Everything You Need to Know About Yoga at Kodawari

Picking the Right Class for You

  • ALL

    Our all levels classes are gentle enough to attend every day and ideal for students looking to begin their practice or for those concerned with injury. Teachers are seasoned to watch the room and cater the class according to the students present.

  • 1 - 2

    A vigorous approach characterized by flowing poses and sequences that are linked to the breath. Classes are diverse and sequencing will vary with instructor philosophy.

  • 2 - 3

    A dynamic format that includes a vigorous, complex sequencing designed for intermediate and advanced yoga students. Will include various elements of many different yoga styles with an emphasis on strength and endurance. Explore inversions, backbends and arm balances. Prepare to get playful while taking it to your edge!

  • 3

    A class that invites the more seasoned practitioner, teacher trainee or existing teacher deeper into their practice and into their own self-sufficiency. Will include inversions, advanced arm balances, deep backbends and bound poses while leaving room for the student to fuel the intensity as desired.

Find a Class

Class Descriptions

  • Everyday Yoga

    Level 1 | 60 min

    We highlight the basics of asana, meditation and breath work and what they mean to a practice. You will be introduced to yogic breathing, basic postures, sequences, and principles of alignment. You will gain a strong foundation to inspire you to step into other classes with confidence and ease. All levels are welcome.

  • Vinyasa Flow

    Level 1/2 | 75 min

    This is our most fluid class. Challenge your grace and strength as you move through a standing and balancing series, arm balances, and core strengthening while retaining the focus on movement with the breath. Please check the schedule as this is sometimes taught as a heated class.

  • Capoeira

    Level 1/2 | 60 min

    Capoeira is a martial art that combines elements of fight, acrobatics, music, dance and rituals in a very elegant and magnetic way. It emphasizes flowing movements rather than fixed stances, and the ginga, a rocking step, is usually the focal point of the technique. Capoeira is always played with a smile on face, symbolizing that the capoeiristas are not afraid of the danger that is coming.

    Capoeira will give your body physical strength, power and flexibility and your mind self-confidence, concentration, courage and creativity! All this can translate beautifully into your yoga practice.

  • Buti Yoga

    Level 1/2 | 75 min

    (85°/90°)

    Buti Yoga powerfully combines vinyasa-style yoga with dynamic movement, tribal dance and cardio in an energy releasing, empowering practice. This is not your ordinary yoga practice, it is so much more! You’ll release stagnant energy through intentional movement to upbeat music. Through the practice you’ll build strength, learn acceptance and practice self-love. (Booty shorts and/or sports bras are encouraged for class! This is a body-positive practice where we focus on deep core strength – seeing your body move is both powerful and freeing!)

    Buti is an Indian Marathi word that means “a cure that has been kept hidden or kept secret.” Through Buti we work to shake up stagnant energy from the inside out. We intentionally spiral, shake and vibrate old energy out of the body. This practice tones the physical body, as well as heals the spiritual and emotional body. Buti is all about the self-love! Unleash your inner badass with us during Buti Glow!All levels welcome!

  • Heated / Hot Vinyasa Flow

    Level 2/3 | 75 min

    (90°/101º)

    Heated Vinyasa Flow – This is our most fluid class. Build on the heat in the room, challenge your grace and strength as you move through a standing and balancing series, arm balances, and core strengthening while retaining the focus on movement with the breath.

  • Heated / Hot Power Flow

    Level 2/3 | 75 min

    (90°/101º) ♪

    Heated Power Flow – Ready for the next level? A power class is a physically challenging, full body experience where postures flow from one to the next as you prepare for advanced postures, headstands, handstands, inversions, breath awareness and finally meditation. Build strength, increase flexibility while heating up from the inside out, delve deeper into your practice, create focus and reduce stress. Please check the schedule as this is sometimes taught as a heated (90º) OR hot (101º) class.

  • Heated / Hot Power

    Level 2/3 | 75 min

    (90º/101°) ♪

    Heated Power – A heated power class sequenced to music. Starts gently, builds to a powerful flow and closes on the floor with a yin sequence. Please check the schedule as this is sometimes taught as a heated (90º) OR hot (101º) class. This is a physically challenging and energizing class that aims to leave you in the best of yoga stupors.

  • Hot Power Hour

    Level 2/3 | 60 min

    (101°)

    Hot Power Hour – A physically challenging class where postures flow from one to the next. Build strength, increase flexibility while heating up from the inside out, create focus and reduce stress. A time-efficient and complete yoga class.

  • Yoga Sculpt

    Level 2/3 | 60 min

    (90°) | l

    A combination of power yoga, HIIT, free weights and upbeat tunes that will heighten body awareness, support lean muscle mass, and increase your metabolic rate. The integration of yoga with HIIT and weights reduces the risk of injury through acute attention to body movement combined with breath and maintaining flexibility as you increase strength. All levels welcome.

