ABOUT BHAKTI YOGA
Bhakti Yoga Shala’s Signature Style of Vinyasa Yoga is what we call “Bhakti Vinyasa Flow”.
Bhakti Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a dynamic, soulful, devotional and rejuvenating physical yoga practice fusing the principles of hatha vinyasa yoga ( the union of body, breath, and movement) and the qualities of bhakti yoga (gratitude, open-heartedness, humility, compassion, and devotion). At any level, you are encouraged to honor Yourself!
Depending on the instructor's creative expression and intuitive guidance, our Bhakti Vinyasa Flow classes at Bhakti Yoga Shala will explore a wide range of yogic tools and techniques including sun salutations, vinyasa asana sequences (flowing yoga poses with the breath), restorative yoga poses, yogic breathing excercises (pranayama), meditation, kirtan (devotional chanting), mantra chanting, inspirational quotes from great yogic saints, mystical poetry, prayer, partner yoga, massage, visualizations, affirmations, dancing, creative movement, aromatherapy, and much much more to enhance your transformative yoga experience. Come with an open mind and open heart and dive deep into your own bliss!!!
Please honor your level and take the class that is most appropriate for you...
Level 1: This class is for absolutely everyone. It doesn't matter your age, shape or flexibility. This class will open you up to all of the bliss and joy that yoga has to offer. Our Level 1 class builds the foundation for a lifetime of yoga practice, introducing a basic well-rounded class with an emphasis on breathing, healthy alignment in the poses, meditation, and relaxation.
Level 1/2: An inspiring, and rejuvenative flowing vinyasa yoga practice designed to strengthen, nurture, and revitalize your whole Being. A basic understanding of vinyasa yoga is recommended, but not required. This class is will allow the newer student to dive deeper into the journey of Bhakti Vinyasa and gives the more experienced student an opportunity to refine their yoga practice.
Level 2/3: This uplifting flowing vinyasa class is geared towards students with an understanding of the vinyasa technique. It will use more challenging asanas, stronger vinyasas and a deeper exploration of the philosophical, spiritual and mystical aspects of yoga. This class is a CELEBRATION of a strong body, clear mind, and boundless spirit!
Yin/ Restorative: yoga teaches the body to surrender allowing
new depths in postures, deeper ranges of motion, and an increased flow of
energy. This is why Yin Yoga is the perfect compliment and balance to the
other more active, yang practices. It is relaxing, safe, slow deep
stretching using restorative poses to assist us in calming the mind, body
and heart.
Focusing on soft tissue injuries/tension or any blocked energy we will begin
to heal those areas, feel our muscles release and our minds quiet.
Collective energy and participation in a group supports us while we deepen
physical openings in the body. Teach your body when to be active and when to
simply relax and let go! Practicing yin we increase vitality, awareness, and
overall wellbeing and reduce stress, I invite you to heal from the inside
out. This yin class will also be calming, and is truly a therapeutic
experience that supports the body in order to for us to allow gravity and
softness to deepen the benefits of the poses on all levels. Both soothing
and nurturing, this class promotes the effects of conscious relaxation. We
gather to support one another on our journeys’ to relax and let go! This
class is open to everyone, all levels, and no experience necessary, just an
open heart.
Yin - Slow Deep Stretch: In this "yin" style yoga class, a shanti-bhav or "peaceful mood" will support us in slow, passive holds (between 2 and 10 minutes) of simple yoga poses to deeply stretch the body and facilitate a true letting go into a profound state of grounding, relaxation, insight and stillness. This class is open to all and is a wonderful medicine to counter the anxiety that comes with the busy-ness of fast paced modern day life...
Kirtan Vinyasa Yoga Flow: A unique creation by Govindas and Radha - the founders/directors of Bhakti Yoga Shala, Kirtan Vinyasa Flow is a blissful mandala of kirtan, movement, asana, devotion, bhakti-philosophy, and prayer. Like a moving meditation and devotional dance, Students will be guided through flowing vinyasa movements and kirtan (yogic chanting) at the SAME TIME! This ritual is designed to compassionately open our bodies, voices, minds and hearts, and help each of us cultivate our own unique and loving relationship with the divine.
Kirtan: Kirtan is an ancient bhakti yoga practice using sacred song as an expression of devotion and prayer. The word kirtan literally translates into "praising the infinite Source - the One who orchestrates All". The interactive/responsive form of kirtan uses ancient repetitive simple sanskrit mantras that are called, sung or chanted out by the leader (who is commonly accompanied by musicians) and then repeated back by the participants / audience. Kirtan is described as a "jewel of a spiritual practice" because of its joyful, open-hearted, meditative, and communal feeling...
