Class Descriptions

Yoga For Everyone

Benefits of a Yoga Practice

There is truly a yoga class for everyone!

Yoga can give us strength, flexibility, and clarity in the mind-body connection to achieve optimal health for our overall well-being. 

Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Increase Strength & tone
Better joint health & mobility
Greater Flexibility & Balance
Mindfulness & Relaxation
Improve Confidence & Self Esteem
Yogashala Class description
A safe & Supported place to practice yoga, meditation & mindfulness

Explore Our Yoga Classes

“The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships” – T.K.V Desikachar

Each class is practiced in one of our 3 rooms. We have 2 non-hot rooms (one is our rope wall room) and a hot room (or reduced heat).

The schedule will indicate where the class is being held.

Some contraindications for the hot room are high blood pressure and pregnancy. While non-hot yoga can be largely appropriate for just about anyone depending on the style of class you are choosing to attend including seniors, pregnancy and those just starting a yoga practice, you may need to check with your doctor if you have certain conditions or injuries such as high blood pressure and glaucoma. The Spinal rejuvenation classes cannot be attended by anyone who is pregnant, has extreme high blood pressure or serious eye or ear disease such as glaucoma.

Yoga blocks & straps are common yoga props used within a class setting to assist and deepen the practice. We provide blocks & straps as well as bolsters, blankets and other specific props used in some classes. They are cleaned regularly. Bringing your own is optional.


We always recommend trying a few different classes with various teachers to find what works for you. 

Do you need guidance on where to begin and which classes will be the best fit for you? 

We are here to help! Please email lindsay@yogashalawaterdown.com with the following information below so we can make a customized list of classes that will serve you best based on where you are at

1.  What are your goals, intentions and/or objectives for attending classes with us? 

2. Do you have any injuries (current or past) or limitations that we should be aware of?

3. Are you interested in hot, non-hot, reduced heat, all of the above or unsure? 

4. When is your availability to attend to classes (weekday, evening, weekend etc.) 


We look Forward to seeing you in class! 

01.

Hatha

Hatha is a great point of entry to a skillful and fulfilling yoga practice and is the foundation of all the Asana-Pranayama practices. With a focus on form, alignment and an accessible pace, you’ll have the opportunity to become comfortable with a variety of fundamental poses. In hatha, you hold the poses (asanas) for a set length of time determined by the teacher who is leading the class. It is great for building strength, flexibility, balance and a practice of breath awareness to keep you focused and present.  Hatha Yoga classes include moments of relaxation at the beginning and end of the class. Within this time, there is guided breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation and mindfulness with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body and a clear, peaceful mind. 

All levels can attend hatha yoga classes

02.

Hatha Flow

Hatha Flow is all the goodness of a Hatha practice with the addition of some added movement, linking pose to pose at a more moderate pace. Hatha flow gives you the opportunity to explore more movement and flow but not commit to that full vinyasa practice.

03.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by linking asanas (poses) together so that you move from one to another, using your breath. Commonly referred to as a “flow” style of yoga. The teacher will create a class that builds stamina, increases strength and promotes flexibility with a constant emphasis on the core area of the body while reducing stress and increasing vitality,  the specific poses and the pace of the flow vary from one teacher to the next.

You can deepen concentration and body consciousness throughout the entire practice. In Vinyasa Yoga, the aim is to keep the deep breathing and body awareness consistent throughout all movements during the practice. There are no fixed series of poses and each class can be different.

Vinyasa is held in the hot room so prepare to sweat in a vinyasa class! 

04.

Slow Flow

Slow Flow is all the goodness of a Vinyasa practice but taught at a slower to more moderate pace. 

Awakening Flow

In this 45 minute morning flow, you will move the body, flow and breath to get energized, feel strong and set the tone for the rest of the day. A flow practice gives you the opportunity to explore more movement and hold postures to build strength & mobility in the whole body.

05.

Deep Stretch

Deep Stretch is an active stretching class that targets primary muscle groups surrounding the hips, hamstrings, upper back & shoulders. This class will help you to access these areas in the body that hold more habitual tightness, stress and tension. Some strength postures are introduced to build strength + mobility in the muscle + joints. Spending time stretching will help you gain greater mobility overall, increase flexibility, feel more ease & openness in areas like the whole back and hips. 

