• Funky Flow~ There are many ways in which yoga enters our soul, this class takes the FUN route to get there!!! Come recharge the mind/body/soul with an intermediate flow class that will include creatively interpreted sun salutations, lots o’ core lovin’ movements and as always, opportunities to dabble with arm balances and inversions! All set to fun/upbeat music. Inspire and be inspired. Seeking individuals who are ready to let go and go for it. Some yoga experience preferred, BUT do not let lack of experience deter you from trying it out!
• Hot Hip Hop~Don’t let the name scare you! There’s no dancing in this All Levels Vinyasa Flow class, but hip hop beats set our pace. Allow yourself to move your asana with the energizing tunes and find power in your Warrior pose as the music plays. Be prepared to sweat, challenge yourself, and have fun!
• Journey through the 5 Elements~ Each element is responsible for different structures in the body. Earth forms solid structures, such as bones, flesh, skin, tissues, and hair. Water forms saliva, urine, semen, blood, and sweat. Fire forms hunger, thirst, and sleep. Air is responsible for all movement, including expansion, contraction, and suppression. Space forms physical attraction and repulsion, as well as fear. Yoga may help us purify these elements and restore balance and health, and to unfold the inner powers and abilities contained in each element.
• Boot Camp Yoga or Yoga sculpt~This unique, heart-pumping fusion class is unlike any other yoga class you’ve ever experienced! Combining sweaty cardio interval training segments, along with strength training using light hand weights, and a focus on building a strong, healthy core, this fun workout keeps you on your toes by interweaving yoga poses and sequences throughout the cardio and strength segments, creating a complete mind-body workout experience.
• Hot Yin/Yang Yoga: This class is begins with gentle and deep yin postures to work into the connective tissues repairing and rejuvenating the joints and cells of the body. The yang portion of the practice focuses on enhancing flexibility, strength, balance and breath before moving back into gentle stretching and body alignment. Leave refreshed, peaceful and energized. The room is heated 88-90 degrees.
• Half a small avocado mashed up with a little lemon juice, and a pinch of salt & pepper on top of a brown rice cake! Best. Snack. Ever. #healthystpatricksday
• **Yoga for Athletes aims to improve your flexibility, physical balance, muscular balance, proprioception (awareness of where your body is in space), and mental focus. Injury prevention, enhancing mental strength and flexibility to keep you in “the zone” and ways to speed up recovery between training sessions are just a few of training-specific topics that will addressed during the class. Whether you are new to yoga or a practicing yogi, in this yoga class you will work towards making yourself a more balanced athlete and person.
• **Yoga: Body, Mind & Soul

An accessible practice directl yinformed and influenced by the cosmic context and students aspirations. A unique class experience each time integrating a diverse array of yoga tools and techniques for body, mind and energy healing, health and vitality. No experience necessary. Come with an open attitude to experiencing space, sound and sensibilities to harness and empower your life-force.

• **Yin Yoga

A quiet, meditative practice with an emphasis on the hips and spine. Through mindful muscle relaxation, yin yoga promotes the healthy flow of chi (energy) in the body through the connective tissue. Postures held for longer periods give practitioners the opportunity to observe and bring awareness to the breath and sensations in the body. The Yin practice is a wonderful compliment to a more vigorous yoga practice, running, cycling, or other more active pursuits.

• **Restorative Yoga

A deeply relaxing practice of supported poses, guided relaxation, yogic breathing, and an extended savasana (final resting pose). This meditative practice cultivates a necessary balance between body and mind while dissolving physical and mental tension. For any level student seeking to reduce the effects of stress.

• **Post-Work Yoga

Designed to clear your head and unkink your body after the workday. Work off tightness and stress with sequences and poses designed to undo the effects of prolonged sitting, screen-staring and shallow breathing. It’s your hour to unwind, decompress and elevate your spirit. You’ll leave calm, grounded and pleasantly energized for your evening. Appropriate for all levels of yoga practice.

Frequently asked questions: Why did you change the name from Gentle Yoga? We wanted the class title to better reflect our intention in offering an hour-long class at 5:15 pm. Clearly a sedentary and/or stressful job, which many people in the DC metro area have, has a negative impact on the body and mind, and by extension spirit and emotions and relationships. We offer this class as an effective antidote, delivered in a timely and efficient fashion.

Will the practice be different, or just the name? The asana practice will specifically address the physical impact of sitting and/or stressing. The movement aspect of the class may be mildly enhanced compared to Gentle Yoga, but the class will remain accessible for all levels of yoga practice and experience.

