Aerial Yoga: Unnata® Aerial Yoga is for students with at least a year of strong yoga asana practice who are comfortable with inversions and who can successfully adjust their effort level to maintain a steady, calm breath throughout an entire mat class. Students alternate between mat and hammock postures for a deeper awareness. Class size is limited, so you must call ahead or sign in online to hold your spot in class. If you have a spinal condition, injury, or any medical issues that prevent you from inverting (glaucoma, heart condition, etc) or backbending, obtain your doctor's permission. Anusara Yoga: Anusara means to flow with Grace or to follow your heart. Developed in 1997, by John Friend, Anusara Yoga is the fastest growing school of yoga in America. Fun, uplifting and seriously playful this yoga uses Universal Principles of Alignment to joyfully unite body, mind and spirit. All levels - all hearts - warmly welcomed. Ashtanga Primary Series: BEGINNING ASHTANGA: Learn the Ashtanga Primary Series in a workshop-style format. These classes introduce you to the flowing and heat building poses of the Ashtanga Primary Series, a sequence of poses over 2000 years old. Learn ujjayi pranayama breathwork, bandhas (energetic locks to help access core strength), drishti (gazing points), and vinyasa (sequencing breath with movement). Ashtanga is the building block of Vinyasa Flow yoga, and learning aspects of the full Primary Series will help you feel comfortable in just about any class. Breathe, stretch, and sweat! Learn basic to intermediate poses and concepts on how to forward fold properly to help open tight hamstrings, shoulders and upper back. This is a great class to take if you are trying to build a home practice as you will learn a set sequence of poses. See the our Beginning Yoga page for details.
LEVEL 2/3: For students who have taken Ashtanga 1 or are comfortable in a vinyasa flow class and want a challenge. An instructor will lead you through the traditional Primary Series as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga is distinct in that the postures or asanas are connected to one another by a flowing series of movements called vinyasa. This powerful and vigorous practice purifies and realigns the body clearing energy channels blocked by years of stress and arouses the internal fire helping to cleanse, detoxify and strengthen the body. The synchronization of movements with breath awakens the mind-body-soul connection establishing consistent states of balance, inner peace, and well-being. Big A#%! Yoga : This fun, challenging, and inspiring class is designed especially for bigger woman and men who want to begin yoga but want to do it a setting where everyone is similar in size and shape. Instructor and YCM owner Jennifer Gray (a retired Big A#%!™ herself) and others will help all students find yoga poses that work for
their current body type and create a beneficial yoga practice for all. This is not a sedative class rather a class for those looking to become stronger, more active and have fun.
See the Big A#%! page for details!
Hatha Donation: Donation minimum $5. Open to all levels, we waive the class drop-in fee, but ask that you pay what you can. This class is taught by up-and-coming yoga teachers completing the YCM Yoga Study training program who are donating their time and talents for the greater good. All proceeds will be donated to the YCM Karma Yoga Fund and used to fund community outreach: yoga classes, and yoga therapy for populations that would otherwise not have access to it.
Hatha Yoga:
BEGINNING HATHA: This is the perfect place for a beginner to start learning the nuts and bolts of yoga. No experience necessary. See the our Beginning Yoga page for details.
LEVEL 1/2: For those continuing to establish a solid practice
LEVELS 2/3: Take your practice to the next level! Learn new, challenging poses and find a deeper connection between mind, body, and breath. Backbends and inversions may be introduced. For students with prior yoga experience or those who are are comfortable in level 1/2 and ready to move on. J.A.I. Prenatal Yoga: This unique prenatal yoga class, founded by certified instructor Jennifer Gray (J.A.I. stands for "Josh, Annie, Isabel" - Jen's 3 kids and also means "hurrah or victory" in Sanskrit), utilizes meditation and pranayama (breath work) for child birth preparation, as well as asana (yoga poses) for strength and flexibility. Come prepared to calm your mind, and safely build strength through a Sun Salutation sequence geared for pregnant moms. You can join the class at any time. All yoga levels welcome.
See Zen Mama page for details! Jivamukti: The Jivamukti Yoga method is a style of Yoga created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984. It is a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating practice leading to spiritual awareness. Jivamukti teachers promote the educational aspect of the practice and give students access to where these ideas have come from. Each class focuses on a theme, which is supported by Sanskrit chanting, readings, references to scriptural texts, music (from the Beatles to Moby), spoken word, asana sequencing and yogic breathing practices.
