Yoga As Medicine
Many people practice yoga as an exercise for the physical body. This is great! You will derive the physical benefits: be it strengthening muscles, increasing range of motion, losing weight, or increasing the function of your internal organs. However, you have the option, if and when you feel comfortable, to explore the full benefits of yoga.
Your body awareness will be deepened and you will find yourself feeling more calm, self-disciplined, have more mental focus, and contentment! All the body systems become in-sync and function optimally. The benefits are endless!
In therapy and private yoga sessions, we use prescribed yoga poses, meditation, and breathing techniques to strengthen, support, and balance tissues and systems of the body to bring about the specific health that is needed.
My yoga classes compose of three elements for maximum benefits:
Pranayama (breathing techniques)
Asana/Kriya (physical exercises)
Meditation
Yoga Classes
I provide individual and group yoga. Whether you're already practicing yoga or you've never tried it before, I am here for you!
Individual sessions allow you to experience your very own personal trainer of health and well-being. We focus attention on your concerns and each session is solely geared toward you and your journey!
Group sessions allow you to experience group energy and share with your friends!
In order to serve you better, you have a wide range of lineages to explore as I am highly trained in multiple forms of yoga: Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Ashtanga, Pre-Natal, Hot, and Kundalini.
Everyone can practice yoga! I have a wide range of experience with people of all ages and conditions, including:
Asthma, back injury, diabetes, chronic stress, hip replacement, sciatica, and many more.
Depending on your specific needs, we can practice a specific type of class or tailor each session with multiple forms of yoga.
Class Descriptions
All classes can be taught at all levels: Gentle, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a nourishing practice that complements a busy yang lifestyle, nurturing calmness and balance for the mind, body, and spirit. It is based on the energetic meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine and acts to relieve tension like acupressure. Yin involves long held poses on the mat. Props support your body so that your muscles release tension and you can delve deep into the connective tissues of the body and increase your range of motion. Awareness is explored, compassion is cultivated, and deep healing is liberated.
Yin and Meditation: a deep yin stretch followed by a brain strengthening meditation.
Effie's Special Restorative Class
Restorative Yoga is a very centering and calming practice beneficial for individuals during times of stress. We strengthen the nervous system in order to better respond to stress. We make use of props (pillows, blankets, blocks) whereby those who are ill, injured, experiencing stress, or differently-abled can practice with little or no strain but still gain access to the benefits of the practice. Positions are held for a longer period of time and are done slowly and mindfully. We practice different types of mindfulness and meditation throughout the class.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga is a very powerful yoga of transformation. It is the yoga of awareness and unites the mental, physical, and nervous (system) energies of the body and brings them under control of the will, which is the instrument of the soul. This technology precisely combines techniques of breath, physical postures, meditation, and energetic influences (hand and body locks) 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.
Hatha Flow
Hatha Flow is a style of traditional hatha postures strung together in a flowing sequence. Taught at a level that is challenging and beneficial but that you are comfortable with.
Ashtanga Yoga
Is a set sequence that Pattabhi Jois taught to the Maharaja of Mysore, India. He brought these hatha postures to North America and we practice them as Ashtanga Yoga. Postures within each class are selected from the primary set sequence to fit into an hour. This sequence builds strength, mental focus, and flexibility.
Prenatal Yoga
Create strength, empowerment, and connection as you honour your changing body and your growing baby during this special time of life. Cultivate love, compassion, and peace. This class helps ease the mind and the body, breathing techniques, relaxation, and postures help to ground and prepare you for childbirth. This class is so lovely with a group of mothers-to-be who come together and support each other!
Outdoor Yoga
Practice surrounded by nature's beauty and supercharge your chakras with the sun. Ground yourself to mother earth, and open up to father sky. Outdoor Yoga could potentially be hot yoga depending on the weather. Experience increased detoxification as you liberate even more sweat to cleanse your body.
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