YogaLoft Classes

Which class is right for me? - Look for the sections inbold.

Belly Dance
Belly Dance has many benefits for the mind, body, and emotional state. It can help relieve back and joint pain, increase bone density, assist with losing weight, reduce stress, gain confidence, and connect with your inner self. It is a great overall form of exercise for the body, mind, and spirit. You will learn basic belly dance moves using correct postural alignment, choreograph dances, and work on improvisation to develop creative expressions through movement. This class is everyone who wants to strengthen and heal their body and mind through movement.

Chanting the Mantras
Chanting the mantras and traditional sutras of India is a wonderful way to expand any yoga practice. Sound vibrations produced in the body energize one's being. With practice and repetition, the chanting of mantras takes on a meditative aspect, leaving one with feelings of well-being and calm. The material we chant will range from recitation to more melodic pieces.

Core Strength and Inversion Training
This specialty class is essential to developing strength in the core of the body. Using traditional and new age yoga postures, we concentrate on the aspects of yoga that tone and shape the entire body targeting the abdominals, arms, and legs. Each week we will also work on an inversion posture (and its training postures) including headstand, handstand, and elbow stand (all of which require incredible strength in the core of the body). Or, you can always choose the restorative inversion - Viparita Karani (legs up the wall) for a more relaxing to end the class. This class is for all levels of students who want to actively strengthen the core of the body.

Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is practiced gently and with attention to the breath and relaxation. Movements are done slowly and with awareness and includes lots of stretching exercises. Focus is on opening the shoulders and hips and increasing strength in the back and core. This class works on restoring the body and mind to its natural peaceful, happy state. Because there are no Sun Salutations, this is the perfect class for anyone with shoulder or wrist injuries who are still interested in reaping all of the benefits of yoga.

Meditation
Learn simple breathing exercises to stay focused. Meditation has many benefits including enhanced problem solving skills, improved mental clarity, and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. We will practice various techniques including meditation while sitting, walking, lying down, and standing as well as learn various ways to focus the mind and relax the body. This class is for everyone who wants to develop focus and peace of mind. Folding chairs and bolsters are provided to make sitting more comfortable.

Restorative Yoga
This is our most therapeutic, relaxing, and meditative class. Combines meditation, breathing,and relaxation exercises to leave you feeling deeply relaxed and refreshingly energized. In restorative yoga, you will experience long-held relaxed floor postures, which stretch and stimulate the deep connective tissue of the body and strengthen the flow of chi (energy). Restorative Yoga strengthens the immune system and is ideal for those going through stressful times, suffering from chronic pain, illness, injury, or major life changes, expectant mothers, and athletes wishing to complement and bring balance to their current training program. It is a great complement to our busy, stressful, active lives. You will leave feeling as if you had a massage.

Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient system of movements that promote health and at the same time constitute an effective martial art. Anyone can do it and the mental and physical benefits are extensive. This is the Yang style of tai chi.

Vinyasa Yoga involves synchronizing the berath with a progressive series of postures (vinyasas) to produce internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

Level 1 (aka Hatha Yoga) emphasizes learning and practicing the poses of the sun salutation and using the breath to link those poses together (vinyasa) into a moving meditation. You will learn a variety of yoga postures and breathing exercises with a strong focus on correct postural alignment. Focus is on building strength, increasing flexibility, and relaxation. A great full spectrum system of exercise for the body, mind, and spirit. This is a great starting point for students who want to begin practicing more vigorous yoga with guidance and for the Vinyasa student who wants to learn alignment principles and address how to heal nagging minor injuries.

All Levels practices sun salutations while introducing more challenging postures with adaptations. This class is appropriate for all levels of students including the beginner vinyasa student who wants to move into the practice more quickly and the more advanced student who just wants to practice.