It’s noted as Post-Work Yoga—what if it’s not a workday for me? Or I work at night? We aren’t going to verify your employment. If you think you’d benefit from the practice, come!

• **New Moon Practice

Scheduled on the night of the new moon each month, this class features a combination of chandra namaskaras (lunar salutations), slow flow, restorative postures, and meditation to help you connect more fully with nature’s cycles and your own internal rhythms. Ruler of water and emotion, the moon is associated with the cooling ida nadi (energy channel) and shakti (feminine) energy. The new moon is a time of pure potential, receptivity to possibility, and the beginning of purpose and intentionality. A calm mind and body are ideal for receiving its open positive energy and preparing you for the full waxing cycle (increasing in light), towards the full moon fruition. Variations for specific months and seasons will be integrated. Please bring a journal for writing exericises.

• **Full Moon Flow

Scheduled on the night of the full moon each month, this class features a combination of chandra namaskaras (lunar salutations), slow flow, restorative postures, and meditation to help you connect more fully with nature's cycles and your own internal rhythms. Ruler of water and emotion, the moon is associated with the cooling ida nadi (energy channel) and shakti (feminine) energy. The full moon is a time of swelling tides, heightened emotions, and completion of tasks and intentions. A calm mind and body are ideal for receiving its intense positive energy and preparing you for the next cycle of waning (decreasing), new moon (beginning), and waxing (increasing). Variations for specific months and seasons will be integrated.

• **Mindful Yoga & Meditation

A contemplative blend of yin yoga and slow-flow vinyasa for fostering a restful inner atmosphere. For established practitioners interested in exploring the subtle realm of yoga, each class includes intention-setting, mantra, asana and 15 minutes of seated meditation. Specific posture sequences are tailored to the seasons and time of day.

• **Meditation

The body is the vehicle to your true nature and meditation is the method used to experience peace and bliss. Learn how to calm the mind, be present in your body and feel rejuvenated. This class is structured using experiential instruction combined with group meditation. Teaching points will include posture, breathing, mantras (chants using mala beads), and mudras (finger and hand positions). Usually two guided sits offered with time for questions and clarifications. This class is open to beginner and establish meditators. The benefits of daily meditation practice can reduce stress, anxiety and insomnia as well as increase clarity, concentration and creativity.

• **Lunch Yoga

A 1-hour yogic workout designed to release tension, sharpen your mind & lift your spirits to set you right for your day.

• **This class will tickle the citta of your inner yoga nerd. Each class offers one or two specific focuses from Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga. Whether it be a mantra, a sutra, a pranayama or breaking down the anatomy and alignment of yoga poses, you will have the opportunity to enrich your relationship with your true Self. An evening practice for diving deep into all of what is yoga, moving your body, connecting with breath and freeing yourself of the mind stuff.
• **

CORE***** Many students who walk into your classroom will have a limited perspective on core strength, tied up in ideas about “abs of steel” and endless repetitions of traditional abdominal exercises. If they are thinking about any core muscles, it’s most likely to be the rectus abdominus—the most superficial abdominal muscle that creates the appearance of a six-pack and pulls us into a traditional abdominal crunch. They won’t be thinking about the deeper transverse abdominus muscle, which provides more of a constant girder of strength and stability. And they certainly won’t be thinking about the respiratory diaphragm, the muscle that is truly at the core of the body, separating the thoracic cavity (heart, lungs, and ribcage) from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm is the core muscle that initiates every breath. From a yogic perspective, the act of breathing is far closer to the core of who we are than any aspirations of a flat stomach. Our breath is our connection to life, and when this connection is unrestricted and strong, we are stronger, physically and mentally. With this in mind, you can offer your students a core strength yoga class that balances traditional fitness notions of abdominal strength with a strong focus on developing a strong and steady breath.

• **Yoga for Athletes

Our “Yoga For Athletes” Program is one of the best in Charlotte!!! These classes are taught by our more experienced teachers having experience with athletes as well as anatomical and functional movement training. These classes are not “athletic” yoga classes; but instead, teachers offer a variety of postures geared toward increasing range of mobility in hips, shoulders, spine, wrists and ankles, with a focus on functional movement. A regular yoga practice can help to regain balance and realignment to movement. Yoga’s focus on concentration and breath will also help to improve focus and mental endurance. These classes also address any imbalances that may exist through the overuse and repetitive nature of certain activities, assisting in the prevention of overuse injuries. Pace of the class varies – at times it may be dynamic with more of a strengthening component and at others it may be more restorative. These classes can also be tailored specifically for teams, groups or individuals with specific cross-training needs. Whether your sport is golf, tennis, football, lacrosse, soccer, running, swimming, volleyball, Crossfit, you name it, this class will help you to gain flexibility and balance thereby improving form, efficiency and power. Great class for all athletes.

