Class Styles
Mysore Style
Are you ready for a new, fun and exciting challenge? Join an amazing melting pot of yoga practitioners and taste the inspirational energy of practicing in the traditional method. “Mysore” is named after the city in South India where we have learned this method from our teacher Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Here you build a relationship with a highly qualified teacher and receive the honor of partaking in the ancient tradition of Ashtanga Yoga as it has been taught in India for centuries and is still taught today.
All levels welcome. No prior experience necessary; beginners must commit to practicing for a minimum of one month for three days a week practice with the same teacher.
If you have an established mysore practice, you are welcome to drop in as you like
Drop in students must have an existing Mysore practice.
These classes are taught only by highly trained teachers who are dedicating a good portion of their lives to the study and practice of the ancient tradition of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in India. Not your average yoga class.
Mysore for Beginners
This class is for those of you who are completely new to Ashtanga Yoga ‘Mysore style’. You will be taught the primary sequence of Ashtanga Yoga from the very beginning, starting with Surya Namaskara A. Once its been integrated and memorized, you will continue to be guided posture by posture in a specified order. Consequently, the first step in establishing a Mysore style practice becomes to memorize the sequence that will become your daily practice.
This method of practice eventually becomes a sort of self practice, as you move through a sequence at your own pace, alongside other practitioners moving through their practice and always with the support and guidance of a teacher. The teacher offers one on one instruction and hands on assists, allowing for individualized attention
A Mysore style practice is appropriate for all levels. It requires a strong commitment and readiness to apply the necessary effort. We ask that beginners commit for at least 3 times a week for the first month, preferably with the same teacher. This will allow the teacher to work closely with you as you settle into what will hopefully become a long term daily practice.
Guided Classes
All classes other than Mysore Style are considered ‘Guided’. Varying in level, here are all the guided classes we offer
- Intro to Yoga 1
- Intro to Yoga 2
- Half Primary
- Full Primary
- Pranayama
- Yin/Restorative/Nidra Yoga
There is no commitment requirement for our guided classes. You can drop in for one class or come as often as you’d like (CLICK HERE for package options)
We have something for everyone and every level. Read the descriptions below to find out which class is best for you. If you’re still not sure, give us a call or email us at info@miamilifecenter.com
Intro to Yoga 1
This class is for those of you who want to learn yoga from the bottom up. Designed for the complete yoga beginner you learn the sun salutations and basic standing and seated postures. At a slow but fun pace you will learn how to move your body in a safe and healthy way. Through the fundamentals of breath and movement we explore the basics of yoga together in a way that is accessible to everybody. Expect explanations, modifications and a free space to ask your questions.
Intro to Yoga 2
Getting confident in Intro Level 1 class? Building upon your sprouting yoga knowledge we introduce some more postures and simple chanting to deepen your understanding of the Yoga method. Detailing and alignment in postures is further encouraged.
Half Primary
Guided Half Primary draws upon all you have learned in the Intro classes, guiding you up to Navasana’s half way point in the Ashtanga Primary Sequence, in a more traditional yoga format. Expect a balanced mix between sweaty, physical exercise and a tranquil state of mind. This class emphasizes classic Ashtanga Yoga’s flow, technique and tradition. You will learn how to link postures into a flowing movement sequence and experience new potentials of strength and flexibility. A medium level of physical aptitude is recommended.
Full Primary
This class is the full Ashtanga experience. In a steady and dynamic pace postures are linked into a choreographed sequence that opens new dimensions in your mind-body-breath connection. Stamina, strength and flexibility weaves in to a full-bodied meditation, with Sanskrit counting and careful emphasis on Ashtanga’s original Vinyasa method. Here you will begin to get under the skin of Pattabhi Jois’ yoga recipe! Taught only by teachers qualified to pass on the integrity and purity of this ancient, Indian practice. Hearty yoga proficiency or a high level of athletic conditioning is recommended. Be prepared to sweat!
