New to BTY? Try our New Student Special
New to BTY? Try our New Student Special
These classes are for beginners and everyone who is interested in reviewing the essential elements of a yoga practice. These classes focus on the shapes of the postures, principles of alignment, utilizing the breath, lines of energy, and the language of the practice. These classes do not have a flow-based component with the exception of traditional sun salutations. Recommended props: block(s), strap.
YOGA BASICS
This is the best class for those new to yoga. In a comfortable environment, this class will introduce the fundamentals of a yoga practice, including breath, proper alignment, and mindfulness practices. This class is useful for those trying to work around injuries. Many long time students take Basics classes regularly because the pace of the class offers time for students to develop self awareness and refine their practice.
GENTLE YOGA
This class combines a series of postures with gentle, slow paced paced moments. Students will be able to move with a sense of ease from one posture to another, coordinated with the breath. This softer pace will allow you to be more present with each posture. Designed to create space to explore your practice, to find the play between strength, stretch and flexibility, stability and ease, and to gain greater understanding of alignment and balance in the body.
Flow-based classes tie breath to movement between individual postures. Focus will be on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching through a creative series of postures in constant motion. In order to thrive in a flow based class, your body should be healthy and free of injury and you should have a strong understanding of the individual postures. Recommended props: block(s), strap.
BHAKTI VINYASA
Bhakti is the yoga of the heart, the path of loving relationship with the Divine in whatever form we understand it. This class incorporates traditional elements of bhakti yoga like storytelling, kīrtan(call/response chanting), and the mudras and movements of classical Indian dance into an uplifting, heartfelt vinyasa practice. Class begins with a short story about the Hindu deities and the dharmic teachings we can learn from them. These themes are then woven into our āsana practice, integrating heart, mind, and body. You’ll be serenaded in śavāsana, and the practice concludes with kīrtan—joining our voices in sacred chant.
CANDLELIGHT FLOW & MEDITATION
Flow yoga is a series of postures that flow seamlessly, one into the next. Designed as a moving meditation, each Candlelight Flow class is unique. We’ll explore the ease of strength, tensile flexibility, balancing within precarious scenarios and being present both in movement and in stillness.
FLOW
Flow Yoga is the entry level class for all dynamic flow based classes at Breathe. This class is recommended for those whose bodies are free from injury and who have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of alignment within individual poses before embarking upon connecting one posture to another through breath and movement. Through sun salutations and working our way toward approachable apex postures, emphasis will be placed on ways of establishing steadiness, ease, moving energy, and efficient use of the breath. Moving from one posture to another, often to music, this class is designed to relieve stress and connect yoga students with the authentic self in a way that brings more ease and vitality to every day.
FLOW WITH SOUND BATH
This dynamic flow focuses on connecting breath with movement, helping to build strength, flexibility, and balance. The class will gradually warm you up with a series of flowing sequences, and at the end, you’ll get to relax into a soothing 10 minute sound bath with crystal bowls, which will leave you feeling deeply calm and centered. It’s a perfect blend of movement and relaxation.
GENTLE FLOW
Gentle Flow combines a series of postures, where with a gentler, lighter paced flow, students will be able to move with a sense of ease from one posture to another, coordinated with the breath. This softer pace will allow you to be more present with each posture. Designed to create space to explore your practice, to find the play between strength, stretch and flexibility, stability and ease, and to gain greater understanding of alignment and balance in the body.
MANDALA VINYASA
Vinyasa means “to place in a special way,” while mandala means “circle” or “essence.” Like origami—the Japanese art of folding—the body moves progressively, breath by breath, toward one or more apex postures, much like a conscious walk up an unexplored mountain path. We will weave together historically early yoga asana, contemporary expressions of movement, and supportive props (wheels, weights, blocks, and straps). Counter postures then unfold the body, leading into a short seated practice. There may be some chanting. This class is designed for practitioners with an understanding of internal alignment and flow, and for those who love a breath-centered adventure.
POWER VINYASA
This is a vigorous vinyasa flow class set to contemporary music. Open, cleanse, and energize through a series of postures systematically designed to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. We utilize controlled breathing, bandhas, and focused gaze to bring forth calm and stable states of concentration as we challenge ourselves within and between postures. Options to modify provided for all levels of practice.
VINYASA
Vinyasa yoga is a series of postures, one flowing seamlessly into the next, uniting body, mind, and breath. Designed as a moving meditation, every Vinyasa class is unique, creating the opportunity to become stronger, more flexible, and balanced, while practicing being present to the moment. If you are new to Vinyasa Yoga, trying a Flow class first is helpful, but not required. Some classes may be heated. Please check the schedule.
