Flow
Flow is our newest class offering. It’s a hot, sweaty, fun 60 minute class with a balanced selection of postures designed to strengthen, lengthen, release stress, and work all the major areas of the body.
This class is great if you’re looking to work up a sweat and relieve tension. It’s perfect for beginner students or experienced students who are new to tapas.
Flow is offered Monday 430p, Tuesday 530a, and Thursday at 530a & 9a. Drop-ins welcome.
Tapas Yoga Shala
Class Descriptions
Ashtanga can be practiced in a led format or self-practice.
In led classes the instructor talks/demonstrates and leads the class through the postures in sync. Many students prefer this approach as the group energy is encouraging and moving together is helpful in learning how to move into and out of postures and how to set up the body for maximum benefit. Led practice classes at tapas include Flow, Slow Flow, Intro to Yoga, and Led Primary Series.
Self-practice classes are unique to Ashtanga. Self-practice means committing the practice to memory, much like a dance or martial arts form. In a self-practice class, students practice at their own pace and ability level. The instructor circulates around the room giving individualized instruction, adjustment, and teaching additional postures. All Mysore classes at tapas are self-practice.
Flow
Flow is fun: a hot, sweaty, well-rounded yoga class to lengthen, strengthen, and release stress and tension. Expect a balanced selection of postures to work all the major areas of the body. Yoga brings strength, flexibility, poise, and stress release.
Who should attend: Students of all levels. No yoga experience is required. This class is perfect for beginners or experienced yoga practitioners new to tapas.
Slow Flow
A softer approach to practice designed to unlock tension in the hips and back, de-stress the entire body, and rejuvenate with deep release. Slow Flow is also an excellent option for prenatal yoga in the Quad Cities.
Who should attend: Students of all levels. No yoga experience is required.
Beginners Yoga
Beginners Yoga is our most fundamental class. Students will learn the basic elements of yoga practice—breath, movement, and attention. The use of simple but powerful postures teaches how to begin a yoga practice, as well as how to most effectively use the body in daily life. Complete beginners will feel welcome and encouraged.
Who should attend: Students of all levels, especially complete beginners.
Free Community Class
This is a weekly free session of our Beginners Yoga class. All are welcome. This class is open to the public at no cost.
Who should attend: Students of all levels, especially complete beginners.
Intro to Ashtanga
Intro to Ashtanga is a four-week course introducing the practice of Ashtanga yoga in a safe, comprehensive, and fun format. Students will learn Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara), standing postures, and the initial seated postures of the Primary Series. The four-week course format allows for more depth, repetition, and attention to alignment, pose modification, and question and answer. Course tuition also includes unlimited Mysore classes to practice the material under instructor guidance.
Who should attend: Students of all levels, especially complete beginners and yoga practitioners new to the Ashtanga system. Pre-registration is required.
Mysore
Mysore is the traditional format for learning Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. The name is taken from the city in southern India where the guru of Ashtanga yoga, Sri K Pattabhi Jois, lived and taught.
Mysore class is open to all levels, and, unlike more common led yoga classes, can accommodate absolute beginners, experienced yogis, and everyone in between. Beginners are encouraged to try Mysore class.
This class is not led, but all instruction is given on an individualized basis. With practice, as strength, flexibility, and stamina grow, the instructor gives additional postures and techniques.
Who should attend: Students of all levels and experience, from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. Beginners should expect a 30-45 minute practice for the first class.
Led Primary Series
The Primary Series is the first series of postures in the Ashtanga Vinyasa system (there are six series altogether). Like a martial arts form or a dance, it is always practiced in the same way, in the same sequence. The Primary Series is designed to gradually open and develop the body in particular ways. This led class is faithful to the practice in its format in Mysore, India. The postures of the Primary Series strengthen, stabilize, and integrate the body through breath linked with movement.
Who should attend: Experienced practitioners of the majority of the Primary Series (to Navasana) or students who have completed the Intro to Ashtanga course.
Intro to Yoga Philosophy
Intro to Yoga Philosophy explores the deep philosophical roots of the yoga tradition. From ritual to meditation, Buddhism to modern asana (posture) practice, yoga’s evolution has been long, varied, and fruitful. This six-week course takes an overview of basic terms and concepts of the most prominent philosophical systems with brief readings, discussion, and lecture. (Note: this is not an asana class).
Who should attend: Students of all levels. No yoga experience is required.