FOUNDATIONS

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a series of traditional yoga postures done primarily on the floor. The postures are held for 3-5 minutes while keeping the muscles in a relaxed state and focusing on specific tissues of the body. The practice emphasizes the connective tissues of our hips, thighs, pelvis and lower spine. Yin yoga is taught functionally, rather than aesthetically, which requires us to cultivate a practice of deep internal listening to the body.


Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is where we cultivate our innate human ability for rest and relaxation. Restoration is a natural human function, but in our modern world, we can find ourselves always doing and are surrounded by constant stimulation. This can cause us to lose our connection to our restorative function. A practice that incorporates restorative yoga can help us re-establish this natural ability. Through a series of supported postures, we bring the mind and body’s physiological functions (mental processing, respiration, digestion etc.) to rest. The after effects are extraordinary!


Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is a set of progressive sequences that flow and unfold with an inherent harmony and intelligence. Vinyasa is derived from the Sanskrit term nyasa, which means “to place,” and vi, which means “in a special way.” In modern yoga, the most common understanding of vinyasa is as a flowing sequence of specific postures and involves the linking of one posture to the next in coordination with the movements of the breath.

*Vinyasa is not taught during the first few sessions.


Pranayama

Pranayama is the practice of regulating and deepening the breath. Sometimes our body is in one place and our mind is in another, which can lead to stress and disconnection. Pranayama is the great connector that brings the body, mind and breath back into harmony. Through a series of pranayama techniques to alter the breath, we can re-establish flow, deepen the connection between our body and mind and achieve a more peaceful state.


Yamas & Niyamas

The Yamas & Niyamas are the ethical practices of yoga and are foundational to all traditions. They are considered guidelines, ethical disciplines and observations that offer wisdom and direction to a well-lived yogic life, on and off your mat. They include such practices as nonviolence, truthfulness, contentment, self-study and surrender. At BE yoga, all of these ethical practices are incorporated into instruction and focus can also be given to a specific yamas or niyamas, depending on the needs and goals of the student.