VINYASA & MEDITATION
“Vinyasa & Meditation” emphasizes embodied mindfulness. Using the tools of somatics, sun salutations, traditional yoga postures, and functional movements, students are encouraged to connect to strength, freedom, and fluidity in the body. While this class is dynamic, options for increasing and decreasing intensity are given throughout the class, and the use of props is encouraged. Expect a well-rounded practice with moments of grounding, as well as moments of adventure. We close each practice with seated meditation to cultivate inner stillness and spaciousness.
HOT TAPAS
Tapas means the discipline of steady practice. Each season of the year has a special series of postures dedicated to it. The postures that are chosen for each season address traditional Indian medicine or the wisdom of Ayurveda, as well as the Chinese meridians that run along the body, so that you can be empowered to care for your health. Students who practice the four different Tapas series throughout the year have reported greater internal stability, a stronger immune system, better circulation and higher energy levels. At Breathe Together Yoga, this series is practiced in a heated room, but it is not necessary to receive its benefits.
PILATES WITH WEIGHTS
A dynamic Pilates mat class incorporating a ball, resistance bands, and light weights to build strength, improve stability, and increase mobility. Expect mindful movement, core-focused sequences, and full-body toning that supports better posture, balance, and overall body awareness in an energizing, accessible flow. Students are welcome to bring their own bangle bands. Weights available are 2-8 pounds.
YOGA SCULPT
Yoga Sculpt combines basic yoga poses with low impact strength training exercises using weights, elastic bands and other props to enhance its effectiveness. This practice will move students through a variety of functional and simple exercises with the purpose of building strength and endurance.
FULL LED PRIMARY – ALL LEVELS
A dynamic, flowing vinyasa practice, the Ashtanga Primary Series is the foundation for many modern flow, power, and vinyasa style classes. The series is a set sequence that starts with sun salutations and standing postures to build internal heat and strength, and moves on to an increasingly deeper set of forward folds and hip openers that are linked together through active vinyasa. The finishing postures of backbends and inversions serve to integrate this intense, purifying practice. Strong attention is given to the connection of breath and movement. On new and full moon days, there will be NO Ashtanga practice at Breathe Together. Please check the live schedule before attending.
MYSORE
The traditional method for practicing the Ashtanga Vinyasa method, Mysore is a self-led form of practice. To the new comer, the practice may feel disjointed and chaotic, but after a period of assimilation, a meditative flow guides one’s practice. In a Mysore class, you develop a close relationship with your teacher, your breath, and your bodymind. You will be given postures one at a time, and be asked to ‘learn’ the series before moving on to more complex poses. The aim is to build a progressive, safe, and sustainable practice that facilitates continuous awakening from patterns and habits. If you are new to vinyasa-based yoga, expect a vigorous, dynamic practice. On new and full moon days, there will be NO Ashtanga practice at Breathe Together. Please check the live schedule before attending.
AERIAL BASICS
There are probably as many definitions of aerial yoga as there are people who practice it. In an aerial yoga practice, the hammock plays a number of roles – support for gentle backbends, forward folds, and inversions, wrapping the limbs to provide tactile feedback, and perhaps most lovely of all, taking the body’s weight to provide traction that helps us open the joints and lengthen the spine. We can ground deeply into its instability to find a deeper centering and stillness, or we can gently sway with it to loosen tight places and increase lubrication in the joints. This class will offer something to students of all levels, offering options in the poses that allow each individual to tailor the practice to suit their needs. We will focus on developing strength in the arms, legs, and core; integrating breath and movement; and finding and challenging our balance. Mats are required for aerial yoga.
AERIAL YOGA
This aerial yoga class will move forward from material covered in Aerial Basics. All are welcome, but students who attend are encouraged to have a working knowledge of basic Aerial inversions. This class will use the hammocks to build core strength, balance, and focus, and also to have fun! Mats are required for aerial yoga.
AERIAL YOGA – LOW HAMMOCK
In this class, the low hammock is used to support the body while building strength, improving mobility, and creating space. We’ll explore a range of shapes and transitions, including supported inversions and gentle spinal decompression, using the hammock to both assist and challenge the body. This is an active practice that balances strength, stretch, and stability while supporting joint health, circulation, and body awareness. The practice may help release tension, build endurance, and support myofascial release. Suitable for students new to aerial as well as those looking to deepen their practice. Mats are required for aerial yoga.
