Upward Dog Yoga offers one of the most comprehensive yoga programs in Ottawa. Discover the many types of yoga classes and workshops available:
First Step into Yoga
A class designed to introduce the postures and breathing of Hatha Yoga in a supportive and nurturing environment. Top
Hatha Gentle Yoga
A class designed for those who require a soft flow of postures. The postures are modified and allow intermittent relaxation to allow absorption of the benefits of poses done. This is a wonderful restorative yoga class great for those recovering from an injury or under much stress. A great class for all ages and levels. Top
Hatha Yoga
The base of all yoga classes, it is a classical blend of postures, breathing techniques and meditation with the goal of inspiring a healthy body and uplifting the mind. Postures stretch, align and help detoxify the body promoting balance, flexibility and concentration. Learning to move with the breath releases a wealth of vital energy, cultivates a clear, peaceful mind and brings us in touch with our spirit. Top
Meditation and Yoga
The union of mediation and yoga creates the spiritual balance, both inward and outward that leads to true peace and serenity with the world.
This class focuses on learning a variety of meditative techniques using breath, visualizations and sound to strengthen and deepen the meditative state. By altering and blending the use of theses meditation tools, the aspirant can strengthen and develop their own practice.
This practice or sadhana is followed by a gentle hatha yoga class that builds on the meditation. The postures are carefully selected and performed using a rhythmic breathe and inward concentration. The overall effect is to realize a sense of peace.
The class is offered by Prabhat who has been practicing Raja Yoga for 25 years. Top
Power Yoga
A dynamic blend of postures performed in a heated room to enhance the detoxification process. Increase your strength, endurance and flexibility. Power Yoga helps to sculpt and tone your body from inside out. The ultimate Yoga practice. Top
Hatha-Raja Yoga
Hatha-Raja is a sequence of intermediate postures practiced in a slow and mindful way in conjunction with the sonorous Brahmaree Pranayama (honey bee breath). The challenge in this class is to lengthen the breath in the postures with sound. It emphasizes postures that influence the pineal and pituitary glands of the brain helping to bring the mind to a calm and uplifted state. The class concludes with 20 minutes of meditation. It is excellent for anyone wishing to release stress and increase awareness through sound, movement and meditation. Top
Vinyasa Flow
A dynamic yoga practice that uses a rhythmic combination of challenging poses linked with the breath; emphasizing proper body alignment, balance, stamina, and strength. In this class the focus is upper and lower body strength coupled with a powerful core, which increases circulation in the joints and vertebrae resulting in a healthier, stronger you. Top
Ashtanga "Vinyasa" Level 1/2
This method of yoga, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is a graceful, energetic, continuous flow practice. The Ujayii breath is synchronized with a progressive series of postures, beginning with the Primary Series. The 2nd series, known as "Intermediate", will be sprinkled in once a month. As this practice can be challenging, the student is reminded and encouraged to work at his or her own ability level.
Yoga abs
Develops core strength in a powerful flow class that emphasizes engaging the core muscles. The body's core is the central support system that is constantly working to stabilize the spine and protect the internal organs. This class explores ways to modify Asana practice to build abdominal strength yet allow for softness of the belly.
Prenatal Yoga
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Classes adapt poses to the stage of pregnancy and select poses to be emotionally grounding, soothing for the legs and lower back. Breathing techniques and sounds help moms to connect with the baby and stay balanced and focused throughout the pregnancy and birth. Prenatal Plus gives students an opportunity to have an open discussion with guest speakers such as midwifes, doulas, nutritionists etc. Top |
Postnatal Yoga
Classes offer new mums and babies 6 weeks to 7 or 8 months (pre-crawling) the opportunity to bond, and for mums to restore the body after birth. This is the perfect class for mums who want to exercise soon after childbirth but realize that they should do so with care. Postures are done in conjunction with the babies or with babies sleeping near mum. Yogic sounds (mantras) help soothe the babies and are a connective thread from prenatal classes. The time to resume, or start a yoga practice after birth varies; so it is important to listen to your body and know what is right for you. Family Yoga is a class designed for parents and kids (5 and up) to enjoy practicing yoga together and helping each other in the poses. This class encourages the creative expression of movement and sound that brings focus to our vital energy. Top
Partner Yoga
Take your yoga practice to a new level! Two people work together to mutually support one another to help go deeper into the poses. This class is not exclusively for couples, bring a friend spouse or sibling and join the fun. No yoga experience is necessary.
