FAQ

Yoga is a  philosophy and tradition whose roots trace back more than 5000 years. The Sanskrit word “Yoga” holds a connection to our word “yoke,” and suggests the harnessing and unifying intents of the many varied practices. The tradition of Yoga was passed down orally from teachers to students over millennia, as well as through the sacred texts of Indian philosophy, including The Rig Veda, The Bhagavad Gita, and The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The teachings of Yoga are immense, but its message is simple and profound: we have the ability to develop our highest human potentials, including wisdom, compassion, and joy, through discernment, discipline, self-regulation and self-awareness.

Down to Earth Yoga is an Interdisciplinary Yoga Studio. We draw upon a wide variety of techniques and traditions, including Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Tantra, Himalayan tradition, Ayurveda, Sanatana Dharma, Buddhism, and Taoism, with an emphasis on what is common to all–the inner work of consciousness and development of good heart. There is no “one size fits all” with Yoga, and our commitment is always to appropriately supporting the unique, personal path of each member of our community.

Our classes are organized around a central topic, usually spanning the entire year. In each class, we begin by checking in and discussing how everyone’s practice throughout the week unfolded. After that,  there is a discussion (Dharma talk) of points of practice and philosophy related to our current topic, as well as an opportunity for individuals to share both their insights and questions with their teacher and classmates. All students are encouraged to keep notebooks and take notes in class to help enrich and support their work at home.

After the Dharma talk, the class moves onto hatha yoga, pranayama and meditation. Classes are organized around each set of participants’ needs and abilities, and students are encouraged to make requests. We finish our practice with a dedication and short chant.

There is no one way to practice, and no two people will practice the same thing the same way. All practices can be modified to suit individual needs and conditions. This means both that those less flexible ( or perhaps recovering from injuries) can find a way to practice that serves them appropriately, and also that those who are very flexible and looking for more intensity are free and encouraged to practice variations that are more challenging. At the end of the day, your practice is yours alone to design and enjoy.

Our classes are purposefully kept small (usually between 6 and 9 students) in order to ensure sufficient attention and care to each person’s work. We place a healthy emphasis on the sangha, or spiritual community of practitioners, and as such there is a lovely sense of camaraderie and fellowship among all of our students. It is our experience that this sense of community is a central component to the practice and tradition, and one of the defining characteristics of our studio experience.

We strongly encourage new students to try out a class, space permitting, before committing to a session. It is our belief that the relationship between teacher and student is central to success on the path, and finding the teacher that is just right for you is essential. If, after trying out a class, it feels that we are not a good fit (it happens), we will be happy to help point you in the right direction of other teachers in the area who might serve your needs.