In this mixed levels class, we do a variety of standing, seated, and reclined poses, including forward bends, back bends, and twists. Options are given for beginner as well as experienced students, so that everyone can explore their personal potential.

YOGA 1/INTRODUCTION TO YOGA is a class for students new to yoga. It focuses on poses to strengthen and stretch the legs, back, and shoulders. Emphasis is on the basic alignment of the standing poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation. Classes run in 7 week sessions. The next session begins September 14, 2009.

The fusion of pilates mat work and Anusara yoga creates a wonderful physical and spiritual experience. This class will bring you inner peace along with inner-core stability. Paula Morris at Garden of the Heart Yoga has trained with renowned teacher-trainers Sue and Naime of Yogaphoria in New Hope, Pennsylvania and at Garden of the Heart Yoga under Betsey Downing.

This series is for students who understand the fundamental foundations of Iyengar Yoga and are ready to apply those fundamentals to some new asanas. The Level 1 syllabus incorporates the asanas from the introductory series and adds additional postures to build your practice. New concepts are introduced to help deepen the experience of the asana. Visit http://www.iyengaryogasarasota.com/ for more information.

Pregnancy is one of the most special times in a woman's life. It is a time for nurturing, slowing down, strengthening your muscles for the labor process, and learning to meditate. Meditation calms and relaxes you and your baby, adjusts your energy frequency and helps eliminate negative mind patterns and fears. Your Yoga and Meditation practice provides you, and your child, emotional balance and calmness, physical strength, inner endurance and stamina for labor and birth. Prenatal Yoga Classes provide simple, yet effective exercises designed to strengthen and relax your rapidly changing body, preparing you for a conscious childbirth. Join other pregnant women as you enhance your experience of pregnancy, birthing and parenting, and use this special time of pregnancy to bring yoga and meditation deeper into your daily lifestyle. Our goal: to create a more peaceful world through strong and conscious mothers. Women at all stages in their pregnancy are welcome.

An energizing and rejuvenating class focusing on mothers' postpartum needs: regaining alignment, toning the pelvic floor, and building core strength. Babies are welcome and can be incorporated in the yoga poses or can nap/play on a mat. Recommended age is pre-crawling.

In this Kripalu yoga class you will learn how to bring yourself fully present in your body and practice the classic yoga postures with a flowing breath, proper alignment, and a mental focus on sensations. The meaning of Kripalu is compassion. It is this compassion of self that allows the student to discover and open the inner being that becomes the heart of this practice. This is a perfect class for beginners and the more experienced practitioners. An attitude of compassionate self acceptance is stressed as an essential element of this class. Each class is a complete experience, including centering, warm ups, yoga postures, yogic breathing, and yoga nidra (relaxation).

This class is appropriate for those with chronic conditions, joint pain, injury or those desiring a class of less intensity. Students will experience gentle stretches and passive yoga poses supported with props and held for several minutes. A very quieting, contemplative class. Please dress comfortably (layers are recommended). Please advise the instructor of your injury/conditions prior to the start of class.

An ancient art and science, and sometimes rigorous workout, that strengthens the nervous system, balances the glandular system and helps to harness the energy of the mind and emotions and facilitate greater awareness. The class includes pranayam (breath work), posture sequences (kriyas), mantras, meditation, and relaxation. The class is both invigorating to the body and calming to the mind. It is about waking up! Come have some fun with us! Beginners are always welcome.

This series is based on the preliminary course designed by Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar. The syllabus of the preliminary course is designed to be conducted over a period of eight months to a year. However, I have taken the most basic poses in the syllabus and developed an 8 week introductory series. A variety of asanas (postures) are included to achieve the goal of improving the body structure and lubricating the joints, creating freedom of movement in the joints. The asanas also strengthen and lengthen the ligaments and muscles. The asanas have been selected with the view that they will tone the internal organs and strengthen the nerves. The functional performance of the organic body is subsequently improved. Students are welcome to repeat the introductory series as many times as they wish before progressing to the Level 1 class. For new students to maximize the benefit of the intro series we prefer that students register for the whole series. We prefer new students to join the series by the fourth class. We strongly encourage new students to come to class 15 minutes early to complete a registration form and speak with the teacher about prior yoga experience and physical challenges. Visit http://www.iyengaryogasarasota.com/ for session dates and contact info.

A focus on the essence of yoga—non-judgment, compassion, and openness—guide this class. We warm up the body slowly through breath and easy movement, continuing with gentle sun salutations. We will continue through a series of poses, experiencing balance, challenge, and relaxation. Every day is a new beginning so in each class you will take the practice where your body wants to go that day.

A vigorous, demanding style of yoga, which links breath and movement through a heat-building sequence.

A focus on the essence of yoga—non-judgment, compassion, and openness—guide this class. We warm up the body slowly through breath and easy movement, continuing with gentle sun salutations. We will continue through a series of poses, experiencing balance, challenge, and relaxation. Every day is a new beginning so in each class you will take the practice where your body wants to go that day.