If you have any questions about our classes please contact us at amsayogasc@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Yoga
All Levels Yoga is a treat for all! All Levels classes are faster in pace than our gentle Yoga classes. They combine standing, seated, inverted and twisting postures into a flowing sequence that links the breath with movement. Pose variations and modifications are offered for more or less of a challenge.
Anyone can attend but it is advised for beginners to start with some basic classes first. Be prepared to smile and feel good!
Basic Yoga: If you are new to Yoga or just want to take your practice back to the basics our Basic Vinyasa classes are open to all!
Basic Yoga is a great class for those who are new to the practice of yoga or for those who want something a little more challenging than our Gentle Yoga classes. This class focuses on breath and healthy posture alignment. Class includes yoga breathing techniques (pranayama), foundational philosophy, and basic sequences designed to strengthen and open the body.
Deep Stretch Yoga moves at a deliciously slow pace with a focus on the breath that allows you to work out your kinks, knots and deeply held tensions. This class combines the therapeutic aspects of longer held seated postures with the strengthening aspects of basic standing postures, as well as relaxation, breathing techniques and meditation. Standing postures help support our bodies and longer held seated postures help open our bodies, promoting mobility and healing. Remaining in postures with a focus on the breath and basic alignment principles allows you to penetrate deep beneath the surface of your body encouraging the release of both physical and mental tension.
This class is perfect for beginners and experienced Yogis alike. A wonderful way to begin or end the week!
Dynamic Flow Yoga focuses on linking breath with dynamic standing, seated, twisting, and balance postures in a flowing style. This powerful class creates space for transformation - integrating alignment, fluidity and meditation with a focus on mindful breathing. Balancing poses, inversions, backbends, hip-openers, arm balances and shoulder openers will be introduced and gently approached with a sense of playfulness, humor and compassion. This is an intermediate class but we welcome all fit practitioners who have basic knowledge of standing postures. It is advised for beginners to start with some basic or gentle classes first. Pose variations and modifications are offered for more or less of a challenge. A wonderful way to build greater strength and ease in body, mind and spirit!
Basic knowledge of Yoga postures is required. Not for beginners.
A delightful workout for the body and mind. Be prepared to smile, have fun and grow!
Gentle Yoga/Gentle Vinyasa Yoga teaches the basic principles of Hatha yoga, including alignment and breathing, in a safe and nurturing environment. This class is suitable for those with little or no previous yoga experience as well as those who enjoy a slower paced, quieter and therapeutic yoga class. Students focus on deep relaxation and breath work, at a slower pace while increasing flexibility through gentle stretches, and strength, stamina, and balance through standing Yoga postures.
A great place to start for beginners but all levels are welcome.
Guided Meditation: Yoga without meditation is like driving a car with no steering wheel. Deepen your asana (yoga postures) practice by cultivating a meditation practice.
These sessions focus on:
1) Pranayama (breath control) techniques that calm the mind and body for meditation
2) Guided meditations (both seated and reclining)
3) Silent seated meditation
These practices will help you cultivate a daily meditation practice and bring mindfulness to your yoga practice.
The meditations are based on Vipassana (or Insight) Meditation. Vipassana is also known as "the practice of clear seeing" (self-transformation through self-observation). Vipassana meditation is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques.
The perfect way to end your weekend and ease into the week ahead.
Hot Vinyasa Yoga explores the asanas (postures) within a heated space (depending on the
time of the year and how many students, the temperature is typically about 90 degrees). This vinyasa style (linking breath with movement)
class allows the student to discover his/her own limitations at a slower
pace, designed to invigorate and detoxify the body while sharpening the
mental focus and rejuvenating the spirit. You will sweat, so we suggest
bringing your own mat and towel (we provide both if needed).
Please be sure to hydrate prior to coming to class!
Not for absolute beginners. Knowledge of basic yoga postures is strongly recommended.
Mindful Flow Yoga: Mindfulness is the miracle by which we understand and restore ourselves. Come spend an hour discovering the beautiful flowing presence within yourself by moving through a fluid practice of postures, breathing and meditation.
Wonderful for all levels!
Peaceful Flow Yoga: Slow down in your day and enjoy it! This deliciously slower paced vinyasa class allows time to peacefully go deeper and really explore the posture and the moment. With an emphasis on linking breath with movement, mindfulness is cultivated which allows us to absorb the richness of the moment rather than moving through the motions.
Great for all levels!
Relax and Restore Yoga: Imagine yourself lying in a relaxed position, nurtured and supported by bolsters and blankets with a soothing, calm voice guiding you to a state of relaxation. There is nowhere else to be, nothing else to do. You experience a slowing of the mind and thoughts and realign with joy and peace. This is the Yoga of undoing, of letting go, and of surrender. In this practice, the nervous system is gently reminded to relax. Other benefits include slower heart rate, improved circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduced muscle tension. "Relax and Restore Yoga" includes the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra (guided conscious relaxation). Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) is the safest and most effective way to manage stress, relieve pain, regain and maintain health, and attain peace of mind. This class is appropriate for all levels and ages.
