If you're just starting your Sacramento yoga explorations, this information will give you some idea what to expect.
But all classes are open to beginners.
Just pick a class that's convenient and join us. Be brave -- come have some fun!
There are lots of different styles of practice in various Sacramento yoga studios so please call us at (916) 531-6264 if you're mystified about the differences between classes.
Wall Yoga
Explore yoga in a new way as we utilize our unique Yoga Wall to cultivate core strength and defy gravity. Come have some fun working working variations on traditional yoga poses in startingly new ways. All levels are welcome to any class. We offer 4 different types of wall classes:
Power Wall Yoga - These classes will challenge your core! You’ll learn how to use the Wall and gravity to boost your core power in suspended crunches, elevated pikes and supported backbends, as well as inversions that build your inner strength and circulation. Try doing your best Warrior or Triangle on the wall, and see what it does for your floor practice. Power wall will leave you with a healthy sheen of perspiration and an abdominal wall of steel!
Therapeutic Wall Yoga - These classes bring the therapeutic benefits of the Wall to the yoga student in a series of traction-based poses designed to lengthen constricted joints, loosen tight muscles and relieve painfully pinched nerves. Have a chronic inflammation in your back? Try hanging in butterfly pose, suspended at the hips, and let gravity ease the pressure and stress. We use a series of gentle postures to bring relief to the neck, back, shoulder, hip and knees. Not experiencing any pain? Then try it, just to relax. Come on, hang with us!
Masala Wall Yoga -- a mix of the Power and Therapeutic modes of wall practice
Gentle Wall Yoga -- an easier class for newcomers or those wanting a lighter workout
Open Practice Time
Come in to explore either the wall work or other modes of practice under a teacher's supervision. Free if you have done a wall class that day, have a monthly pass or have attended the class just prior to one of these sessions.
Classical Hatha Yoga
Fun mixed-level classes to improve strength, flexibility and meditative focus.
We work on correct alignment in a wide variety of poses along with breathwork and relaxation techniques.
These classes offer a lot of Iyengar inspired basic instruction and modifications for beginners but also enouigh challenging adventures for more experienced students.
More about Classical Hatha Yoga is on Bill's Absolutely Ashtanga website: Hatha Yoga FAQs.
Gentle Hatha
Easier than the classical Hatha Yoga sessions, these classes are ideal for those wanting a more moderate pace, wish to focus more on the fundamentals of the practice or need personal attention in the therapeutic application of certain poses.
They're well-rounded yoga classes that will leave you feeling stretched out, relaxed, and enthusiastic about your day. If you haven't done yoga in a while, this is a great class to begin your practice anew.
Hatha / Yin
A mix -- half of the class is like our Classical Hatha Yoga sessions and half a Yin Yoga class. In the Yin portion we're emphasizing long-held passive stretches to enhance flexibility of the lower back, hips and shoulders.
The work derives from B.K.S. Iyengar's pioneering restorative work with props that enables relaxation and deep stretching without effort. The other methodology utilized is Paul Grilley's Yin Yoga work. He comes at similar goals with a different set of techniques and philosophy. For all levels of yogi.
A great way to unwind if you've been overdoing it in wilder classes.
Power Yoga
In a Power Yoga class, the poses are linked together into flowing sequences (vinyasas) timed to the breath.
The poses are all work that shows up in our Classical Hatha classes but here with different variations, interesting entrances and exits and a lot more upper body work.
We'll work on deepening your practice, cultivating core strength and developing greater endurance in the poses. Power Yoga borrows a lot from Ashtanga -- the use of ujjayi breathing and the concept of linking poses with vinyasas but (unlike Ashtanga) it is not taught in specific sequential order.
It's a different mix of poses each time to expose you to a wide variety of practices. We'll get you working on more advanced arm balances, we'll practice hopping into poses and improve your inversion practice. Fun for all levels from fit beginners through advanced students. Power Yoga is sometimes called Vinyasa Yoga, Flow or Power Vinyasa practice.
An energetic mixed level Vinyasa flow style class for beginning and continuing students interested in exploring more deeply to cultivate greater awareness, endurance and strength.
It's very much like a vinyasa yoga class except with more of a traditional Ashtanga focus. Ashtanga is the original flow practice from India and is taught in 6 speciic series, each with about 25 to 35 poses.
In each class we're doing sequences from the Ashtanga First, Second and Third series as the core of the class -- different each week. In addition, there will be a few poses each class from the more advanced series as an introduction to the rest of the system.
We work on all the fun stuff -- arm balances, inversions, challenging backbends and more. Open to students of all levels -- it's about exploration and adventure! If you're new to Ashtanga style practice there will be modifications offered, use of props suggested and lots of chances to rest and observe.
In a First Series Ashtanga class you're guided through the 70 poses of the traditional practice, also known as the Ashtanga Primary Series. It's fast paced (traditionally 5 breaths per pose), fun and very challenging for all levels.
As in a Vinyasa class, the emphasis is on movement coordinated with the breath (vinyasa), specific visual or mental focus (drishti) and the use of energetic locks (bandha) to build internal heat, awaken core energies and move toward a natural state of meditation.
Here by working on a specific series of poses, we can internalize the practice and make it more meditative over time.
There are many poses in the series whose full expression requires years of effort for most practitioners. Yet it's also a practice that is accessible to newcomers who can approach the series gently by working with modifications and preparatory versions of the more challenging poses.
This is the first of six traditional series of the ashtanga system as taught by the late Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Come and explore with us -- all levels are welcome. You don't need to know the series but some previous Vinyasa style practice is helpful.
Not necessarily harder than a first series class, this series (also known as the Ashtanga Intermediate Series) features a different selection of poses than First Series -- including more backbends and inversions.
The class starts just like a First Series class with the salutations and standing pose sequence and ends with the traditional finishing poses. Just different adventures in the middle.
Many Ashtanga students put off the Second Series practice, thinking they're not "good enough" yet. But most of the Second Series poses are not dependent on First Series practice skills. The only way to learn them is to start doing the Second Series practice. And you're guided through the whole adventure -- it's a led class.
All levels welcome. It's a friendly class. Don't be afraid.
This is a teacher-assisted independent practice in a group setting. The teacher is there to help with adjustments, discuss the finer points of the practice, get you started on new poses and more. The work with the teacher is done on a one-on-one basis.
Students come anytime during the session and leave when they're done. Some might be just learning a series, some doing full First Series, others might be working on Second or Third.
Some previous Ashtanga experience is desirable, but not necessary. We can get you started on the system in this traditional teaching method. The practice level is just as hard or easy as you need it to be that day. Perfect.
Just starting your Sacramento yoga adventures? Pick something easy to start such as Gentle Hatha or Classical Hatha Yoga. We want you to have a great time and not overdo it. Newcomers are welcome at any of our classes.
We encourage cheating, skipping things, and making the practice just the right intensity for you!
We'll see you in one of our classes at Practice Yoga soon!
We hope it will be the beginning of a wonderful exploration.
If you're just starting your Sacramento yoga explorations, this information will give you some idea what to expect. 
Classical Hatha Yoga 
Gentle Hatha
Hatha / Yin 
Power Yoga
Ashtanga 1-2-3 
Ashtanga First Series 
Ashtanga Second Series 
Mysore Ashtanga
