Free Yoga Orientation & Intro to Yoga

FREE YOGA ORIENTATIONS

Saturday February 11, 10:00-11:30 am with Allison McCready

Space is limited; please Pre-register

Santa Monica Yoga welcomes new students to our studio for a free orientation. Learn about what yoga is, where it came from and basic guidelines for practice. We also help you find classes that suit your needs and answer any questions you may have. A beginning level class will be included. After the orientation, students may want to sign up for the Intro to Yoga series or purchase a pass (ask about new student specials).

INTRODUCTION TO YOGA four-week series

Saturdays, February 18 to March 10, 10:00-11:30 am with Allison McCready

$60 for series of four (plus one bonus class from our regular schedule).
Pre-register Now

This is an in-depth course which provides a solid foundation for practicing yoga either on your own or in group/class setting. Step-by-step instruction is given for basic yoga postures and breathing techniques; allowing you to move at your own pace in a comfortable setting. Special package price includes one additional class on our regular schedule, which must be taken within 60 days. No credit or make-ups for missed sessions.

Alignment Clinics with Lori

with Lori Snyder

Two Sundays, March 18 & 25, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

• $30 each
• $25 each if pre-registered by the preceding Monday
• $40 for both in advance - please contact the studio for this discount

Pre-register Now

For those of us who love Vinyasa, it’s all about the flow. But this flow doesn’t always allow for us to stop and get detailed alignment instruction. Learning how (and why) to place the body in correct alignment can heal injuries, increase strength and flexibility, and prevent injuries. Join us for these personalized alignment clinics that will let you flow with joy and ease!

Downward Dog - March 18

Downward dog is one of the most commonly practiced yoga poses. Once you understand the alignment for this pose, you understand it for many other poses as well. Join us as we go through detailed alignment instruction as well as individualized modifications for this spine-lengthening pose! No yoga experience necessary.

The Vinyasa Sequence - March 25

The vinyasa sequence of plank, cataranga, and upward dog are repeated countless times in many flow classes, and yet many of us never fully understand how to place our bodies for optimal healing (and to prevent repetitive motion injuries).  Bring your questions and injuries; we will go through personalized modifications as well as general alignment.

Feldenkrais® for Yoga with Ellen

with Ellen Sevy

Shining New Light on an Ancient Practice

Sundays 1:00 - 2:30pm

January 22
February 12
March 18
April 1

Take one, any, or all classes. Appropriate for all levels and abilities.

Space is limited, please pre-register.

$30 each Pre-register Now
early-bird $5 discount if pre-registered by the preceding Monday

The Feldenkrais Method® of movement education provides an opportunity for you to reinvent how you experience yourself in your yoga practice. Each class will shine new light on a particular posture or group of postures. By improving your understanding of your body’s architecture you will promote greater comfort, ease and safety, while experiencing increased joy and interest both on and off your mat. Ellen Sevy (BA, GCFP), is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practioner (CM), Gyrotonic® teacher, yoga instructor and professional dancer/teacher. She began teaching dance and yoga in 1980. In 1994 she began offering Feldenkrais® classes and found it to be successful in promoting a more graceful and informed yoga practice. Ellen loves exploring movement and believes a healthy relationship with movement is necessary for overall wellness. For more information about Ellen or The Feldenkrais Method® visit, www.informotion.biz.

The terms Feldenkrais® and Feldenkrais Method® are registered service marks. Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner (CM) is a certification mark of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America.



Full Moon Meditations with Indira

with Indira Shekerjian

One hour session, $10 Pre-register Now

• March 8, Thursday 9:00 pm
• May 5, Sunday 7:00 pm
• June 3, Sunday 7:00 pm
• July 3, Tuesday 9:00 pm
• August 2, Thursday 9:00 pm
• August 30, Thursday 9:00 pm (Blue Moon)
• September 30, Sunday 7:00 pm
• October 28, Sunday 7:00 pm
• November 27, Tuesday 9:00 pm
• December 27, Thursday 9:00 pm

Join Indira as she guides you through gentle yoga stretching in preparation for a seated mediation, a walking mediation and another seated mediation. Each new moon you are encouraged to write out your intentions for the cycle and review them during the Full moon meditation.