Everyone can benefit from this class, conscious stretching will make you feel more vibrant, energetic and help you sleep better! 

06.

Spinal Rejuvenation

Do you want to feel refreshed, energized, more flexible, and younger? This anti-aging series designed by Aadil Palkhivala opens the spine in all directions while it’s in a state of suspended traction. This frees up the tension in all the small and large postural muscles that surround the spine, while simultaneously reversing gravity’s effects on the spine. The series releases pressure on the vertebral discs, increases blood flow, circulation and allows the nerves to regenerate, which helps reverse the aging process of the spine. When the spine is youthful all the muscles and organs in the body will function better, and overall health improves.

This class will increase the flexibility and mobility of the muscles—both around the spine and between the vertebrae themselves. This creates more space for the intervertebral discs, as well as decreases the likelihood of bulging discs, disc compression, and pinched nerves.

Walk taller, breathe deeper and feel more open in the whole back and chest.

07.

Hips & Shoulders

This class will help you find balance and stability in your hips and shoulders.

Your hip muscles directly effect the pelvis and spine. We will explore postures that can relieve tight hips and leave you with more flexibility and mobility. The Shoulders are a common area for injury, moving through gentle full range of motion postures you can begin to strengthen the shoulder area to prevent future injury, gain strength and joint stability.

08.

Core, Stretch & Balance

This class is designed to stretch and strengthen the back and abdominal muscles.

Proper core-strengthening exercises work the muscles throughout your hips and torso, from front to back, top to bottom, and side to side. 

Weak core muscles lead to an increased risk of back pain and injury because they lack the strength to support the spine properly. Engaging in core strengthening exercises can help to strengthen these muscles and may reduce the discomfort of both chronic and acute pain in the mid and lower back. It can also improve spinal mobility and flexibility.

A balance board can be used in this class, it has an unstable base that activates the stabilizing muscles in your body when you’re exercising or doing yoga on it. Your body has to stabilize itself on the board, which activates your core and strengthens all the stabilizing muscles in the body.

 

Balance boards are a great way to boost your existing workout routine or yoga practice.

09.

Yin

Yin yoga targets the deepest tissues of the body especially in the hips, pelvis and lower spine; our connective tissues, ligaments, joints, bones and the deep fascia network of the body, rather than the muscles (the focus of a yang practice), it is to increase circulation in the joints and improve flexibility.

Yin Yoga is a slower and more meditative practice, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. Your mind is always busy with thinking instead of feeling and being fully present with what you are doing, it aims to help awaken your body and mind to the energetics of the posture you are holding and to restore your natural ability to move with fluidity and be fully present in the felt experience of practicing yoga and to remain open to your untapped potential of inherent possibilities.

Yin helps give us the strength and resiliency to move naturally and achieve optimal health.

Benefits of a yin practice:

  1. Releases fascia & improves joint mobility
  2. Can revitalize the tissues of the body & increases circulation
  3. Yin yoga forces us to slow down & find more balance
  4. This practice can help us become more resilient to stress
  5. Yin gives tools to reduce anxiety
  6. Yin yoga can help us tap into the parasympathetic nervous system
  7. Increases flexibility in the body & mind
10.

SPA Yoga

This class weaves together yin yoga and restorative yoga postures to relax and balance the body and mind by candlelight. Using props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks, these medium-to-long-held postures allow the body to stretch gradually and gently, letting the mind to deeply relax. The introduction of aromatherapy, hands on massage during each posture and warm towels for your feet allows for the perfect spa-like yoga atmosphere.
 
Come ready for a blissful yoga experience and leave ready for a deep & restful sleep. 
 
11.

Learn & Align

Take this class if you are brand new to yoga or if you have been taking classes and want to slow it down and learn some great tips & tools for greater alignment and engagement to help build on your intentions and goals for yourself.

Each class will move steadily through different yoga postures, giving you time to establish the principles of alignment, breath, and awareness. 

Inclusive and welcoming, this class is a great place to start or build your yoga journey.

12.

Barre + Floor Barre

Barre classes combine the principles of ballet, pilates and yoga into a full body, low impact workout. The class breaks down lower and upper body exercises into components and focuses on isometric movements through repetition. This allows focus on the muscle engagement and avoids the use of momentum to perform each sequence. Upper body combinations are included in the classes and can be done with or without weights. 

