Class Descriptions

At Greenbelt Om, we encourage you to stretch and enjoy as many different kinds of classes as you'd like. You may find one style that's perfect for you, or, like many of us, you may find yourself in the mood for gentle yoga one day, and Pilates the next! Have fun with your yoga practice, and enjoy exploring the wide variety of classes we offer.

Ashtanga Yoga: Rooted in the eight-limbed yoga of Patanjali, Ashtanga or Raja ("Royal") Yoga utilizes postures (asanas) and breath work (pranayama) as preparation for meditation, cleansing the body/mind system of collected patterns and impurities and allowing the practitioner to achieve a state of peace and concentration. An one and one half hour session will include moderate asana practice to stretch and warm the body, breathwork to cleanse the system, and will end with relaxation and meditation to focus the mind.
Integral Hatha I: This class includes an introduction to the core Hatha practice through instruction in asanas (postures), yoga nidra (deep relaxation), pranayama (breath control), and meditation. Integral Yoga is a flexible combination of specific methods designed to develop every aspect of the individual, integrating the various branches of yoga. This class is appropriate for those with no neck or back injuries, and is designed for students over 16 years of age.
Kripalu Flow I/II with Joel--with sign interpretation: This class will satisfy continuing and intermediate students looking for a flowing, energetic class. Kripalu Flow's fluid sequencing of postures, breathing, and energy gathering will leave the body, mind, and soul settled and peaceful. Jamie Yost offers sign interpretation for this class.
Kripalu Yoga with Carol Iverson - Level I: The practice of Kripalu Yoga is a process of gentle stretching and strengthening to release tension, increase self-understanding through deepening awareness and, accordingly, come into a state of greater internal harmony and aliveness. Stress, tension and trauma cut off sensation and physical sensations are the root of our feelings and emotions. Stress also fragments our energies and psyche. By practicing yoga postures mindfully, in rhythm with the breath, we develop internal awareness and can feel and choose to release muscular and emotional tension and distress patterns which limit us. When limiting patterns and the underlying beliefs become conscious, our energy is freed-up, we become stronger and more integrated, self-understanding increases, and we have more choices in life. Consequently our lives become fluid, alive and intentional. So it isn't about doing the perfect posture, or even advanced posture--although these are included in Level II. The focus is on how you do what you do, what is appropriate for your body and what increases understanding, vitality and joy in life.
Kripalu Yoga with Carol Iverson - Level II: The practice of Kripalu Yoga is a process of gentle stretching and strengthening to release tension, increase self-understanding through deepening awareness and, accordingly, come into a state of greater internal harmony and aliveness. Stress, tension and trauma cut off sensation and physical sensations are the root of our feelings and emotions. Stress also fragments our energies and psyche. By practicing yoga postures mindfully, in rhythm with the breath, we develop internal awareness and can feel and choose to release muscular and emotional tension and distress patterns which limit us. When limiting patterns and the underlying beliefs become conscious, our energy is freed-up, we become stronger and more integrated, self-understanding increases, and we have more choices in life. Consequently our lives become fluid, alive and intentional. So it isn't about doing the perfect posture, or even advanced posture--although these are included in Level II. The focus is on how you do what you do, what is appropriate for your body and what increases understanding, vitality and joy in life.
Lunchtime Yoga: Take a break from work and move your whole body in our active mid-day yoga class. These mixed-level classes, offered by a variety of Greenbelt Om teachers, will leave you stretched, relaxed and revitalized for the rest of your day. All levels welcome.
Market Day Yoga: This class is suitable for beginners and for continuing students. Using fundamental principles of alignment, movement, and energetics, we work to open up the body--and the spirit--to new possibilities, creating a sense of relaxation and renewal by building strength, flexibility, and awareness. Classes include seated and standing poses, breath work, and relaxation techniques. We spend the first few weeks reviewing alignment and basic poses. Continuing students are offered more challenging variations. Everyone is encouraged to work at their own level, finding the balance between ease and effort that just feels right.
Mixed Level Kripalu with Laura: Kripalu Yoga uses breath awareness, postures and deep relaxation to revitalize the body, calm the mind and cultivate compassionate awareness, bringing the mind, body and spirit into a state of harmony and balance. In this mixed level Kripalu class, Laura Bonkosky presents a balanced practice of warm-ups, postures, breathing and relaxation designed to energize your body, release tension, enliven your spirit and bring more ease and joy into your life.
Pilates: Pilates is a method of exercise designed to balance and strengthen the body as a whole. Developed in the early 1900's by Joseph Pilates, the exercises focus on strengthening the core muscles of the body, resulting in a higher level of overall fitness, better posture, greater flexibility, and stamina. Faithful practitioners of Pilates enjoy greater lung capacity, circulation, body sculpting, and even back pain relief. Often, Yoga studios offer Pilates classes because of the many similarities between the two forms of exercise. Both disciplines simultaneously stretch and strengthen, use controlled movements, and focus on breathing (You may have even heard of studios offering "Yogilates" classes!). The biggest difference is that often, Yoga uses held stretches whereas Pilates exercises use constant motion. Pilates is aimed at uniting the mind, body, and spirit through awareness, stretching, and movement, much the same as Yoga.
Pregnancy Yoga: Yoga classes designed for the pregnant woman. Classes emphasize comfort, relaxation, strength, flexibility and breathing techniques. It is the perfect preparation for childbirth and is suitable for women who are just starting a yoga practice or who already have one.
Super Gentle Yoga: Super Gentle Yoga is for seniors and for students of any age with special conditions, or who would like a slower-paced yoga class. Students will gently practice yoga using a variety of props, including chairs, allowing them to experience the stretching and strengthening benefits of yoga regardless of their current physical condition.
T'ai Chi: Students of all ages and physical abilities are invited to try this ancient practice of graceful, gentle, movements that are fun to do. This class introduces basic Tai Chi concepts and moves that anyone can learn and benefit from.
Vishwayatan Yoga: This is an active, all-ages, beginning-level class with a loyal following. The Vishwayatan style begins with a series of moves and coordinated breathing exercises that warms up the whole body, from the top of the head to the toes. Following the warm-up, students lie down in savasana. Then the active practice is resumed, with a series of traditional hatha postures that start on the floor and finish standing up and energized. The practice ends with students feeling stretched and alert.
Yoga Basics and Kripalu Yoga Basics: Students will learn the basic language and theory of yoga, and learn what yoga has to offer, both physically and on a deeper level. What's great about these classes is that yoga postures are described in a way that new students can understand. And by that we mean you'll understand how to align your body, and also how to conceive of the posture in your mind and assimilate it into your whole self. Students will also learn ways in which yoga can be incorporated into your own daily routine, to bring more ease, relaxation and peace to your life. This is a valuable introduction to yoga, and could be your key to bringing a sustainable yoga practice into your life.