  • Power

    Level 3 | 75 min

    Advance your practice by learning techniques for inversions, arm balances and playful transitions during this form and flow class. Warm up and build strength with Surya Namaskars and core work before taking flight. Learn tricks of balance, core and more in this class that is sure to deepen your practice and teach you how to take flight! Class ends with a beautiful guided meditation.

  • Kinstretch (Moga Yoga)

    All levels | 75 min

    Use the most current research on anatomy and physiology to deepen your yoga practice, improve performance in your chosen sports and activities, and become better equipped to handle whatever life may throw at you. Develop an unprecedented level of body awareness and control. The principles of this class are based on Kinstretch (www.kinstretch.com), a movement enhancement system that develops maximum body control, flexibility and usable ranges of motion. Expect to simultaneously build strength and flexibility, decrease pain, reduce injury risk and become more educated about how your body works.

  • Lay Low and Glow

    All levels | 90 min

    Gather bolsters, blocks, blankets, and all things soft and cozy. We create a space to release and restore mind, body, and spirit. Postures are held between 2-10 minutes and are designed to massage, stretch and cleanse your connective tissues. We aim to transition into a deep state of calm in body, mind, and heart. All levels welcome.

  • 50/50

    All levels | 75 min

    Class starts with a powerful flow to build heat and strength. 45 minutes in we transition towards deep stretching and restorative postures to help build flexibility and promote calming of the nervous system.

  • Prenatal

    All levels | 60 min

    Stay calm, strong and healthy during your pregnancy. Designed to be suitable for women of all levels, in any trimester this class will help build balance, improve circulation, and tone muscles in a comfortable, supportive environment. Prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for childbirth while bonding with other women. Yoga can also help improve sleep and reduce stress.

  • Slow Flow with Yoga Nidra

    All levels | 75 min

    We create a space to release and restore mind, body, and spirit. Postures are held between 2-10 minutes and are designed to massage, stretch and cleanse your connective tissues. We aim to transition into a deep state of calm in body, mind, and heart. We close with a yoga nidra so that you leave feeling stabilized, lengthened, strengthened and connected in your body. Expect to move gently, attend to the breath, and leave transformed!

  • Gentle Yoga

    All levels | 60 min

    This gentle class is designed to soothe the nervous system and to open the body and to a state of peace. The class focuses on stress relief, relaxation, improved flexibility, and full body strengthening. The combination of yoga postures, breath work and meditation will move at a slower pace and is great for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students who wish to experience the deeper spaces of awareness.

  • Yin

    All levels | 60 min

    Whether you are new to the practice or a seasoned practitioner, this class is accessible to all levels of practitioner. The postures are mostly done reclined or seated and are held for longer periods of time( 1-5 minutes). This allows for increased circulation in the joints and improved flexibility. In this meditative class we journey inward, cultivating a sense of inner peace and stillness.

Find a Class

What to Wear

  • SHOES

    Yoga is most often done barefoot. You will occasionally see people with some kind of sock or shoe, but it’s usually due to an injury or medical condition. This is usually welcome news for people who are tired of carrying around an extra pair of shoes for the gym.

  • PANTS

    There are many different styles of yoga pants, but you don’t have to run out and buy a special pair before your very first class. Any comfortable exercise pants or shorts will do. After a few classes, you may feel like you wish the pants you have were shorter/longer/looser/higher waisted/not falling down every time you stretch up.

  • TOPS

    A shirt that is a little bit fitted works best. A big baggy t-shirt is not great since it will probably slide down every time you bend over. And you’re going to be doing a lot of bending over. Sleeveless tops are popular since they allow freedom of movement in the arms and shoulders. Wear whatever kind of bra you prefer for exercising.

  • BRAS

    Again, a solid bra that can keep things in place is an imperative. This doesn’t have to be a super expensive, luxury item. Think function first and then get fancy if you want to…you might be finding yourself doing a lot of forward folding where your head is below your waist so…be properly prepared.

What to Bring

  • MATS

    If you are headed to your very first class, don’t worry about bringing a mat if you don’t have one. We have mats and towels for rent for $2. As you keep going to class or if you are practicing at home, you are going to want to invest in your own mat. There are lots of different considerations as to which mat is right for you and we sell some.

  • WATER BOTTLES

    We have a bottle water filling station as well as drinks for sale in case you forget your water bottle.

  • TOWELS

    We provide you with bolsters, blocks, blankets, and straps when needed. Your teacher will tell you which props will be needed for class.

How to Prepare for Class

  • FOOD

    It’s best not to eat a heavy meal right before you do yoga. When you start moving, everything gets churned up and you don’t want to feel full. We suggest fueling up at least 2 hours prior to class with a light snack

  • WARMING UP

    If you are early to class, try stretching a bit or relax and center your mind. You can also just lie on your back or sit cross legged on your mat. This makes you look serene.

