Our studio caters to a wide variety of yoga styles so that there is a style of yoga for everybody. To read more about what each style entails choose one of the following:
Gentle and Restorative Yoga
Soothe your stress and gently transition into your weekend with this healing, calming and rejuvenating class.The first half of our practice will focus on slow movement, stretching and strengthening postures while the second half will be completely supported, quiet and restorative. In all parts of this meditative practice, we will connect mindfully to the breath, body and spirit.
Yogis of all ages, sizes and levels are welcome to attend, as are those with injuries and therapeutic needs. Pregnant women in all stages of pregnancy are encouraged to attend, as are new mothers (minimum 4 weeks postpartum) and those trying to become pregnant. Everyone will be given individualized, healing modifications as needed.
Hatha Yoga
Using the styles of Iyengar, Ashtanga and classical yoga, Hatha classes move through a variety of poses, themes and focuses. The poses and themes will be chosen to suit those present, and aim toward a balanced body and mind: aware, powerful, and present. The pace is slower than that of a flow class, which makes Hatha classes valuable for both beginners and to experienced practitioners providing an opportunity to play with the foundation and subtleties of poses. Students are given suggestions for a range of possibilities so that they can express each pose in a way that suits and addresses how they feel. The class contains asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing practices) and meditation in order to address health and wellbeing on all levels.
Hatha with Restoratives
This down to earth, unitimidating blend of hatha and restorative yoga is accessible to all ages and abilities, whether your body leans towards being flexible or stiff. Learn simple yoga shapes, breathing techniques, and strength building exercises aimed at helping you increase your functional flexibility, strength and stamina, while bringing calm and quiet to the mind. The class will wind down with relaxing restorative poses designed to help melt away stress.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga, developed and named after B.K.S Iyengar, is a form of Hatha Yoga. It is an alignment-based practice that emphasizes detail, precision, strength, mobility, and stability. This class is not recommended for beginners; email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Morning Vinyasa
An alignment based Vinyasa Flow class that focuses of using awareness and breath to drop deeply into a variety of poses. Classes place a strong emphasis on each student finding an authentic practice that fits their current needs. The class is appropriate for practitioners of various levels. Modifications and variations will be offered in a supportive way for each person to practice being where they are. Most classes will include sun salutations, standing poses, seated poses and inversions.
Pilates Mat Class (All Levels)
About Pilates (pi-l?¤’tez):
Joseph Pilates wrote that one’s self-confidence and health come from a balanced trinity of body, mind, and spirit-a belief that probably sounds pretty familiar to most yogis. The sheer physical emphasis of Pilates can give yogis a new body awareness about their strengths and weaknesses, help them become more mindful of their limitations, and give them insight into how the body moves. ~ Yoga Journal, March/April 2004
Mat work is the core of Pilates training. The precise exercises developed by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920’s are tried and true in building core strength, increasing flexibility & range of motion, improving coordination, control of movement, alignment, and deep full breathing. With practice and intention, building strong abdominal and postural muscles – also k nown as the powerhouse – is invaluable in the support of the skeletal system. Pilates exercises focus on using the breath to channel core energy into the center of the body and out to the limbs. From there, Pilates works toward creating symmetry between the left and right sides of the body helping the body learn how to naturally prevent injury and improve overall physical performance. Over time, core-strengthening exercises can be incredibly invigorating and educational by informing one’s daily motions, athletic performance, yoga practice and overall health in general. The Pilates classes at Bernal Yoga are intended to help students gain a deeper awareness and respect for their own, unique bodies.
(Each Pilates exercise can be modified to suit most people, of any age or fitness level. At the same time, Pilates is widely recommended by doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors for older people and those undergoing physical rehabilitation. If this is the case, however, please let the studio and your instructor know so that we can help direct or accommodate your concerns safely and effectively.)
Prenatal Yoga
A nurturing class designed to meet the changing needs of pregnancy. This class is a wonderful opportunity for pregnant women to share their experiences, connect with their developing baby, and prepare for childbirth through movement, relaxation and breath techniques.
Restorative Flow
A slow deep and powerful class combining somatic movement and yoga asana focused on unlocking chronic tension. Props are used. Open to all levels.
Restorative Yoga
This is a great all around class for those looking to deeply relax, unwind and melt away stress. Calming breath exercises and a series of restful postures, using bolsters and and other props, will help to fully support the body and refresh the mind. Newer students will learn gentle approaches to poses and experienced students and athletes will benefit by adding restoratives to their practice and/or training program.
