YOGA
To its practitioners, Yoga is essential to maintaining a sense of physical, spiritual and mental well being in today’s hectic environment.

Yoga brings awareness of ourselves and our environment and how we influence others through our actions, whether directly or indirectly.

Hatha is a branch of yoga that aims to build strength and confidence, improve flexibility, balance and a sense of contentment. It uses postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama) and meditation to balance the mind, body and spirit elements within each of us.

Benefits of Yoga:
There are numerous physical, physiological and psychological benefits to practicing yoga. Some of these include:

• Creates a toned, flexible, and strong body.
• Improves respiration, energy, and vitality.
• Helps to maintain a balanced metabolism.
• Promotes cardio and circulatory health.
• Relieves pain.
• Helps you look and feel younger than your age.
• Improves your athletic performance.

• Helps you relax and handle stressful situations more easily.
• Teaches you how to quiet the mind so you can focus your energy where you want it to go.
• Encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance.
• Builds awareness of your body, your feelings, the world around you, the needs of others.
• Promotes interdependence between mind, body, and spirit. Helps you live the concept of "oneness."   

A few minutes of practice each day helps bring balance to our lives.
Live life-with joy.

YOGA CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Each student has different reason for practicing. It is important to be comfortable and maintain the connection with the breath during a class and to listen to your inner teacher, regardless of experience level.
Public Classes are offered at beautiful Davidson’s Courtyard, 7 Russell Street West, Smiths Falls, Ontario. Private sessions are available and are designed to suit the specific needs of the student. 
The following provides a brief description of classes offered:

Yin Restorative Yoga: Experience deep relaxation in this gentle, calming, and healing class.  Restorative Yoga uses Yin Yoga poses and breath work to release tension and activate the body's natural healing system.  Approximately five to six "easy" poses (generally lying down) are experienced during each class allowing you to gently and comfortably relax and release tension.  Leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Beginner Yoga+: A class designed for those who are new to yoga or those with established practices who want to explore the foundation postures. This class is suitable for those looking for an all-levels class as variations on the poses are provided for those wishing to deepen their practice or those with experience.

Yoga Flow: A class focusing on creating strength, stamina and focused energy with a different theme each week. This class is suitable for everyone and incorporates modifications of the poses to accommodate the different experience levels. This class is an alternative to power yoga and incorporates several vinyasa flow sequences.  All levels welcomed.

Flex & Flow Yoga/pilates fusion: This yoga and pilates fusion class blends the flexibility, weight-loss and meditative qualities of yoga with the strengthening and toning of pilates to focus on building a stronger core.  Using asanas focusing on core strength and balance to open the back, hips and abdominal areas, this class is suitable for all levels of yoga students. This class uses resistance bands, yoga stability balls and pilates balls.

Power Yoga 1: Power Yoga still focuses on the general aim of Classical Yoga, which is to unite the body, mind, and spirit. It uses traditional Yoga practices in order to tap in to the inner core of one's power and to help this individual to recognize the different levels of power. Suitable for students wishing to explore a more. This is a perfect cross training practice for athletes, runners and cyclists or students wishing to deepen their practice. All levels welcomed. Great class for male athletes or want to be athletes!

Power Yoga 2: Change your body, Change your mind- This is a vigorous flow practice. It is a cardio hour that includes detoxifying and cleansing the body from the inside out. In this hour of practice you will work to develop your core strength, increase your concentration, and find your balance through a focused mind.  Please arrive well hydrated before coming to class, and bring a water bottle and towel with you. All levels welcomed-level 2-3 class). Great class for male athletes or want to be athletes.

Hot Power Yoga: Take Power Yoga  a little deeper in this practice in which the room is heated. During hot yoga, the studio uses infrared heat as the therapeutic benefits include increased perspiration resulting in a more comprehensive cleansing and detoxification of the body. This is a perfect cross training practice for athletes, runners and cyclists or students wishing to deepen their practice.

Pre-Natal Yoga: Pre-natal yoga is suitable for all stages of pregnancy. Prenatal yoga will enhance your energy and fitness level during pregnancy. Ease the birthing process through reducing labour related tension and anxiety using breathing and relaxation techniques. Registration required. This class is limited to 8 participants.