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and profoundly affects every body of water, including US.  It communicates to us and ties us rhythmically with all of life's cycles.  We acknowledge that cycle by taking the time to get quiet and be still so that we may feel that influence and hear the primal inner voice with which Nature is speaking to us.

The Full Moon sheds light on the things that we no longer need to hold on to.  Once we have become enlightened to ways that are blocking us, the easier to let go.  Traditionally, the Full Moon is also used for the setting up of plans and for the releasing of old and unwanted patterns or issues.

Most cultures have a tradition and practice of relating to the moon for its influence and inspiration.  Whether you are a man or a woman, no one needs to explain the meaning behind "lunar cycle" --- it is a powerful influence and the strongest pull on our body that can take us out of our habitual physical fixation and into the etheric.  The moon is the celestial orb of dreamtime and tied to the unconscious. When we meditate, we can drop into our subconscious and hear the quiet voice of the heart.
 
A great time for fasting or eating very light is during Full and New Moons. We sit together to give support to that choice because the group energy can help the individual ride the wave of the collective.  Sitting in groups makes it easier for the individual to practice stillness and allows one to go deeper more quickly.

We begin with some gentle yoga stretching, followed by a guided meditation, walking meditation and a second, shorter sit.  There is also time to ask questions as well as share your experiences regarding the mediation.  Beginner or experienced student benefit from this collective community meditation.

Intro to Meditation with Nathalie

with Nathalie Canessa

Three Sundays 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
February 26, March 4 and 11

$60 for the series, or $25 each Pre-register Now
Series price must be pre-registered or paid on the first day. No credit or make-ups for missed sessions. Online pre-registration for full series only. Contact us to pre-register for a single session.

Learn a simple and practical way to integrate a meditation practice into your daily life. It is best if you take all three sessions, as you will be given simple homework and we will bit by bit set up your meditation practice. You will be given tools and simple instructions on how to prepare the body and mind for meditation

We do not need a temple, or a perfect setting, or a perfect posture or a special time in our lives for us to sit down and close our eyes for about 20 minutes. It’s really no big deal! What is a big deal is that we can go through life without ever feeling completely relaxed and at ease, without ever really knowing moments of deep peace and awareness, constantly harassed by our thoughts and all that we absorb through-out our days. There are many ways to feel moments of peace; connecting to nature, connection with a loved one, yoga, exercising, a beautiful poem, etc. Unfortunately sometimes we can do all these things and not sustain or deeply connect to peace.  When we meditate there are no distractions, nothing outside of ourselves that we need to rely on.  We come to realize that our inner resources of peace, joy, wisdom are infinitely vast. Having this experiential knowledge on a daily basis is an invaluable tool for living in this world.

Benefits of a daily meditation practice over time include:

• Dropping stress out of the body - it literally leaves
• Letting go of negative thought patterns or habits
• Reducing high blood pressure
• Making the mind clearer and sharper
• Giving the body and mind the deepest rest (deeper than sleep)
• Connecting to your own joy and self-sufficiency

No prior Yoga experience required.

Nathalie has been teaching meditation and meditating for years. She is greatly inspired and influenced by the teachings from the Vedic tradition, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Deepak Chopra, as well as the works of Jon Kabat-Zinn. For more information visit www.nathaliecanessa.com.

Iyengar Level II Course with Keri

with Keri Lee

8 Weekly Sessions

Mondays 7:15 -8:45 pm
January 9 to February 27

$96 for 8 sessions Pre-register Now
30% discount for students with an existing unlimited pass (contact the studio for more information)

This multi-week Iyengar Yoga Course is for students who have a strong foundation and knowledge of level I/II poses, especially standing poses, twists, seated forward bends and the beginning of backbends. Students should be able to do salamba sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and variations for 5 minutes as well as regularly practice sirsasana (headstand). The course will be a very safe and systematic progression of yoga postures to develop each student’s ability and skill, both within each class and from class to class. All students in the class will be registered for the entire series. This highly developed methodology of teaching the poses in a certain order and individualizing them for each student are distinguishing marks of Iyengar yoga. We will help to build or start your own home practice by giving you sequences to work on during the series. Principles of yoga philosophy will be taught throughout the course; as well as furthering your pranayama practice in a clear and safe way.

