Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is a meditative experience that challenges the body and mind. Based on a set sequence of poses created by K. Pattabi Jois in the early 20th century each posture is dynamically linked to your in-breath and out-breath in a smooth flowing sequence. The emphasis of the practice is on the breath - with the rhythmic breathing and internal energy locks, heat is created to burn toxins and purify the body while also enhancing concentration. As you begin, there is less emphasis on how the postures look on the outside, it is the steadiness of the breath and mind that form the practice. Practicing with the idea of "ahimsa" or “nonviolence”, we do not force the body to “get” the pose, rather the benefit comes from regulating the breath, approaching poses mindfully, with modifications and slowly with intelligence, moving beyond the bodies blockages.

FYI: There may be hands-on adjustments/assists by the instructor so let us know ahead of time if you have any injuries or do not want any assists. Traditionally the practice is not performed during full moon and new moon. Women are advised not to do a vigorous practice during the heaviest day of their menstrual cycle.

vinyasa flow
an open, flowing class in which a series of yoga postures are performed with a smooth transition from one to the next. these classes are based on the Ashtanga yoga sequence of postures but are modified by each instructor to include or leave out postures not in the original sequence. the flow may be interrupted to give the opportunity to work on a particular posture. attention, as always in any vinyasa practice, is given to linking the breath to the movement throughout the entire class.

just plain yoga - intense vinyasa flow
50 minutes of a continuous, unbroken stream of yoga postures followed by 10 minutes of rest. this class will build flexibility, strength and internal body heat simultaneously. physically fit beginners may attend with the understanding that no posture instruction is given. you will have to follow along as best you can. advanced yogis will be guided to pay attention to the breath to increase internal heat and improve mental focus.

ashtanga basics
The basics are taught in a 12 week consecutive course. Walk-ins as well as advanced students are welcome anytime. “Less is more” is our philosophy in the beginning of the ashtanga practice. This dynamic practice challenges you on many levels. Learn the basics of the breath, the sun salutations, a standing sequence and a closing sequence which provide you with a foundation to begin a personal practice. You may build on that foundation as you increase your stamina, concentration, and learn to regulate your breath. Slowly we will learn the primary series, a 90 minute practice.

ashtanga fundamentals
in this hour long class you will experience the basic postures and learn the ujjayi breath of the ashtanga vinyasa yoga practice while tina adds a refreshing bit of humor to keep it light!

this style of yoga revolves around a set sequence of postures that you can learn and practice on your own or with a teacher. we will move slowly, allowing you to learn the basic elements of the sun salutations, the standing sequence and the closing sequence of postures while learning how to connect each movement to an inbreath or an outbreath.

vinyasa flow yoga is designed to raise the internal heat of the body for detoxification and strengthening purposes – in addition to the usual yogic increase in flexibility. concentration on the breath while moving through the sequence also raises internal heat and brings increased clarity and ability to focus.

this class is appropriate for those with yoga experience or novices who are already physically fit.

ashtanga yoga
Get into the flow! Known as "yoga chiktsa" or "yoga therapy" the primary series is a 90 minute practice and is a meditation in motion. To increase the benefits of the practice one begins to memorize the sequence and move into and out of poses without missing a breath.

modified or 1/2 primary builds on what you learn in level 1 (ashtanga basics) and includes more postures. We may break down some of the poses and determine appropriate modifications for your body.

primary series or second series is a 90 minute class with less verbal cues. Depending on the experience of the student, Second Series is modified and introduces the much-needed back bending sequence. For all classes modifications and assists are offered and you may practice at your own pace.

mysore
Ultimately in ashtanga yoga practice, you are the teacher. It is a process of liberation and in a Mysore style class or Private session the teacher gives assists and supports you in your journey to develop your own home practice.

corporate workshops and classes
The instructors design corporate classes and seminars to suit the needs of the business and its employees.

