While we strive to offer classes that are always accessible to all experience and fitness levels, we've found it helpful to label our classes as "gentle", "moderate" and "more challenging" to give you an idea of what to expect in class. You'll see our classes labeled as Level 1, 2 and 3.
Level 1 = Gentle
Level 2 = Moderate
Level 3 = More Challenging
Level 1/2 = Gentle to Moderate
Level 2/3 = Moderate to More Challenging
We do recommend, if you haven't taken a particular type of class before, that you start with a gentle or moderate class before joining a more challenging class. As always, please contact us should you have any questions at all about any of our class "levels".
Recommended Beginner Classes:
Hatha Yoga | Gentle Yoga | Yoga Stretch | Yoga for Backs & Bones | Yin Yoga | Restorative Yoga
Did you know yoga was invented to prepare practitioners for silence and stillness? It's true! In order for people to sit truly still in meditation, they practiced yoga to release energy and anxiety from their bodies and minds first.
Unless otherwise mentioned, the yoga we teach at Breathe Body & Mind is Hatha yoga. Hatha is the foundation for ALL yoga styles (Iyengar, Ashtanga, etc.) which is the marriage of breath to movement. The Hatha Yoga and Gentle Yoga classes you see on the schedule are the best place for you to build familiarity and comfort with the various poses before you venture onto Slow Flow Vinyasa and Vinyasa Flow and, eventually, Intermediate and Advanced Vinyasa classes.Yin Yoga and Restorative classes are the epitome of self care, with no experience necessary. Join in to let go and take your yoga journey inward. Let our instructors help you focus on deep stretching beyond the muscles, the breath, stress-reduction, mindfulness and stillness. Reclined and supported poses are held from 1-7 minutes.
Barre is distinguished from other classes by incorporating a ballet barre in the class and including movements derived from ballet. Barre's classical dance movements and positions are combined with those drawn from yoga and Pilates, which makes it a wonderful complement to the other classes we offer at Breathe!
Frequently equipment is introduced in a barre class in addition to the barre, such as resistance bands, yoga straps, small "squishy" exercise balls, and light handheld weights. Barre classes typically focus on small, pulsing movements with emphasis on form, alignment and core engagement. Participants hold their bodies still while contracting specific, targeted sets of muscles in isometric exercises. The number of repetitions tends to be high while the range of motion is narrower and when used, the weights are generally light, up to 3 pounds. Holding muscles in contraction for extended periods frequently leads to them shaking as they fatigue. This is particularly true of thighs, as the quadriceps tire, so don't be surprised if your legs start to shake - that's a good thing because you're recruiting more muscle fibers to get the job done!
We wouldn't recommend Barre for a beginner; however, once you feel you're getting stronger and your stamina is increasing a bit, you might want to try a barre class. At that point our suggestion would be to get comfortable with Barre Body, Barre/Pilates Combo, Open Barre or Core Barre.
Recommended Beginner Classes:
Tone/Balance/Stretch
In addition to Yoga, Pilates and Barre classes, we also offer traditional strength building and toning classes. These classes range from beginner level up to intermediate/advanced.
We recommend the Tone/Balance/Stretch class for beginners before you try Functional Strength/Core or Strength and Sculpt.
Once you're comfortable with the beginner classes noted above, you should feel more confident about trying our Vinyasa yoga classes, any of our barre classes Yoga/Pilates Fusion, Functional Strength/Core and Strength and Sculpt! And once you're comfortable with those classes, challenge yourself with those labeled "Intermediate/Advanced". As always, please contact us using the form below should you have any specific questions or concerns that aren't covered here.
Personal Training and/or Private Lessons also provide an excellent opportunity to learn some basics and to give you a jump start!
Please complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.