Yoga Partners Workshop

My wife and I have been trying to find a Yoga partners workshop - i.e. a special class for pregnant women and their partners, that teaches you how to stretch each other and so forth. The only one we've been able to find is at Yoga Tree SF, and they only hold it about once every two months. The next one is too close to our child's due date to make it really useful.

Does anyone know of a similar class, or can anyone recommend a studio/instructor that specifically supports partner participation during an existing prenatal class? (I don't want to feel like I'm intruding on a prenatal class unless I really am welcome!) Alec

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Pre-natal Yoga in Lamorinda

I am looking for a pre-natal yoga class for second time moms in Lamorinda that is more focused on yoga rather than talking. Does anyone know of a studio other than the Nurture Center?

In a Whole Birth Class, it is divided into three parts, a weekly topic relevant to pregnancy (15-30 minutes of class time), mindfulness meditation & deep relaxation (15-20 minutes class time) and prenatal yoga (60-75 minutes class time).

I understand frustration of general chit chatting and not doing postures or moving the class along, however, the structure of this class is to go deeper into the transformational aspect of pregnancy and share with a group of like-minded women.

I also understand this format is not for all, and I would be happy to refer students to other studio's for their prenatal experience. I did, however, want to make it clear that in the Whole Birth Class, it is part of the curriculum and many have benefited from this format. Thank you.

Jnana Gowan, Certified Yoga Instructor and Whole Birth Educator

Yoga Class in Lamorinda

Does anyone go to a Yoga Studio that they really like in Lamorinda or Walnut Creek? I'm looking for teachers who are trained in Iyengar. I checked on the web site and didn't find any listings. Any sugestions are appreciated! Thanks, Kristin
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Yoga for back problems

I am having some back problems which my doctor says will be helped by stretching and walking. I have a book called ''Stretching'' that I pulled out and will follow that at home, but am wondering if there might be a yoga class that I could take as well. I'm specifically looking for Fridays, when I'm off from work, and I live in Walnut Creek, so anything there or environs would be best for me. I know there are different types of yoga, but am not familiar with them and which would be the most gentle and would focus on stretching. Thanks for any recommendations! Lori

Traditional Yoga in Oakland

Hi. I've been on the BPN site looking for suggestions for Yoga classes in Oakland. I'm not into Astanga or Bikum. I'd like to go the more traditional route, like Hatha or Iyingar(sp?) I live close to 580, so Dimond Heights or Laurel Heights would be good, but I'm open to Grand/Lake, or Downtowon Oakland despite the parking issues. I'd also like to find a place where you can pay as you go, or buy a ticket that can be used over a 2 month period of time. Any suggestions out there?

There's also a newer yoga studio in Montclair, Mountain Yoga. I've taken a some classes there with a few different instructors and have had good enough, but not great instruction.

Monkey Shala Yoga on Lakshore near 580 is a little more of a 'happening' studio. The owner is a definite guru type. Classes are more show-offy, and in my oppinion, people are challenged to do poses that might do more harm than good in their bodies.

And then of course there's Piedmont Yoga Studio, of Rodney Yee fame. I've heard good things about the instructors there, but haven't taken any classes, mostly because parking isn't the easiest. Helene Byrne author, ''Exercise After Pregnancy: How to Look and Feel Your Best''

Yoga for 40 year old man

Hi folks, I saw lots of pre- and post-natal yoga recommendations on the site but no non-natal recommendations. I'm a 40 year old man, not very limber or flexible, but thinking seriously about taking a yoga class, both to increase my flexibility and for peace of mind. Can anyone recommend any specific styles/studios/teachers. I'm prone to feeling self-conscious, so anything where that would be minimized would be great. Thanks!

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Yoga Class in El Cerrito area

I've reviewed the website and can find only one yoga class recommended for the El Cerrito area. It doesn't appear that the class is currently being offered. So, the hope is that there are others out there that know of a yoga class in the El Cerrito area that they would like to recommend.Thanks,-Susan

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Other advice:
I didn't read your original post, but I assume by the title of your post that you must live in El Cerrito and are looking for yoga classes near by. I live in El Cerrito and I have tried lots of different yoga studios near by, but not in El Cerrito. The closest studio I can actually recommend from experience is Yoga for Life in Albany on Solano Ave. It is right next to Sweet Potatoes, Wee Play and a toy store. Sorry I don't have the phone number on me. There are other possibilities that I've never tried. The Albany Y, also on Solano ave, has yoga classes. At the top of Solano Ave in N. Berkeley there is a dance studio right next to the post office and Peets Coffee. I think it is called World Dance Center. They have yoga classes. Also, check out the El Cerrito community center and ask them if they have any yoga classes or if they know of any in the area. I recall there being some in the past. There is also Bikram Yoga studio on San Pablo Ave right near the corner of Central Ave, but if you are new to yoga I would avoid it. It is a very specific style that involves doing poses in a hot room where you get all sweaty and have to drink lots of water. It is certainly not your ordinary yoga class and I think it is quite trendy and silly myself. There is also a bellydance studio right next to Bikram yoga called Suhailas (sp?) school of dance. They might offer yoga. Laurey

Yoga classes for gift

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My advice would depend on who you are buying the yoga classes for. If your recipient is young and hip, 7th Heaven might be the place for them. If they are mid-30s or older, they might prefer 4th Street. Barbara Voinar is a very popular Iyengar teacher there. Her classes are crowded but very satisfying. I really like Priya at No Sweat (on Solano), who teaches a Hatha class that focuses on strength and stretching. She does a wonderful guided relaxation for 15 minutes at the end. However, the studio is not ideal for yoga--I go there for the teacher and the location. The Berkeley Yoga studio offers a really nice environment, and the classes aren't as crowded. However, I've not found a class time and teacher combo that works for me there. The choices are endless, and in my experience it's important to find the right teacher for your personal style. If you want the recipient to have lots of choices of teachers and times, either Seventh Heaven or Fourth Street would be good.