Core Work focuses on developing strength in the core of the body. Each class begins with sun salutations to generate heat and flexibility in the body. Then, using traditional and new age yoga postures, we concentrate on the aspects of yoga that tone and shape the entire body targeting the abdominals, arms, and legs. This class is for all levels of students who want to actively strengthen the core of the body.

Level 2 This class builds on what you learned in Level 1, introducing more challenging postures, such as jumping and inversions and more flow while still focusing on postural alignment. This is a more demanding class and is for students looking for more movement, more flow, and more physical challenges.

Ashtanga is a Level 2 class for the more advanced vinyasa student. This class progressively works through the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga helping you build strength and flexibility systematically and intelligently. This is our most vigorous class that will actively guide you toward a strong personal practice. It is recommended that you have some training in postural alignment because this class moves quickly.

Yoga for Athletes focuses on building strength and improving flexibility in all muscles of the body. This class incorporates imagery and focusing exercises to help you succeed on event day. This is an all levels class for the athlete wanting a total body stretch and strengthening workout that complements their personal training program.

Yoga on the Beach
Experience practicing yoga on the beach. Let the waves of Lake Michigan carry you through your practice. Class will meet at YogaLoft. We will walk in silence to the beach and practice sun salutations and asanas to awaken the body and spirit. In case of bad weather class will be held at YogaLoft.

Yoga Philosophy: The Yoga Sutras and Beyond
This class presents ideas about yoga beyond a postural asana practice in an easily-understood and accessible way that's applicable to your yoga practice. Each class will introduce and explain some Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, making this key work which has defined the yoga tradition relevant for anyone with a yoga and/or meditation practice. We'll allow time each week for question-and-answer as is the traditional Indian method.

Yoga Stretching
Yoga Stretching is a relaxing form of exercise that improves a muscle’s elasticity and increases muscle tone and strength. A stretched out muscle has more mobility, can perform at a higher level, and is less prone to injury. In this class, we will practice passive and active stretching targeting the muscles of the hips, back, shoulders, legs, arms, and neck. Stretches will be enhanced with deep breathing.