CANDLELIGHT AERIAL YIN
The goal of an aerial yin class is no different than that of a mat yin class. We use extended holds and meditative breath to move energy through the body and facilitate deep relaxation and mindfulness. A relaxed and nourishing practice designed to cultivate deep meditative calm. This class will feature simple breathwork, gentle aerial asana in the low hammocks, and an extended bodyscan/savasana. In aerial yin, the hammock plays a number of roles to support the practice. Most straightforwardly, the hammock can be used as a support for gentle backbends, forward folds, and inversions. It can also wrap the limbs to provide tactile feedback that supports proprioception. We can ground deeply into its instability to find a deeper centering and stillness, or we can gently sway with it to loosen tight places and increase lubrication in the joints. Yin Yoga is a practice that benefits from a generous use of props, and the aerial hammocks may be the ultimate yoga prop. Mats are required for aerial yoga.
GENTLE AERIAL
This high hammock class moves gently through the aerial repertoire, gradually building strength and flexibility. Meeting each student where they are, this is an opportunity for everyone to find the level of challenge best suited to their practice. The focus will be on moving with and within the fabric, finding ease in the air, and finding a new perspective on familiar asana.
These classes are designed to alleviate physical and emotional stress, and intelligently address how we work with injuries and/or chronic physical conditions. Life requires self-care. These classes are for all levels of practice. Please inform your teacher of any injury, pain, or chronic conditions prior to class. Recommended props: blanket(s), block(s), strap, bolster.
CANDLELIGHT SOUND BATH, MEDITATION, & GENTLE MOVEMENT
Join us to relax, release, and reground your mind, body, heart, and soul. This class begins with guided meditation, followed by gentle and restorative mat movements to ease tension and restore balance. We’ll close with a candlelit sound bath featuring Crystal Tones bowls, ocean drums, gongs from around the world, and whimsical chimes—then ground with a sweet piece of chocolate before you go. All levels and all body types are welcome. Props: Bolster, strap, blanket, sand bag, bands, and blocks. Prop alternatives: Block – books or a shoebox; strap – tie or belt; weight – soup cans; bolster – a pillow.
GENTLE YOGA & NEUROGENIC TREMORING
Join Joanne for this gentle yoga class to bring awareness and grounding into your practice followed by neurogenic tremoring (inspired by the TREs). We will explore grounding postures to stretch the tissues to prepare for the movement of energy. We’ll finish the practice with the tremoring to release deep held tension and stress, as well as bringing the nervous system back into rhythm. You will be guided through a body scan meditation during final rest. This is an all levels class and is suitable for just about anyone.
PRENATAL YOGA
This class will reduce your fears and replace them with a wealth of support, confidence in your changing body and camaraderie with other pregnant women. Start as soon as your healthcare provider gives the thumbs up! You will learn a multitude of techniques to reduce fatigue, nausea, ligament pain, including specific breathing techniques to use during labor and delivery. The prenatal yoga postures are adapted to everyone’s level of experience and stage of pregnancy. Included is a discussion of resources which include doula support, prenatal massage, prenatal nutrition, and prenatal acupuncture. You are invited to stay after class to ask your instructor questions. If you have questions before you register, you are encouraged to contact your teacher. This class is for pregnant women only, and our 5-minute late policy applies.
RESTORATIVE
In this class, students will experience exploring the relaxing benefits of restorative yoga. Restorative yoga allows the body to slow down into a rest and recovery state, offers the body a way to decompress, and offers a type of rest that is distinct from sleep. The use of props allows for longer, more comfortable holds so the body can rest by slowing down the systems in the body including heart rate and blood pressure as well as gently stretching the fascia and other deeper, connective tissues to release tension caused by stress and anxiety. This yin practice helps enhance the immune or “rest and recovery” systems, balance the nervous system, increase flexibility, while allowing the practice of stilling the mind.
STRETCH & RESTORE
This gentle and restorative class will help you de-stress, unwind, let go of daily distractions, and be more at peace when you leave. There will be some stretching, light movement, and breathwork to help relieve tension or tightness in the body. This will help prepare the participant for holding a meditative state for extended periods in sitting or supine poses (laying on floor). Light ambient music will help deepen the experience. Props are encouraged to help the body release (ie, mat, blocks, blankets, strap, etc). This class is great for beginners as well as seasoned practitioners.
