ATTENDING YOGA CLASSES AT THE YOGA CENTER RENO:
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not restrict your breath. Avoid eating a large meal immediately prior to class, a light snack or piece of fruit is fine. As a courtesy to other students please turn off cell phones, or if you are on call please set to vibrate. Please do not wear perfume or scented lotions. Props, blankets, and mats are provided or you may bring your own. Our facility is wheelchair accessible with ADA bathrooms. See Accessibility for more information.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
YOGA AND FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT is informed by various yoga traditions and movement modalities, including the alignment-based style of Iyengar yoga, the flowing, breath-linked style of Vini yoga, pilates, somatics and feldenkrais. The first half of these classes often start on the floor with gentle flowing movements and long-held stretches and self massage to lubricate and warm joints and tissues in preparation for the second half of the practice which is gently active. Taught slowly, methodically and with precise instruction, these classes provide a friendly and meditative environment for students to develop mobility, agility, strength and stability, and to deepen their awareness of body, mind, and breath. Props such as belts, blocks, straps, blankets, and chairs are often utilized in creative ways. Meditation and breath-work practices are often included. These classes are appropriate for students of all ages, abilities and bodies.
WHOLE IN ONE YOGA Whole in One Yoga introduces a balanced blend of breath awareness, classical and restorative poses intended to release stress, improve functional movement and balance. It is offered in a safe and supported environment. No two bodies are alike, this is yoga for everybody. All ages, body types, and fitness levels are welcome. These classes are suitable for those living with chronic illness, recovering from cancer, trauma, or injury. All levels.
YOGA FOR HEALTHY AGING A gentle yoga class designed for older adults. Each practice will include a short sequence of asanas, (physical poses and exercises), breath-work, and meditation designed to support older students in building and maintaining muscle and bone strength; increasing flexibility; improving balance and agility; cultivating mental focus; and supporting peace of heart and mind. These classes reflect the instructor’s fascination with anatomy and bio-mechanics and her commitment to teaching movement that is accessible, functional, compassionate, and sustainable. Please note: Students who would like to attend this class should feel comfortable getting down to and then back up off of the floor safely.
MINDFUL AND GENTLE YOGA: Mindful and Gentle Yoga is a slow and gentle class focused on the physical alignment of the poses for a healthy and safe practice. Class can vary from slow and mindful sun salutations with instruction to a sequence of standing and sitting poses in either a flow or a workshop style class. Poses are intended to improve strength, flexibility, and balance helping us on our journey through life with anti-aging and fall prevention. Moving through the poses with mindfulness of body and mindfulness of breath can also often lead us to a better understanding ourselves.
GENTLE YOGA FLOW: Join Francisca for this Gentle Yoga Practice. Connect to your breath, focus on mindful movement and physical alignment to ease stress and tension. This practice is easy on the wrists and beneficial for the spine and hips. Each class will include Dharma (a sense of purpose in your life path), a brief breathwork practice, a slow flow, and a guided meditation into rest. This full body slow flow is great for all levels and will leave you feeling peaceful and grounded. Come create a little warmth within, find more space in your body and breath, and be soothed by self-compassion through meditative movement.
GENTLE CHAIR YOGA Experience the benefits of a yoga practice without having to get onto the floor. By incorporating gentle movement, breathing exercises and meditation techniques you will build strength and flexibility as well as calm the mind. Perfect for those with limited mobility due to injury, surgery recovery, arthritis, etc. No yoga experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
REST + RESTORE Restorative Yoga is a slower practice where we hold comfortable + supported postures with props between 5-10 minutes each. Each pose will feel truly blissful. This practice is about deepening in, letting go, and coming back to the present moment with breath + mindfulness.
YOGA FOR ARTHRITIS: This class is for people living with arthritis or similar symptoms of pain and stiffness. It draws from a variety of styles to best address the specific needs of people with arthritis. It is based on a program created by Dr. Steffany Moonaz, PHD, a leading expert on yoga for arthritis. Students are encouraged to listen to their own body and respond to its needs, which can vary from day to day. This is not just a modified yoga class with props; it also combines information about diet, meditation and physical activity to support students with the healing aspects and full benefits of a complete yoga practice. A goal of this class is to help students move past the point of joint discomfort to get the benefit of a pose and to feel confident in creating their own home practice.
YOGA WITH DAVID classes are a mindful journey of movement and the breath that guides that movement. During the class we will explore the balance between stretching and strengthening, mobility and stability. Instruction is detailed and precise, making space for students to experience the interplay of mind, body and breath . Movement sequences are fun and creative with variations offered to support our practice on and off the mat. These classes are for everyone, every age, every body.
MIDTOWN MEDITATION GROUP Enjoy 25 minutes of silence in the middle of your day. Each session begins with a short reading followed by a 25-minute silent meditation. This group is free and open to the public. No prior meditation experience is necessary.
YIN YOGA AND MYOFASCIAL RELEASE WITH LEE ANN MAYNARD Slow down, unwind and release tension in this slow and deep practice designed to guide you through Yin Yoga Poses to increase your sense of flexibility and openness. Postures are passive and held for longer periods of time to penetrate deep into the connective tissues to release tension and open up meridians (energy channels in the body). It is a contemplative practice that trains the body and mind to become more open and aware in a relaxed way. No yoga experience necessary.
YIN YOGA WITH GINGER PEPPARD Suitable for almost all students. Yin Yoga is a quiet, thoughtful practice that involves supporting the body with props and relaxing into poses for longer periods of time (generally 3-5 mins). This practice targets the connective tissues, bones and joints through the stillness of long held postures. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, it can help increase or restore mobility, provides space to turn inwards and activates the parasympathetic (rest/relax) nervous system. While initially this style of yoga can seem passive or not challenging enough, you will soon feel the deep mental and physical “stretch” that a Yin practice can provide. This quiet, meditative style of yoga is the perfect compliment to the more dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that focus on the lengthening and contracting of our muscles.
This class incorporates yin yoga, pranayama, myofascial release and meditation. Occasionally, short gentle “yang” style flows are incorporated to to bring balance to the practice.
Most yin yoga poses are seated or laying down, non-weight bearing and suitable for almost every fitness level. Yin Yoga is a functional form of yoga, that focuses on how each pose feels to each student, there is really no right or wrong way to hold a pose. All people are welcome no matter their diverse level of yoga experience, body type, age, race, disability, gender identify, race, sexual orientation or religion/belief system.
YOGA FOR SCLERODERMA This class is based on the program Kathy Randolph developed for people with Scleroderma, but will be appropriate for those seeking to improve mobility limited by other conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. This gentle practice can be done seated in a chair, so will be excellent for persons who use wheelchairs.
YOGA FOR THE SPECIAL CHILD® is designed specifically to benefit children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities and other developmental delays. During the sessions, children will learn a step-by-step integrated system of yoga poses designed to increase cognitive and motor skills. They will also learn specialized breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity. Pre-registration required. **All Yoga for the Special Child classes are inclusive, for children who are typically developing and those with a diagnosis of a special need.