Welcome to Community

By committing to your yoga practice, you will notice an increased sense of presence, wellness, and mindfulness – as calm infuses into your life on so many levels. And while heated yoga is currently experiencing the “limelight” in many studios we understand – yoga in a heated room is not for everyone. That is why we offer ambient classes! Many of our unheated classes are of a restorative nature, but some are quite powerful (check our schedule) and you will have plenty of opportunity to build your own heat as you move through the class.

Most of the classes we offer consist of Hatha and Vinyasa (Flow) yoga principles. Our teachers draw from diverse backgrounds including Ashtanga, Iyengar, Baptiste, Bikram, and more. We offer a unique breadth of experience as our instructors come from an eclectic mix of backgrounds. They integrate ideas and teachings from several different yoga schools, traditions and modern-day science.

If you are ready to increase your flexibility and feel and be stronger in both body and mind, then know that our heated AND unheated classes will meet that need! All great classes are built around listening to your body and honoring the messages that it sends. No expectations, just surrender! We believe that every practitioner has his or her own valid reason to step on the mat, and we respect each person’s individual experience. We encourage you to adjust or modify your practice as you see fit.

Yoga poses, breath work and meditation are practices that revitalize the body and mind by increasing circulation to the organs, targeting the fascia and connective tissue around the joints, and calming the entire nervous system.

In both heated and ambient formats, props are often used to create more ease for the expression of the breath and the ensuing appropriate effort of the body. This all culminates in stilling the mind and encouraging inner awareness and present moment, calm focus.

As a practice, yoga is guided by the parameters of the yamas (attitudes or behaviors regarding relationships between the individual and the outside world) and niyamas (attitudes we adopt toward ourselves). One attitude or practice within the niyamas that many of us can actually come to enjoy engaging in is the practice of tapas…and we’re not talking about small plates in a restaurant here.

In Sanskrit, one of the most well-known definitions for tapas is heat, or inner fire. Literally it means heating the body and by doing so, cleansing it. The idea being that we burn away the “rubbish or toxins” of the physical body, detoxify the heart and mind so as to clear the way for the divine impulse to life to shine through, unimpeded.

Our focus is on your body’s natural tendency toward health and self-healing.

The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body. The idea is to explore your limits, not strive for some pretzel-like perfection. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. A consistent yoga practice can also lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia. Some of the other physical benefits of yoga include:

Heated or ambient, the definition of yoga is to yoke, join or unite. It is the uniting of the body, mind, and spirit, the uniting between the individual and the universal. Pantanjali, one of the ancient sages of yoga, describes yoga in sutra 1.2 as “Yoga calms the fluctuations within the mind.”

Join us in calming your fluctuations and finding balance.

Infrared & Flooring

For those of you that like getting a jumpstart on this inner fire we have chosen a sophisticated infrared heating and ventilation system for our large practice room. We named it the Onsen room which also translates to hot springs in Japanese! While generating serious, deep heat it simultaneously minimizes distraction, noise, increases muscle flexibility, blood circulation, and detoxification.

In case you are not familiar with infrared heat, it converts light directly to heat, warming nearby objects without raising the air temperature. This allows a student in an infrared class to absorb heat while the surrounding air does not. This type of heat is most like natural sunlight. Since the air itself does not get hot with infrared heat, it is suitable and tolerable for most students – especially those with respiratory issues who find it uncomfortable or even risky to participate in a heated yoga class. Additionally, the infrared system does not recirculate air, so it reduces the circulation of dirty air and bacteria and is virtually silent.

As you walk into our hot practice room you will feel a gentle heat that will increase as you move through the class. The skin will absorb the infrared heat, causing the molecules of your tissue to vibrate and to expel toxins, fat and impurities from cells and out into your bloodstream.

Once in your bloodstream, these can be released from your body in the form of sweat. The result is an incredible cleansing effect at a deep cellular level. This is the same type of heat hospitals use to keep premature babies warm – we just kicked it up a few notches for the detoxifying effect.

Yoga in our infrared practice room will give you more than just an amazing workout. There are numerous added health benefits that come along with practicing at our infrared heated studio.

In addition to the infrared heating systems, know that Zebra flooring was chosen for our practice rooms. The flooring inside our rooms is quite simply the best you will have ever practiced on. The support and give of the flooring lets yogis practice longer, have a quicker recovery time and reduces wear and tear on joints. It also invites the practitioner to be more willing to try something new – let’s say an advanced pose like crow without the same fear of falling as they might on other traditional flooring like hardwood or bamboo. Plus they are antibacterial, anti-fungal and super-easy-to-clean mats made from non-toxic, recycled materials. It’s a win-win.