Keri Lee is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher.  She studied with the Iyengar family in Pune, India in the summer of 2010.  Before teaching yoga she already had over 15 years of teaching experience including the movement principles of the Yoshida Technique, various kinds of dance and fitness classes.  Her career before teaching yoga was performing in Broadway shows.  She holds a BA in English. Her primary teachers are Marla Apt and Carolyn Belko.  The profound change she has experienced with her practice instills her teaching with clarity, warmth, humor and devotion.



Paulie Zink Yin Yoga Teacher Certification

100-hour course with Master Paulie Zink

This is the only official Yin Yoga Teacher Certification Course authorized by The Yin Yoga Institute and taught by the founding master of Yin Yoga, Paulie Zink. Learn to teach the art of Yin Yoga as it is intended to be taught.

Two one-week sessions: April 21-27 & June 9-15
Daily Schedule: 12:00-6:00 pm

$2,950
10% early-bird discount if registered by February 15, payment plans are available.

Yin Yoga was developed by Master Zink from the Taoist spiritual traditions and health practices of ancient China. In Taoist philosophy, the entire universe is regarded as a living organism imbued with life force. Being in harmony with the flow of this energy in nature is the essence of Taoist attitude. The primary purpose of Yin Yoga is to restore and enliven our innate ability to move with fluidity, power, and grace.

Participants will learn to open to their intuitive hearts, to discover the individual expression of the artist within, to awaken to our spontaneous and playful spirit, and to transcend the boundaries of the analytical mind in order to advance beyond the techniques for doing yoga into cultivating a way of being yoga, of living it in our day-to-day lives, and sharing these gifts with the lives of those we touch.

In this Teacher Certification Course, participants will study the deeper dimensions and comprehensive components of the art of Yin and Yang yoga, including:

• The alchemy of the Five Elemental Energies
• The circular flow of energy and the cycle of yin and yang in yoga practice
• Master Zink's teaching philosophy with emphasis on developing the intricacies and variations of postures
• The opportunity to practice teach under Master Zink's supervision

Master Paulie Zink received private intensive training for ten years as the sole protégé of ChineseTaoist yoga and kung fu master, Cho Chat Ling. A three-time international martial arts grand champion, Paulie is renowned for his fluidity, flexibility, and artistry of motion. He teaches with a relaxed and playful demeanor that encourages everyone to feel accepted and comfortable. He brings to his teaching over 30 years’ experience.

“Our bodies are mostly water. Our natural state is to move fluidly like water and adapt to our environment. When I do yoga I want to be like water pouring from a vessel.”

~ Paulie Zink

For more information visit PaulieZink.com and TheYinYogaInstitute.com.

Weaving Yoga Sutras into Asana Practice with Shari Friedrichsen

Saturday, April 28, 1:00-4:00 pm

$60
$50 if pre-registered by April 23
Pre-register Now

An asana practice based on the teachings of the Sutras

The Yoga Sutras state the purpose of this life is for enjoyment and freedom. Yet many of us are locked into physical, mental or emotional pain that doesn't seem to heal or get better.  The Sutras give us the means to address these painful areas with all that is necessary for healing. There is a river of grace in each of us. The yoga sutras teach us how to tap into this river.

Teaching yoga for more than three decades, Shari Friedrichsen is a key facilitator of the Himalayan Institute teacher certification program and ongoing seminars. She is a member of the 500-hour teacher training faculty at 8 Limbs Yoga in Seattle Washington. Shari has studied asana and meditation with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Amma Sri Karunamayi, and BKS Iyengar. An expert in subtle anatomy, her unique style integrates breath, alignment, and visualizations to draw the student into the inner experience of each posture. Her approach uses yoga as a vital and compassionate step in healing the body and the psyche.

Yoga and the Chakras with Julian Walker

A Four Part Workshop Series with Julian Walker

Sundays, 2:00-5:00 pm

January 29 - Part 1: Grounding and Pleasure
February 26 - Part 2: The Power of the Heart
March 25 - Part 3: Truth, Creativity & Vision
April 29 - Part 4: Radical Transformation

Pre-register Now

• $60 each
• $50 each if pre-registered by the preceding Monday
• $180 for all four in advance

The Chakras are an ancient system of spiritual psychology. Through a sequence of energetic openings in the body, self-knowledge and healing occur. Ignite your yoga practice and take it to the next level by learning about and applying this powerful system.

