Yoga Style

Ashtanga

Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the “Yoga Korunta quot;. This text was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Ramamohana Brahmachari, and was later passed down to K. Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927.

Taught at Orion in Mysore and Led class form, this practice heats up the body causing the practitioner to sweat. This sweating purifies the body from the inside out.

Ashtanga Led – the class goes along with the set pace and postures as “led” by the count of the teacher.

Ashtanga Mysore – the class is more of an individual practice and not “led” by the teacher 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 (postures) at their own pace, and the teacher assists each student individually by giving physical adjustments and verbal instruction.

In Mysore style, students learn the fixed order of asanas. Please check our Ashtanga Program for more details on this traditional form of yoga.

Hatha

The word “Hatha” can be translated two ways: as “willful” or “forceful” – the yoga of activity – and as “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha) – the yoga of balance. Hatha practices are designed to align and calm your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation.

Hatha Yoga refers to a set of poses (asanas) designed to align the muscles and bones, and open the many energy channels of the body, especially in the spine, so that energy can flow freely. Hatha Yoga is intended to create a balance of strength and flexibility in the body as well as a balance of effort and surrender in each asana. Hatha Yoga requires that one pay special attention to the breath, which helps calm the mind. This allows the practitioner to become more present in the unfolding of each moment, resulting in more presence, awareness, and relaxation.

By performing postures, we can align our body to come into resonance with the corresponding energy in the universe. Thereby bringing balance and harmony to a specific ailment, be it physical, emotional, or energetical. These classes are often calmer in pace, and the practitioner holds each posture for longer. Each class is specifically-designed by the teachers for all levels of students, and the series of postures change according to the focus of the day. No previous yoga experience is necessary.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa means “breathing system”, and Vinyasa Yoga is the fluid combination of breath and movement. For each movement, there is one breath. For example, in Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) there are nine vinyasas, or inhalations and exhalations. The first vinyasa is inhaling while raising your arms over your head and putting your hands together; the second vinyasa is exhaling while bending forward and placing your hands next to your feet. In this way, all asanas are assigned a certain number of vinyasas, or breaths.

Vinyasa Flow, likened to a dynamic dance, is a practice where postures or asanas are connected through the breath. Classes build heat, endurance, flexibility, and strength. The creative sequencing found in a Vinyasa Yoga class is often built around Sun Salutations. Vinyasa as a form is always evolving, and classes weave together wisdom teachings, poetry, and music that can inspire physical, energetic, mental, intuitive, and pure bliss states of consciousness. Previous yoga experience is recommended.

Tantra/Ayurvedic Tri Dosa Yoga – Kaula System

Meditative Tantra or Ayurvedic Yoga will take you into a deep relaxation and allow you to explore meditation in your yoga practice, and your life! Guided by the teacher’s voice, flow through the asana series with your eyes closed, and slip into a deep, trance-like state in your yoga postures.

Coming from the Kaula System of Kashmiri Shaivism – a Traditional Tantric lineage taught at

Shri Kali Ashram – this tridosha balancing asana series brings harmony to your energetic system. You are not merely a physical body; you are a wholesome being! This is a holistic set of postures which build upon each other and allow you to connect with and trust your body. Tantra

Yoga connects you to your inner self so that you can express your true nature while letting go of thoughts, emotions, and energetic blockages which manifest in your physical body. This asana series helps you experience and integrate an expression of your true self into your life. Come drop your conscious mind, completely let go, and allow your body to meditate in your yoga practice. All levels are welcome; perfect for detoxers!

Yin

Yin Yoga is a modern style of yoga which was developed by a martial arts expert and Taoist yoga teacher, Paulie Zink, as a more meditative yoga practice. Yin Yoga incorporates familiar poses from Hatha Yoga that are used to cool the body and deepen the breath. These gentle movements set the stage for deeper relaxation with restorative postures which stretch the ligaments, tendons, and fascia of the body. Held for three to five minutes, Yin Yoga asanas allow the body to open up to its depths while leaving you in total state of relaxation.

This class offers the chance to cultivate inner stillness for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. The Yin practice is great as a stand-alone but also excellent for yogis with an active, stronger practice who want to deeply stretch and restore connective tissues in the body, as well as increase circulation and flexibility of muscles and joints. Restore, revitalize, and relax!

Kundalini

Kundalini Yoga as taught by Harbhajan Singh (Yogi Bhajan) is a modern fusion of yoga, Tantra, and Sikhism which was brought to the United States in the 1960s. These classes are a dynamic blend of yoga postures, movement, breathing techniques, mantra, music, and meditation which teach you the art of relaxation, self-healing, and elevation. Kundalini Yoga aids balancing of the body and mind while enabling you to experience the clarity and beauty of your soul.

“In Kundalini Yoga we harness the mental, physical, and nervous energies of the body and put them under the domain of the will, which is the instrument of the soul. This technology precisely and consciously combines breath, mudra, eye-focus, mantra, body locks, and postures to balance the glandular system, strengthen the nervous system, expand lung capacity, and purify the blood. It brings balance to the body, mind, and soul.”

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is powerful technique from the Tantra Yoga tradition, popularized in the mid-20th century by Satyananda Saraswati – founder of the Bihar School of Yoga. The Yoga Nidra teacher verbally guides the practitioner into an altered state of consciousness – allowing you to relax, expand the faculty of imagination, and enter the realm of subconscious and superconscious awareness.

The yogic sleep is an effective and efficient form of psychic and psychological rest. It is also more rejuvenating than conventional sleep. Those who adopt this practice in their daily routine soon experience profound changes in their sleeping habits, and a significant decrease in levels of stress and anxiety.

Pranayama

“When you know your own breath, nobody can steal your peace.” – Author Unknown

Pranayama is a Sanskrit word translated as “to extend/draw out prana or “breath control”.

Prana is “life force” or “breath”.

This practice is one of the most significant parts of yogic philosophy. The air that we breathe is more vital to human life than food or water, and the mastery of controlling our breathing capacity has the power to heal the body on many levels, as well as treat a range of disorders related to stress.

Pranayama classes consist of breathing techniques guided by an experienced yoga teacher who trains you to connect with your energetic life force through breath, increase your breathing capacity, and experience the dramatic effects of altering your breathing rhythm and focus. This practice can help calm and balance the mind, increase mental clarity and internalization, and release tension and stress.

Meditation

During meditation classes, the instructor will lead meditators of any experience level through various techniques and exercises in concentration. Meditation can help you reduce stress, depression, and anxiety – while encouraging a happier, healthier lifestyle. Studies have proven meditation helps increase self-awareness, acceptance, and the ability to focus – which as a result slows aging, regulates moods, and benefits cardiovascular and immune health. Various meditation techniques can be helpful tools to shift perception and awareness to promote your happiness and health.