THERAPEUTIC YOGA
Therapeutic Yoga is a carefully designed collection of restorative yoga, gentle yoga, breathwork, guided meditation, and hands-on healing techniques, perfect for working with injury, illness, stress, and/or anxiety, integrated with essential oils that help nourish and relax the body. All kinds of body issues, including cancer and chronic conditions, are welcome.
YIN YOGA
A meditative, healing practice using passive, long-held floor poses. Yin yoga bypasses the muscles and allows you to nourish and strengthen the deeper tissues. Connective tissues, fascia, joints, ligaments, and bones receive gentle, low load stress. The poses are held between 2-5 minutes and the muscles stay passive in order to pass the stress on to the deeper tissues. Each Yin pose is an opportunity to go inward and find an appropriate balance of effort and ease. It is a wonderful complement to an active (Yang) practice and a much needed tool for anyone who needs to unwind a tight body, mind, or heart. Yin is suitable for all levels, including beginners.
Often referred to as meditation in motion, Energetic Arts incorporate tai chi and qigong, an entirely distinct modality that compliments a traditional yoga practice. Easy on the joints, these practices are designed to harmonize the internal organs and energetic systems.
DAOIST YOGA
Daoist yoga is the exercise branch of the broad, but very practical, system of Chinese self-care called yangsheng, literally “nourishing life.” The postures and exercises of Daoist Yoga focus on improving your natural integration by utilizing principles such as yin and yang, the five phases, and animal mimicry. In Daoist Yoga, you gently contract, stretch, and massage the muscles and channels of the limbs and torso, reliably creating a state of ease and flow. The secular practices of Daoist Yoga have been popular for so many thousands of years that they form an essential part of the foundation of qigong and Chinese gongfu, including “external” systems rooted in Shaolin, as well as “internal” systems such as taiji. Echoes of these seemingly magically effective practices can also be seen in religious rituals, meditative alchemy, and modern psychotherapy. The goal of each practice session is to help you bring about a state of natural balance through rediscovering and enhancing the networks of well-being that sit below the surface quietly waiting for your attention.
QIGONG
Learn how to maintain and increase your own vitality, relaxation, and sense of flow with this simple but profound class. Each class will integrate gentle movements and postures that stretch and strengthen your entire body. In qigong we not only target the physical body but also our “qi- energy” to bring a unique sense of well-being to the body, mind, and emotions. Each morning you will have a chance to learn simple and effective qigong sequences that energize, cleanse, and harmonize your body’s internal organs and energetic systems. Qigong offers a very gentle, yet potent method of bringing health to the joints, organs, glands, and nervous system. Because qigong has developed in the secular context for centuries, it is well adapted for the average person, easy to practice, and has countless health benefits.
TAIJI
Taiji was originally developed in ancient China for self defense, and has evolved into what is sometimes referred to as meditation in motion. Working from a deep understanding of the integration of body, breath, and mind, students will learn and practice a Taiji form. These series of movements will be slow and rhythmic, helping to develop balance, strength and flexibility. Although the art of Taiji has much skill and depth it can be easily learned and will quickly deliver its many benefits. Prepare to feel energized and peaceful.
YOGA FUSION
Yoga Fusion addresses the elements of our human being; the mental, emotional, energetic and physical being. Practices will be used from both Taoist and Indian yoga traditions and will include Hatha Yoga poses and breathing, Qi Gong, Taiji Quan postures, self-massage, yoga philosophy and meditation. The practice will take a holistic approach that involves building awareness of the various levels of our being (mental, emotional, bio-energetic, and physical). The goal is to build an actual skill set that will allow us to become self-empowered in managing our own holistic health. We will be actively working to transform our relationship to our body and our minds. Recommended props: a yoga mat.
MEDITATION AND AWARENESS PRACTICE
This free class provides simple and effective breath and meditation practices to release mental, emotional, and physical tension. Each week we will address a different form of meditation, all of which will support and cultivate our capacity to be healthy, calm, aware, and fully present. ***Free Class.
YOGA NIDRA
Come experience a deep rest practice to end your day and rejuvenate for the week! In it’s most basic definition, Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation that allows you to scan the body to move you into a state of relaxed consciousness where the brain settles in a space between wakefulness and sleep. Yoga Nidra helps to draw the senses inward so that your mind can come to a deeper restful state. Yoga Nidra can be practiced in a savasana shape where you are lying down and resting with the aid of props or it can be taken in a comfortable seated position. Since this will be practiced online only, please grab the props and items that would make you the most comfortable. There will be time for contemplation and journaling at the end of practice, so please feel free to bring your journal/notebook or sketchpad.