deep relaxation
Step into a warm, quiet, candle lit sanctuary at Just Plain Yoga and rest your overworked and overstressed mind and body. The emphasis of this specialty class is on dissolving tension, soothing your nervous system and cultivating stillness. Deep Relaxation is achieved by moving through a series of slow and gentle yoga postures and then restoring your well-being by using props (blankets, cushions and bolsters are provided) to create positions which will take you into a deep state of relaxation. Please wear seasonal layers that are extremely comfortable.  Bring a pair of clean socks and an eye pillow, if you have one. NO yoga mat is needed for this practice.

hatha yoga (various levels & approaches)
This is a good start to your yoga experience. Hatha yoga actually includes all the physical styles of yoga; it is a branch of the yoga tree, not a style. We offer this as a class to introduce new students to various breathing exercises and postures that begin to open the body and generate energy, focus and balance within the body's systems.

just plain yoga- easy hatha - This is a great class for beginners or people who just want to take an hour to slow down and calm down! poses will vary from week to week and the pace will be slow and easy. there will be instruction and some gentle flow. we will go over common yoga poses as well as some gentle breathing and relaxation practices.

hatha 1 & 1-2 - This class uses an eclectic blend of yoga postures and changes from week to week. Each instructor has a different approach and style of teaching and the classes will challenge you physically while directing your focus to mindfulness, breath, and fully experiencing each asana. Proper form and alignment are taught, as they are essential to getting the most benefit from your practice. As you practice, your strength and stamina will improve, confidence will increase, and you will learn to challenge yourself to your own level of ability.

"be present" hatha 1 & 1- 2 : “Yesterday is dead. Tomorrow isn’t born. We can only live in the present.” – Yogi Amrit Desai Come nurture your body and soul! Through a Kripalu-inspired class that melds body and breath awareness and slow posture flows, you will be encouraged to experience the sensations, emotions and thoughts that result. Breathe. Relax. Feel. Watch. Allow. Appropriate for all levels of practitioners, you will learn the classic postures of yoga and see steady gains in strength, balance and flexibility. You don’t have to be perfect; you just need to be present!

hatha flow 1-2 -this hatha class is similar to the others: you will stretch into classic yoga postures, sweat a little bit and breathe deeply. You will experience all of that and a flow. Classes are designed to balance the body and emotions through energizing and calming sequences. You dod not need to over-strive, just breathe and be present to the pulse of inner joy. Beginners are supported and welcome.

holy yoga
Holy Yoga is an internationally recognized school of yoga. We seek to train dedicated believers in Christ to teach Holy Yoga around the world. Our certified instructors are committed to facilitating classes that are not only 100% yoga, but are 100% Jesus. Our mission is to create a space where individuals can connect to Christ in an intimate yet collective way. The practice of Holy Yoga is an experience that fuses surrender of self and receiving of God and His Word. We believe that Christ is not just about salvation, but about relation and is to be the source of our daily practice and being (Luke 9:23).

introduction to yoga
get some clarity on the practice of yoga! where does it come from? how has it evolved? is yoga a form of exercise or is it a transformative practice? is it both? does it matter? which class should you take? why does every teacher teach it differently? why might you want to do yoga in the first place? if you have been practicing yoga for a time learn how what you have already been doing fits into the world of yoga and get a brief, easy experience of the differerences between styles. if you are new to yoga get some perspective on the practice and find a class and teacher that will work for you before you begin.

this once a month class will combine teaching, discussion and simple physical practice to illustrate the power of yoga, the variety of practices, and why you will connect, or not, with different styles and teachers. it will help you find the yoga practice that is right for you or will help explain why you already love the practice you are currently doing.

individual instruction / private session
Individual instruction is the way yoga was originally taught. For the beginner or someone with specific injuries or health concerns it is very beneficial to have the one on one attention and guidance. After practicing for awhile it is beneficial to do and occasional private to refine your practice; it gives you an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to deepen into poses that have been troublesome or challenging. You may choose to do one or a series of individual classes. For more details please call or email. 717-975-9642 or info@justplainyoga.com.

