Introduced to postures, breath-flow in posture and deep inner-body awareness. Foundations of standing, reclined, twisting, back-bends, forwards bends, restorative inversions and restorative asana. Alignment and balance of muscle, bone, and tendon structure in asana. Class
sequences vary. Student introduced to locks, gestures, breath control and meditation.
At this level: Surya Namaskar, Trikonasana, Adho Mukha Swanasana, Vrksasana, Virabhadrasana II,
Vasisthasana, Bhujangasana, Setu-Bandha Sarvangasana, Janu Sirsasana, and Bharadvajasana.
Class structure and protocol depend on constitution and physical conditioning of students in class.
Recommended additional practice: At least one 30-minute session.
Beginner to Adv. Beg I:
"The curiosity either draws you deeper or its fire dies out. Yoga is a flamethat can be kindled, and once lit never dims. But it can also be frustrating,
be patient (which really is where the essence of yoga lies for a beginner)." Bryant Mascarenhas
All of the above level, in addition you are taken deeper into the rudiments of asana. Students are given a deeper
understanding of the principles of alignment and balance. Introduced to full inversions, additional back-bends,
forward bends, and twists with longer hold on asana. Build strong musculo-skeletal conditioning and
mental concentration. Powerful breathing techniques introduced, including meditation. Students are
introduced into the philosophical aspect of living their yoga.
At this level: All of the beginner, additionally Virabhadrasana III, Ardha Chandrasana, Ustrasana, Dhanurasana,
Sirsasana, Shalamba Sarvangasana, Viparita Dandasana, Marichyasana III, Paschimottanasana.
Class structure and protocol depend on constitution and physical conditioning of students in class.
Recommend additional practice: At least two 30-minute sessions.
Advanced Beginner I & II: "At this stage you are genuinely hooked to the rasa (juice) of yoga, or you are still hoping
around from teacher to teacher in search of what you need "centeredness". If you are ready to settle down and dig deeper then
stick to this level for it will elevate your entire being and make your practice more soulful" Bryant Mascarenhas
Not suitable if you have any back-pain, serious knee problems, neck injury or high blood pressure.
If you do not have an alignment based yoga foundation, we recommend you attend at least one to two of our beginner or beginner to adv.beginner Level 1 classes.
Has good understanding of alignment and balance in asana. Grounding in standing postures, additional levels of back-bends. Strong foundation of how to open shoulders and lengthen hamstrings,
and breathe using thoracic ribs. Develop strength and mobility of the abdominal wall and spinal muscles,
hip joints and surrounding structure. Longer hold on asana, and ability to concentrate internally with breath synchronization.
Introduced to additional pranayama and meditation. Emphasis on understanding the depth of body, breath and philosophy
of yogic wisdom in practice. Restorative asana also practiced.
Emphasis on bandhas, chakras and the five elements of the body. Holds on inversions are increased, build on holding
capacity of back bends. Forward bends are held longer, additional twists, and complex standing postures are introduced.
Movement of awareness from body sheath to inner layers is encouraged in asana practice..
At this level: All of the Beginner and Adv. Beginner Level 1. Additionally longer holds on Sirsasana and Sarvangasana.
To include Parivrtta Trikonasana, additional Arm-balances, Full-arm balance, Marichyasana III, Ardha Matysendrasana,
Urdhva Dhanurasana introduced, etc. Use of wooden blocks, belts, blankets and long holds on powerful
restorative spinal bends.
Class structure and protocol depend on constitution and physical conditioning of students in class.
Recommend additional practice: At least two 45 -minute sessions.
Adv. Beginner II to Intermediate:
"You feel your spirituality, but don't know what to make of it. You feel the peace but can't
get enough of it. You feel 'love of yoga' but still challenged by life's many flows" Bryant Mascarenhas
Not suitable if you have any back-pain, serious knee problems, neck injury or high blood pressure.
Includes all of the Beginner and Adv. Beginner Level 1 and II. Must have understanding of alignment based ethos.
At this level: Variations of Sirsasana, Sarvangasana, complex standing postures, Parivrtta Parsvakonasana,
Urdhva Dhanurasana, variety of arm balances, twistings, additional forward bends. Strong emphasis on the eight
limbs (Astanga) of yoga and the five elements. Additional pranayama, and longer periods of meditation. Deep penetration
of body sheaths, with emphasis on spiritual growth.
Class structure and protocol depend on constitution and physical conditioning of students in class.
Recommended additional practice: Three 1 hour sessions
Intermediate:
"We ache to know who we are? what our purpose is? how do we activate it? You are now
just beginning to take understanding beyond feeling to living your yoga" Bryant Mascarenhas
Not suitable if you have any back-pain, serious knee problems, neck injury or high blood pressure.
Instructor approval needed for this class.
Includes the entire :Absolute Beginner, Beginner to Adv. Beginner I, Adv. Beginner Level 1 & II and
Adv. Beginner II to Intermediate Level.
Typically students are physically well conditioned and have had at least two to three years of alignment based practice
prior to this level.
At this level: Variations of Sirsasana, Sarvangasana, arm-balances, back-bends, twistings, forward bends. Additional
pranayama and long periods of meditation. Deep focus on all eight limbs (Astanga) of yoga, the five elements,
with penetration of koshas (body sheaths) and emphasis on spiritual inwardness.
Class structure and protocol depend on constitution and physical conditioning of students in class.
Recommended additional practice: Three 1-1/2 hour sessions