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Course Levels
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LEVEL-SYSTEM FOR CENTER COURSES
Slow-Paced Beginning: The slower-paced yoga class is designed for those who:
have limited flexibility and strength; are coming back to exercise after
recovering from injuries; and/or have areas of their bodies that give them
discomfort. The focus of the class is to make the fundamental poses of yoga
accessible through preparatory work and the use of props. The benefits of
this class include creating space, ease of movement, strength, and flexibility
in the body with the ultimate goal of moving into a regular beginning yoga
class.
Level 1&2 - The Fundamentals of Iyengar Yoga: Our Level 1&2 classes
emphasize the fundamentals or basics that lay the foundation for a safe,
intelligent, and more powerful future practice. The Level 1&2 courses
teach the basic standing poses, sitting postures, and beginning inversions.
All students new to Iyengar yoga must begin in these classes.
Level 1 - Beginning Iyengar Yoga: Level 1 students are those
just starting out learning Iyengar yoga.
Level 2 - Continuing Iyengar Yoga: Level 2 students have some experience
in Iyengar yoga and are developing their abilities and their understanding
of yoga practice. In January & February of 2008 we have added some Level 2 only classes.
Those new to Iyengar Yoga should begin with Level 1&2 classes, not these new Level 2
classes, regardless of previous non-Iyengar Yoga experience.
Level 3 - Intermediate Iyengar Yoga: Intermediate Iyengar Yoga students
have been studying Iyengar Yoga for some time and with increasing dedication,
discipline, and zeal. They understand how to create alignment in an Asana.
They are familiar with most of the standing poses and have good stability,
endurance, and extension in them. Intermediate students are very familiar
with using props for shoulderbalance, sitting poses, and forward extensions.
Level 3 courses can be strenuous and poses are often held much longer than
in the Level 1&2 classes. Backarches, arm balances, and headbalance are
regularly practiced.
Level 4 - Senior Iyengar Yoga Students and Iyengar Yoga Teachers: These
students are our most dedicated yoga students. They have a daily at home
practice of asana and often pranayama, attend many of our weekend workshops,
and are often in our teacher training and apprenticeship programs.
Pranayama Fundamentals and Pranayama Weekend Workshops: Pranayama
or the yoga art of breathing is a more advanced practice than
yoga postures or asana in the Iyengar system. Yoga Asana practice
prepares one physically, and one’s sensitivity, for this refined subtle
subject. Regular practice of Pranayama is quietly invigorating. It soothes
the nerves, energizes the lungs and respiratory system, and makes all
the other bodily systems function better. A typical Pranayama class
starts with deep mental and physical relaxation to prepare the lungs,
nervous system, and mind for watching, observing, and later modifying
our normal breathing patterns into pranayama breaths. Richard will be
teaching an ongoing course on the fundamentals of Pranayama for those
interested in learning how to practice Pranayama regularly at home.
The Friday morning Pranayama I course at 7:00 am, offered every even
numbered month, is for students who have taken Iyengar Yoga for at least
4 months and are also currently enrolled in a weekly yoga course at the
Center or are enrolled in the 7:00 am intensive. Pranayama II reviews
the Pranayama I fundamentals and takes students further in learning the
Yoga art of Pranayama.
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