What’s My Class Level?

Yoga in Bend, Oregon: Iyengar Yoga Rope IAll of  the classes are on-going. If you are wondering which yoga classes you can participate in, this is a description of the different levels and which poses you should be able to do with each class level:

Beginners – for students new to yoga or new to Iyengar Yoga. Learn the fundamental poses, actions and terms used in Iyengar Yoga. The focus is on standing poses, seated poses, beginning forward extensions and simple twists. Students work strongly but appropriately according to individual capacity. Modifications are taught as needed.

Back Care Basics  – appropriate for anyone with a back! Just as yoga isn’t only for flexible people, back care isn’t only for backaches. Ideal for first time to yoga, anyone who sits a lot, does manual labor or heavy lifting, has poor posture or tight hamstrings. Also, for anyone who prefers an evening class. 5 Week Course – minimum of 7 people must register for class to be held. Contact Nadine with questions.

Private Instruction – for anyone not able to attend a Beginner Level class. Sessions are booked individually or as semi-privates for 2 people. Also, available for students who want to address specific challenges occurring in their practice at any level.

Level 1 – minimum of 6 months of Beginner classes. Continued refinement and expansion of the Fundamental poses. Shoulder Stand and variations are introduced.

Level 2 – minimum of 1 year of Level 1 classes is a prerequisite. Simple back arches, 5 minute Shoulder Stand and variations are consolidated. Broader range of twists, Head Balance and Arm Balances are introduced.

 Restorative – poses requiring less muscular action due to the  support of yoga props (such as blankets, bolsters, blocks, chairs and straps) promote deep mental and physical relaxation. Simply lying on props will not necessarily revive a sense of vitality and can instead foster lethargy. The improved sense of vitality and lifting of fatigue is a result of the Certified Iyengar Teacher’s knowledgeable use of props, appropriate sequencing and timings in the various poses.  Especially beneficial for those suffering from mental/physical fatigue, unhealthy levels of stress or highly demanding lives such as athletes and working parents! These poses are introduced at the end of each month.