Akhanda Yoga presents the most common postures that can be practiced by anyone. Students learn three-part yogic breathing, ocean-sounding breath and some practical concentration, meditation and mantras. This level aims to balance flexibility and strength, cleanse the body and help attain a natural state of health. Through the physical practice, students also learn to listen to the messages of the body enhancing self-awareness.
Akhanda Flow is intended to inspire those who are flexible and/or enjoy a dynamic and physically challenging class to use their bodies to their full potential through advanced variations of standard poses, and/or holding postures, as well as exploring the Pranic and Mental/Emotional levels of awareness. This class uses the sun salutation and variations as a thread through the middle portion of the class. Remembering that the hallmark of our approach is balance, the intensity of strong uplifting asanas toward the beginning of the program will match the intensity of the surrendering postures in the resolution of the class. This gives what is often called a yang/yin effect. In this level, students will explore further the bandhas and breath retention for the direction and expansion of prana and to aid concentration.
Back Care Yoga is a therapeutic yoga practice designed to alleviate pain and promote health in the low back, sacrum and hips. Eight out of ten adults will experience a low back “event” at some point in their life. Strengthen your core and learn safe ways to lift, and stretch with these powerful therapeutic exercises. Great for everyone—even if you’ve never practiced yoga before!
Gentle Yoga Gentle holistic hatha yoga and meditation designed to calm the body and mind. Move through gentle mobilization of the joints and spine while gently stretching and strengthening muscles. This class is suitable for individuals living with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, arthritis, fibromyalgia and those seeking relief from anxiety and depression.This restorative asana class offers a gentle and healing approach to Hatha yoga as well as meditation and guided imagery. This class allows you to unwind, relax deeply and connect with your true self.
BT Weekend Warrior Vinyasa This class will get your weekend off to the right start!
Yes, you will work and yes you will sweat, all the while reuniting with the balance and peace that lays within. Threaded together by vinyasas will be subtle alignement cues, specific therapeutic breathing (pranayama) and Bandha (Locks) work, fascial release technics and pratyahara (drawing in of your senses). Your goal to reach into those strengths and flexibilities (physical and mental) that lay within, those places you never thought you’d access will be within reach.
Focusing on Crescendo poses in each class, from inversions and arm balances to back bends and block therapeutics. Do what you can and reach for your moment to moment intentions.
This class is intended to build stamina, strength and flexibility. It works great as a cross training for athletes or a potent practice within itself.
Candlelight Yin and Meditation
Join in a soothing and restorative yin practice lit by candlelight. Holding gentle postures for a period of time to allow the physical body to open and release. Preparing the mind and body for a seasted meditation. Relax and unwind from the weekend, refreshing yourself mentally and physically for the new week ahead.
Hatha Yoga is the classical name for the path of yoga that involves asana (postures), pranayama (breath work), mudras and bandhas (energy seals), as well as mindfulness and meditation. Teachers use sequencing principles to create their own unique classes blending these techniques with mantras (yogic affirmations) and thematic messages about yoga philosophy and lifestyle. Classes should leave you feeling strong, open and uplifted.
Hatha Flow is a powerful and athletic yoga practice where flowing asana sequences are woven through sun salutations and blended with held postures. This class focuses on integrating breath and movement, similar to a dynamic dance.
Kripalu Yoga The yoga of consciousness inspired by Swami Kripalvananda (Babuji). Kripalu has three stages, (body and breath awareness, inner focus and concentration & absorption) which students can move through at their own pace while honouring the body & apos;s needs.
Restorative Yoga This class offers a gentle and healing approach to Hatha yoga. Restorative Yoga focuses on relaxing the body in restful postures. Rest provides the body an opportunity for the body to renew and heal. Restorative yoga stimulates the Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) which is responsible for balancing the body and bringing its response system back into equilibrium. Stimulating the PNS lowers the heart rate and blood pressure; it stimulates the immune system and assists in maintenance of the endocrine system. When stressors are present, the Sympathetic Nervous System is activated which elicits the “fight or flight” response. The PNS reverses this response and allows the body to move into a relaxed state where it can rest. Restorative yoga is used in the case of particular ailments and provides techniques for preventing and managing health concerns.
Stretch, Strengthen & Restore A calming, yin-yang yoga practice of deep stretches and toning postures (asanas) to build on flexibility, core strength and alignment. This class builds on positivity, centering and not taking things too seriously while inspiring growth in the body and calmness of mind. On occasion, Sandy throws in a little laughing yoga which has tremendous benefits for the heart and soul or a wall class which takes stretching to a restorative level.
Yin Yoga uses long-held relaxed floor postures to stretch and stimulate the deep connective tissues of the body. Yin postures are done with the muscles relaxed and are held a long time increasing your flexibility, opening your hips, lower back and shoulders and enhancing your overall sense of well-being. Yin yoga targets fascia rather than muscles and works on energetic pathways (meridians) in the body to increase the presence and flow of chi or life force energy. It is also a contemplative, mindfulness based practice promoting emotional and mental health. Yin yoga is great for athletes who develop tightness in their bodies as a result of intense training. In particular, hockey players, equestrians and runners benefit from the hip opening of yin yoga.
Gentle Therapeutic This gentle class is designed for anyone who is living with a chronic or life-threatening condition. A combination of gentle movement with breath, self-massage with balls, sound, restorative postures and yoga nidra make up this class. Suitable for everyone even those that think they cannot do yoga.
Hot Yoga Suitable for all levels. Hot Yoga js Hatha Yoga practice but with infrared heaters to warm and detoxify the body. This is a holistic yogic path including: postures (asana), breathing (prayanama), and meditation. In this practice, students will flow mindfully through the postures combining breath and movement. Students are encouraged to follow at their own pace and to rest at any point in the practice. Classes will consist of sun salutations to warm the body and elevate the heart rate, static and dynamic poses to strengthen and stretch the muscles, balancing poses to work on focus and balance, calming poses to cool down and Savasana. Various pranayama exercises and meditation techniques will also be explored. Students will leave the class feeling energized and rejuvenated. All levels welcome!
Meditation Whether you trying meditation for the first time, or have been practicing for many years, this ongoing meditation practice provides a comfortable, nurturing, and supportive space to practice in the company of others. Give yourself the gift of space and time and make friends with yourself by quieting the mind and creating beautiful energy with your neighbours and friends in the Bodhi Tree Community.
Every week there is a theme and in each class there is a similar format: a brief introduction and discussion of the week’s theme, a meditation practice (which may be guided, sitting, walking, or other), movement, and relaxation.