Class
Descriptions
Introductory Courses:
(for beginners)*pre-registered
These course are designed for students new
to Pilates or Yoga. They are run in 6 week sessions and offer a
comfortable environment for students to become familiar with these
practices and learn proper techniques. Each week builds upon the
last with the goal of preparing students to comfortably drop-in
to regularly scheduled classes and to continue develping their own
practice.
Click HERE for current Introductory
Course Schedule!
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Hatha Yoga
At Santosha we use the term Hatha Yoga
to describe classes in which traditional Hatha poses or asana's
and breathing exercises (pranayama) are taught in each class. The
emphasis is on working deeper into the asana to your own ability
through principals of alignment, breathe and awareness. Poses are
sequenced by the teacher to open the body in a progressive and safe
way.
Levels in Hatha Yoga
All Levels
Both beginning and intermediate
students can attend as the teacher will work with the students at
their level and provide modifications to poses, assisting the student
to improve their personal practice.
Level 1
This level is for students who are
already familiar with the basic postures and who should have practised
for six months or longer. The teacher will introduce more advanced
asanas and variations on the basics, challenging the student to
go deeper into their practice.
Level 2
Breath awareness, alignment and
compassion feature prominently in these classes. Designed for the
seasoned yogi.
Hot Yoga (Mon & Fri with Ichih
5:45pm, Thurs with Danielle at 4pm Westboro)
Hot Yoga is a detoxifying practice
in an intentionally heated room. Expect to perspire! Hot yoga is
an ideal practice for flushing the body of toxins, increasing flexibility
and building core strength. Hot Yoga is a pre-set sequence of asanas,
which allows for the practioner to observe their progress over time
in a systematic way. All postures can be modified to suit the individual.
This series is a cardiovascular workout that strengthens, tones,
and stretches the muscles while calming the mind and reducing stress.
Regular practice helps improve concentration, balance, endurance
and alleviates fatigue. *Be sure to bring a water bottle
and personal towel to all hot yoga classes!
Power Vinyasa (with David S. Saturdays
8:45am Westboro)
A vigorous and flowing Hatha routine
with focus on alignment, core strength, flexibility and breath.
Posture flow is not set like Ashtanga in that each power class will
be different. These classes can explore various forms of Hatha Yoga
including Anusara, Ashtanga, Jiva Mukti, Kripalu and Sivananda.
Kripalu Yoga Flow (with Eileen Mondays
9:30am Centretown)
Kripalu yoga is known as "the
yoga of compassion". This moving meditation reduces stress
while developing balance, endurance, strength and flexibility. Mindfulness
is emphasized. Suitable for all levels of experience. Students are
encouraged to practice at their own comfort level. Options are offered
to lessen or increase challenge.
Shanti Yoga (with Anne Fridays 8:15am & Saturdays 4pm
Westboro)
"Infinite time and no ambition";
based on the work of Vanda Scaravelli, Shanti Yoga is a process
of reverent awareness, making strong connection with the earth,
following the natural breath and allowing the body to release it's
own wisdom. Unlearn habitual tension and feel fully alive in an
unhurried approach to yoga. This gentle, deep practice is also influenced
by Sensory Awareness, Feldenkrais, Trager and BodyMind Centering.
Vinyasa Flow (with Lucy - Sundays 11:15am
Westboro)
During this practice, you will experience
an array of postures, that blend into each other, creating a flow
of body movement and breath to help focus your mind and to feel
the grace and power of vinyasa style yoga. Expect a vigorous, yet
healthy pace.
Yin Yoga - (with Ichih Tuesdays 7:35pm and
Sundays 9:15 Centretown)
Yin Yoga is a quiet meditative practice
in which seated poses are held for several minutes to allow the
student to move deeply with awareness and long smooth breathing
into the asana. The Yin approach is very grounding and stimulates
the flow of "Chi" through the meridians of the body.
Yin Yoga and Mediation
This Yin class ends with 15 to 25
minutes of seated meditation.
Levels in Ashtanga Yoga
All Levels
This class will accomodate students
at all levels of experience, except the absolute beginner. Each
class will draw from the Primary Series of Ashtanga postures. Teachers
will offer modifications and variations where possible so that all
students may develop their own personal practice.
