Whether you’ve always wanted to practice yoga or you’re an experienced yogi looking to advance your techniques, there are multiple classes for all skill levels available at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. The Hatha Yoga Foundations: Yoga 1 Beginner’s Course is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to basic yoga practices. Over eight lessons, students will learn fundamental yoga postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation and relaxation techniques. This course also provides guidance on maintaining a healthy diet to support yoga practices.
There are also intermediate courses available called Yoga II and Yoga III, which build on the skills taught in Yoga I. Yoga II focuses on balance, so students will learn to hold their poses longer and make smoother transitions between poses. This course also offers training in yogic headstands for anyone who feels ready. Yoga III is designed to increase flexibility and strength, but students must be able to comfortably maintain a headstand in order to attend.
In addition to their yoga classes, the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center also offers additional adult learning programs. There are multiple meditation and guided relaxation programs, as well as educational courses on Western Philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita. Students can even attend an Indian Cooking Workshop at the center. Class sizes at Sivananda are kept small to ensure each student receives personalized attention. This is designed to prepare participants to attend open yoga sessions since individual support is less available in that environment.
People who have attended classes at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center report having positive experiences overall. Beginners shared feeling supported as they attempted the different poses, and the facility is described as being calming, peaceful, and welcoming. Many students also enjoyed meeting new people in the classes and being able to learn from folks with more yoga experience. The center is sometimes described as a community, with many people attending classes there regularly because they feel at home.
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