Classes include pranayama, meditation, mantra and yoga philosophy, in addition to a flow of postures that cultivate strength, flexibility, balance and equanimity with awareness on the connection of body, mind and spirit. These are multilevel classes with options to modify postures to be milder or progressively more challenging.   Multilevel classes allow us to build upon what we learn, and cultivate the ability to be present in our practice day to day and moment to moment. Classes are appropriate for levels of practitioners.

Yoga Within
8035 #27 Soquel Dr.
www.yogawithin.com
$12 drop in
series rate available
Mondays 10:15-11:45am
Tuesdays 10:15-11:45am

Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright Ave.
www.pacificcultural.org
$12 drop in
Series rate available
Tuesdays 5:30-7pm

Divinitree Yoga and Art Studio
1043b Water Street @ Seabright
www.artandyogasantacruz.com
$10-20 drop in
series rate available

Hatha Flow - All Levels
Thursdays 9:30-11am
Sundays 4:30-6pm
(Sunday's class ends with Kirtan)

This a classical Surya Namaskar practice in the form of moving meditation with breath awareness.  Each posture is combined with the chanting of full sun mantras, its awakening mantra, the seed sounds of the mantra (beeja), eventually moving towards awareness on the associated energy centers of the body (chakras).  The practice may include breath retention with a more experienced group of practitioners.  Our practice will conclude with pranayama (breath control) and a period of meditation.

Divinitree Yoga and Art Studio
1043b Water Street @ Seabright
www.artandyogasantacruz.com
$10-20 drop in
series rate available
Wednesdays 8-9:15am

Restorative Yoga is a therapeutic style of yoga which utilizes props to make it easier for the body to get into certain poses, and thus, surrender to the pose. Practicing poses using props provides a completely supportive environment for total relaxation. The more the body is supported the deeper the relaxation can be experienced. In full relaxation, there is no movement, no effort and the mind is silent.

Typically, restorative poses are sustained for around ten minutes or for as long as you are comfortable. We relax the body in a series of restful postures for extended periods of time, 'rest' being different than sleep. This is a practice of “conscious relaxation”. Rest provides the body an opportunity to renew and heal. Blankets, bolsters, blocks, straps, sandbags, and other props safely support the body in various postures which allows the body to move toward a state of balance.

The antidote to stress is relaxation. Restorative yoga focuses on relaxation, renewal, effortlessness and ease. This practice soothes your nervous system, helps you quiet your mind and invites you to release deeply held tension.

Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright Ave.
www.pacificcultural.org
$12 drop in
Series rate available
Mondays 7:30-8:45pm

Pranayama is a method of breathing in which life-supporting energy is expanded.  It is said that yoga can be achieved by stopping the thought waves in the mind.  Mental activity is correlated to breath; the more breaths there are, the more thoughts rush through the mind.  The practice of pranayama, which involves a series of breathing exercises, drastically reduces the number of breaths taken in a given period.  By calming the mind, it thus prepares one for meditation and concentration.

Meditation involves a continuous succession of identical thoughts directed towards one object, or can be in the form of awareness of the space in between the thoughts. 

May 20-25th, 2012

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