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Class Descriptions

Yoga 1
Introduces new and continuing students to the fundamental principles of alignment and breath in the basic standing poses. Emphasis will be on opening and strengthening the shoulders, back and legs.

Yoga 1 Plus
For the student who has completed Yoga 1 or has prior Yoga experience, but prefers the pace of a Yoga 1 class. This class will explore, in greater depth, the standing poses and alignment principles. It’s more than Yoga 1 and less than Yoga 1-2.

Yoga 1 Plus & Meditation
For the student who has completed Yoga 1 or has prior Yoga experience, and is ready to refine the alignment principles with an emphasis on standing poses. This class will include seated meditation.

Yoga 1-2
For continuing students who have completed Yoga 1 or who have prior Yoga experience. Emphasis will be on refining the basic standing poses while building endurance and strength and introducing Yoga 2 poses and variations.

Yoga 1-2 Plus
For students who have completed Yoga 1-2. This class will emphasize building endurance and introducing Yoga 2 poses. Preparations for inverted poses (headstand, plow, and shoulderstand) will be introduced. It's more than Yoga 1-2 and less than Yoga 2.

Yoga 1 - 2 and Meditation
Cultivate strength, stability and ease in a yoga practice that leads into introductory breathing practices and seated meditation.

Yoga 2
For students who have completed Yoga 1-2 or have prior Yoga experience. Emphasis on refining Yoga 2 poses and variations and introducing revolved and seated poses. Preparations for inversions may be presented.

Yoga 2-3
Yoga 2-3 is for intermediate students who have completed Yoga 2. It will focus on deepening the practice through further exploration of revolved standing poses, twists, inversions, backbends and arm balances.

Yoga Flow
A flowing sequence of specific asanas coordinated with the movements of the breath. To ensure safety and a great experience, we will also focus on alignment. Yoga Flow's strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence we will follow so come ready to move, work up a sweat and have fun! Pre-requisite: Completed one session of Yoga 1-2.

Therapeutic Yoga
This class is appropriately paced for those students with injuries and other health challenges, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, MS, and chronic lower back and neck issues. Working within the framework of each student's limitations, poses will be modified on an individual basis.

Chair Yoga:
For anyone who has ever hesitated to try yoga because of the challenge of getting down onto the floor or doing standing poses. Now a chair becomes your mat. Just about any pose that can be done standing, sitting, or lying on a mat can be adapted to sitting on a chair. Everyone, beginner to advanced, is accommodated, as each pose will be presented in multiple levels of flexibility. The class will include breathing, meditation, stretching, strengthening and a lot of fun – all while sitting on a chair!

EXTRA Gentle Yoga
Ease into your practice with this class. Combines warm-ups, gentle and restorative postures, yogic breathing and guided, deep relaxation to reduce stress and increase movement and vitality. Less vigorous than Gentle Yoga. EXTRA Gentle Yoga is ideal for students experiencing illness, injury or chronic pain.

Gentle Yoga
This level 1 class specializes in using props to gently challenge the ability of students to their maximum potential. Gentle yoga provides a slower paced class, emphasizing yogic breathing and stress reduction. Poses are modified to enhance each student's experience of increasing body awareness, flexibility and strength. Suitable for students desiring a less vigorous class and for those with health challenges.

Gentle Yoga / Yoga 1
A less vigorous approach to Yoga I using warm-ups, preparatory poses, modified poses, and props to help students learn the primary Yoga I poses and yoga basics. Focuses on standing poses, shoulder openers, and yogic breathing. Appropriate for beginning and continuing students including those experiencing or recovering from illness or injury, and for pregnant women with some yoga experience.

Pregnancy Yoga
Prepare for childbirth and motherhood with gentle, safe yoga for moms to-be. Classes will be tailored to your individual needs and stage of pregnancy. Moms with high-risk conditions should check with their doctors before taking this class.

Pre-K Family Yoga: (Ages 2-5 yrs)
For ages 2-5 with younger sibling (age 6 weeks-4 years). Yoga class designed with a young family in mind. The yoga practice includes preschool focused poses, songs and games but will allow a younger child to participate right along with big brother or sister. Great family bonding time. Parent/ guardian involvement is required, however, no yoga experience is required.

Pre-School Yoga (2 - 4 years)
Combines unique toddler-friendly yoga poses with songs and stories. Foster your child's curiosity, improve motor skills and increase attention span by actively participating in Yoga poses. Enjoy parent/child bonding time. Parents also get to do a little yoga, but no yoga experience is required.

Children's Yoga (Ages 5 - 10 years)
This class is on summer break and will resume in the Fall.

Yoga for Teens
This class is on summer break and will resume in the Fall.

Deaf Yoga
A continuing introductory course in yoga that is done fully in ASL for the deaf and hard of hearing. Learn the basics of yoga, including the fundamentals of proper alignment and breathing. This course is done with lively interaction between the instructors and students.

