The Foundations: How My Classes Work

Yoga is more than just movement, it’s an intentional practice that blends breath, awareness, and physical postures to cultivate balance in both body and mind. If you’re new to my classes or curious about how they’re structured, this post will give you a glimpse into what to expect.

A Grounded Beginning: Centering and Breathwork

Every class starts with a moment to settle in. We begin by finding a comfortable seat or lying down, allowing the mind to shift from the busyness of the day to the present moment. This is where breathwork, or pranayama, comes in. By focusing on deep, intentional breathing, we prepare the nervous system for practice, inviting a sense of calm and awareness.

Warm-Up: Preparing the Body

Before moving into deeper postures, we gently wake up the body. This includes movements like Cat-Cow stretches, gentle spinal twists, and wrist and ankle rotations. These warm-ups help release stiffness, lubricate the joints, and ease the body into the flow ahead.

Building Strength and Flow: Asana Practice

The core of the class is the asana (physical postures) practice. Because my teaching is rooted in Hatha yoga, my sequences prioritize steady, mindful movement. Depending on the class focus, we may explore foundational standing poses like Warrior I and II, balance poses such as Tree Pose, or grounding postures like Downward Facing Dog and Forward Fold. Throughout, I encourage students to listen to their bodies, offering modifications to make each pose accessible while still building strength and flexibility.

Finding Stillness: Cooling Down and Deep Stretching

After engaging and strengthening the body, we transition into cooling postures. These often include seated forward folds, hip openers, and gentle twists, allowing the muscles to release tension. The focus here is relaxation—preparing both the body and mind to settle into stillness.

Integration: Savasana and Closing

Every class ends with Savasana (Final Relaxation), where we fully let go. This is a time to absorb the benefits of the practice, allowing the body to rest deeply. I often incorporate guided relaxation or soft music to enhance the experience. We close with a moment of gratitude, sealing our practice with intention.

My goal is to create a supportive, welcoming space where students feel both challenged and cared for. Yoga is not about achieving the perfect pose but about developing a practice that nurtures your body and mind. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, my classes are designed to help you move with intention, breathe with awareness, and leave feeling more balanced than when you arrived.

If you’re looking for yoga to learn a cool move or show off your skills, I’m probably not the right teacher for you. But if you want to incorporate wellness into your everyday life, reconnect with your body with a positive and loving view of yourself and those around you, and get some yummy stretches in, then I’m the one for you!

I’d love to hear from you! What aspects of yoga practice resonate most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out with any questions. Hope to see you on the mat!

With love and gratitude,

Niah Blue