Julian has a uniquely contemporary approach that weaves psychology, science and spirituality together in a way that is both intelligent and experientially potent.

Each of these four workshops will follow a similar format: First we will introduce you to the key concepts, basic anatomy and energetic principals of each chakra. From that foundation we will apply the principles to a high-charge yoga session and then integrate the work with writing exercises and community circle. This is an opportunity to deepen your practice and discover a new relationship to energy!

Grounding and Pleasure January 29

"Stand firm in your own body, there you have a solid place for your feet" ~ Kabir

The first two chakras hold the energies of being grounded in the body with a sense of pleasurable aliveness. Blockages in these chakras manifest as low back pain, sciatica, and tightness in hips and hamstrings. Expect an energetic practice that will open hips, lengthen hamstrings, strengthen abs and decompress low back.

The Power of the Heart February 26

Chakras three and four deal with empowerment and compassion. We will focus on your back, shoulders and chest as part of this comprehensive class. Questions we will explore include: What is the difference between toxic anger and healthy anger? And - What is the difference between co-dependence and genuine compassion? Physically, we will focus on your back, shoulders, diaphragm and chest as part of this comprehensive class. The relationships between self-esteem, boundaries, focused desire, empathy and more in this crucial zone of development. Additional emphasis will be placed on the power of breath to move energy and connect you to your fire.

Come and open your heart from the strong foundation of being centered in your power!

"Ride the waves of ecstatic pulsation into a sublime fusion of passion and peace..."
~ Radiance Sutra

Truth, Creativity & Vision March 25

The fifth and sixth chakras have to do with speaking and living our truths and manifesting our vision in the world. Expect open up your neck, throat, jaw and creative vision. Speak your truth and live your dream in this exploration of self-actualization that asks the question - what gift do I have to give the world?

"Something from just beyond the horizon calls us forward, to become who we already are - but do not know it yet.." ~ Rilke

Radical Transformation April 29

Put all the pieces together in this final workshop! We will review the Chakra System as covered so far and discuss fascinating new information from neuroscience about the brain's role in spirituality, growth and healing. Expect a fun, energetic practice followed by the deep stillness of meditation.

Yoga for Runners with Ross

with Ross de la Haye

Thursdays, 8:00-9:30 pm
February 2 through March 1

$50 for all five sessions Pre-register now
or $18 each drop-in

This course is specifically targeted at runners with little to no experience in yoga. Over a series of five weekly classes we will increase body/muscular awareness and how it relates to flexibility, strength, and endurance. Pranayama (breathing exercises) will be introduced slowly as well to promote breath awareness and improve the body/breath relationship.

Through the course, you will develop a deeper understanding of how yoga asanas affect the muscular structure of the body and develop insight into how this effects running form and posture. The course will also progressively build knowledge of yogic breathing techniques (pranayama). This knowledge does not only benefit health in everyday life but also offers the runner a resource for focus and recovery. This class is appropriate for those new to yoga as well as those that may want to balance and restore from heavy training.

From runners who have taken the course:

"Ross's yoga has increased my strength, flexibility and enabled me to reach PR's!"   

"I feel lighter, stronger, when I run now!"

"I was shocked by how quickly I noticed a difference in my running, in my outlook, and in my life!"

"I'm so happy you are offering the Yoga for Runners series!  I signed up online and went to the first class last night and I loved it!  It's exactly what I need as an avid runner.  The pace was great and the postures were just right!  Ross is an excellent teacher.  He is knowledgeable and I love that he's a runner, too.  I'm looking forward to getting stronger, more flexible and improving my balance!"

Ross has been exploring yoga’s potential to affect the body and mind for 10 years. Having completed a diploma in Yogic Studies RYT 500 hour, he is passionate about sharing how yoga’s deep heritage offers tools for every aspect of our modern culture. An avid surfer and runner, he believes in yoga as the platform for health and wellbeing.