yoga classes

What to expect when you come to a class...

We provide mats and all the props you may need, you are welcome to bring your own mat. If you use our mat, please clean the mat at the end of class - cloths and natural cleaner is provided.

• Arrive at class at least 5 minutes early, the door is locked 10 minutes after class begins.
• No pagers or cell phones that make noise.
• No perfume that may trigger allergic reactions.
• Be considerate of the other students and respect the quiet atmosphere in the centre.
• Wear comfortable clean clothing, no buckles, belts or loose shorts.
  
• THIS PAGE HAS INFORMATION ABOUT YOGA CLASSES, PRIVATE LESSONS AND HATHA YOGA
  

class descriptions

All of our classes start with breathing and work through postures in a specific sequence. Classes are different every week and no two classes are alike. Every class ends with relaxation (savasana) and 3 OM. If you are uncertain which level of class you would like to attend or would like to start attending a different level of class please contact Tara.

absolute beginners / yoga gently
Wonderful for people looking for relaxation or who are living with chronic disease, injury, pain, extra weight, or who have never done yoga.

breathing for stress and anxiety
Gentle movement and breathing practice class to reduce stress and learn to breathe in a supportive and healthy way. Proper breathing can heal the body, balance your mind and ease stress daily movement. Discover inner peace and equanimity.

beginning yoga
Hatha yoga for people who have never done yoga before, or students who enjoy the class as a rejuvenating experience. Beginning classes give clear and complete instructions for each pose, as well as benefits and risks. All levels of students can benefit from a beginning level class.

intermediate yoga
Hatha yoga for people wanting more challenge than the beginner classes offer. Explore the postures and their many variations while building concentration and knowledge. Intermediate classes begin practicing deeper backbends, sequential asana and upside down poses.

intermediate flow yoga
Building on a intermediate level sequences and postures, adding more fluid movement through the asana and a quicker pace for a high energy and lively class. This class focuses on sequential postures while keeping the principles of breathing, grounding and elongation of the spine paramount.

advanced yoga
Hatha yoga that challenges the mind and body. The advanced classes work with more active sequences, backbends and inversions. Students are encouraged to work at their own level, previous knowledge of yoga required, flexibility and strength will come with practice.

kundalini yoga
More info coming soon...

Iyengar yoga
More info coming soon...

pregnancy
This is a class designed for beginners but all are welcome. As your pregnancy moves along it is nice to have a class just for you, designed to prepare for birth with movement, breath and sound and allow time to enjoy the many changes of pregnancy. Address discomforts of pregnancy, learn postures, breathing and sound techniques for birth.

mum and babe yoga
Bring your little one with you! We recommend attending after your baby it at least 6 - 8 weeks old. This class will get you moving slowly, ease the stress in your body and allow you to feed, change or attend to your little one as needed. This class is an adventure from week to week.

vipassana meditation
A practice time for concentration and reflection. Our sunday morning meditation includes a 15 minute sit, 10 minute walking meditation, ending with a 15 minute sit and closing chant of OM. Led by tara

kids yoga
Kids yoga is a fun and challenging class for children 6 - 10. 45 minutes to breathe, stretch and centre.

yoga for seniors
Safe, gentle and relaxing yoga for seniors (65 plus).  Yoga can improve your strength, flexibility,
mobility and balance at this time in your life. Breathing practices, poses and a time for relaxation every week. And for those who need a little more support, instruction for chair yoga is provided. Discover a renewed sense of energy and joy in movement and breath!

private lessons

What is a private yoga lesson?

A one to one lesson involves more assistance and focus on your questions or need.
We expect students to arrive with curiosity and interest.
All private lessons will be held at the centre, we do not come to your home.
One hour lessons are the minimum - we prefer at least 1.5 hours if possible to give reasonable time for questions and practice.

A private yoga lesson is appropriate if you...

~ have a special need, illness, or injury that limits your ability to participate in group classes.
~ have a specific question or concern about a practice you are uncertain of, or need clarification on.
~ are wanting to take your practice deeper in any direction....poses (asana) breath work (pranayama) or meditation.

We reserve the right to refuse a private lesson if we do not feel it is appropriate.
We encourage participation in group classes whenever possible and wish to be selective with one on one teaching.

Cost for a private yoga lesson.
$65.00 ~ 1 hour
$90.00 ~ 1.5 hours
$120.00 ~ 2 hours

We can accommodate small groups if required,
$10 ~ hour for each additional student.
Maximum 3 students.

We can only accommodate a few private lessons per week and will need to book and collect payment in advance. There will be a cancellation fee held by the centre if you cancel within 3 days before the lesson.

about hatha yoga

Yoga is a sophisticated system of postures, breathing and meditation that challenges your mind and body, bringing you back into yourself. You may achieve radiant physical health, mental clarity and peace of mind through mindful practice of asana (postures), pranayama (breath) and dyana (meditation). These practices all fall under the umbrella of 'hatha' yoga. Hatha yoga has many teachers and forms which vary in focus and the sequencing of postures. There are over 2000 hatha yoga postures with many variations, which work to improve circulation in all of the body's systems and encourage proper alignment.

The ancient teachings were originally passed from guru to student through one on one teaching. In the past 100 years, yoga has transformed from a mysterious practice to a mainstream activity with millions of students around the world. As western practitioners, yoga is a puzzle for us to unfold as we move forwards into awareness and self discovery. Balance, flexibility, strength, clarity and grounding are some of the effects of continuous yoga practice, but the calm and centred feeling after a yoga class is indefinable and should remain so , as each of us sees our self anew, no two experiences alike.

This ancient practice is built around the science of the body, and an intelligent approach is necessary to fully understand the scope and depth of yoga. By bringing the mind back into the senses of the body, we find that connection to the present moment, bringing us fully into the here and now. By being aware and keeping the mind focused on the breath and posture, we can find freedom and flexibility in the spine which leads us to freedom and flexibility of the mind.

The exploration of poses from an individual perspective, rather than adhering to right or wrong definitions within a pose, allows you to work at your own level, go deeper and build awareness. The same approach applies to the spiritual connection within each of us. Yoga philosophy subscribes to no particular belief system and therefore nourishes us each differently as we bring our own unique ideas into the practice. The quiet time allowed for spiritual connection during a yoga practice is a welcome and renewing experience on our spiritual path.

The building of community and support for each other is also a big part of a yoga practice, nurturing each of us as we delve into ourselves and discover our potential. Find your inner strength through yoga practice, take time to rejuvenate and open your spirit to the fullness and joy of living!

meditation
our meditation is led by Tara

45 minute meditation
15 minute sit with gently guided meditation - 10 minutes walking - 15 minute sit
$5 drop in
Sunday morning10 am

We have zafus and benches for sitting, feel free to bring your own - everyone is welcome!

This is a practice group for all level of meditators. We firmly believe that practice is the heart of any exploration into meditation. Although it may seem uncertain in the beginning of your practice we encourage you to sit with the confusion, ask questions and see what you discover.

The meditation we practice and teach is in the vipassana tradition which means Insight. This is a method that focuses on awareness of our body and breath creating compassion for ourselves at every moment. We practice mindfulness by focusing on the in-breath and out-breath allowing awareness of any other thoughts and experiences. We are attentive to a deepening experience of truth, love and peace. This is a practice group - only through practice can we gain insight into ourselves.

Tea and cookies will be served with time for discussing your experience after the class.

more meditation info

books we recomend for beginning meditators....
The Miracle of MIndfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
A Heart as Wide as the World by Sharon Salzberg
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield