Aerial Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series

Anusara Yoga

Balance Poses

Chakra Clearing

Community Yoga Class

Deep Stretch

Dynamic Flow

Flowing with Alignment

Kids Yoga

Postnatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga

Principles of Alignment

Restorative Yoga

Stretch & Restore

Tango for Yogis

Qigong -T'ai Chi: Sphere

Vinyasa Flow

Yin Yoga

Yoga Over 50

Weekend Specials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hatha Yoga is the physical practice of yoga. The Sanskrit word 'yoga' means to link, or join together. Linking the deliberate movement of the body to the deliberate movement of the breath is what constitutes Hatha Yoga. Out of this very basic idea has emerged a variety of yoga styles, all distinctly different in form and taught at different levels of experience. Some styles adhere to tradition, focusing on technique and precision, others are more creative and eclectic. In Sanskrit, the word Hatha also means "ha / tha" or "sun / moon". The asana practice is intended to balance these opposites by stretching tight areas, strengthening weak areas, and finding equilibrium between right brain and left brain, masculine and feminine, active and passive qualities. All yoga classes taught here are a form of Hatha Yoga.

Level 1: (Beginning): Continuing Beginner.
Level 1-2: (Intermediate): Physically challenging
introduction

to more advanced poses.
Level 2-3: (Advanced): For the experienced student
looking

to deepen their practice.

Level 1-3: (Mixed levels): All of the above!

Aerial Yoga (a session class) will suspend you in the air and elongate your spine. Freeing up physical compression for healthier joint mobilization, this new art from will also develop upper body and tremendous core strength. This class is the perfect solution for those students yearning for something different to explore. After completing the Level 1 class the Level 2 is required before attending the Level 2-3 playful practice class.

Anusara Yoga: (a session class) was developed by master yogi John Friend with the unique approach of following your heart and flowing with grace. Anusara Yoga embraces the human spirit and joyfully blends this with the science of biomechanics. The Anusara Yoga system integrates the celebration of the heart, universal principles of alignment, (energy loops and spirals) and balanced energetic action into the performance of asanas. Click here for an indepth description of each Anusara class.

Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series is derived from the Yoga Sutras, the teachings of ancient Indian sage Patanjali. The asanas are taught in a form known as Vinyasa , which links the poses in a precise, flowing sequence designed to strengthen, align, and purify the entire body and mind. Vinyasa synchronizes the breath to the movement, enabling the practitioner to develop concentration, endurance, flexibility, balance, and clarity. We focus on the Primary Series as taught by Shri K. Pattahbi Jois.


Intro to Ashtanga 1: This class is designed for the student interested in, and new to the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series. The sun salutations and standing postures are taught.

Ashtanga 1-2: Students are guided through the sun salutations, standing and
seated postures, stopping at navasana and ending with the closing postures.

Ashtanga 2+: Students are introduced to the full primary series by taking the time to break down new poses.

Ashtanga 2-3: Students are guided through the full primary series

Balance Poses is designed to help practitioners hone their balancing skills (as we get older we lose them), play with gravity-awareness and empower the upper body. Through introducing the fundamentals, the 'how to's of balancing on your feet , your hands, and your head, the student develops a more complete relationship to his/her body as well as what it can achieve when shown the required techniques. With emphasis on the method, equanimity and balance can also permeate ones life outside the yoga room. One year of practice required.

Chakra Clearing will take you through assanas, the breath, visualization and meditation to help clear the body, mind and spirit of that which no longer serves you. Helping to reclaim the balance between body and mind, this class will guide you through purifying the seven major energy chanels, calming and releasing one from attachment of the mind. Appropriate for all levels.

The Community Class is offered the 1st Sunday of every month and is FREE to the public. All Community Classes will explore the fundamentals of Yoga. We believe that providing yoga is a community service. Offering these classes for free is an expression of KarmaYoga, our desire for individual calm, and world peace. Click here for the Community Class Calendar.

Deep Stretch is different from most traditional classes in that we don't explore any standing postures. Remaining close to the floor allows you to penetrate deep beneath the surface of your body. Through twisting and stretching you can unlock and release enormous amounts of tension. Relaxing into the realm of your hips and shoulders, you can immerse your attention and heighten your level of awareness. Appropriate for all levels.

Dynamic Flow challenges your ability to let go of everything you think you know about yoga and test your ability to "go with the flow". Perfect for the dancer or athlete in you, each class is a newly choreographed, creative sequence of poses linked with the breath. Due to the spontaneous nature of a Dynamic Flow and it’s continuous movement of energy, students are asked to work intelligently and within their limitations.The course of a class will introduce students to more intricate ways of sequencing and linking of the poses, with basic hand balance poses and inversions added to accentuate stillness.

Flowing with Alignment is influenced by Anusara yoga. It will encourage you to explore the harmony between proper alignment, the breath and synchronized movement.

Intro to Yoga will provide the student with a clear and simple overview of yogic philosophy, breath work and movement. This is the perfect class for setting a strong foundation for your future practice...or to just get a taste of what yoga is all about!

Kids Yoga 4-8yrs, (a session class) is a light hearted class where children learn yoga games, breathing techniques, postures, and relaxation tools, all in a playful environment. Drawing, story telling and visualization add to the fun. We offer an adult class at the same time so that moms and dads can practice too!

