Yoga + Meditation: Current Offerings

Class Descriptions

YIN YOGA

Yin is a slower-paced form of yoga designed to target the deep connective tissues of the body. A typical Yin class consists of a series of passive floor poses held for up to 5 minutes or more that mainly work the lower part of the body, including the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, and lower spine.

Different Yin asanas stimulate and remove blockages within the myofascial meridians of the body, which in turn balances the body’s internal organs and systems. Deep stretches allow the body to relax and the tissues to release and detoxify. On an energetic level, Yin improves energy by enhancing the flow of chi in the organs.

RESTORATIVE YOGA

Restorative Yoga is a relaxed and slower-paced form of yoga, with whole sequences consisting of five or six postures in total. Props are often used to provide the body with support and comfort. Students are encouraged to relax deeply into each posture using as little physical effort as possible. The mind focuses on the breath in order to cultivate mindfulness and release physical tension from the body.

Restorative yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows heart rate, regulates blood pressure, and relaxes the body. As such, this practice is particularly beneficial for those suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other stress-related conditions. Restorative yoga is also believed to boost the immune system and accelerate the body’s natural healing process.

YOGA NIDRA

Yoga Nidra is a practice that facilitates deep physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Although it is a form of meditation, Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down. The practitioner is guided to naturally withdraw the mind from an active thinking state into increasingly subtle levels of information within. Those who have struggled to sit still or quiet their wandering mind during a meditation practice may find Yoga Nidra to be more accessible in nature.

As the body becomes still and the mind becomes increasingly quiet, the true, effortless “work” of Yoga Nidra unfolds. This deeply healing practice allows for the release of physical tension and emotional trauma, as well as for the discovery of inner peace. Often referred to as “sleep with trace awareness,” one hour of Yoga Nidra has been shown to be as restful as four hours of restful sleep. For these reasons and more, Yoga Nidra has been utilized to treat a wide variety of conditions, ranging from trauma and PTSD to depression, anxiety, and insomnia.