Santa Cruz Yoga Class Descriptions - Mark Stephens

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Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Rather than trying to tie yourself into knots, yoga is a practice of unwinding and finding freedom in your true nature. In Vinyasa Flow Yoga, we honor the body’s inherent dynamism by moving fluidly from pose to pose in synchronized rhythm with the breath. On a superficial level this involves what might be described as an “athletic, cardio-vascular” effort. But in beginning to the most challenging classes, the practice is the same: “playing the edge” we explore the dynamics of effort and ease, strength and calm, control and surrender, movement and stillness. Each pose, each moment within and between the poses, becomes as if so many different windows onto your sense of being and consciousness. Consciously moving energy throughout your entire body, this practice deeply stimulates your nervous and circulatory systems, purifies your organs, strengthens your heart and lungs, calms your mind and steadies your emotions. In this awakening process, the further possibilities are quite possibly infinite.

"There is no way
tO happiness.
Happiness is
the way."-The Buddha

Level 1-2 Vinyasa Flow

This class is taught at a modest pace while providing clear and often elaborate instruction of basic elements of the practice. Each class include Sun Salutations, Standing Poses, Backbends, Forward Bends, Twists, Hip Openers and Inversions. Some classes offer Core Integration and some introduce basic arm balances poses. Modifications and variations are offered throughout to accommodate students who are relatively newer or more experienced, tight or flexible, strong or weak, healthy or imbalanced. Great for new students, great for experienced students who like a complete yet gentler practice.

Level 2-3 Vinyasa Flow

This is a fairly strong and vigorous class that moves at a steady pace to generate intense, self-purifying internal energy (tapas), thereby opening the body to a deeper release of tension, development of core strength and awakening to your true inner nature. We explore a wide variety of poses, including creative warrior sequences, arm balances, core work, deep backbends, restorative poses, and deep opening and stabilizing of the hips, shoulders and spine. Strong emphasis on yogic breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama) and exploration of other forms of pranayama. Students are encouraged to explore their practice as a heart-centered movement meditation in which the breath and overall sensations in the physical body provide a mantra for clearing and steadying the bodymind while opening the spirit to its fullest and freest awareness of blissful being.