The name Jivamukti means Liberation while living. Jivamukti is taken from the Sanskrit term, Jivanmukti, which is used to describe the state of enlightenment or God realization, the ultimate aim of the practice. Kids Yoga Ages 6-9: Have all your little yogis join us as we nurture each of their unique spirits through yogic games and stories. Your child will travel to distant lands through imaginative play and creative projects based on a selected yogic topic. Compassion, empathy and shared mission will inspire a community feel to the class. Group yoga poses, music and meditation will transform your child's body, mind and spirit. Meditation: Research has shown that people who meditate not only age more slowly, but also are hospitalized 87 percent less often then nonmeditators for heart disease and 50 percent less often for all kinds of tumors. With these statistics in mind, why not begin your meditation practice this quarter with our 6 week session?
Enjoy this sampling of meditation techniques guiding you to the blissful silence behind thoughts. Learn how to calm your mind and cultivate greater enjoyment in more of your life. The last half of class is spent exploring Yoga Nidra, the state of blissful rest where the body's natural healing and regenerative processes are nurtured and balanced. No meditation experience necessary. Mi-an Yoga: This practice is dedicated to the development of a perfect balance between body and mind through the art of words, the telling of stories, the love of laughter, and the discipline of "let's try again" Mysore Style Ashtanga: YOGA CENTER is happy to announce new “Mysore (open practice) style Ashtanga class every Wednesday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm taught by local ashtanga teacher Lynn Thomasberg. Students may arrive anytime between 6:00pm and 7:00pm and must be finished by 8:00pm. Students may practice either the primary or second series of Ashtanga and may bring practice sheets. Having the series memorized is not a requirment. The Mysore style of yoga asana practice is a particular way of teaching yoga within the Ashtanga Yoga tradition as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the southern Indian city of Mysore. There are some differences in this method from the usual modern way in which yoga is taught: • the class is not "led" as a whole but rather all instruction is one-on-one within the group class setting • students practice their own portion of the Ashtanga sequence of asanas at their own pace • the teacher assists each student individually by giving physical adjustments & verbal instruction Each student is given their yoga routine according to their ability. Newer and more beginning students tend to have a much shorter practice than do those with more experience. As one gains more strength, stamina, flexibility and concentration, additional postures are given to the student. The sense of the word "given" in this context comes from how the practice is taught in India, where a yoga practice is something that a teacher gives to a student as a spiritual practice. In the West, people are accustomed to learning a lot of postures all at once – such as in a typical modern "led" yoga class. One advantage of the "Mysore" method is that, because it teaches yoga according to one's individual capacity, it accommodates everyone of all levels even those without any prior yoga experience; and hence the class is neither too difficult nor not advanced enough for anyone. Personal Practice Development: The Personal Practice Development (PPD) Series can now be found on our monthly workshop pages
Preteen Yoga Ages 8-12: The fundamentals of yoga --from breathing and focus to postures and relaxation -- are great for any age, and this specially-developed class for preteens helps them use these basics to build body awareness and create their own personal practice. Students will learn yoga sequences, breathing exercises that aid concentration (perfect for studying!), and techniques for settling down, combating insomnia and anxiety. The class has structure and discussion, and features plenty of fun, laughter, and music to help junior yogis and yoginis bloom.
Restorative (post-vinyasa): Completely let go. In this class you'll use props to build well-supported poses that soothe the nervous system. Like an adult naptime... but better.
Come to the vinyasa class beforehand and stay for Restorative, FREE, for an equally challenging and nurturing experience. Restorative Yoga: An hour of held, supported postures to facilitate deep relaxation and bring the body back into balance. This restorative class uses warm-ups, mantra, mudra and visualization along with supported postures to rejuvenate and replenish. Restorative yoga...the antidote to stress! Restore and Renew: Restore and Renew with this gentle, meditative class. Students focus on steadiness and comfort, honoring the bodies wisdom and cultivating intuition. Class includes, mantras, mudras, yoga postures, breathwork and meditation to cultivate balance and nourish peace within. Open to all levels. Slow Flow Vinyasa: Vinyasa, but not in the traditional sense. Work into poses and hold for some time with vinyasa between them. This class is challenging yet deeply profound in the after-effects. Slow down your vinyasa and savor the experience. Tantra: Tantric yoga is the original yoga of ancient India of which all other styles of yoga are rooted in. Tantra literally translates to “extend beyond all limitations.” Tantra class pays special attention to the whole person and works to intentionally help you to move energy in an productive and clear direction, detoxify your body and mind, build your inner fire and through sequences that are both dynamic (repetitive and constant) and static (still), and help you create space and strength in your physical body while you gain a better sense of clarity and peace of mind. Pranayama (breath work) is the cornerstone of the practice. Twilight Yoga: Indulge in the ultimate yoga experience. Soft lighting and music soothe the soul and senses as you flow through various poses. The serene setting allows you to slip into a deep sense of peace and relaxation. Modifications are given for all levels so that you can create the perfect resolution to your week. A great start to the weekend! Urban Flow: Feel the urge to shake up your yoga practice? Want to heat up and chill out? In this joyful, energetic practice, you'll move, breathe, meditate (and sweat!) through a dynamic, flowing sequence of practices and postures set to upbeat music with rhythm and soul to revitalize every part of your being and liberate your soul. Vinyasa Flow: Sweat, breathe, go with the flow! This fun, flowing class combines postures and sequences from various styles of yoga. With a dynamic flowing sequence of yoga postures linking breath and movement, you'll cultivate awareness while building core strength and flexibility. Learn ujjayi pranayama breathwork, bandhas (energetic locks to help access core strength), drishti (gazing points), and vinyasa (sequencing breath with movement) to help the mind and nervous system achieve balance.