Mommy and Me classes

Childcare at Yoga classes

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Post-natal embarassment doing upside-down positions

Hello there, I just started to take yoga again, which I enjoy very much. However, now I remember what used to embarass me about it because it happened this morning in a class...whenever I do upside-down type positions, like legs in the air, etc., for some reason air gets sucked into my vagina. So when I am upright again, it sounds as though I am ''breaking wind'' as the air escapes. It is very embarassing for me! I should ask my doctor about this, but I just thought I'd see if this ever happens to anyone else. Perhaps I need to do Kegel exercises? Or just live with it and not worry! thanks for any advice! -anon

However, it is not a desirable physical action. Many of us, when trying to activate the deep postural muscles of the torso, (transverse abdominus, mutifidus) accidentially suck the diaphram up- hollowing out the area right below the ribs, the solar plexus. Instead of ''sucking'' the belly in, the action you want to develop is compression of the abdominal wall. A kind of lacing of your internal girdling muscles. Contracting the deep abdominals with a co-contraction of the pelvic floor is a very powerful technique to help the body develop core strength- especially after pregnancy and childbirth. Sucking air into the vagina directly after childbirth, when the cervix is still open can cause an air embollism, a serious life threating condition. Many inverted poses--down dog, mountain pose, and even child's pose are contraindicated in the first few weeks postpartum because of this small but inherant risk. Helene

Yoga Classes in Pt. Richmond

I am wondering if any has tried to the new Yoga place in Pt. Richmond? I am pondering taking yoga classes as a way to tone up my body and mind. It seems that is the goal of yoga, although I am a beginnner. I am interested in any great spots that anyone has been going to recently, near El Cerrito. I am not looking for pre-natal, but would like a little toning help in losing the baby spare tire/mental overload that seems to come with motherhood and yoga seems to be it. Kerri

Jan Chess Hi, I'm looking for a family yoga class, if such a thing exists. My kids are 3.5 and 7.5. Thanks for any leads.

Preschooler Yoga Class

My 3 year old has a sudden interest in yoga. I checked the archives and can't find anything very concrete or recent. Does anyone know of a good yoga class for the preschool set? Or a Mommy & Me Yoga class with preschoolers? Jaime

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My daughter loves the YogaKids video from the Berkeley Public Library - Does anyone know if there is a place which teaches yoga to preschool/kidnergarten age children? We would like to try it out.

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Other recommendations:

There is a kids yoga class taught by Bronwyn Michaelis on Mondays at Addison and Bonar. Parents can participate as well if they want to... Call 548-3754 Best, Sooz

Yoga - Susan Hagen, the director of New School, a Berkeley pre-school, teaches Yoga to kids. Toby

Ha'Ha This A Way, teaches yoga for kids on Fridays. Raissa

Can anybody recommend a good pre-natal yoga class?

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Other recommendations:

I just found out about several prenatal yoga classes. One on Fourth Street Yoga in Berkeley on Wednesdays 9:30-11:00 ($12/drop-in) which I enjoyed. Yogalam has some too Wed and Sat 10-12 and (Tues 10-12 with mothers and babies) except no class first Wednesdays of the month at 1723 Alcatraz, west of Adeline in Berkeley. Berkeley Yoga Center on Friday 4-5:15 1250 Addison at Bonar in Strawberry Creek Center taught by Cybele Tomlinson. I don't have all the phone numbers in front of me, but I found all but the Berkeley Yoga Center in the phone book. Denise

There are a couple of postnatal yoga classes. One is 4th Street Yoga (1809 4th St, Berkeley 845-9642) and the other is at Yogalayam (1717 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley 655-3664). You can take your baby to both. I went to classes at Yogalayam and found them to be very gentle, nurturing and restorative. There is also something called the New Mother's Workout taught by a woman named Karen, but gosh, I can't find a flier to pass along the number.

Yoga studio with sense of community

Before I moved here, I practiced yoga at a small studio with great sense of community. The center's director infused her vinyasa-style classes with meditation, chanting, and teachings from various traditions and cultures (similar to Jivamukti in NYC, without the models and actors). There were satsangs, kirtans (with Krishna Das sometimes), yoga retreats, etc. It was wonderful and I really really miss it. I have been hoping to find somewhere in the East Bay that will feel like home for me but there are so many choices, I am overwhelmed. Can someone recommend a studio or teacher that I should check out? I've looked at the previous recommendations in the archives but nothing seems to address what I am looking for. Om shanti.

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Ashtanga Yoga

I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a good Astanga Yoga class in Berkeley, preferably south of campus?. I did browse the yoga website, but didn't see anything about Astanga classes -also, I have to work around 2 little kids (evening classes? on-site childcare?). I'll be moving to Berkeley from Boston next month, so am not yet familiar with the area. We'll be living near College Ave. Thanks for your help! Jack

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Alameda Yoga Station

Re: Yoga for 40 year old man
The Alameda Yoga Station will be starting a new class in July on Tuesday evenings, 5:30-6:45 p.m. called Gentle Yoga. You can visit the website www.alamedayogastation.com or call 523-YOGA for more information. Betsy

Acupressure Institute

Yoga Doodles