urban sanctuary for the body and soul

Class/Series Descriptions

class descriptions | series descriptions

classes Choosing a Class:: In general, all teachers at the Hub are skilled in working with students new to practicing yoga and will be able to assist you, modifying poses as needed. However, if you are looking for a true introductory class, try Basics Yoga with either Vickie Howie or Barbie Baylis, Open Level with Amy Lombardo, or Tai Chi with Edward Yu. Mixed levels with Tad Robichaux and Lauri Ashworth, as well as Anusara Yoga with Meagan McCrary, are also going to emphasis the foundation of the poses and encourage correct alignment of the postures. If you are looking for a more vigorous class, check out Power Yoga with Jay Co or Mixed Level Flow with Lara Catone. Most of all, there’s no need to feel intimidated, if any of the classes interest you, go for it!

Level 1/2: Slow to moderately passed class focused on building a fundamental understanding of the asanas (yoga poses) starting with a strong foundation and basic principles of alignment. A safe, comfortable environment for students new to yoga; ideal for beginners with some experience and intermediate students.
Mixed Level Flow: Emphasis on linking the breath with continual movement, students will flow through a sequence of basic postures, building stamina, strength, flexibility and balance. Designed so that all levels can practice together in an encouraging environment.
Power Yoga: A highly energetic class focused on strength training in basic asanas, emphasizing continual movement linked with the breath. A donation based class open to all levels of student, ideal for those looking to sweat.
Primal Yoga: This vigorous yoga/martial arts fusion class merges traditional Hatha yoga with the playfulness of Capoeira, the artistry of Kung Fu, the grace of Tai Chi, and the agility of Budokon into a challenging heat-building flow, while focusing on alignment, balance, strength, power, and flexibility. Expect to leap, kick, stretch, and sweat as we also explore primal animal locomotion using dynamic plyometric movements and contralateral stabilization to build incredible core strength and explosive power. Perfect for yogis, martial artists, and athletes of all levels.

Prenatal Yoga

Khalsa Way and Kundalini Yoga Inspired, conscious pregnancy prenatal yoga allows the expectant mother to embrace her changing body and growing baby with joy and mindfulness.

Restorative Yoga: Use of props to support the body in basic supine postures held for extended lengths of time to encourage deep relaxation and allow the body to restore itself completely.

Anusara Inspired: A safe, playful class strongly focused on Anusara’s Universal Principles of Alignment with the incorporation of a heart-opening theme and the relevance of spiritual teachings to every day life. Appropriate and challenging for all levels, with modifications and variations offered.
Tai Chi: With a strong emphasis on bringing awareness to what you are doing, you will begin to learn the structure through the intention of movement. By discovering your blockages you will simultaneously uncover your source of power, allowing you to move with greater agility, coordination, and balance in all activities of your life. This class is for all levels with a strong emphasis on beginners.
Breathwork: Introduction to an ancient, three-part rhythmic breathing meditation that quickly quiets the mind and tangibly moves energy throughout the body, clearing blocks and congestion so that healing can ultimately take place. (more about Breathwork)
Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness Meditation is a practice that cultivates a new way to be with yourself, specifically your thoughts. As you learn the skill of meeting your thoughts with compassion and curiosity, the conditioned mind quiets and your highest Self begins to take center stage. Taking a different approach to what is typically offered, which usually involves sitting for prolonged periods of time, this introductory class to Mindfulness Meditation is designed to coach you through specific meditation exercises that you can apply to your life right away. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in a safe and creative environment that’s all about getting to meet the best of you, YOU’RE INVITED.

series descriptions


Tantric Dance of Feminine Power with Nita Rubio
(five week series): A deep exploration of consciousness found within, Tantric Dance of Feminine Power is a movement modality that connects women to the subtle energies of the body. By cultivating deep surrender and receptivity to the sensations and impulses ever present in the body, we begin to follow these sensations back to their inherent source – Shakti, the pulsating, alive, wisdom movement of the cosmos that is both immanent and transcendent. By learning how to continually open to the flow of Shakti, you can begin to dissolve deep habitual patterns in both the body and mind while deepening your spiritual practice.

The experience is one of inner-reference, not done through sexual intimacy techniques, but through a very deep communion and exploration of Shakti, as the energy expands, circulates and expresses itself through the nadis, pathways and central energy channel of your body. Working with your inner relationship to your own sexual energy and life force, the Tantric Dance of Feminine Power helps to release the patriarchal lens on female sexuality – a powerful re-orientation for many women, something necessary for the transformation towards a life-affirming world.

Within specific guidelines to keep the experience inner-referenced rather than externally motivated, the Dance includes sound, exploration of the female shamanic circle and opening the devotional heart. The specific gathering of women and the energy present dictates the specific focus for each session.

The Tantric Dance of Feminine Power is for women who are ready to shed preconceived concepts and ideas of the Goddess, and open to the living reality of Shakti and conscious energies. Registration with the instructor necessary to reserve your space in the series, to register or for more information, please contact Nita Rubio at 310.560.6255 or embodyshakti@gmail.com.

Liquid Flow Synergy-Fluid Dynamic Strength with Cass Phelp
(five week series)

The foundation of all movement practices such as yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong and dance are all grounded in an honest relationship within gravity. When you know how to tap into gravity, you will be completely supported by this vast intelligence in every aspect of your life.

Discover the law of tensegrity, where you are effortlessly supported and lifted by gravity in every move. Move beyond your blocks and blind spots by deepening your connection to the sensation of breath while learning to follow your own inner wisdom and flow. Designed to nourish and replenish, discover the source of life within you through fluid breath, sound movement and experience a dynamic shift in perspective.

Focused on core strength, lower back, sacrum, psoas and cranium connection, this work is extremely productive for resolving injuries and increasing range of motion while balancing and centering your neuromuscular system. All levels are welcomed.

Intro to Shadow Yoga with Matt Pesedian
(three week series)

Shadow Yoga, founded by Zhander Remete, is a Hatha Yoga system designed to integrate the common principles of yoga asana, ancient martial arts, South Indian dance and Ayurvedic medicine.

In Sanskrit, chaya is defined as shadow, or reflection. The word “reflect” means to cast back (light, heat, sound) from a surface—to ponder or meditate. From a yogic perspective, the term “shadow” refers to the many layers of our being (five koshas, or sheaths): physical, energetic, mental/emotional, wisdom and spirit bodies. As an enlightened yogi once stated, “The appearance of this body is nothing but frozen layers of shadows.”

The Shadow Yoga full practice format consists of standing prelude forms, asanas (postures), inversions, bandhas (locks), kriyas (spontaneous movement), mudras (hand gestures), pranyama (breathing techniques) and pratyahara (withdraw of the senses).

Slow, gentle, yet energizing, these forms are based on ancient Chinese yoga postures, movements, self-message and breathing techniques. Therapeutic by nature, these qigong forms provide a simple techniques, which help strengthen the immune system by promoting optimal blood flow, lymphatic circulation, oxygen intake, and the toning of the organic body. Ultimately, they are designed to safely and effectively guide one’s body, mind and spirit into a state of balance.

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Class/Series Descriptions