Yoga Society of San Francisco

Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world. Hatha Yoga uses postures (asana) and conscious breathing (Pranayama) in combination with mental focus to develop awareness, strength and flexibility, and relaxation. Through proper alignment and mindful actions of the body, Hatha Yoga brings balance, strength, and a sense of well-being to the practitioner. Beginners Yoga: This class is designed for those new to yoga: any shape, size or physical ability is welcome. In a supportive and small class environment, you will learn basic yoga postures, fundamentals of calming breath work, and develop overall physical health. Most importantly, bring a willingness to become your best self. Pranayama / Breathwork: Classes include asana (poses), pratyahara (internalizing the focus of the mind and the senses,) and pranayama (expansion of primordial energy – prana through breathing exercises.) These classes fit all levels and helps students with Self-realization through bodily exercises and concentration of mental powers. Vinyasa / Vinyasa Flow: Vinyasa yoga is a broad description today, but generally follows the yogic principles of vinyasa krama, or the purposeful progression through stages of poses. Movement is synchronized to the breath. Classes usually start with pranayama, basic grounding, and sun salutations, then build on them with progressively more challenging asanas. Each step of the way prepares you for the next. Classes end in Savasana reclined meditation. In Vinyasa Flow, the purposeful progression is more fluid and creative, where attention is also given to the smooth transitions between poses, and individual poses are held for a shorter time. The breath acts as a grounding and centering to the movement as you flow through the practice. A dynamic system of practicing asana, it builds heat, endurance, flexibility, strength, and concentration. Weekend Warm-Up Yoga: Warm-up to your weekend with a short meditation, gentle stretches and classical hatha yoga poses, like Downward Facing Dog, Triangle and Sun Salutations. Class is taught in a non-competitive and welcoming way that allows you to stretch, discover how your breath affects your experience and start your weekend off right.. Our Favorite Masters: Discussion and Meditation exploring the teachings of different masters, beginning with Osho. Osho brought radical insights to the human condition, with a meditation program for the modern mind and a spiritual world view that embraced laughter as the best medicine. Discourse, followed by discussion, and then finish with Osho’s Gibberish meditation to remind ourselves that life has to be lived, it cannot only be discussed.