“One day this winter as I was starting to teach a beginning yoga class, a first-time student spoke up from the back of the room asking, “By the way, what is yoga?” A thousand thoughts flooded my mind; how could I answer truthfully and succinctly? Thankfully the answer came almost spontaneously from my heart: “Yoga is the study of the Self”. This is actually the definition of another of the niyamas, svadhyaya.

The word ‘svadhyaya” can be broken up into three smaller words. “Sva” means one’s Self, meaning the soul, the atman, or the Higher Self. “Dhy” is related to the word “dhyana” which means meditation. And “ya” is an activating suffix. Thus svadhyaya means “actively meditating on or studying the nature of the Self”. – Judith Hanson Lasater

Svadhyaya is about making time to know ourselves better. And through the practice of asanas – “we can do this.” Therefore, I invite you to come join me as I drop in on the yoga classes of various San Francisco Bay Area yoga teachers.

Check out the line up, bring your mat, and let’s see what we learn about ourselves with each interaction .

A Yoga Class Tour

Hatha Yoga at Club One –

Monday – 10 August 2009
Club One – Oakland City Center [map]
1200 Clay Street, Oakland
1:15 – 2:15pm. – Studio #2

Recap:
‘OH MY GOD!” The Club One Oakland City Center facility is “off the hook!” As I entered the multi level Club One, I felt as if I had walked into an Olympic Training facility.

1. Two very large group exercise studios proving Hip hop dancing, step classes, yoga & more.
2. A beautiful, full sized basketball court.
3. Steam & Dry Sauna rooms.
4. A Jacuzzi.
5. Lounge chairs in the men’s locker room.
6. An outdoor lap pool.

At 1:15pm, I set in virasana and awaited the teachings of Sarah Jenness. (The class was packed!). Sarah dedicated the yoga practice to focusing on the alignment of Surya Namaskar A. And as we followed the sequence, she encouraged everyone to take the sequence to their individual levels and incorporate variations that worked for each individual. While moving gracefully through each posture, I worked on developing “pratyahara.”

Sarah Jenness’ teaching can assist students of any level. And if you’re not a Club One Member, you can find her at the Piedmont Yoga Studio.

Jaki’s sequence emphasized the importance of bringing awareness to the spinal area of the neck (between approximately C3 and T2). Doing multiple variations of Utthita Hastasana, Utthita Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana I & II, Parsvottanasana, Ardo Muhka Sivasana, and Salamba Sarvangasana – I NOW HAVE AWARENESS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF MY SHOULDER GIRDLE. Also, I’ve realized I have lots of room for improvement.

Jaki Nett can improve the beginner & the seasoned student’s asana practice with descriptive & detailed instruction. Check her out!

Acro Yoga with Tara Quinn

Tuesday – 11 August 2009
James Howell Studio [map]
66 Sanchez Street, San Francisco.
7:45 – 9:00pm.

Tara is continually inspired by the magnificent, beautiful, and amazing abilities of the human body. She has enjoyed exploring movement in her own body as a competitive gymnast, professional contortionist/circus artist, as well as a yogini. She also draws a scientific understanding of Anatomy and Kinesiology from her BS in Exercise Science received from Ithaca College. As a teacher of AcroYoga she cherishes having the opportunity to connect with and
inspire her students.

Therapeutic flying and Thai massage are the practices that hone an AcroYogis ability to be sensitive and receptive. Students will learn and practice honest, clear, compassionate communication to build the foundation of partnership. We will draw upon the natural forces of gravity and “metta” loving kindness to encourage the body to let go of fear and tension. The flow of basing and flying, giving and receiving, honoring and accepting, inhaling and exhaling will take both yogis into a new place of union and bliss. Some yoga experience
recommended, no partner needed.

Yoga Teacher – Christopher Love

Power Slow Vinyasa
Wednesday – 12 August 2009
James Howell Studio [map]
66 Sanchez Street, San Francisco.
6:00 – 7:45 pm

As a yogi, counselor and dancer, Christopher brings over 20 years of experience to his practice of consciousness and movement. His yoga training has included immersion in the Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, and Kripalu traditions. His vinyasa classes are a weaving of movement and stillness. Christopher will invite you into a practice of meditation, chant and breath, moving your body toward its physical edge. This edge, where struggle meets surrender, is an opportunity to embody a growing power, grace and presence in your life.

Sivananda Yoga Vendata Center – Hatha Yoga

Thursday – 13 August 2009
Sivananda Yoga Vendata Center [map]
1200 Arguello Street , San Francisco.
10:30 – 12;00 noon

Yoga to the People

Friday – 14 August 2009
2973 16th Street – 5th Floor [map]
San Francisco
7:30 – 9:00pm.
(Work schedule conflict -will not be in attendance).

“Yoga to the People is a unique yoga studio with the goal of recapturing what we consider to be the essence of yoga… simply put, yoga made available to everyone.

In a time where yoga as a business is getting a lot of attention, the fact that it is being priced out of many people’s reach is in direct conflict with what we consider to be the spirit of yoga itself. The question our studio seeks to answer is: Can a yoga studio maintain itself as a business while keeping the focus of its intention on providing yoga as a service first and foremost?”

Yoga Studio Tour 2006 – 1st Week