Class Levels

Beginner – These classes are right for you if:

• You have never practiced yoga before
• You are unsure of your physical abilities
• You have injuries or physical ailments that limit your strength or flexibility
• You are looking for a class that will ease you into yoga

We recommend that those new to yoga try out a Beginner level class before attending an All Levels class.

 
All Levels – These classes are right for you if:

• You are reasonably physically fit
• You have taken classes similar to the one being offered
• You are comfortable with the poses taught in the class

An All Levels class is not a Beginner class. Many All Levels classes offer vigorous movements and strengthening poses. An All Levels class is as easy or as challenging as you make it. Students are encouraged to work their edge or back off when appropriate. If you are in doubt about your abilities, choose a Beginner class and then move on to an All Levels class once you’ve built up your confidence.

 
Intermediate/Advanced – These classes are right for you if:

• You are confident of your physical abilities
• You have a regular yoga practice
• You want to experience more challenging poses
• You want a more vigorous physical experience

Go for it.

Classes

Ashtanga Flow – All Levels – (Doron Hanoch, Lauren Hanoch, Julia Stewart)
Ashtanga Yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga Yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures – a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

Peacebank’s Ashtanga Flow classes are inspired by the disciplines and teachings of Ashtanga Yoga. The class emphasizes Pranayama, Bandhas, and Dristhis. All concepts central to Ashtanga Yoga. The practice blends traditional asanas into a dynamic flow, synchronizing movement and breath. Generally, aspirants can expect standing poses, balances, inversions, back bends, pranayama and a short meditation during class.

 
Ashtanga Flow – Intermediate/Advanced – (Doron Hanoch, Julia Stewart)
The next step in your yoga progression. Poses and sequences given in the All Levels class are covered. However, this class moves at a faster pace, includes arm balances, inversions, and deeper backbends. Challenging sequences offer students an opportunity to grow their practice. This class is open to students who are comfortable with the All Levels Ashtanga class, are in good physical condition and are looking for a challenge.

 
Beginning Flow – Beginner, All Levels – (Doron Hanoch)
This class covers the fundamentals of Flow Yoga. Students will learn postures common to most Flow style classes. Students build stamina, strength, and flexibility without being pushed beyond their edge. The connection between movement and breath, an element common to all yoga, is stressed. This class is a wonderful starting point for those new to yoga as well as for students who want to deepen their understanding of common asanas. There are no prerequisites. Students of any age or physical condition are welcome.

 
Beginning Yoga – Beginner – (Emily Galvin)
Students in Peacebank’s Beginning Yoga classes learn how to practice yoga. They are taught poses, sequences and meditations common to many styles of yoga. These techniques reduce tension in the body and remove clutter from the mind. With consistency, students discover new abilities. Eventually, they move beyond and explore other styles of yoga. This class has no prerequisites. Students of any age or physical condition are welcome.

 
Hatha Yoga- Beginner, All Levels – (Julie Dakin)
Hatha yoga attempts to balance mind and body via physical postures or “asanas”, purification practices, controlled breathing, and the calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation.

Peacebank’s Hatha Yoga class begins with a guided meditation. Regular meditation helps to calm our minds and reduce persistent mental chatter. A series of lengthening and strengthening movements are offered. Uplifting music sparks the spirit and deepens concentration on the present moment. The class ends with a soothing meditative Savasana. All levels, including beginners are welcome.

 
Heated Vinyasa (Heated) – All Levels – (Edna Barr)
Just like the name of the class says, this is a Vinyasa class in a heated room. The heat produces a fluid-like stretch, allowing for greater range of movement in joints, muscles, ligaments and other supporting structures of the body. Students in a heated room also benefit from a strengthening of willpower, self control, concentration and determination in a challenging environment. See the description of the Vinyasa class for more information about this style of yoga.

 
Moon Yoga – All Levels – (Soraya Orumchian)
This unique class offers poses not found in traditional yoga classes. It is an excellent compliment to your Ashtanga, Vinyasa or Flow Yoga practice. The core of the practice, the Moon Salutation, is meant to open up joints and muscles through wide, dynamic stretches. Students will focus on often neglected body areas like the neck, wrists, feet, & ankles. Focus is put on spinal elasticity and health. Stimulate clear energy flow through sequential opening and therapeutic movement. Students are given a challenging, new and expansive yoga experience.

 
Morning Flow – All Levels – (Emily Galvin, Julia Stewart, Lauren Hanoch)
Do you know what it’s like to practice yoga in the morning? To begin your day with a sun salutation. To to follow your breath before your first cup of coffee. To quiet your mind before you fill it with the news of the day and the worries of your world. Yoga follows you. Its makes your day better because it changes your perceptions. Practice in the morning to feel yoga all day long.

Peacebank’s Morning Flow classes will sharpen your mind and invigorate your body. Attention to your breath turns focus inward. Gentle movement awakens you. Salute the rising sun to gain heat and energy. Connecting movement to breath, you find flow. Vigorous flow opens your heart. Stillness. Clarity. Prepared for the day, you leave a more compassionate being. All levels welcome.