iyengar yoga
Iyengar yoga is based on the teachings of living yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, author of the classic yoga treatise Light on Yoga.  His daughter, Geeta, and son, Prashant, are also accomplished teachers and authors of yoga texts.  The Iyengar family’s teachings are deeply grounded in the yoga sutras of Patanjali, an ancient summation of the path of yoga considered to be at least 2400 years old.  B.K.S. Iyengar’s intense practice and over 65 years of teaching have produced significant innovations in the teaching of this art, among the most noteworthy are:
A complete approach to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual transformation, bringing the practitioner to physical health and vitality, mental clarity and wisdom, and emotional serenity and poise.
Emphasis on standing poses to develop strength, stamina, concentration and body alignment.
A safe, orderly, systematic progression of poses to develop the student’s ability both within a class and from class to class.
Use of props, such as blankets, blocks and straps, to facilitate learning and adjust poses to an individual’s needs.
Highly developed teaching methodology including the precise use of language, demonstration and teaching of specific point of action in a pose, individual correction and adjustment of students.
Ways to use yoga to ease various ailments and stress.
Complete integration of the yoga philosophy with the practice asana.

just plain meditation
Meditation is the greatest adventure you will ever embark upon. it is also one of the most simple. That may not be immediately obvious given the way that meditation is usually taught. just plain meditation strips out the complexity, cultural and religious artifacts and returns meditation to its transformative core.
The great secret of meditative practice is that it is all about the directing of the mind in a particular way.  Not attempting to “still” the mind or to “be here now” or to “relax”.  The even deeper secret of meditation is that all three of those things (and many more) happen spontaneously in the presence of proper meditative technique.
In just plain meditation we learn a very basic yet powerful and direct form of meditation. We figure out how to apply that to each individual person in ways that work best for them. Then we meditate. 
While great respect and honor are held for all meditative traditions and paths, these classes are taught free of jargon and in plain English. All meditators using any practice are welcome to join us. 

just plain meditation -- for beginners 
A 6 week training
THIS IS A TRUE BEGINNING MEDITATION CLASS. Over a 6 week period we will use guided meditation and short individual meditations to give you a deep meditative experience and prepare you to practice on your own.  You will get to experience the benefits of meditation – relaxation and increased focus -- in the very first class. While there will be formal instruction, the emphasis in this class is placed on class discussion and actually experiencing meditation.  By the end of the course you will have an understanding of what it is possible to achieve through meditation and how to get there yourself.

just plain meditation -- workshop 
A two day training
HAVE A DEEP MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE AND LEARN ABOUT MEDITATION IN ONE WEEKEND

for complete beginners and experienced meditators - the synergy of all of you feeds each of you.

why a meditation workshop? because part of the power of working with meditation continuously over two consecutive days is that you are able to have a deep, and sometimes memorable, experience of meditation very quickly. the layers of your daily reality slowly peel away as we go into meditation for short periods with each meditation building on the last. in between we rest our minds as we learn about meditation for a time. by the end of the workshop you will get access to parts of yourself that you usually won't get to experience in a training that lasts for short bursts over several weeks.

in this workshop you will experience meditation. you will learn how to meditate. you will learn about meditation.  you will learn what kind of meditation works best for you. the workshop is taught in plain english without religious context but always with great respect held for the meditative traditions. by the end of the weekend you will understand, through your own experience, what is possible in meditation and how to get there yourself. 

just plain meditation -- comprehensive
A 12 week training
AN IN-DEPTH EXPERIENTIAL EXPLORATION OF MEDITATIVE PRACTICE
the act of meditating is so very simple. yet over the past 4000 years there have been millions of pages written in attempts to explain its effects and point us towards the “correct” way to meditate.  each separate meditative system disagrees with the other. is it possible to sort it all out?  to find the core truths in all meditative practices and separate out the things that work from those that don't? yes it is.
each week for 12 weeks we will explore a particular aspect of meditation in class as we build on the experiences of the week before. by the end of the series you will have a comprehensive overview, and the experience to make it real, of what is possible in meditation, how it actually works, and what things you will, or may already have, encountered along the way.
this class is for those of you who are willing or able to silently sit in meditation for 20 minutes and are willing to commit to a daily meditation practice for the duration of the session. the experiences you have during the week at home will be critical in generating understanding. beginners are welcome and they will not be lost – these concepts are straightforward and are organized in a way that anyone can understand -- but they must be prepared for a fairly rigorous practice.

