JoyMoves offers the following yoga class levels:

Gentle-Level

Gentle-level yoga classes are for the following individuals:

• Those who have little or no yoga experience.
• Those who want an especially gentle class (including seniors).
• Those who need to be mindful of past injuries.
• Those who are pregnant.
• Those who were recently pregnant.

Gentle-level yoga introduces students to the basic poses and breathing of yoga. Modifications to the postures are made as necessary and appropriate. In addition, Gentle-level classes will help the student to improve muscle strength, balance and flexibility.

Beginners-Level

Beginners-level yoga classes are for the following individuals:

• Those who have little or no yoga experience, but are otherwise healthy.

Beginner classes teach ‘fundamentals,’ ‘foundations’ and ‘basics’ of yoga. The aim is to teach students the specifics of each pose they do in class – e.g. where the feet are positioned, where the weight is distributed, how best to get into (and out of) the pose, how to breathe (and integrate the breath), how to relax into the pose (i.e. how to ‘be the pose’), the sanskrit names of poses, and so on. Props are used at the discretion of the teacher. These can include blocks, bolsters, belts, chairs and sandbags.

JoyMoves repeats the weekly sequence below each month, and you can join in at any time. You can also repeat the sequence as many times as you’d like.

The 1st week of each month covers basic breathe awareness, the feet as the foundation, stretching, and strengthening of the hamstrings and quads.

The 2nd week of the month focuses on the shoulder girdle, arms and hands.

The 3rd week of the month introduces the basics of backbends in a safe and appropriate manner. Spinal extensors (i.e. backbends) help to strengthen the back and spine. Accessing and lengthening the tailbone, and working with core abdominal strengthening will also be done.

The 4th week of the month introduces the basics of Hatha Flow (surya nasmaskra)

The 5th week of the month (for those months that have a 5th week) is the “teachers choice” week and is taught with various concepts from the above weeks as appropriate to the student base in the class.

This sequence is day-of-the-week specific i.e. the “Friday” Beginners-level class follows it, as does the “Saturday” Beginners-level class, etc.

Experienced Beginner/Intermediate Level

This level assumes you have taken some yoga classes and want to advance your practice. Often the classes are taught in a “flow” style (i.e students move with grace from posture to posture). These classes expect that you are modestly familiar with standing and seated postures, balance-poses and backbends, and somewhat familiar with inversions. Each class focuses on breath and correct alignment, which creates stability and ease within each posture, while honoring the wisdom of the body to lead the way.

Pilates

Women’s Movement Meditation