Introduction to Hatha Yoga

Required for first-time/beginning students for at least six months. A gentle introduction to basic yoga poses. Learn how to coordinate your movement with your breath. Experience how practicing yoga can help you gain flexibility and strength, promote balance, and enhance relaxation. For students who are new to yoga, as well as for those who would like a review of the basics.

Hatha Yoga Level 1

For students who have been attending Intro Hatha Yoga classes regularly (at least twice a week) for 6 months, or for one year if less regular. This is a classical approach to Hatha Yoga emphasizing alignment through the use of props. Learn the fundamentals of asana while creating an awareness of the breath, to build the foundation for your personal practice. Classes focus on standing poses, and include floor work as well as introductory breathing (pranayama) exercises.

Hatha Yoga Level 2

For students who have been attending Hatha Yoga Level 1 regularly for at least 6 months, or have been practicing yoga for at least 2 years. Deepening one’s knowledge and practice of asana wile introducing yogic concepts, this class develops strength, flexibility, and stamina in body, mind, and spirit. Classes include standing poses, more floor work, and introduce basic inversions and basic pranayama.

Yoga Basics

Yoga Basics is a class for those who have never experienced yoga, or who would like to learn the basics, from the beginning. How should I breathe when doing yoga poses? What are the props in the yoga studio for? What is yoga anyway? If you have questions such as these, it may be helpful to take a Yoga Basics class before entering the Intro Yoga classes. Basic standing and sitting poses will also be taught. Taking a Yoga Basics class once or twice will facilitate a smooth transition into Intro Level Open classes. While not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.(Only Jananese) Yoga Basics is held several times a month. Please see open class schedule or SHIZEN news for dates.

Prenatal Yoga

This class helps mothers-to-be develop strength, flexibility, and focus to prepare for birth. Through the practice of asana (poses) and breathing, we nurture the body’s needs and attend to its changes throughout pregnancy. A yoga practice to increase awareness and create trust in the body’s ancient wisdom to engage in the power of labor.

You may begin Maternity Yoga classes after the 14th week of your  pregnancy, and may practice as long as you feel well.  Some students  come to class on their due date!  No prior yoga experience  necessary.

Yogamoms (Postnatal Yoga)

Bring your baby to class, do yoga, and meet other new moms! Babies from 1-9 months are welcome in this class, which addresses the needs of new moms. Focusing on strength, balance, and relaxation, this class includes easy poses which can also be practiced at home. Nursing, diaper-changing, and rocking the baby also become part of mom’s yoga practice.

For new moms of any level (and their babies, up to 9 months, or until crawling). Stroller parking is limited: please bring baby to class in a baby carrier or sling if possible. See FAQ for other details on preparing for class.

Gentle Yoga

Sore knees? Stiff shoulders? Bad back? Limited range of mobility? This Hatha yoga class is a slower-paced, gentle approach to yoga postures emphasizing breath and awareness. Intended for any student of any age wishing to practice gently in a supportive environment in which to address their body’s different needs.

Baby Yoga

In this class, mothers learn how to apply gentle massage and other physical therapy techniques to their babies, enabling them to monitor their babies' health and detect changes or illnesses at early stages. Traditional Japanese songs and various physical therapy methods that can be applied at home, such as Noguchi Seitai, are introduced. After the babies are relaxed, mothers do some yoga poses to help refresh body and mind, and to remove the fatigue from the daily challenges of childcare.
This class is for babies of up to 9 months old, or until crawling. Stroller parking is limited; please bring baby in a baby carrier or sling if possible.

What to Bring:
Massage oil (can be purchased at cost before class)
A small dish (bring a durable one)
Towel
Bed wetting protection sheet (if you do not have one, please bring extra towels)

Meditation (Intro)

 A complementary practice for yoga students of all levels, meditation is known in Tibet as Inner Yoga.  This class will introduce a range of practical meditation methods for experiencing deep relaxation, bliss and clarity of mind. Focusing on practical application in daily life, sessions will include guided meditations that can also be practised at home. Suitable for anyone who sincerely wishes to realize greater joy and personal freedom in every situation that life brings.

Anusara-Inspired Yoga (AIY)

Anusara is the Sanskrit word for “flowing with grace” and “following your heart.” Anusara yoga was founded in 1997 by John Friend. Classes marked AIY are taught by Mika (see profile).  She incorporates the essence of Anusara Yoga through her own unique expression and sense of humor to make for an energy-filled class. At the beginning of each class, a spiritual theme is presented, enabling movement of not only the body but also the heart and mind. Mika also introduces Anusara yoga’s 5 universal principles of alignment, which apply to all poses, by incorporating most types of asanas (standing, forward bends, back bends, twists, balancing poses, etc) into each class. The philosophy behind Anusara yoga helps us to realize that there is goodness, beauty, and light within all of us, whether we are on our yoga mats or out and about in our daily lives.

All Levels

This class is a mixed-level class appropriate for students with a wide range of experience and abilities. Starting from basic poses, more challenging variations are introduced, allowing students to practice within their comfort zone, while offering the chance to expand and deepen their practice. Students of all levels—beginners as well--are welcome to join.

Hai Hai Yoga

Bring your baby to class, do yoga, and meet other new moms! Babies from starting crawling are welcome in this class, which continues to address the needs of new moms. Focusing on strength, balance, and relaxation, this class includes easy poses which can also be practiced at home. Nursing, diaper-changing, and rocking the baby also become part of mom’s yoga practice. Any level of yoga experience welcome.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga focuses on deeply relaxing and rejuvenating the body and mind. This class involves a longer holding of poses, which are usually deeply supported by bolsters, blankets, blocks or other props. It allows the body to be in a comfortable and restful position. By staying for several minutes at a time in gentle forward bends, back bends, twists, inversions (as simple as putting the legs on a bolster), the parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated and it helps balance the body and mind. Restorative yoga helps relieve stress, release tension and recover from injury or illness. Ideal for every one.