Ashtanga
This method of yoga, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is a graceful, energetic, continuous flow practice. The Ujayii breath is synchronized with a progressive series of postures, beginning with the Primary Series. As this practice can be challenging, the student is reminded and encouraged to work at his or her own ability level. Top
Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan
Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is known as the yoga of awareness. It is open to all levels and combines exercise, breathing, movement, meditation, and relaxation to work on every aspect of your body, mind and spirit. It’s a tool for self-fulfillment and successful living. Top
Akhanda
Akhanda, means indivisible, unbroken tradition, entire, and whole. Akhanda is the first word of a very inspiring Vedic mantra, Akhanda mandala karam – 'This Cosmos and the manifest universe is one indivisible entity.' Akhanda Yoga is the name that has been chosen to identify the teachings and approach to class styles of Yogi Vishvketu (Vishva) through his organization, World Conscious Yoga Family.
The intention for Akhanda Yoga is to offer holistic, integrated yoga classes with an emphasis on the balanced sequencing of asana, pranayama, relaxation, mantra and meditation as well as discussions and readings on the yogic lifestyle and yoga philosophy. This integral approach to yoga classes is intended to give students access to more of the diverse teachings and techniques that the yoga system has to offer.
Akhanda Yoga includes a balance of teaching, discussion and practice of six traditional paths: Hatha Yoga (techniques in kriya, asana, bandha, pranayama, mudra and meditation), Jnana Yoga (Vedanta philosophy and the concept of Oneness as the essential reality of the universe), Raja/Ashtanga Yoga (Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: mindfulness, meditation, and the eight-fold path), Mantra Yoga (the use of Vedic mantras for clarity and peace), Bhakti Yoga (kiirtan chanting, contemplation of devotional aphorisms and the attitude of surrender), and Karma Yoga (discernment of right action, and responsive versus reactive action).
The assumption is not that the class is more advanced if it is more physically demanding, but rather that in terms of asanas, the classes can be practiced at different levels of physical intensity from moderate to dynamic. A practice becomes advanced as the practitioner experiences it on deeper levels of awareness. similar to the word yoga in Sanskrit, means indivisible, unbroken tradition, entire, and whole. Akhanda is the first word of a very inspiring Vedic mantra, Akhanda mandala karam – 'This Cosmos and the manifest universe is one indivisible entity.' Akhanda Yoga is the name that has been chosen to identify the teachings and approach to class styles of Yogi Vishvketu (Vishva) through his organization, World Conscious Yoga Family.
The intention for Akhanda Yoga is to offer holistic, integrated yoga classes with an emphasis on the balanced sequencing of asana, pranayama, relaxation, mantra and meditation as well as discussions and readings on the yogic lifestyle and yoga philosophy. This integral approach to yoga classes is intended to give students access to more of the diverse teachings and techniques that the yoga system has to offer.
Akhanda Yoga includes a balance of teaching, discussion and practice of six traditional paths: Hatha Yoga (techniques in kriya, asana, bandha, pranayama, mudra and meditation), Jnana Yoga (Vedanta philosophy and the concept of Oneness as the essential reality of the universe), Raja/Ashtanga Yoga (Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: mindfulness, meditation, and the eight-fold path), Mantra Yoga (the use of Vedic mantras for clarity and peace), Bhakti Yoga (kiirtan chanting, contemplation of devotional aphorisms and the attitude of surrender), and Karma Yoga (discernment of right action, and responsive versus reactive action).
The assumption is not that the class is more advanced if it is more physically demanding, but rather that in terms of asanas, the classes can be practiced at different levels of physical intensity from moderate to dynamic. A practice becomes advanced as the practitioner experiences it on deeper levels of awareness. Top
Yanumoja Yoga
The word Yanumoja has two roots. Yan is a word that refers to channeling and focussing energy through a device or design, usually used in the context of sacred designs such as mandalas or yantras. Umoja is a KiSwahili word that means unity, or to stand united.
Yoga is both an action --- as in bringing something together, joinging or yoking --- and a state of being --- being in oneness... Yanumoja Yoga is the channelling and focussing of energy toward union to culminate in a state of wholeness or oneness.
In the practice of Yanumoja Yoga, we utilize the exploration of themes. Through reflection on various concepts combined with breath, flowing movement, visualization, sensory focus, stillness, and meditation we explore the energy, shapes and sensations that describe who we are moment to moment.
Working with Tantric philosophy, we recognize that "What is here is elsewhere; what is not here is no where." What we find and experience within ourselves is also found in the world around us, and all that we find in nature and through life will also be found within us. From this place, Yanumoja Yoga holds the intent to harmonise with, embrace and maintain an awareness of our true nature while fully engaging with life. In so doing, we are restored to a state of balance and wellbeing, and ultimately, we find nirvana, the bliss of simply being who we truly are.
Check the schedule and join us for one of our yoga classes today! |