LEVEL 1 is the perfect place for a beginner to learn or continue practicing Vinyasa-style yoga. No experience necessary.
LEVEL 2 and up will challenge and expand your flow practice, introducing arm balances and inversions in to the mix. Workshops: Check out a variety of 2- and 3-hour workshops held each weekend at the both studios. Visit our Workshops page to see what's happening this weekend!
Yin Yang Yoga: Yin Yang Yoga creates a balance of exquisite relaxation (yin) and enlivening vigor (yang). Yang practice is heating, stimulating and is designed to strengthen and stretch primarily the muscular system. Yin practice is cooling, calming, deeply relaxing and is designed to lengthen and transform the connective tissue (fascia) of the body, including the ligaments and tendons. True health and fitness requires a dynamic balance of both yin and yang: of action and repose, of activity and receptivity, of movement and stillness.
Through this class you will experience a fusion of
- Stretch and Strength
- Action and Relaxation
- Form and Flow
- Energy and Calm
This class is an excellent choice for people of all levels of experience. Please know that your individuality and uniqueness will be deeply honored in this class. Yin Yoga & Restorative: Yin yoga is a form of Chinese yoga and works the six major meridians from the navel to the knees, this strengthens the immune system while stretching the connective tissue to release chronic held tension. The postures are all practiced on the floor and are held for 3 to 5 minutes. This enables one to harness the mind together with the breath to release more deeply into the body while tapping into the vast reservoir of vital energy within us all. Restorative yoga, developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, is a form of therapeutic yoga and is considered to be an antidote for stress and stress related diseases. It too, is practiced on the floor with longer holds using the support of props to more fully relax. A restorative class moves the spine in every direction and counters the effects of gravity through supported inverted poses. Like yin, it accesses the life force and builds energy to heal and nurture oneself from within. Whether you are new to yoga or an established practitioner, these styles of yoga offer a wealth of benefits. Yin Yoga / Meditation: Are you stressed out, overworked, overtired, run-down or just in need of some quiet rejuvenation time? Let the power of Yin Yoga come to your aid. This class begins with an affirmation/resolve (sankalpa), and the chanting of seed syllables (simple power mantras) to set the intention for class, and is followed by a series of longer held restorative poses while one sends their intention, breath, and consciousness to the bodily sensations. This draws the life force (prana or chi) into the deeper meridians which stimulates the immune system and rejuvenates the whole body. Class closes with the deeply restorative practice of Yoga Nidra, which is part meditation, part relaxation, and combines the effects of all the techniques in a way that nourishes every layer of our being. Yoga for Back Strength: Do you have back discomfort, carry tension in the neck and shoulders, or struggle with poor posture and/or lack of energy? Whether your pain comes from an injury, repetitive activities at work, or the rigors of life, yoga can help to release tension and retrain the body into balance. In this series we will focus on freeing up the spine, increasing flexibility and range of motion. You will learn daily exercises for spinal health and core strength that will have you standing tall and strong. Beginners are welcome. If you have major back dis-ease, please contact the instructor about registering. Yoga for Flexibility: Can't touch your toes? Is your low back chronically tight? Do your shoulders and upper back feel like they will never release? This unique class, open to all levels, is specifically designed to increase flexibility safely and with precise alignment to avoid overstretching. Whether you think you are flexible enough to practice yoga, or if you just want to continue exploring flexibility, this class is for you! We will begin by focusing on the breath. Slowly bringing movement into the practice, we will build heat in the body preparing us to patiently stretch and increase flexibility. Leave feeling light and refreshed. No matter what you current level of flexibility, you will benefit from this fun practice!
Yoga Study Program : The Yoga Center of Minneapolis offers a 230-hour Study program designed for any student wishing to deepen their knowledge of yoga and its philosophies and/or teach. We are a Yoga Alliance Registered School (RYS 200). Groups meet either twice or four times monthly depending on the group, in addition to elective workshops and weekly 1.5 hour technique sessions of the student's choice. Click for details
Yoga Study Tech: Open to all past and present Yoga Study Students. Click here to view topic schedule. |