• **NEW!!!!

20 answers: what you want to know about yoga Most people have so many questions when they first come to yoga that they don’t know where to begin. Here, we offer up some of the most common questions and answers.

If your question isn’t answered here, we invite you to find us at the studio, via e-mail or by phone at 919.831.2583. You’ve heard it before, but really, there’s no such thing as a silly question. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible when you come to practice with us! So ask away!

What does “yoga” mean? Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means “to yoke” or “to unite.” As a practice, it is a scientific system for achieving total health, mental, and spiritual well-being — a means to unite the body, mind, and spirit. In the United States, the term yoga is often used to mean the postures, or the physical part of yoga; however, these poses, or asana, are only one of the eight “limbs” of yoga.

Can beginners attend classes at blue lotus? Absolutely! We offer a weekly Yoga Foundations class and monthly Yoga Foundations workshop for beginning students who want a solid foundation in the breathing, alignment, and basic philosophy of yoga. If you prefer to dabble at your own pace, please talk to us so we can help you select the right class to begin.

How often should I practice? Ideally, yoga is meant to be a daily practice. As that is quite overwhelming to a beginner, we recommend you set a goal you can realistically keep. Consistency is the key—it’s far better to attend one class per week without fail than to attend four classes one week, none for the next two weeks, one the next week, etc. The more you practice, the better you will feel, and the more you will want to practice!

How do I know which style of yoga to choose? Depending on your physical condition, your health, and your motivation for practicing, we can help guide you to the right class for you. Vinyasa is an active, heat-producing styles of yoga where the breath links one movement to the next. Yin and Restorative classes are much quieter, slower-paced classes designed for you to go deeper—into your body and into a quieter, meditative state. Classes like Flow & Stretch are a combination of both. Please talk to us if you are unsure where to start.

How do I know which level to attend? If you are an absolute beginner, we suggest you begin with our Yoga Foundations classes and workshops, or Private Instruction. Vinyasa L1 is also a good place to start for healthy beginners. Open level classes are appropriate for those who have some familiarity with yoga, as in any given class there will be a range of experience levels. We recommend a year of ongoing, consistent practice and proficiency with Sun Salutations, basic standing poses, backbends, and inversions before attending Vinyasa L2 classes.

I can’t sit still for two minutes and can’t touch my toes. Is there a yoga class for me? One of the great things about yoga is it brings us all to the same common denominator—we all have the same struggles and worries, and though everyone comes in a different body, each of us has a path to travel to make it a more comfortable place to live. People come to blue lotus with differing levels of experience, but there is room for everyone. We are ALL learning. Talk to us, and we can point you in the right direction.

What if I can’t do a pose? One of the reasons we suggest beginners start in our Foundations classes and workshops is to help you learn the basic poses and modifications to suit your level. If you move from there into an Open Level class and are presented with something challenging, ask the instructor for a modification if one is not offered. We stress the non-competitive nature of yoga and invite you to make the practice your own — honoring your body and doing what is best for you—not forcing yourself into a shape that you aren’t ready for.

Is yoga a workout? Will I lose weight? The answer depends on the style of yoga you select, as well as the frequency and intensity with which you practice. Although the focus in yoga is about balance, healing, and reconnecting, a regular practice of Vinyasa will not only open your mind and offer you a fresh perspective on your life, but it also will absolutely change your body. While not an intense aerobic workout, it does burn calories as you create long lean muscles and cultivate flexibility and greater range of motion in the joints. Just as important, as you move into an improved state of well-being, you will make choices off the mat that also improve your health.

Is yoga a religion? Yoga is a philosophy, not a religion, though it does have a spiritual component. You do not need to be religious to practice. It has been practiced by individuals of widely differing beliefs and any and all people are welcome at blue lotus. In order to practice, you only need to believe in the possibility that we can transform ourselves, that there is always more to learn, and that there is a better way to approach life than the old habits that tie us down. At the heart is the openness to see we have not yet tapped into our highest potential as human beings. Yoga seeks to put us in touch with our spiritual core—our innermost nature—that which or who we truly are.