Yoga and Abs
In this class we will connect to our core and apply the workings of the abs to our Yoga Poses. Connecting to the core we will find not only strength but a sense of empowerment, lightness and ease in our Yoga. Discover the difference for yourself! It's "abs"olutely f"ab"ulous!!! Prerequisite: Completion of Yoga 1.

Iron Girl Yoga
Are you signed up for Columbia Iron Girl 2013? Join the Iron Girl fever and begin your new year training routine with a six week , one hour yoga class designed to open chronically tight areas prevalent among athletes, and strengthen core muscles. No prior yoga experience necessary.

Yoga For Runners:
Yoga for Runners utilizes various yoga poses and stretches designed to increase agility, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. Weekly anatomical focus includes: hamstrings, calves, core and lower back. Great for athletes looking to incorporate stretching and strength into a running program. Suitable for all levels of yoga.

Yin / Yang Yoga:
This class combines an active yang practice of sun salutations to warm up the muscles building strength and endurance, with a yin practice focusing on supported longer holds with props to increase range of motion. Balance your sun and moon energy in this active and gentle practice.

Yogalates:
A combination of the best of the two regimes of Yoga and Pilates. Utilize the strength, flexibility and breathwork of Yoga 1 poses with the core strength and posture perfecting moves of Pilates.

Pilates 1
Improve postural problems, increase core strength, prevent injury, create strong muscles, refine coordination and balance through body awareness, while also building functional strength and endurance. Pilates I thoroughly covers the basic mat work series of this whole body workout system created by Joseph Pilates.

Pilates 1-2
This class builds on and refines the movements learned in Level I while improving alignment and adding in a greater variety of exercises. Students who have taken a beginner Level I Pilates class (at The Yoga Center or elsewhere) are welcome.

Pilates 2
The Level 2 class includes the complete intermediate level Pilates mat work series and then some. This smoothly flowing workout will increasingly challenge and develop the participants' concentration, strength, range of motion and stamina.

Pilates With Props:
Will add a wealth of new exercises to your regimen. Spice up your routine by learning to use bands, discs, bars, balls and more! All props will be provided for you during class. New props introduced each week. Beginner Pilates students are also welcome.

Core & Stretch 1
Combining multiple traditions, this class will work your abs and back through movement and stabilization exercises for the ultimate in posture, powerhouse toning and core strength in a quick format. The majority of the class will be flexibility exercises for the whole body from various practices including focus on postural muscles, functional fitness, stress and pain relief.

Core & Stretch 2
This class further develops abdominal and back muscles in a quick and challenging format. The flexibility portion takes deeper stretches with static hold, active isolated stretching, PNF stretching and more to expand upon both active and passive range of motion, to support sports and an active lifestyle and to optimize motor performance.

Medical Longevity Qigong
Rooted in Chinese tradition, Qigong is a series of gentle movements synchronized with breathing that promotes energy movement through the body. It is the foundation for Tai Chi and provides gentle movements that improve health and well-being.

Women's Qigong 1
A beautiful and graceful Chinese health exercise that opens the body's energy flow. This complete program of empowered self-care blends ancient Chinese and Tibetan techniques that address specific health issues unique to women, while honoring her feminine form.

Women's Qigong 2
For women who have completed Women's Qigong 1: we will enhance and heighten the form. In particular, by blending our individual voices during Tibetan Sound Healing. New material will be shared for deepening and refining energy.

Foundations of Meditation:
This class is on summer break and will resume in the Fall.

Fundamentals of Zen:
This class is on summer break and will resume in the Fall.

White Plum Zen Community:
Ongoing Zen practice for advancing students who have completed both the Foundations of Meditation Course & Fundamentals of Zen Class (or its equivalent). This is a whole-hearted gathering of experienced students dedicated to practices of awakening who wish to continue in community with others as formal students of this Zen Practice Community.
Pre-requisite: Foundations of Meditation and instructor permission.

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Classes
Yoga 1
Yoga 1 Plus
Yoga 1 Plus & Meditation
Yoga 1-2
Yoga 1-2 Plus
Yoga 1-2 and Meditation
Yoga 2
Yoga 2-3
Yoga Flow
Therapeutic Yoga
Chair Yoga
EXTRA Gentle Yoga
Gentle Yoga
Gentle Yoga/Yoga 1
Pregnancy Yoga
Pre-K Family Yoga
Baby & Me
Pre-School Yoga
Children's Yoga
Yoga for Teens
Deaf Yoga
Yoga and Abs
Iron Girl Yoga
Yoga For Runners
Yin / Yang Yoga:
Yogalates:
Pilates 1
Pilates 1-2
Pilates 2
Pilates With Props
Core & Stretch 1
Core & Stretch 2
Medical Longevity Qigong
Women's Qigong 1
Women's Qigong 2
Foundations of Meditation
Fundamentals of Zen
White Plum Zen Community