CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

WHY POWER
WHY's signature class is a strong dynamic flow integrating deep, long holds, and bringing attention to breath. This vinyasa style challenges body and mind, builds core power, ignites internal heat, promotes a cleansing sweat, and offers the opportunity for deep healing and release. Heated room. Level I: Moderate, Level II: Vigorous

HOT YOGA
Our Hot Yoga class uses a heated room to promote a cleansing sweat and increase the body's pliability while moving through practice. The sequencing of this class incorporates core work to build heat within the body, vinyassa flow, long holds and deep stretches. Accessible to all levels willing to sweat and explore their edges.
 All Levels

WHY ALL LEVELS
This upbeat class is a creative eclectic blend of many yogic traditions and styles. Modifications of postures are made to accommodate everyone, offering both beginning and advanced students a satisfying, accessible, and energetic experience.  

GENTLE YOGA
Based on the Kripalu tradition of cultivating inner peace, this class is designed to revitalize your body, relax your mind, increase energy, and reduce stress. For beginners; people with back, joint, or heart problems, or experienced students who want a slower paced, less strenuous class.

CORE/AB POWER
Looking for a thorough introduction to a power practice, or simply interested in refining your current power practice? Suitable for beginners and long-time yogis alike, the Core/Ab Power class focuses on breaking down the fundamentals of a power-based practice while toning the abdomen, strengthening the back and creating a strong center. By targeting often neglected muscle groups, this class will help you find freedom and fluidity in your body, and help you to avoid injuries. All levels.

RESTORATIVE/THERAPEUTIC YOGA
This accessible and rejuvenating class is catered to those working with injury, illness, or just suffering from a busy mind. If you need time to slow down and find tranquility and peace, this class is a must. Yoga bolsters, blankets, blocks and other props are used to assist the body in long holds that help the body to release tension and to heal. A real treat for your body, mind and spirit. This class is accessible to all levels. No experience is necessary.

INTRO TO WHY POWER
Introduce power to your practice!  Learn the basics of this challenging style and take your practice to a deeper place.  WHY's signature class incorporates core work, vinyasa flow, sitting and standing sequences, hip openers, back bends, inversions, and pranayama.  For students looking to advance to a strength-based practice. No experience necessary, but a willingness to sweat and explore your edges. Very warm room.

YIN YOGA
Yin Yoga is a style of yoga that focuses on the passive holding of postures for longer periods of time (3 to 5 minutes). These longer holds benefit the connective tissues of the body such as ligaments, bones and joints. Longer holds also give the body and mind time to slow down and drop into stillness, cultivating a meditative component of practice. This class is a wonderful compliment to traditional yang (power-based) yoga styles of practice. All levels are welcome.

KUNDALINI
Kundalini Yoga in the tradition of Yogi Bhajan is known as the Yoga of Awareness. The purpose of each kundalini class is to awaken to our inner greatness and our full potential as human beings. The kundalini practice includes six major components: tuning in with adi mantra, breathing exercises (pranayama), specific yoga movements (kriya), relaxation, meditation, and closing. All Levels.

ASHTANGA SHORT FORM
Traditionally practiced at dawn, Ashtanga Yoga originated in Mysore, India. Linking breath, bandhas (energy locks) and asanas, Ashtanga produces an intense internal heat and purifying sweat through a series of a postures linked together by vinyassa. Though practicing a shorter version, we will maintain a traditional feel and flow through a series of postures designed to strengthen the legs, core, back, and arms, while deepening our practice and experience of the mind-body connection. West Hartford Yoga's signature class, WHY Power, is rooted in the Ashtanga tradition, so much of this class will be familiar to those of you that practice power regularly at WHY. All Levels.
 

SPECIALTY CLASSES & PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

COMMUNITY YOGA
$6 donation to charities
An all levels yoga class to benefit our community. All proceeds go to local AIDS, homelessness, high risk youths,  animal welfare, and environmental causes. Practice together and experience the joy of yoga and the satisfaction of giving. Connect with your body and nurture your spirit.  Many thanks to all WHY teachers who donate their time and talents to make this class possible. See where your donations are making a difference. No experience necessary.

INTRO TO YOGA - FREE
WHY offers a free Introduction to Yoga class one Saturday each month at 1:00 pm. If you've been wanting to try yoga but don't know where to start, come and check us out. Our instructors will introduce you to basic yoga postures and techniques, and you will have an opportunity to visit our warm and spacious studios. Bring a friend (or two)! Everyone welcome. Please see Intro to Yoga for dates. No experience required.

PRENATAL YOGA
Expecting mothers can prepare their bodies and minds for natural childbirth by integrating yoga and meditation into their lives. No experience necessary. Appropriate at any point during your pregnancy. Check with your physician if there are any complications with your pregnancy or if you have any concerns. All Levels.

MEDITATION - FREE
Meditation is at the core of all stress reducing techniques. We will concentrate on the foundations of mediation: focused breathing, relaxed awareness, and an open heart. No experience necessary - everyone welcome. A special thanks to our talented teachers for donating their time for this class: Shankara, Mare DeBenigno, Jyll Kashman, Lata Altman, Roy Maurer, Sharon Smith and David Telep.

PRIVATE YOGA INSTRUCTION
There are times when it is appropriate for a student of yoga to consider private instruction. Such times include when a student:

• is just getting started with yoga
• has concerns about injuries or is recovering from illness
• seeks to overcome limitations or plateaus in their practice
• when a student wishes to work more deeply with a particular teacher

We will be happy to arrange private sessions at the studio or in your home, and will match you up with the instructor who best meets your needs. Please call 860.953.9642 to set up a private session.