The instructor uses words in another language. What is it? The language of yoga is Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. Some teachers use it more than others, and it is nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Although you may never say the words yourself, you will come to recognize them over time. If this is an area of interest for you, there are books in the blue lotus boutique we can point you to, to learn more.

What is OM? The sound of “om” is actually a-u-m—three separate tones/vibrations. It is considered to be the original sound from which all other sounds emanate. It is the sound of creation and life you hear all around you—the wind in the trees, the buzz of a bee, the hum of a car engine, the rumble of a train. In chanting om before or after practice, we are looking to create unity of breath, sound, and vibration, reminding us we are connected to each other, and the unifying power of the universe. The OM symbol represents the three states of consciousness—waking, sleeping, and dreaming–as well as the universal consciousness that underlies and connects everything.

What is Namaste? Namaste is a word of greeting. It is in common usage on the streets of Nepal and India even in modern times, and is generally accompanied by drawing the hands together and slightly bowing the head. Translated directly, Namaste means “to bow” and is considered a greeting from the heart that is reciprocated in kind. Expanding that definition, Namaste recognizes light and goodness of the self and others, and honors the sacredness of all.

What should I wear? We keep the studio between 78 – 82 degrees year-round, so bear that in mind if you are warm-natured. We suggest comfortable, stretchy clothing that is not too loose or it will get in your way, and make it difficult for the instructor to check your alignment. Most women wear a tank or tee with leggings and men wear a tee with shorts. Do plan to practice in bare feet, remove jewelry, and absolutely no watches in the studio. We also ask you refrain from wearing scented lotions and perfumes in respect for those who have sensitivities to fragrances.

Do I need to bring anything? Although we have yoga mats to loan, you need to have your own mat if you are going to practice yoga. It’s more hygienic, and more importantly, having your own mat will make it much more likely you will unroll it at home! The mats we sell in the studio are eco yoga mats. They are a little more expensive than “regular” mats, but they last longer, are free of toxins, and are completely biodegradable. If you are attending a Vinyasa class, you may want to bring a hand towel and water, though we suggest you drink before and after, and not during practice.

When should I eat, and do I need water? Plan to practice on an empty stomach. If you need a snack, eat a piece of fruit or something light before class. One of the benefits of yoga is its detoxification of the body. Drinking lots of water will help flush the toxins out of your system, so do hydrate well both before and after class. As you don’t want to extinguish all the internal heat you are trying to build during class, if you need to drink while practicing, take small sips. Drink up when you’re done!

Can I leave during class? In order to keep disruptions to a minimum, please plan to arrive on time and stay for the entire class. If for some reason you need to leave early, please let the instructor know in advance. You are, of course, always welcome to enter and exit the studio (quietly, please) during class to use the restroom.

Do I need to sign up in advance? If you’d like to attend a Foundations workshop, we do suggest you register in advance. For regular classes, you do not have to make a reservation, though you may if you like, using our WebScheduler.

I’d like to bring yoga to my workplace. Do you offer that service? We do! Our instructors have experience in offices, hospitals, and schools, as well as offering special team-building classes at the studio for corporate groups. We want to promote yoga as a practice for living a happier, healthier life; a practice that is accessible to everyone. We are committed to offering yoga anywhere and everywhere we can! To arrange a corporate yoga class or series, please contact us!

Why should I come to blue lotus? That is a question only you can answer for yourself. In order to move forward on this path, you need a qualified guide and a supportive community. blue lotus was created to offer you both. Our instructors are of the highest caliber, and are continuously studying with senior teachers around the world. They all practice yoga daily and have offered up a large part of their lives to share this practice with others. blue lotus has been dubbed Raleigh’s “yoga home” by both newcomers and experienced practitioners because of not only the teachers, but also the supportive, fun, student community we are growing. We are creating something truly unique in the Triangle, and we welcome you to be a part of it.

OK. So I am ready to take my first class, what should I expect? Please arrive at the studio about 15-20 minutes before class time. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted at the reception desk and asked to sign a registration form. You can sign in and pay for your class there. You’ll be shown where to leave your personal items, reminded to turn off your cell phone, and directed into the studio where you can set up your mat and stretch or meet the other students in the room. Arriving early will also give you time to ask the teacher any questions you might have, and tell him/her about any injuries or physical conditions he/she should know about. It is imperative we know if you are pregnant or are dealing with an acute injury.

We are so excited for you to become a member of the blue lotus community. If there is anything you are unsure about, please talk to us!