 
Power Vinyasa (Heated) – All Levels – (Bill Carter, Steve Schmidt)This class is a strong flow asana sequence done in a heated room. The style, developed by Baron Baptiste, is a combination of deep breathing and specifically sequenced sets of flowing yoga postures. Classes are always open to all levels; newer students will be able to modify poses and work on building a solid and safe foundation and more experienced students will be offered advanced variations to explore their edge. This class is an opportunity to breathe, move with your body, sweat and have fun. The Sunday class is not as hot as the weekday classes. Students of all levels are encouraged to adjust their practice according to their abilities.

 
Pre & Post Natal Flow – Beginner, All Levels – (Talei Loloma Morgan)
All women welcome. This flow class includes stretching, movement, and breath designed as a preparation for birth. This class aims to build physical stamina and strength organized around birthing while integrating awareness on the breath and meditation techniques to assist in birthing. It is not necessary to have practiced yoga before pregnancy. All pre, post-natal and women in general are welcome.

 
Restorative Yoga – Beginner, All Levels – (Cheryl Morgan)
Restorative Yoga is therapeutic. The class offers four to six floor poses held passively for ten minutes or more. Practitioners support themselves with props such as bolsters, blankets and blocks. The added support allows the student to completely relax and surrender to the pose. When you are in a state of relaxation there is no movement or effort, so the mind becomes still. The relaxation response brings the body into balance. It deepens the breath, reducing stress hormones. It slows the heart rate, lowering blood pressure. Muscles relax, relieving fatigue and anxiety.

The class is appropriate for all levels and ages. If you want to be gentle to your joints, this class is for you. If you need to slow down and reduce your stress level, this class is for you. If you would like to quiet your mind and take time for yourself, this class is for you. If you have never practiced yoga, this class is for you. Pregnant moms are welcome in this class. However, some poses may not be appropriate for pregnant women. So, if you are pregnant, please tell the teacher before the class begins. The teacher will offer an alternative pose should the need arise.

Cheryl is a certified Relax and Renew Trainer. She completed the Restorative Training with Judith Hanson Lasater in 2011. Cheryl also teaches the Yin Yoga classes at Peacebank.

 
Vinyasa – All Levels – (Jennifer Alvarado, Clive Beavis, Jill Glikbarg)
Vinyasa is a dynamic style of yoga, intended to link breath to movement. Vinyasa’s strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy or sequence that teachers must follow. So there is a lot of room for individual personalities to come through. Because of the wide variety of asanas available, teachers often change sequences, introduce new poses and vary standard movements, creating new spaces for students to explore. Vinyasa Yoga has wide appeal because it means different things to different people.

The content of Peacebank’s Vinyasa All Levels class vary with the instructor. No Vinyasa class is the same, so come with an open mind and be surprised. Like everything in life, the student can make the class as easy or difficult as they choose.

 
Vinyasa – Intermediate/Advanced – (Clive Beavis)
The next step in your yoga progression. Poses and sequences given in the All Levels class are covered. However, this class moves at a faster pace, includes arm balances, inversions, and deeper backbends. Challenging sequences offer students an opportunity to grow their practice. This class is open to students who are comfortable with the All Levels Vinyasa class, are in good physical condition and are looking for a challenge.

 
Yin Yoga – Beginner, All Levels – (Cheryl Morgan)
Yin Yoga improves the health of connective tissue, especially around the joints. Gentle physical stress is applied to the targeted area through controlled stretching. Poses are performed while either seated or laying down. Props such as bolsters, straps and blocks are used to enhance each pose. The body’s own weight applies pressure to the area of focus. No muscular energy is exerted in the stretches. Poses are held for as long as five minutes. The student relaxes into each pose, making subtile adjustments and eventually surrendering to it completely. Yin yoga is a quiet practice. It includes a beginning meditation, dim lights and a final relaxation. This class has no prerequisites. Pregnant moms are welcome in this class. However, some poses may not be appropriate for pregnant women. So, if you are pregnant, please tell the teacher before the class begins. The teacher will offer an alternative pose should the need arise.

 
Yogalates – All Levels – (Theresa Tomlin)
Theresa’s Yogalates class will synthesize your body and mind with 90 minutes of mindful, meditative movement. Guided by your breath, you will find yourself turning upside down in handstands, or twisting in an eagle pose as your mind becomes focused, breath steady, body strong and supple, and spirit enlivened! Theresa will urge, encourage, and inspire you to maintain and improve your current practice. There will be time to experiment, correct, or try something new. To increase your core strength, stamina, and power, you will move through 30 minutes of Pilates Mat exercises that target the mid-section of the body from all angles. As your core muscles become stronger, you will begin to initiate or act from this strong center, with movement that is healthy and feels good! All levels welcome, but some Yoga experience is recommended.

A note from Matt about the Yogalates class. I’ve been taking this class since June 2011. It is a vigorous practice. The transitions between asanas happen fairly quickly. Not much time is given for rest between sequences. To get the most out of this class, the student should be in good physical condition (be in shape). I’ve personally seen students get overwhelmed and leave 30 minutes into the practice. Come to class ready to work.