Simple Yoga, Strength, and Stamina
Learn simple yoga shapes, breathing techniques, and strength building exercises aimed at helping you increase your functional flexibility, strength and stamina, while bringing calm and quiet to the mind. Building functional strength in your core, hips, back, arms and legs will improve your stamina in yoga class and other physical endeavors (like living!). This class will focus on simple correct alignment and how to incorporate props into your practice to enhance each shape. With endearing humor and practical insight, we’ll cultivate an accessible, enjoyable, simplistic yoga practice that you can also do at home if you wish. We’ll create a quiet space for you to drop in and slow down, to find comfort in your own body and mind.
Simple Yoga is perfect for beginners, those coming back to yoga or working with an injury. It’s also ideal for long time and advanced yogis who wish to focus a little deeper or refine their practice, and those who wish to build more strength into their practice.
Vinyasa Flow
An evolving and creative form of yoga, Vinyasa Flow classes integrate breath and movement, awareness and alignment. Vinyasa is a logical arrangement and placement of asana (postures) where the intelligence is guided from within. Each class is unique, influenced primarily from hatha yoga traditions as well as other healing and expressive arts.
Yin-Yang Yoga
This class is a hybrid of yang (active) vinyasa and yin (passive) restorative sequences. Health is predicated on smooth flow in the channels of the body and mind, and that smooth flow results from the combination of wise movement and wise rest. The 45-minute sequence of heat-building standing poses will warm the body and get the energy flowing. Then, we’ll wind down into nurturing postures that fold the awareness inward. The class will cultivate yin within yang to create mental steadiness in strength-building postures, and yang within yin to brighten our awareness during deep relaxation.
Yoga Basics
This is a great class for beginning and intermediate students as well as those looking to further their understanding of the foundations and subtleties of yoga poses and breathing techniques. Yoga Basics focuses on alignment, adapting poses, working with breath and increasing flexibility, strength and balance. Assistance by way of props may be utilized to allow greater access, opening and awareness throughout the body, and to allow students of various levels to practice safely and comfortably. Self exploration occurs through discovery and release of physical tension, habitual patterns and psychological resistence. As individual practice continues, a student’s ability to relax and concentrate improves and self understanding is enhanced.
Yoga for Core Strength and Stability
Core strength is a yoga buzz phrase, but what does it really mean? In this class, we will work hard to access, employ, balance and build core strength through and through. Using asana, breath work and awareness to become more attune to the deep inner body, we will practice moving from this place for greater posture, health, vibrancy, stability and strength. Open to all with relatively healthy backs and familiarity with yoga.
Yoga for Stress Relief
This class will help alleviate stress and tension while preparing you for a good night’s sleep. We’ll practice simple, active and therapeutic poses in the first half of class to unwind pent up energy and tension. A blend of restorative poses with breathing techniques in the second half of class will allow your nervous system to calm and settle, alleviating stress and anxiety. This gentle and supported practice will give your body, mind and spirit the opportunity to deeply relax and restore. Yoga for Stress Relief is suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners.
Yoga-Pilates Blend
Yoga-Pilates Blend is a 1-hour class focused on deep breathing and engaging core stabilizer muscles in a precise practice that incorporates mindfulness, safety and movement. This class will help you tap into your inner strength, flexibility and peace of mind. See and feel your body getting longer, leaner and stronger. All levels are welcome.
Yoga and Meditation
Discover more flexibility in your body and mind in this interactive and supportive class! Yoga and Meditation can help you:
• Reduce Stress and Lessen Anxiety
• Improve Working Memory and Problem Solving Skills
• Boost Your Immune System
• Decrease Chronic Pain and Pain in General
• Promote Deep Rest and Relaxation
• Develop a Greater Mind/Body Connection
• Increase Emotional Intelligence
In our Yoga and Meditation classes you will learn how to use traditional yoga poses (asanas) to warm up and prepare your body to be more comfortable and relaxed for meditation. During the class, you will explore how yoga is more than just a physical practice. Each session includes a brief discussion of how yoga philosophy can be helpful in modern daily life, a slow-paced sequence of yoga poses, and relaxing guided meditations. We will close with time to sit quietly and practice meditation and mindfulness skills. No experience with yoga or meditation is needed.