When considering what type of exercise format would be beneficial to try this year, chose one that is great for everyone, including kids! Yoga not only improves flexibility but also builds muscle strength, prevents cartilage and joint breakdown and perfects posture. Practicing yoga will protect the spine and bones, increase blood flow, lower blood pressure and make anyone a happier person!
There are many types of yoga to choose from and most studios offer a variety of classes. Here is a sample of the formats that can be found at studios and health clubs.
Hatha Yoga
Emphasis on alignment. Each class is sequenced to bring proper alignment, an understanding of the asanas (postures), while also incorporating awareness of the breath to each movement.
Hatha Flow
Fluid movement with the breath as well as holding postures and bringing awareness to the alignment in them.
Beginning Yoga
Strong focus on effective alignment with breathwork and meditation applied to posture practice. Learn to integrate the actions required to create comfortable stability in the body and mind.
Restorative Yoga
Release chronic tension, stress and anxiety from the body and mind.
Yoga Flow/Vinyasa
An alignment based practice that focuses on the synchronization of breath and movement, flowing through postures (asanas) to the rhythm of the breath.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga Beginning Series classes run for 90 minutes and consist of the same series of 26 postures, including two breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is a hot yoga style and is ideally practiced in a room heated to 95–108 °F with a humidity of 40%.
Yin Yoga
Asanas are held for up to 5 minutes in a relaxing posture. Yin Yoga aims to lengthen the connective tissue.
Prenatal Yoga
Learn postures to help feel better physically, benefiting the health of mom and baby.
PostNatal Yoga
Babies welcome to attend usually up until 18 months. Strengthen and tone your whole body while deepening your sense of well-being.
Toddler & Me (ages 18 months-5) or Yoga for Tots (ages 3-6)
Calming and active yoga activities for children. Focus on building mindfulness and breath and body awareness through poses, movement, and guided relaxation.
Yoga for Kids (ages 5-11)
Explore yoga poses through games and stories.
Monterey-area Yoga Studios
Seaside Yoga Sanctuary
1360 Fremont Blvd. Seaside
300 Grand Avenue Pacific Grove
www.seasideyogasanctuary.com
Om Studios
631 B Cass Street Monterey
3730 The Barnyard, Hatton Barn Carmel
http://omoasis.com
Bikram Yoga Monterey Bay
170 Central Avenue Pacific Grove
http://bikram-yoga-monterey-bay.business.site
Union Yoga
244 Pearl Street Monterey
http://unionyoga-monterey.com
Yoga Salinas
44 Plaza Circle Salinas
http://www.yogasalinas.com/
Kids Yoga Classes
Kids Yoga
535 Foam Street #103 Monterey
www.kidsyogafun.com
Carmelbarre Yogi Kids
26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd. Carmel
465 Pacific Street Monterey
www.carmelbarre.com
Om Studios Mommy & Me Yoga
631 B Cass St. Monterey
www.moja.yoga
Seaside Yoga Sanctuary Kids Yoga
300 Grand Ave. Pacific Grove
www.seasideyogasanctuary.com
Monterey Recreation-Casanova Oak Knoll
Tiny Tots Yoga
735 Ramona Street Monterey
https://monterey.org/Services/Monterey-Recreation/Recreation-Activities-Guide
Families of Color Yoga in the Park (Tatum’s Garden)
Saturday, February 3 11-12pm
https://focmc.org/