What you do on your mat should help you with what you do off your mat –
otherwise, why do it?

At LKPY we understand that everyone has their own personal reason to begin a yoga practice – physical, mental, spiritual benefits. We embrace all of these reasons. We also believe it is important to honor the traditions and philosophy of this ancient practice by never losing sight of what the original intentions were. We use the physical practice of yoga (asana) as a tool for transformation – an opportunity to experience the powerful benefits of a yoga practice that goes beyond the pose. You might come for a stronger, more flexible body, but you will leave with a stronger, more flexible mind too – if you’re open and willing!

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In the ancient text, the Yoga Sutras, yoga is defined as the ability to ‘control the turnings of the mind’. When we learn to take control of the minds narrative, we are able to attain a life of contentment and purpose based on reality as opposed to one based on misconceptions and untruths. The Yoga Sutras gives us ‘steps’ we can take to achieve this – The 8 Limbed Path.

With this as the foundation, Power Yoga is a practice that uses asana (the pose) as a tool to challenge this mental practice of taking control of one’s thoughts. By applying breath and slow, deliberate movements you are able to listen to the voice of your inner guru (teacher) as opposed to your inner ego (the mind’s narrative).

When you step on your mat at LKPY, you will be asked to take advantage of the opportunity to do the hard work of exploring the turnings of your mind – what works, what doesn’t, what is true, what isn’t. You will do this through the practice of poses and movements guided by the foundation of a specific breathing technique. When you are open to this, you not only gain the benefit of a healthy and balanced body, but also a healthy and balanced mind.

What to expect during class:
LK Power Yoga is a breath guided, vinyasa (flowing) style, meditative practice. Presence, grounding, and focus are the three foundational elements that the practice is built upon.
Along with the added element of heat, both internally and externally. When all four components come together there is an absence of resistance, your practice becomes steady and manageable, and you begin to feel the power of flow – when all resistance ends.

Despite how it is often described, power yoga does not mean fast or advanced, unattainable poses. We flow slow, hold poses to build strength. And all the poses we offer up are the more common, and less complex yoga poses. We also offer variations and suggestions for different options because we understand that all people and bodies are different and one size does not fit all. We keep the pose options and the sequencing simple. Keep in mind, simple does not mean easy. But you will be challenged in a way that is safe and healthy – YOU decide exactly what you want that challenge to be.

If you can breathe, you can practice power yoga.

Classes are designed for all levels. No yoga experience is necessary.
Sometimes the greatest challenge is just getting out of your head; being ok right where you are in the practice and not trying to compete with anyone else – even your own mind!
You will be encouraged to work at your own personal level.
Options and variations of poses and movements are given throughout all classes to help you with this!

Please note: classes are practiced in a room heated to approximately 80-85 degrees. Why the heat? Physically, the heat adds a slight challenge to the practice. Mentally, it teaches us to work through uncomfortableness calmly and with perseverance. It is one of the basic principles of yoga philosophy – tapas – to burn through obstacles.

Read about Lyn’s yoga and teaching philosophy.
Read Lyn’s blog post: What Is Power Yoga Anyway?

If this is your first visit to the studio,
please be sure to read Studio Etiquette.