Pranayama
Learn the original Pranayama sequence as taught by Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois with breath connoisseur, Mark Linksman. Rechaka & Puraka, PurakaRechaka, Nadi Shodana, Bhastrika, Surya & Chandra Bedhana and Sitali are all part of the Ashtanga sequence of Pranayamas. Kindly, slowly and with due modification, Mark will guide you into the purity of mind and serenity of body which is available through these ancient breathing forms. All levels welcome.
Drop in $10
Yin Yoga
Deepen your practice as you hold poses for extended periods of time, send your gaze inward, breathe with intention, and observe moment-by-moment.
Yin allows you to experience long asana holds at the edge of your comfort zone. Restorative postures fully support your body with props so you have the chance to surrender with ease.
Both styles slow you down, and give you space to observe your thoughts, emotions, and subtle physical and energetic sensations as you breathe and soften.
Stretch, relax, and explore your inner world in a calm, yet challenging 75 minute session. See yourself from the inside out and leave feeling aware and refreshed.
Suitable for all levels of practitioners.
Resorative Yin
Deepen your practice as you hold poses for extended periods of time, send your gaze inward, and feel moment, by moment. Experience postures in a passive way and learn to be patient with your mind, emotions, and body as you breathe and soften. Stretch, relax, and create inner stillness in a calm, yet challenging class. See yourself from the inside out.
Yoga Nidra
This is a practice of deep, conscious rest and internal transformation through stillness. Your body remains in savasana throughout the duration of the practice as you maintain a sharp focus on the path of your breath and train your mind to remain fully aware of your inner world experiences. Mindfully observing thought, emotional, and physical holding patterns reveals your internal programming and gives you the opportunity to release and reset at a vibrational level.
This practice fine tunes the limbs of Yama, Niyama, Pranayama, Pratyahara, and Dharana. It is possible to experience Dhyana and even glimpse moments of Samadhi.
All this informs your Asana practice and encourages you to then explore movement in a way that respects and honors your body.
Most importantly, Nidra reconnects you to the source of love within.
Community Class
Miami Life Center offers donation based community classes with our Teacher Trainee Graduates. Come deepen your practice and support the future teachers of Miami and beyond.
The class is open to all levels and is donation based. Suggested donation is $5.
Kids Yoga
In this fun yet well structured yoga class, kids will have the chance to learn part of the primary series of Ashtanga yoga while working with physcial exercise to develop their sense of awareness. The goal of this class is to plant the seed of not only the physical aspect of yoga but the more subtle principles as well. This class is an opportunity to provide the children in our community a space for growth and playful mindfulness work.
Kids from 6-8 years old are all welcome!
Meditation Sangha Meeting
The Blue Ocean Sangha is a lay Buddhist community that practices mindfulness by following the teachings of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. This weekly meeting provides you with a resource for study and practice of Socially Engaged Buddhism. A perfect way to spend your Sundays, in this Sangha meeting you will practice sitting and walking meditation, hear a dharma teaching and participate in related discussions. Blankets and sitting cushions are available in limited numbers, so please feel free to bring your own. All are welcome in this community regardless of race, ethnic origin, religious practice or sexual orientation. No charge, donation only.
3rd Street Beach Yoga
Gabriella is an experienced Yoga teacher. She teaches Sunset Beach Yoga at 3rd Street from 5-6:15PM on Sundays and Mondays. Her class is a vinyasa flow class, drawing upon the beautiful method of Ashtanga Yoga, which she practices every day. Gabriela holds a 300 hour teacher certificate from Synergy Yoga/Healing Arts by Gaia Budhai. Expect to fall in love with the beauty of the Miami Beach sunset, learn healthy alignment cues and work up a sweat. Take a dip in the ocean after and walk away uplifted and with peace of mind. ‘Walk by faith not by sight’ – Gabriella believes anything is possible through love and discipline! All Levels Welcome.
Class Day & Time
Sunday & Monday @ 5-6:15PM
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