"Yoga is something you must do to understand. It comes from inside, slowly, taking you into it's own embrace. No teaching, word or philosophy will ever be as wholly profound as your own experience of it."

Mishabae

Class Descriptions

ALL LEVELS YOGA (Open to all, except new beginners please): These classes are structured for participation by Light, Moderate and Advanced students. A basic knowledge of posture names and postions is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.

ASHTANGA YOGA (Open to Intermediate & Advanced):
Step by Step: The series is broken down posture-by-posture and lead by the teacher.
This method of Yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures-a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Modified classes will be held on new and full moons.

COMMUNITY YOGA (All LEVELS) This class is an open invitation for anyone to experience yoga class at River Rock for a minimal donation. All proceeds are given to a local charity organization. Charity changes each month. A $5 donation is asked for non-River Rock students. River Rock students may make a donation of their choice. Please support your community!

May charity: South Mississippi AIDS Task Force

DEEP RELAXATION/YOGA NIDRA: (Open to All) Experience deep relaxation, also called 'yogic sleep', in which mind and body are at complete rest, but with absolute awareness. Benefits have included: relief from stress and anxiety, as well as pain relief, improved sleep patterns, a peaceful sense of well-being, and a greater ability to focus the mind, and integrate positive change.The practice is guided; facilitated by an experienced yoga teacher who verbally delivers the instructions.

GENTLE YOGA (Open to All): A refreshing blend of asana that includes breath awareness, restorative postures and gentle movement. Explore how the breath can be used to bring a meditative aspect to both stillness and movement, creating an atmosphere for renewal.

HOOPDANCE 101 (Open to All): A brief warm-up is followed by basic instruction in hoop control & hoop dance moves. This is a great cardio workout that tones, defines and energizes every part of the body, particularly the waistline. Uplifting music helps you “get your dance on”! PURE FITNESS FUN! (1 hr)

HOT YOGA (Open to all except new beginners) 80 degree plus heated room. Benefits include deeper and increased flexibility, improved circulation, and sweating out of toxins. Classes will include slow flow vinyasa to generate internal body heat and “yin” yoga (where a pose is held for up to five minutes), to allow for deep tissue opening. Expect to sweat. Please bring a towel & a $1 donation for heating the room. (1 hour 15 min)


KID'S YOGA (ages 3 to 9) This fun, yet structured, class introduces yoga poses, breathing & relaxation techniques combined with music, games, storytelling, role-playing & art for a healthy body and a calm, focused mind. Children are encouraged to tune in to their loving, peaceful natures. (Class is 45 minutes long)

EXPERIENCED YOGA (Open to Intermediate/Advanced students): Where students can explore and refine the foundational yoga asana at a deeper level. Ability to perform multiple sun salutations will enhance your enjoyment of this class. The asana is held longer to increase strength and endurance, including basic balance poses as well as the introduction of inversions. Students are given the opportunity to use their own intuitive nature as they explore the boundaries of their limits.

OPENINGS (Open to All): Developed specifically to promote deep openings in the body. The intensive use of props aids in slowly opening tight places. (It is not unusual to spend the entire class lying down!)

PILATES (Open to All): Through healthy breathing and focus on strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles, you will enhance your posture, balance and core strength.

PILATES/YOGA FUSION (Open to all except new beginners please): Create strong, lean, flexible muscles and a balanced mind & body connection through the fusion of yoga and pilates. Core strengthening is emphasized as well as breath/body awareness. Flowing movement, coordinated with the breath, provides cardio conditioning and produces heat to release tight muscles. Deep relaxation ends the class.

POWER VINYASA FLOW(Open to Intermediate & Advanced) Create strength, flexibility, cardio conditioning and powerful focus while producing a detoxifying sweat. This challenging & energizing vinyasa flow practice blends sun salutations, standing poses, balance poses, backbends, twists and forward bends into a dynamic series to invigorate & balance the body & mind.

SLOW FLOW VINYASA (Open to all, except new beginners please): Discover slow flowing movements by exploring the postures for longer durations and through repetition. Designed to create heat and lengthen muscles for a total mind body connection.

TAI-PI FLOW (Open to All  except new beginners please)This flow-based, fitness-style class is based on movements inspired by tai chi, yoga & pilates. Tai-Pi  produces heat in the body, and increases strength, endurance, and flexibility. Ends with Savasana (relaxation). (1hr)

YOGA BASICS: This class is suggested for all yoga beginner students at River Rock Yoga. A continuous series teaching basic postures to introduce movement, breathing and relaxation techniques.

YOGA THERAPY (Open to All)The class involves combinations and sequencing of Asana (postures) and pranayama (breath) to aid in healing specific health conditions and concerns. Healing practices address the mind, the body and the spirit. Asanas are based on principles of stretching, bending, rotating, and relaxing. The body’s systems respond, helping to heal, strengthen specific areas, rejuvenate and bring balance. In the case of illness or injury, proper discretion and/or medical consultation is advised before undertaking any of the exercises or techniques recommended. May: Lymphatic System: Immunity Enhancement & Allergy Relief  

 

PRIVATE CLASSES with Moira: Working privately with an instructor can help introduce the fundamentals of yoga, heal illness and injuries, and greatly deepen your existing yoga practice. Private classes are tailored to the individual needs of each student. Small group classes are also available by request.

 

 

 

PILATES PRINCIPLES

Concentration: It is your mind that wills your body to work; therefore, pay attention to the movements you perform and how your muscles respond to attention.

Control: True muscle control means no sloppy or haphazard movements.

Centering: There is a large group of muscles making up our centers- our abdominals, low back, hips, and buttocks- they are termed the powerhouse in Pilates. All energy for the movements of Pilates initiates from the powerhouse and radiated to the extremities.

Precision: To leave out any detail of a specific movement is to lose the intrinsic value of the exercise. Therefore, choose to focus on doing a single precise and perfect movement over many half-hearted ones.

Breath: By employing full inhalations and full exhalations, you are expelling stale air and noxious gases from the depths of your lungs and replenishing your body with fresh air to energize and revitalize your system.

Fluidity: Dynamic, energetic movements replace the isolated and static or quick and jerky movements of other techniques. A focus on grace and economy of motion is emphasized over speed, and ultimately the movements should feel fluid as a long stride or a waltz.

Imagination: It is the body that follows the will of the mind; therefore, using verbal and visual metaphors to create perceived resistance will incease efficiency and results.

Intuition: Listen to your body! It does know best.

from: Your Ultimate Pilates Body Challenge, by Brooke Siler

Want more information on changing your life? Call us at 228-818-4522