Level 1
The Primary Series will be the focus
of these classes with additional poses to support students in the
deepening of their practice. Emphasis on avoiding injury allows
students to progress safely and time is taken to explore the practice
in more detail. A moderately paced class.
Level 2
A fast paced, dynamic and challenging
class for the more experienced Ashtanga practitioner. The second
series is frequently explored and
occasional work into the third series.
Mysore
It is in Mysore India that Sri K. Pattabhi
Jois has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of Ashtanga
Vinyasa Yoga. The term "Mysore" is used to describe this
method of practice where students go at their own pace under the
guidance of a teacher.
Students may start or finish anytime during
the class. The instructor gives individual guidance to the students,
and assistance in mastering specific asana's in the primary or second
series. Students of all abilities are welcome to attend - a print
out of the Ashtanga series is available to take into the class with
you for reference. Work at your own pace and reap the benefits of
a guided self-practice!
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PRE-NATAL YOGA
This class is for women in all stages of
pregnancy. Yoga postures which are particularly beneficial for a
more relaxed pregnancy and birth are taught. No previous yoga experience
is actually required for this class and all expectant mothers are
welcome.
BABY & ME
Parents can bring infants four weeks old
to crawling for a fun pilates or yoga class.
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PILATES
The Pilates classes offered at Santosha
Yoga Westboro will take you through a level appropriate series of
the original Pilates Mat Work. We will guide you in understanding
the proper form and technique of the Pilates Method which will help
you to achieve a stronger more flexible body and gain a richer sense
of body awareness. Our focus is to help you attain your best level
of physical fitness.
Pilates consists of a series of precise,
rhythmic, fluid movements achieved through a harmony of breath,
concentration and control. It is a comprehensive method of physical
and mental conditioning developed in the 1920s by German fitness
pioneer, Joseph H. Pilates.
The main focus is maintaining strength
and stability from your "core" postural muscles including
lower back and abdominals. Each exercise involves your whole body
to improve your strength and flexibility from the inside out.
The technique will correct imbalances resulting
from faulty movement patterns and bad posture, making Pilates ideal
for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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RUNNERS YOGA
Benefits :: STRENGTH,
FLEXIBILITY, INJURY PREVENTION, INCREASED LUNG CAPACITY,
Take care of your hard working body with this mindful, gentle practise.
Visualize flow, technique and full-body connection. Strengthen core
muscles, find relaxation and release, stretch, prevent overuse,
excessive tension and injury in this class specially designed for
runners. Anne Pitman is a runner, ChiRunning enthusiast, a certified
yoga teacher in the scaravelli method and has a masters in Psychogy.
*Pre-registration required
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POWERFUL WOMAN BOOTCAMP (new
times! 7am mon, wed, fri.9am tues & thurs)
Boot Camp is for you! Open
to women of all ages and all levels of fitness who:
:: Want to their take your level of fitness
higher.
:: Are ready to make a commitment to healthy living but don't know
where to start
:: Are looking for motivation from an energizing group and a kick-butt
coach
Powerful Women Boot Camp is coached by Donna Davis, certified yoga
and fitness instructor, founder of Movement To Health: http://www.movementtohealth.com
The goal of the program is to educate and
motivate women to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. To this end the
program incorporates 45-minutes of strength-building yoga with your
kick-butt coach. You will also sign a contract, committing yourself
to healthy nutrition for the four weeks (the Oreos will keep until
next month). We discuss meal-planning, shopping guidelines, and
goal planning; all to help you burn fat, gain muscle and have more
energy! The dynamic group interaction acts as a catalyst to inspire
you and keep you on track.
2007 Bootcamps - See "Workshops"
for current Bootcamp schedules and cost
*Register Early as classes sell out fast!
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SATSANG/KIRTAN
Satsang is a gathering of the yoga community.
We sit in silent meditation, practice kirtan, and engage in an open
discussion about some aspect of the spiritual path. On occasion,
there will be selected reading or special talk about yoga.
Kirtan is call and response chanting, generally
in the tradition of, but not limited to, WAH!, Krishna Das, and
Jai Uttal. The setting is informal, and anyone is welcome to lead.
Please bring your favorite chant and instrument. Feel free to arrive
late or leave early.
*Check Website for upcoming Satsang/Kirtan
Events
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