Natasha currently teaches Yoga All Levels classes—a combination of breathwork, movement, stillness and meditation. Classes will include passive practices for flexibility, mindfulness and relaxation with active practices for strength, fitness and flow. Each class will combine static poses for the joints, bones, and connective tissues, as well as dynamic sequences for the muscles, blood, and skin. These classes are accessible to beginners as well as experienced yogis. We can all benefit from finding some balance. 

Natasha teaches Yoga Kids for young yogis. Yoga Kids helps to build self-esteem, confidence, body awareness, strength, flexibility, and concentration. We will discuss aspects of yoga that can be practiced on and off the mat including: poses, breathwork, mindfulness, alignment, and energy flow. When we practice yoga, we let go of judgement and competition, which helps us to build cooperation and community. 

These sessions are typically a series of classes (45-60 minutes/class). Each session progresses through a new theme, reflecting on unique elements each week. Themes include flowing through the chakras, yoga in the elements, guiding through the yamas and niyamas, etc. Every class is infused with teachings from yoga philosophy, ayurveda, integrative health, and positive psychology.

Elements

Everything in nature is made up of five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The elements form the world we live in and the structure of our mind and body. Each element is responsible for different structures in the body. Over six weeks, we will explore each of the five elements and then bring them together in the final class. Each class will incorporate breathwork, movement, and meditation. As we look at life by its elemental makeup, we better understand the connections between all things.

Elements and Doshas

It is thought that the five great elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—originated with the universe. Each of us has a unique combination of dominant elements, or dosha. Knowing your dosha brings awareness of what shifts you in and out of balance. This self-awareness is the first step in understanding how to best incorporate the five elements into your life. Over eight weeks, we will explore each of the five elements and three doshas. Each class will incorporate breathwork, movement, and meditation. As we look at life by its elemental makeup, we better understand the connections between ourselves and all things. 

Chakras 

The chakra system is based upon seven energy centers, associated with seven bundles of nerves branching from the spinal column. Yoga is designed to stimulate the chakras. Poses, breathwork, and meditation drive energy along the spine and to different parts of the body. Based on their location, each chakra has a unique influence on our identity. Over eight weeks, we will explore each of the seven chakras and then bring them together in a final class. When the chakras are in alignment, vital energy can stream evenly up and down the core of the body.

Yamas and Niyamas

The yamas and niyamas guide our behaviour towards ourselves and the world around us. We use these ten guideposts from yoga philosophy to align our thoughts, behaviours, and actions with personal and community values. Topics include: compassion, honesty, moderation, contentment, … among others. Over ten weeks, we will explore each of the yamas and niyamas, and how they contribute to personal growth. Each class will incorporate breathwork, movement, and meditation. Practicing the yamas and niyamas takes us beyond the mat. We move towards wholeness and develop and strong connection between mind, body, and spirit. We begin to live and breathe our yoga in every moment. 

Koshas

It is thought that we are made up of five progressive layers, from our physical body to our most subtle body. Yoga takes us on a journey through the koshas: poses for the physical body, breathwork and meditation for the subtle body. Over six weeks, we will explore each of the five koshas and then bring them together in a final class. When we strengthen our connections to each layer, we can make positive changes in our selves, our lives, and the world around us.