	Class Descriptions Which class is right for me? - Look for the sections inbold. Belly Dance Belly Dance has many benefits for the mind, body, and emotional state. It can help relieve back and joint pain, increase bone density, assist with losing weight, reduce stress, gain confidence, and connect with your inner self. It is a great overall form of exercise for the body, mind, and spirit. You will learn basic belly dance moves using correct postural alignment, choreograph dances, and work on improvisation to develop creative expressions through movement. This class is everyone who wants to strengthen and heal their body and mind through movement. Chanting the Mantras Chanting the mantras and traditional sutras of India is a wonderful way to expand any yoga practice. Sound vibrations produced in the body energize one's being. With practice and repetition, the chanting of mantras takes on a meditative aspect, leaving one with feelings of well-being and calm. The material we chant will range from recitation to more melodic pieces. Core Strength and Inversion Training This specialty class is essential to developing strength in the core of the body. Using traditional and new age yoga postures, we concentrate on the aspects of yoga that tone and shape the entire body targeting the abdominals, arms, and legs. Each week we will also work on an inversion posture (and its training postures) including headstand, handstand, and elbow stand (all of which require incredible strength in the core of the body). Or, you can always choose the restorative inversion - Viparita Karani (legs up the wall) for a more relaxing to end the class. This class is for all levels of students who want to actively strengthen the core of the body. Hatha Yoga Hatha Yoga is practiced gently and with attention to the breath and relaxation. Movements are done slowly and with awareness and includes lots of stretching exercises. Focus is on opening the shoulders and hips and increasing strength in the back and core. This class works on restoring the body and mind to its natural peaceful, happy state. Because there are no Sun Salutations, this is the perfect class for anyone with shoulder or wrist injuries who are still interested in reaping all of the benefits of yoga. Meditation Learn simple breathing exercises to stay focused. Meditation has many benefits including enhanced problem solving skills, improved mental clarity, and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. We will practice various techniques including meditation while sitting, walking, lying down, and standing as well as learn various ways to focus the mind and relax the body. This class is for everyone who wants to develop focus and peace of mind. Folding chairs and bolsters are provided to make sitting more comfortable. Restorative Yoga This is our most therapeutic, relaxing, and meditative class. Combines meditation, breathing,and relaxation exercises to leave you feeling deeply relaxed and refreshingly energized. In restorative yoga, you will experience long-held relaxed floor postures, which stretch and stimulate the deep connective tissue of the body and strengthen the flow of chi (energy). Restorative Yoga strengthens the immune system and is ideal for those going through stressful times, suffering from chronic pain, illness, injury, or major life changes, expectant mothers, and athletes wishing to complement and bring balance to their current training program. It is a great complement to our busy, stressful, active lives. You will leave feeling as if you had a massage. Tai Chi Tai Chi is an ancient system of movements that promote health and at the same time constitute an effective martial art. Anyone can do it and the mental and physical benefits are extensive. This is the Yang style of tai chi. Vinyasa Yoga involves synchronizing the berath with a progressive series of postures (vinyasas) to produce internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. *Level 1* (aka Hatha Yoga) emphasizes learning and practicing the poses of the sun salutation and using the breath to link those poses together (vinyasa) into a moving meditation. You will learn a variety of yoga postures and breathing exercises with a strong focus on correct postural alignment. Focus is on building strength, increasing flexibility, and relaxation. A great full spectrum system of exercise for the body, mind, and spirit. This is a great starting point for students who want to begin practicing more vigorous yoga with guidance and for the Vinyasa student who wants to learn alignment principles and address how to heal nagging minor injuries. *All Levels* practices sun salutations while introducing more challenging postures with adaptations. This class is appropriate for all levels of students including the beginner vinyasa student who wants to move into the practice more quickly and the more advanced student who just wants to practice. *Core Work* focuses on developing strength in the core of the body. Each class begins with sun salutations to generate heat and flexibility in the body. Then, using traditional and new age yoga postures, we concentrate on the aspects of yoga that tone and shape the entire body targeting the abdominals, arms, and legs. This class is for all levels of students who want to actively strengthen the core of the body. *Level 2* This class builds on what you learned in Level 1, introducing more challenging postures, such as jumping and inversions and more flow while still focusing on postural alignment. This is a more demanding class and is for students looking for more movement, more flow, and more physical challenges. *Ashtanga is a Level 2* class for the more advanced vinyasa student. This class progressively works through the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga helping you build strength and flexibility systematically and intelligently. This is our most vigorous class that will actively guide you toward a strong personal practice. It is recommended that you have some training in postural alignment because this class moves quickly. Yoga for Athletes focuses on building strength and improving flexibility in all muscles of the body. This class incorporates imagery and focusing exercises to help you succeed on event day. This is an all levels class for the athlete wanting a total body stretch and strengthening workout that complements their personal training program. Yoga on the Beach Experience practicing yoga on the beach. Let the waves of Lake Michigan carry you through your practice. Class will meet at YogaLoft. We will walk in silence to the beach and practice sun salutations and asanas to awaken the body and spirit. In case of bad weather class will be held at YogaLoft. Yoga Philosophy: The Yoga Sutras and Beyond This class presents ideas about yoga beyond a postural asana practice in an easily-understood and accessible way that's applicable to your yoga practice. Each class will introduce and explain some Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, making this key work which has defined the yoga tradition relevant for anyone with a yoga and/or meditation practice. We'll allow time each week for question-and-answer as is the traditional Indian method. Yoga Stretching Yoga Stretching is a relaxing form of exercise that improves a muscle’s elasticity and increases muscle tone and strength. A stretched out muscle has more mobility, can perform at a higher level, and is less prone to injury. In this class, we will practice passive and active stretching targeting the muscles of the hips, back, shoulders, legs, arms, and neck. Stretches will be enhanced with deep breathing.