 

Postnatal Yoga (a session class) is a joyful gathering of new mothers with their infants. Designed to help the mom get back into her body and regain her core strength, these baby friendly classes focus on postures that help restore alignment and tone, providing relief from lifting, carrying and nursing. The Postnatal class is a supportive community for new moms and babies three weeks to crawling. Students may enter an existing session at any time.

Prenatal Yoga (a session class) will focus on postures that are appropriate for pregnant women with an emphasis on breathing, relaxation, and muscle toning. Have the best possible pregnancy and delivery by learning to stretch and strengthen the body, focus and relax the mind, control breathing and develop awareness. Best of all meet a lovely community of pregnant women in your neighborhood! Yoga is a wonderful way to bond with your baby while he/she is in the womb. It also helps you to deal with all the changes happening to your body; this class will help you build the strength necessary during pre and post natal months as well as during labor. Practicing yoga will also keep your body agile and help you recover more quickly after the birth. The Prenatal Yoga class is a great way to bond with other moms, relax, daydream and honor the life growing within you and yourself. Due to the nature of the Prenatal student, starting and ending your session of classes, at any time, is allowed. 

Principles of Alignment is influenced by Anusara yoga, integrating the celebration of the heart, universal principles of alignment, (energy loops and spirals) and balanced energetic action into the performance of asanas.

Restorative Yoga uses bolsters and blankets to hold you in position so that you can relax completely. It is this utter surrender of all effort that unlocks the body's built-in healing energy. This technique releases tight muscles, relieves pain, and tones internal organs. It also strengthens the immune system and quiets the mind. Restorative Yoga is profoundly relaxing and an excellent antidote to stress.

Stretch & Restore is designed to help heal the effects of chronic stress due to our fast pace and busy lives. Classes will focus on a series of gentle floor stretches followed by restorative poses using bolsters, straps, and blankets. Special attention will be placed on alignment, and relaxation, through proper use of the breath.

Tango for Yogis will introduce you to the Argentine Tango while studying the intersection of this beautiful dance and yoga.  Dancing the tango develops a deep awareness of balanced energy as you partner with your heart, the music and another person.  You will learn the technique of the dance and the qualities that make the dance come alive:  sensitivity, deep listening and bold, committed movement.  The Argentine Tango is wildly and passionately joyful, so please come alone or with a partner. Please bring a pair of socks to help assist with swiveling!

Qigong and T'ai-Chi Sphere:

Qigong is a general Chinese term for any art that cultivates Qi (pronounced "chee"): personal life energy. There are literally thousands of forms of Qigong, with medical, martial, physical or spiritual intent, but all are designed to improve the flow and balance of energy in the body, and improve the health and function of internal organs and the mind. Qigong is one of the main methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, moxibustion, herbalism, and massage. Qigong exercises may be practiced by individuals to improve their own health (known as "internal" qigong), or by a Qigong Therapist to heal someone else (known as "external" qigong, Qi Healing, or Qigong Therapy). In this course, we will study a several qigong sets, including Fragrance Qigong (Xiang Gong), Rising Lotus Medical Qigong, etc.

Taiji Sphere is a series of simple moves and short sets that match the elegance and spherical action of Taiji empty-hand forms. Taiji Sphere conditions the muscles, strengthens the torso, teaches the mind to move the Qi, and develops suppleness, circularity, smoothness, and sensitivity: an excellent foundation for further study of Taiji (T'ai-Chi). Once a major training tool to enhance pushing hands (interactive) ability, it is rarely taught in modern times. The first Taiji sphere was made in the Ming Dynasty (pre-1644) of tiger-skin jade. We will start with ordinary inflatable rubber or plastic balls about 7-8 inches in diameter, obtainable at Ali Cat in Carrboro or any grocery store, and try other types as our skill and experience progress.

Vinyasa Flow : Moving with each breath, Vinyasa Yoga builds endurance through choreographed sequences similar to traditional Sun Salutations. Sequences are designed to warm up the body and typically move from basic postures to more intermediate and advanced movements. Students should know the fundamentals of alignment as the emphasis of a Vinyasa practice is to let your energy flow in celebration of each movement.

Yin Yoga focuses on long, slow floor postures that target the hips, thighs,
lower spine and the meridians that run through them (similar to the effects of acu-
puncture). One practices Yin poses with the knowledge that you are reaching into the connective tissues of your body - a place that requires patience to open. Dense, fibrous tissue becomes longer and stronger, renewing the body's structure and integrity. Yin offers a wonderful compliment to more "Yang" styles of yoga such as Ashtanga and Vinyasa. This class will also introduce the foundations of mindfulness training. This quiet and contemplative form of yoga prepares the practitioner for deeper meditative practices.

Yoga Over 50 meets the needs of students physically limited by age, emotionallyapprehensive, or simply wanting to move a bit slower. All ages are welcome. Similar to an Intro class, students will practice learning the fundamentals of the posture with an emphasis on alignment, breathing techniques, and relaxation.

Weekend Specials are mini-workshops taught by Triangle Yoga teachers and are always held Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Specials are approxiametley 2 hours long. Pre-pay is recommended; the drop in fee is $5 more. You can sign up on the clipboard outside the sun room and pre-pay in the office.