Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India several thousand years ago. The goal of yoga is to approach self-realization by practicing a system of breathing exercises, physical exercises, and meditation. While yoga is historically connected to Hindu religion and spirituality, it is important to understand that anybody can practice yoga solely for its physical and health benefits. All people who practice yoga are considered yogis regardless of age, experience level, flexibility or strength.
Yoga at Third Root
Third Root wants to bring as many people to yoga as possible, period. However, there are many economic, racial, and cultural barriers for different groups of people in accessing yoga in many yoga studios. For some people, $15 per class is an exorbitant fee and so they cannot attend classes regularly; for others, they do not see their identity reflected in the teachers and so they cannot be fully present; for others, they do not speak English as a first language and so cannot understand the practice fully.
We also see yoga as a space of healing — all of our teachers have found yoga to be essential in their own self-care, as well as their own path of finding who they are. We know that there are countless people out there who need healing at some level. Therefore, we have created classes that are specifically focused on certain communities so that they might begin to heal together and create a support network for that essential personal work.
We wanted to address these barriers and open our doors to people who sometimes feel shut out of yoga studios. Our yoga classes are $12 per class and the prices go down from there for class cards. We have three specialized classes right now — Yoga for Abundant Bodies, Queer and Trans Yoga, and Yoga en Español — and we are working on building the relationshps needed to be able to have other specialized classes. Some of our ideas include Yoga for Veterans, Yoga for Re-entry, and Yoga for Chronic Disease, and we are looking for community input to develop more class ideas.
Yoga Classes for the General Population
We also have classes for different skill levels and different desires for one’s yoga practice.
- Restorative Yoga is more about saving energy than expending energy and involves a few relaxing postures held for 15-20 minutes using a multitude of props.
- Gentle Yoga is a slow-paced hatha yoga class that moves through the asanas, working to open the body but not necessarily sweat or be used as aerobic activity.
- Beginner’s Yoga is a hatha vinyasa class for those new to yoga or for those unfamiliar with some of the basic poses.
- Intermediate Yoga is a blend of hata, iyengar, and vinyasa techniques, for those familiar with the poses, but still working to open and strengthen the body to do the more demanding poses.
- Advanced Yoga is a class for those with a long-standing yoga practice who wish to work on binds, more advanced breath work, and hand balances.
- Yoga for Your Back is a class especially designed for those with chronic back pain and people who sit at desks all day during the work week. The class will focus on strengthening and opening up the back to lead you to a pain-free life.
- Yoga for Your Hips is a class for opening the hips and pelvis, leading to better posture, and a better awareness of your hips in daily life.
Why special classes for special communities?
In the Third Root yoga program, we do offer some standard classes (beginner, intermediate, advanced, restorative), but also some highly specialized classes. One reason for this is to make specific communities more comfortable and to give specialized attention in a space that is only for them. Sometimes in general classes, the special needs of these different communities and different bodies gets overlooked. There is not enough understanding about their needs, or there just isn’t enough time to give the attention they need. For these specialized communities, our teachers are either a part of those communities or strong allies to them.
Who should come to specialized classes?
We offer Yoga for Abundant Bodies, Queer and Trans Yoga, and Yoga en Español. People who self-identify as part of these communities should come to these classes. If you are not a part of these communities but still wish to seek the benefits of yoga, please come to any of our other classes or ask us about Private Yoga Lessons.
What can I expect in a Third Root yoga class?
During yoga practice one moves through asanas (postures) with deep steady breathing. By calming the mind and moving the body in rhythm with the breath, we can harmonize our thoughts and feelings with our body.
A typical yoga class at Third Root will include an opening and closing meditation, specialized work in the asanas and pranayama practice. Asanas are specific postures that stretch, bend and balance the body. The majority of class time is usually spent on the asanas, which are the most physically demanding element of practice. Pranayama consists of breathing exercises that strengthen the respiratory system and help ease stress, fatigue and anxiety. Together, pranayama and asana practice help the student in their meditation. Meditation brings harmony to the student by joining the mind and body.
Why practice yoga?
Practicing yoga can be excellent for calming stress and anxiety. Yoga has been shown to stimulate the circulatory system, endocrine system, strengthen the immune system, and to keep muscles and joints strong and flexible. Yoga is excellent if you are feeling frazzled, anxious, “out of touch,” or are experiencing physical weakness or disequilibrium.
Visit our Third Root Events Calendar to find out when our next yoga class is happening and learn more about our sliding scale fee structure. We’ll hope to see you in class!