Restorative Yoga: Restorative poses help relieve the effects of chronic stress. Restorative Yoga supports the body with props to remove physical strain, and alternately stimulate and soothe the body to move it towards balance. Restorative poses have a particular ability to leave us feeling nourished and well-rested. This type of yoga practice offers benefits to both the body and mind, for conditions including insomnia, asthma, chronic pain, migraines, and depression.
This class will bring your whole body into a deeply relaxed state and will allow your mind to become calm and reflective, offering us the opportunity to rest in the present moment and appreciate the simple sweetness of life. Good stuff!
Strengthening Flow Yoga: If you wish to develop toned physical and spirtual muscles while aligning with the moment, Strengthening Flow is for you. With a focus on remaining aware of the importance of breath and core strength this fun and challenging practice promotes strength, endurance and suppleness. There is ongoing encouragement to find an interior steadiness in the face of external effort. Strengthening Flow Yoga is inspired by traditional Ashtanga yoga but also allows room for variations, experimentation, and time to explore what it takes to build a strong, flexible body, and a clear, peaceful mind. Intermediate to advanced postures are introduced. The class also develops a relationship of meditative awareness between the body and mind to help you experience a deeper level of yourself.
Not for beginners. Basic knowledge of Yoga postures is required.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga focuses on linking breath with dynamic standing, seated, twisting, and balance postures in a flowing style. Each class creates space for transformation - integrating alignment, fluidity and meditation with a focus on the breath. Inversions, balancing poses, backbends, hip-openers, and shoulder openers will be introduced and gently approached with a sense of playfulness, humor and compassion. All levels are welcome but it is advised for beginners to start with some basic classes first. Pose variations and modifications are offered for more or less of a challenge.
A delightful workout for the body and mind!
Basic knowledge of Yoga postures is required.
Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. Yin postures are seated postures that help rejuvenate and recondition these tissues and are held one to five minutes at a time. It is the perfect compliment to the more active styles of yoga. Many consider it to be the original form of asana practice. Yin Yoga helps everyone from the most tight to the most flexible student reach new depths in postures, by opening up the rarely activated parts of the body. This deep practice is gentle, yet intense, helping students not only to open the body, but also to cultivate the ability to observe and stay with the sensation.
Come experience this slower, deeper class, not only as a balance to your other yoga or exercise, but also as a balance to the rest of your life!
All levels are welcome.
Yin and Flow Yoga will boost your mind, body, and spirit. It is a beautiful blend of seated Yin Yoga postures designed to open the body's deeper tissues (improving flexibility and greater range of motion in the joints) and standing Yoga postures designed to build strength, balance and fluidity.
All levels are welcome but but it is advised for beginners to start with some basic classes first.
Yoga For Women Cancer Survivors (Free) Led by Pamela Meriwether, E-RYT. This gentle yoga class is created for women with breast cancer and other cancers. They are designed to provide students with relaxation, inspiration and bonding. Each class includes breathing exercises, slow stretches, healing yoga sequences, restorative yoga and balancing work that is appropriate for women during and after treatment.
Sponsored by The Libby Ross Foundation
www.thelibbyrossfoundation.com
Pamela's Featured Pose:
"Reclining Twist With a Bolster"
Setting up: Use a bolster or stack of blankets. Sit on the floor and position your right hip next to the bolster. Extend your legs to the left with both knees bent. Place your right hand on the floor beside the bolster. Take a breath to lengthen your spine, and place your left hand on the opposite side of the bolster. With your chest facing straight out over the bolster, take several breaths to slowly lower your torso onto the bolster. If your neck will allow it, turn your neck in the opposite direction your knees are facing and rest your head on a blanket at the end of the bolster. If your neck is not comfortable with this amount of twisting, turn and place the right side of your head on the blanket. Relax both arms on the floor along side of the bolster.
Staying in the pose: Relax your neck, shoulders and back, feeling tension release between your shoulder blades. With every exhalation, continue to release into the twist and settle into the bolster. Breathe full, gentle breaths. Stay here for a minute and a half.
Exiting the pose: Move more slowly than usual as you carefully press through both hands on the floor to lift your body up. Pause for a few breaths before switching to the other side.
Benefits: This posture stimulates the digestive system, which is an important part of the overall immune system. It stretches the muscles between the ribs, which enhances breathing, another benefit for the immune system. It relaxes the muscles along the back and sides of the body, helping to relieve stress stored in these areas.
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Photography by Rick Smoak, Green Moon Studios
