Getting Started in Our Yoga Studio

The practice of Yoga encourages relaxation, increased range of motion, improved balance, enhanced concentration, and better posture. Within each of us is an ever present source of strength, mental clarity and peace. The highest purpose of Yoga is to help us find this inner knowing. Our experienced and caring teachers provide personalized attention encouraging you to develop your practice at your own pace. We strive to offer varying and distinct perspectives on the practice of Yoga, each drawing from our own unique training and life experiences. We all teach from the heart, giving each student individual care and attention while offering a safe and nurturing environment, whatever your personal goals or physical limitations.

 

How Do I Get Started?

  • You can start yoga at any time and attend as often as you like. Your first class with us is FREE. Buy a pass and come 2-3 times a week, as your schedule allows. Classes are offered seven days a week, mornings and evenings. Click here to be directed to the Class Schedule.
  • Show up 15 minutes early to your first class to allow time to meet the teacher and fill out our release form.
  • We provide the yoga mats and all props.
  • Wear comfortable movable clothes, like leggings or shorts and a t-shirt and bare feet.
  • Your class will be both active and relaxing and a little bit different each day. We balance some consistent practices with variety to keep it fun!
  • The Space Above makes every effort to remain authentic and true to the philosophy of yoga meaning that we teach more than just the postures (the asana). We also teach breathing practices (pranayama), meditation techniques (dhyana) and chanting (nada yoga).
  • Our teachers are all trained and certified and hand-picked for their dedication to their teaching and their own yoga practice on the mat and in their lives.
  • We also take pride in our teachers' special abilities and gifts in working with beginners, the elderly and those with physical limitations. We truly believe that yoga is available to every body.
  • If you are showing up with any physical limitations or have any doubt about your ability to participate in a particular class, call us! (757) 622-2474

 

Which Class is right for me?

  • If you are new to yoga:
    - Sign up for the Yoga 101 Workshop or start with the Beginners, Basics or Bliss classes.
  • If you are new to The Space Above, but have been doing yoga before:
    - Please join us in any of the beginner or Multi-level classes
  • If you prefer a class designed for deep relaxation, at either level:
    - Come to the Bliss class or any of the Restorative or Meditation workshops
  • If you are pregnant or just had a baby:
    - Come to the Prenatal or Infant Yoga classes
  • If you are injured or struggling with other physical limitations :
    - You are welcome to join us in the Yoga 101 Workshop or the Beginners, Basics or Bliss classes. We would appreciate it if you would call us before arriving for class so that we can determine for sure which class might suit you best.
    - We also have Yoga for Arthritis and Yoga in Chairs workshops
  • Vinyasa and Level 2 or 3 classes are NOT appropriate for anyone with less than 1 year of a consistent yoga practice on the mat. It is unsafe for the student and because we try to make an honest effort to be present for each and every student, it can make it difficult for the teacher to facilitate the class safely if there is a student in a class beyond their ability and understanding.

 

Class Structure

Each class in our studio is unique in that each teacher brings their own voice, experience and personality to their classes. We do have a core commitment to the tradition of the practice of Yoga on the mat in that classes begin with a quiet centering and Pranayama (a breathing practice)  This may mean practicing a specific technique or practicing Omkara where you take a complete inhalation and on the exhalation chant Om. This is done 3 times.  Feel free to just listen or to join us. Every class ends with Savasana (relaxation), a guided meditation and Omkara.  Following the three rounds of Om, the palms can be placed together at the heart, saying "Namaste", that is "I bow to the Light within," or Jaya Guru Devi, meaning "Victory to health, knowledge and happiness" or Jaya Guru Datta, to say "Victory to knowledge."

 

There are some teachers that offer chanting as part of the practice to connect students with the heart, the breath and each other.  Again, feel free to join in or just to listen.

 

Parking

There is plenty of free on street parking next to our building and beside the fence of the storage facility. All of those spaces are available for parking for all. Free on street parking is available on Omohundro between 21st and 22nd Streets and right both 21st and 22nd Streets. There are also several parking spaces right in front of the building and just behind Levin's Brass Beds' warehouse on 22nd Street. DO NOT Park in the S. Ray Barrett and CrossFit 757 lot across the street from our building on 22nd Street. You could be towed or ticketed.