kundalini yoga
A dynamic blend of posture, movement, breath, sound, meditation and relaxation. It uses the wisdom of the breath and the power of mantra to shape consciousness. Through meditation you can calm the mind and become aware of what is real and important to you. These ancient techniques were designed by the yogis to work fast and effectively. Besides being a great physical workout, it helps balance the nervous and glandular systems to help you deal with the stress of our information society and find the calm in the center of the storm. Modern brain imaging shows amazing, immediate results from some Kundalini meditations: http://www.alzheimersprevention.org/research.htm

open vinyasa yoga
Get into the flow! This Vinyasa yoga is a linking of the breath with movement in a flowing sequence of postures. This class combines poses from the ashtanga vinyasa sequences and power vinyasa yoga as well as other traditions. A great class for students in good health with some yoga experience - beginners may try this class if they are in good health with no physical limitations. Prepare to sweat and challenge your body. Each class will vary in sequence and challenge. Give it a try!

rasa vinyasa yoga
Rasa is the transforming "taste" that brings us inner satisfaction.  Within yoga, rasa is our "inner juice" associated with longevity, joy, devotion and flexibility.  Without rasa, our yoga and life experiences become dry, rigid, habitual and mundane.  The divine nectar of rasa restores our essence and enhances our satisfaction in being fully alive.  Rasa Vinyasa is a fluid, modern and energetic approach to embodying yoga flow.  It connects us to the source of our creativity to cultivate gratitude and to remember the blessings of our lives through our yoga practice. Liberate that which binds you, identify your strength and illuminate your radiance - GET JUICED!

restorative yoga
Overworked and overstressed bodies, crave time to rest. Learn the basics to restoring your well-being with the use of props (blankets, cushions and bolsters are provided) to create positions which support deep states of relaxation.  The emphasis during this 4 week session is on dissolving tension, soothing your nervous system and cultivating stillness. Restorative yoga is not about moving dynamically and increasing flexibility, it is about passively opening and gently supporting the body.

Please wear seasonal layers that are extremely comfortable.  Bring a pair of clean socks and an eye pillow, if you have one. NO yoga mat is needed for this practice.

sun salutations
this is a very intense class that revolves around surya namskar A & B – the classic yoga sun salutations.  different variations of the salutations are done to challenge both the upper and lower body. you will gain flexibility & strength as the poses flow from one into the other creating a beautiful vinyasa sequence.  it is a simple yet powerful class that gives you a unique experience of yoga. the class starts with a basic sun salutation A and a basic sun salutation B.  as the class proceeds, additional postures are added to each salutation making each one more challenging and more fun. we end with savasana or relaxation in every session. 

tai chi
take this ongoing class to learn the yang style short form (or 24) of tai chi. yang family style tai chi  in its many variations is the most popular and widely practiced style in the world today and the second in terms of seniority among the primary five family styles of tai chi. the class will start with meditation each day. we will focus on meditation postures and breathing techniques. this will be followed by warm-up exercises, and a short exploration of chi kung (qigong). chi kung is an internal chinese energetic and meditative practice which often uses slow graceful movements and controlled breathing techniques to promote the circulation of chi (qi) within the human body and enhance a practitioner's overall health. the balance of the class (20-30 minutes) will focus on the learning and practice of the yang style 24 form. yang tai chi simultaneously calms and energizes the body, trains the mind, and builds strength. this class is suitable for anyone who can be on their feet for 1 hour.  

yoga for the core
This is a Power Yoga class for all levels designed to energize and build core, arm and leg strength, while increasing flexibility and overall fitness. The aerobic flow of the class will work to increase lung capacity and build internal and external heat maximizing strength, concentration and flexibility, helping to lengthen and re-balance tight muscles to prevent injury. This class will provide a personalized, safe, and challenging yoga program infused with plyometrics and strength training that will allow anyone to progress at their own pace.

yoga trance dance
A high energy movement meditation to liberate your life force! Move, breathe and flow with the pulse of life and the rhythms of great music.  No dance or yoga experience needed, just a sense of fun.   Wear clothes that are very comfortable, but not too baggy. This is based on the teaching of Shiva Rea guided by a certified instructor.