Class Descriptions

All of our classes combine precision of alignment with flow and mindful awareness, integrating body, breath, mind and heart.

The teachers at Yoga Garden are some of the most seasoned in the Bay Area, all have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience (most have been teaching for over a decade) and draw on a rich background of training in various lineages within both the yoga and buddhist traditions.

Our classes reflect the reality that some days we feel like beginners even with years of experience and other days the sky is the limit. All teachers are skilled at offering variations of practices to adapt to the needs of each individual. Morning classes are dynamic and energizing; late afternoon/early evening classes begin with dynamic movement to engage the body and mind and release the residue of the day, ending with more quiet postures and breathing practices; the later evening classes are slow and deep — they ease the transition from the busyness of daily life to a more inward focus.

Level 1 & 1-2
A great place to start ~ emphasizing the foundations of posture, breath and mindfulness and establishing a healthy mind/body connection.

Level 2
For continuing students; all aspects of level 1, Sun Salutes, and for those who want to deepen their practice.

Level 1-3
An integration of breath, alignment and mindful flow, this class is for all levels with variations of postures offered throughout so that you can adapt to your own particular needs and energy level.

Level 2-3
For students with prior experience, more challenging postures and sequences while maintaining the same mindful awareness as in other classes.

Yoga & Meditation
An integration of Yoga and mindfulness meditation. Janice weaves teachings from both yoga and buddhism into these classes, which end with 15 minutes of meditation.

Community Class
Take a break in the day to revitalize! These classes are for all levels and offered to the community at a discounted rate. A great refresher in the midst of a busy day. Mon/Weds/Friday 12:30-1:45pm, $12.

Gentle Yoga
Slow down and nourish yourself. This class emphasizes breath flow, inner awareness and deep relaxation, cultivating body-mind-spirit integration in a safe and nurturing way.

Rest and Renew
This is an opportunity to relax deeply ~ nourishing postures and breathing practices to replenish and return to balance.

Slow Flow
Slow, deep and mindful. A meditation in motion that invites you to cultivate a steadiness of mind as you go deep into the physical and subtle/energetic body. Emphasizes the integration of inner and outer, breath and body, mind and heart. Variations of postures given so you can challenge your edge or take it down a notch. M/W 9:30am

Align & Refine
Align the outer body and refine within. Integrates precision of alignment, nourishing breath work and practices for quieting the mind. Patricia brings a wealth of knowledge to this class from her 25+ years of practice and training. Fri 9:30am

Teen Yoga
A wonderful class to reduce stress and cultivate a healthy mind/body relationship ~ fun, too!

Kids Yoga
Through yoga postures, movement, breathing practices and self-relaxation techniques, this class allows children a safe environment for self-discovery, self-expression, and to learn tools for self-regulation. Tammie is an OT and experienced at working with special needs. Kids benefit from yoga in many ways ~ increased balance and flexibility, they learn to focus better and to improve body awareness in a playful environment. Tuesdays at Yoga Garden. Pre-registration required; contact Tammie Winter to register or for more information go to www.theyogaspectrum.com or by phone (808) 778-5817.
 
*Special Class Series

Introduction to Yoga Series with Ford Peck Thursdays 7:30-8:30;
A great place to start. Learn the foundations of alignment, breath and mindful awareness.
Four week series; March 25, April 1, 8, 15 & May 6, 13, 22, 29. $60/series

Radiant Heart Qigong with Teja Bell Mondays 6-7:15;
Strengthen and stabilize your meditation practice for genuine insight, clarity and enhanced well-being. Instruction and practice of Qigong, integrating meditation practice and Taoist Yoga practices.
Six week series; March 22- April 26, weekly. $108 for series/ $20 drop-in.
In-depth Studies with Patricia Sullivan Tuesdays 11:30-1:30;
For experienced students and teachers.
Come experience the ways in which Yoga and Buddhist meditation open the door of awakening to the truth of interconnectedness and our natural wish to be of benefit to those around us and the world.  Both practices challenge us to face difficulties with equanimity (grace), to develop resilience and to respond to the moment with kindness and appropriate action.  The primary practice will be deepening sensitivity in the yoga asanas, including active, restorative, and yin yoga as well as basic pranayama in some of the classes.  Each class will end with meditation instructions and about a 15 minute meditation. For more on patricia go to www.patriciasullivanyoga.com
Two four week series: April 6, 13, 20 and May 4 & June 8, 15, 22, and 29. $120 /per four week series.

Chakras Series with Lynn Weinberger in her Sunday morning classes at 11:00am, beginning April 25th.
In this series of eight classes (one for each chakra) we will learn how to integrate this ancient system of energy transformation into our yoga practices. We will see how each chakra relates to different physical conditions, emotions, and states of mind, and, through the use of asana, pranayama, and mental imaging, bring it into balance.

A portion of the proceeds from all these classes will go to the eco san project of the Sukhashiddi Foundation. This project is working on bringing fresh water and sanitation to the villagers of Bodh Gaya, India, the location of Buddha’s Enlightenment. This is an opportunity to link your yoga practice with generosity in supporting a wonderful project. There will also be an auction and a donation basket for those who wish to donate more. you do not need to attend the entire series to benefit from the classes.

Although one is encouraged to attend the entire series, each class does stand alone, and it will be possible to attend one or several classes for both personal benefit and to partake in the fund raiser. $120 for the series, a % of the proceeds will go to eco san project of the Sukhasiddi Foundation.

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