon.

Arm balances are among the most invigorating, yet intimidating, of yoga postures. Biomechanically, arm balances connect the upper body with the lower body via the core and are the epitome of yoga in action—uniting the oppositions of strength/flexibility, stability/buoyancy, and effort/relaxation into one. When performed safely, intelligently, efficiently, the benefits of arm balances are many, but most of all, they are fun!

This slow-moving flow targets the oft-tense hips via supine, prone, seated, and standing hip-openers that lubricate and liberate the joints for more space and ease.

As work and lifestyle mandates most of us to sit stationary for long periods of time, the hips accumulate tension and stress, thereby impeding creative flow. Hip openers help to bring stability in the hips while stretching the hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteus maximus, adductors and abductors. Do this practice in of itself, or use as warm up or cool down in conjunction with vigorous movement.

In Vinyasa, postures flow seamlessly from one to the other in continuous, dynamic movement linked by the breath. Vinyasa Krama refers to a sequential, step-by-step progression towards a chosen goal. The objective of this practice is to work towards Hanumanasana — full split — while playfully moving mandala-like around the mat to shift perspective.

Named after Hanuman, the monkey god presiding over the 3rd chakra (the seat of personal power located at the solar plexus), Hanumanasana/full split is a posture emblematic of bravery and courage, requiring not only flexibility in the hips and hamstrings, but core strength. Through fluid movement unfolding like a dance, we address all the elements required to execute the posture with grace and ease.

"Grace emerges in the ebb and flow, not just the flow. The waning reveals a different blessing than the waxing." -Rob Brezsny

This vinyasa practice delves into the energetic implications of the moon by cycling through its changing shapes: from the crescent moon's seed of potential, to the growing illumination of the half, to the brilliance of the full and back. Without imposing judgment, this practice invites gentle curiosity. Where are you in the great cycle of your existence?

It seems we all need healing, inside and out. We often discount rest and the simplicity of being in favor of activity, productivity, doing. To rest is to un-do, unwind, unravel the accumulated tensions of our physical, mental, and emotional selves. Yoga Therapy encourages you to slow down, identify your personal imbalances, catalyze the process of healing from the inside out. Yoga Therapy is but one tool of self-care. Let's prioritize self-care in these unsettling times so as to be ultimately present in the world.

Mobility refers to how the body moves on a daily basis. Having proper mobility means the ability to sit, stand, walk, run, and perform functional tasks with ease and quality. This class approaches the human body from a broad, holistic perspective, combining practices from diverse movement disciplines—yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, strength training, dance, physiotherapy—so as to bring students to a greater understanding of their bodies and themselves. All levels are encouraged to participate with an open mind, let go, play, have fun!