Floor barre work is incorporated into the classes which is ideal for those that wish to avoid pressure on the joints. Moving the workout to the mat, shifts the focus to pelvic stability, proper turnout and breaks down leg positions in detail.

In many ways, floor barre is more challenging because there is less tendency and opportunity to transfer weight into the supporting leg during the movements. In floor barre, students cannot rely on or lean on the barre, and therefore the focus is on technique. This prepares the body for standing barre work.

13.

Fascia & Flow

This class blends breath-centered flows with myofascial release (MFR) work, which is integrated throughout. Each class will focus on different areas of the body working towards a pinnacle pose or a series of poses with the MFR to help release tension in targeted areas. MFR is suitable for all bodies including those with injuries. Fascial tools will be provided but students may bring in their own if they choose.

14.

Stretch & Restore

Feeling depleted, drained and out of balance

This class gives you the time to deeply connect, relax and give yourself a well deserved break to bring greater balance into your life.

This class is a combination of yin + restorative yoga to reduce tension & tightness in your body and a gentle hatha practice for slow & steady movement; it gives a greater focus on stretching the deeper layers of the body especially around the hips and shoulders. You will slowly transition into deeper rest as you move into longer held supportive restorative postures ending with a long held savasana under the warmth of a blanket and a guided meditation.

Stretch, Sound + Restore: 

Offers an addition to this class with the sound of the crystal singing bowls throughout the class. The quiet & calming atmosphere coupled with gentle stretching and sound healing will help bring a more centered and balanced feeling into the body & mind. 

 

 
15.

Chair Yoga

Chair yoga is a specific form of yoga practiced while sitting in a chair, or while standing using a chair for support.

What are the benefits of Chair Yoga?

Chair yoga gives you all the health benefits that a regular yoga practice does. Chair yoga can improve your flexibility, concentration and strength while boosting your mood and reducing stress and joint pain.

Chair yoga is really for anyone who wants to give it a try!

But, it is especially ideal for those who may have difficulty moving through the up and down positions of traditional yoga. Chair yoga provides safety through stabilization and support.

16.

Restorative

Restorative Yoga invites you to press the pause button and let go of the day. It is a slow moving practice targeted towards calming the nervous system and moving into a state of rest & digest.

Poses are held for a longer period of time, generally ranging from 2-10min, and are usually seated or lying down. In each pose the body is supported with props to allow muscles to relax and release tension.

Props used: bolsters, blankets, blocks, sandbags & eye pillows.

Recommended for EVERYONE and specifically anyone dealing with, or recovering from stress, life changes, illness, injury, emotional challenges.

17.

SUP Yoga & Paddle

Practicing yoga on a surface that is moving – like the paddleboard – engages the core muscles and strengthens other muscles which wouldn’t otherwise be used in an earth-bound practice. SUP yoga also requires intense focus because transitioning between poses requires concentration to keep the board steady.

Yoga brings balance and restores all bodily systems by creating physical, mental and spiritual harmony. Both yoga and stand up paddle boarding are great for building better balance, coordination, endurance, and body strength!

Immerse yourself in nature, connecting mind and body as we flow through yoga poses with the water beneath us and the sky above. A beautiful way to harmonize body and spirit. This is an all levels yoga class that is suitable for new and beginner paddlers. No SUP experience is needed, just a yearning for adventure and fun out on the water!

Learn more

18.

Flow & Yin

The class is a beautiful balance starting with a slow flow practice matching mindful movement with breath.

We will raise our inner fire through breath, sun salutations, balance, and strength. Once you are warm, muscles primed, you will transition into a sweet surrender of yin yoga postures and sound healing, relaxing the nervous system, clearing the energy & emotional bodies. Each week will target different Yang/Yin meridians.

19.

Sculpt. Stretch. Tone

The Sculpt and tone focus is on building strength and muscle tone. We will use weights, resistance bands, gliders, stability boards and our own body weight.These sculpt and tone workouts help improve your circulation, metabolism and caloric burn

The Yoga Stretch portion is designed to enhance flexibility, body awareness and alignment, and to relax and reduce muscle tension and stress.

Benefits
– Improved muscular strength & conditioning.
– Improves cardiovascular endurance.
– Improved muscular balance & function.
– Improve form and learn modification techniques.
– Enhanced variety for a more well rounded workout.
– Boosts your metabolism.

20.

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