Yoga Studios in San Pedro Offer Students ‘a Journey From Skin to Soul’
By KATE McLAUGHLIN, SPECIAL TO MORE SAN PEDRO
Whether you seek exercise, enlightenment or elasticity, San Pedro has several options when it comes to yoga, the ancient practice of mind-body strength and harmony. More state of mind than pure religion, yoga predates Hindu and Buddhist traditions and has long been hailed as a means to mental, physical and emotional well-being for all, regardless of age, ability or affiliation.
The word itself is derived from the Sanskrit “yuj” which, loosely translated, means “to yoke,” and the practice is often explained as a union of the individual soul with the universal soul.
“It has been said that yoga is a journey from the skin to the soul,” said Rosie Good, who owns San Pedro’s Yoga Bindu on S. Weymouth Avenue, and has been teaching the ancient art for more than a decade.
“Whatever you’re looking for along the way, no matter who you are, you’ll find it. There is something to be gained from yoga for everybody,” she said.
For long-time San Pedran Luke Milick, that something was flexibility and improved mobility.
“I spent 42 years bent over a dentist’s chair,” said the now- retired dentist. “I was stiff and couldn’t bend easily.”
“My cousin told me I needed yoga,” Milick said recently after a morning yoga class at Inner Harmony Yoga studio on Ninth Street in San Pedro.
“I said, ‘No I don’t.’ She said, ‘Yes, you do.’
“Turns out she was right. I started taking yoga and everything’s changed. I’m a lot better off than I was before. It’s made all the difference.”
inner harmony yoga studio
579 W. Ninth Street San Pedro
310-521-8804
www.inner-harmony-yoga.com
Inner Harmony Yoga Studio offers classes for people of all ages and abilities in Ananda-style yoga, which is a healing and meditative form of yoga.
All group classes require pre-registration. No drop-ins. Classes run in 8-week blocks. Private classes can be arranged. Day and evening classes are available. Check schedule for start dates. (The current series run through Feb. 24.)
* Extra-Gentle Chair Series — 60-minute classes every week for 8 weeks. $60.
This class incorporates the use of a chair, instead of working on the floor, for those who want to take it slow and stay off the ground.
* Beginner Series — 90-minute classes every week for 8 weeks. $120.
This introductory yoga class covers all the fundamentals, including classic positions, breathing techniques and meditation.
* Level 1 Series — 90-minute classes every week for 8 weeks. $100. For those who want to continue practicing, this class is geared toward those who’ve completed the beginner series or have prior experience.
* Level 2 Strength-Flow — 90-minute classes every week for 8 weeks. $100.
For more experienced practitioners, this class links postures together to create an aerobic experience.
* Restorative Yoga — 60-minute classes every week for 8 weeks. $80.
A relaxing approach to classic yoga practices, this non-active form uses cushions and pillows with postures to create a more restful experience.
yoga bindu
718 S. Weymouth Ave. San Pedro
310-521-9555
www.yoga-bindu.com
Yoga Bindu specializes in the practice of Hatha- and Kundalini- style yoga. Though both types aim to unify mind and body through postures, breathing and meditation, Hatha utilizes the classic combination of physical poses, controlled breathing and meditation, while Kundalini emphasizes physical intensity.
All classes are one hour and 15 minutes long and are available in 10-week blocks (meeting once a week) for $110 or 3 months of unlimited classes for $300. Drop-ins are welcome and cost $14 per class. Private classes can be arranged. Day and evening classes are available. Call or look online for class times.
* Beginning Hatha — This slow-paced class works on postures, breathing and meditation and caters to people who are new to yoga or just want to take it slow.
* Gentle Beginning Hatha — A relaxing approach to yoga that moves slowly while focusing on meditation and breathing.
* Pranayama & Restoratives — This class works on calming breath exercises and postures done with various props to achieve a deep relaxation of body and mind.
* Kundalini — An intensive, vigorous style of yoga that stimulates the nervous system and creates a heightened sense of mental and physical awareness.
* All Levels — Suitable for all students of yoga, this class offers a hybrid combination of yoga styles.
* Levels 1 & 2 — These moderately paced classes focus on proper body alignment and breathing. The poses can be more challenging and are held longer than in other classes.
* Flow — A unique series of poses in this class are designed to create purifying heat in the body and mind.
* Belly Yoga — This class is an intense physical workout, emphasizing abdominal strength and toning. Meditation –This class offers gentle postures and breathing accompanying different meditation techniques.
The San Pedro and Peninsula YMCA
301 S. Bandini St. San Pedro
310-832-4211
www.ymcala.org
The YMCA offers various levels of yoga classes days and evenings on a drop in basis, but to members only. Call or check their Web site for membership information or class schedules.
yoga positions
Sun Salutation: Perhaps the most familiar yoga pose, sun salutation is actually a series of 12 poses, done in succession and coordinated with proper breathing
1) Mountain — Stand with feet at hip-width with hands clasped in a prayer position and take several deep breaths.
2) Hands Up — Inhaling, lift the hands up and over the head and arch the back as far as is comfortable and safe.
3) Head to Knees — While exhaling, bend forward and bring the hands beside the feet, bending the knees if needed.
4) Lunge — Inhale and put the hands on the ground supporting the body, the right leg extended straight back and the left leg bent beneath the body.
5) Plank — Exhale and bring the left leg straight back parallel with the right leg, forming a plank with the body.
6) Stick — Still exhaling, lower the body close to the ground, as if in preparation for a push up. Only the feet and hands should touch the ground.
7) Upward Dog — Inhaling, bend forward and up at the torso using the arms to life the torso. Only bend as far as is comfortable and safe.
8) Downward Dog — While exhaling, lift from the hips and push back and up.
9) Lunge — Inhaling, go back into the lunge position, but this time with left leg extended back and right leg bent beneath the body.
10) Head to Knees — Exhaling, bring left foot forward and assume the head to knees position.
11) Hands Up — Inhale and slowly straighten up and raise hands up and over the head, arching back only as far as is comfortable and safe.
12) Mountain — Exhaling, bring clasped hands back to the front in a prayer position.moreSPORTS
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