Classes

At Yoga Yard, we aim to hold a space where all students can enjoy the study of Yoga. To maintain an environment conducive to learning, we offer the following guidelines for while you are at Yoga Yard:

  • Please arrive on time. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be allowed to attend class.Class size is usually limited to 20 students.
  • Please enter the studio quietly. Take your shoes off at the door.
  • Turn off your mobile phone (or turn to silent) before arriving at Yoga Yard. Mobile phones are not permitted in the classrooms, so please leave your phone in your locker. The front desk can be contacted to notify you in the event of an emergency.
  • Please pick up after yourself. Yoga Yard has props available for students to use. Please put them away when you are finished using them. Help keep the studio space clean and ready for others.
  • Please keep your voices low while waiting in the student lounge or hallway. Remember that for many students, class may be the one time during the day that is set aside to slow down and bring focus to the self. We therefore ask that you respect this time for yourself as well as the others students by remaining quiet.
  • Yoga Yard teachers and staff are committed to supporting students in their study of Yoga. If you have any injury or condition that your teacher should be aware of, please advise your teacher before the start of class as alternate poses may be suggested. If you are pregnant, you must tell the teacher before the class begins.
  • Please remember to return your locker key to the receptionist before leaving the studio.
Classes at Yoga Yard

All regularly scheduled classes at Yoga Yard are open for drop-in. No pre-registration is required.

Yoga Yard offers a variety of classes and programs to help students learn Yoga according to their experience level, condition and needs. Our classes focus on breath, movement and awareness as ways to improve energy, mental and emotional focus, and physical health. From basic postures to more advanced practices, Yoga can be a way to continually harmonize these components. At Yoga Yard, we invite students to begin an exploration of their bodies and breath to awaken greater peace and physical well-being.

Class Levels and Descriptions:

Level 1:
This class is appropriate for students new to Yoga, or anyone who wants to re-visit the fundamentals. Emphasis is given to learning proper alignment in the basic postures, using props to help better meet all students’needs. Breath focus is integrated throughout the class, helping to center and quiet the mind.

Level 1-2:
This class explores beginner and some intermediate level asanas (poses), introducing gentle sequences at a moderate pace. Modifications are given to meet the needs of all students. All levels welcome, beginners included.

Level 2:
This intermediate-level class introduces a more vigorous vinyasa flow, emphasizing sequences based on building greater awareness, strength, flexibility and grace. Some advanced asanas are introduced. Recommended for students with an regular practice.

Level 2-3:
This dynamic vinyasa class explores intermediate and advanced asanas, using creative sequencing and an energetic pace to introduce deeper moving meditations. Through the continual development of strength, mobility, stamina and breath awareness, this class offers the opportunity to cultivate internal alignment by infusing the practice with greater mindfulness. This is a challenging class, recommended for students with an ongoing practice.

Lunchtime Yoga:
This one-hour class is designed to refresh and rejuvenate mid-day, leaving the body at ease and the mind focused and clear. Emphasis is given to increasing mobility and strength, releasing tension from the shoulders, neck and back, and encouraging greater circulation and energy flow throughout the body. All levels welcome. Special lunchtime class passes available.

Strong and Mobile:
The core aim of Strength and Mobility is stimulating the nervous system, strengthening the muscles and bones to enhance the stability and mobility of joints. This course does away with complex yoga poses, instead employs targeted stretches and repetitive movement to buttress the weak inks in the kinetic chain, thus improving the athletic and daily functions of the practitioners. Suitable particularly to beginners.

Core Series
Trunk stability is essential to advancing one’s asana practice. Off the mat, it is also key to better posture and lower back relief. In this winter CORE series, we focus on building heat and strengthening the core - which encompasses the pelvic floor up to the chest - through a combination of whole-body movements, breathwork, and deep stretching. This class is open to all levels.

Pre-Natal Yoga:
This class focuses on yoga poses, breathing techniques and relaxation exercises designed to support the body during pregnancy and prepare the body for childbirth. Special attention is given to help alleviate back pain, maintain healthy muscle tone and circulation, and develop greater focus and calmness of mind. No previous yoga experience required. All stages of pregnancy welcome. For more information please click here.

Post-Natal Yoga :
Designed to meet the common needs of postpartum mothers, Special attention is given to re-establishing core strength and toning the pelvic floor, while releasing tension around the shoulders, neck and low back. No previous yoga experience required.

Intro to Yoga:
This is a special two-day workshop designed to introduce yoga to new students, or to those who would like to brush-up on the basics. This workshop teaches the building blocks for many of the basic postures and breathing techniques in vinyasa yoga, and introduce ideas about yoga as a philosophy and practice. Information materials provided. Pre-registration required. For more information please click here.

Align and Meditate:
Do you have a regular meditation practice? If you have been practicing yoga for a while but have not started meditating, you can start out with our Align & Meditate class! This class is taught in Chinese only. For more information please click here.

Iyengar Basics:
Iyengar Yoga emphasizes precision and alignment. Postures are held longer than in some other styles, to allow muscles to lengthen and relax. Props may be used to improve students’ understanding of poses or to help if students have difficulties. In this class, basic postures are taught to develop strength, stamina and flexibility. It is open to students new to Yoga, those who have been practicing for less than two years, or anyone who has practiced other types of yoga and would like to learn the basics of Iyengar Yoga.

Acro Yoga:
Acroyoga is a dynamic partner practice that blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing art. These three lineages form the foundation of a partner practice that cultivates trust, playfulness and community. Acroyoga is a practice that is available for every body, age and ability. We support all beings through movement, connection and play. "To empower life change and inspire connection through joyful play and healing love."

What you'll need: You'll need to bring comfortable clothing and a towel. We have yoga mats and props available for use in classes. (However, it is always recommended to use your own personal mat when possible. We do provide complimentary storage space for students to keep their personal mat at the studio.) There are also women's and men's changing rooms and showers, but we ask that students bring their own towels and toiletries.

It is best to practice yoga on an empty stomach. Therefore, we recommend that you refrain from eating for 2-3 hours before class.

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