Special Subjects

This course is designed for those new to yoga, those just beginning and those more experienced students looking for a gentle practice. You'll find Hatha yoga energizing, but not as enervating as Ashtanga.

The focus of the course will be introducing students to a series of gentle yoga poses designed to calm the mind and center the body. A focus on alignment and gentle stretching will allow each body to ease into the practice at a comfortable and non-threatening pace. The course will focus on gradually building flexibility, strength and balance through a combination of seated, standing and reclining poses.

This introductory course gently and incrementally builds a sequence of postures and modifications based upon the traditions of Hatha yoga.

For these athletes, yoga is the key to peak performance. But you don't have to be a world-class athlete or even a weekend warrior to benefit. Yoga is also the perfect exercise for guys who spend more time on the computer than they do running marathons. A few simple stretches a day can give any man:
Greater flexibility and range of motion
Increased muscle strength, tone and endurance
Improved sexual stamina and performance
More energy and less stress
Sharper focus and clarity
Reduced risk of injuries-including an end to chronic back pain

Read what the top athletes say about Yoga below.

"Yoga has made my entire body more flexible, I'm stronger in my upper body, and I'm living proof that yoga prevents injuries.''
-Eddie George, Heisman Trophy winner, NFL running back

"I've been doing yoga since 1995, and I practice my breathing and focusing exercises before every game.''
-- Kevin Garnett, NBA superstar

"In sports, you need balance, strength and flexibility, and yoga helps so much in each of those areas. It's definitely been a huge part of my success.''
-Sean Burke, NHL All-Star goaltender

"Yoga saved my career. I was facing back surgery, and tried yoga instead. Now my back is in great shape, plus the yoga is an unbelievable workout. I'm a total convert.''
--Justin Gimelstob, ATP tennis player

"Flexibility is the most important thing for a golfer. The yoga stretches made my swing longer-there's no question about it. The added range of motion enabled me to get a better turn and power through the ball.''
--J.L. Lewis, PGA Tour

Instructor Bio: Read about Bev...

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A series of specific asanas (poses) are held 3-5 minutes, which allows the muscles to relax and work deep into the connective tissue of the body. The body begins to slowly open up and stimulate circulation in less flexible areas. This is done not through force, but through time and the breath. Traditional Prana yama (breath work) will be introduced and practiced. A series of Restorative poses may also be practiced.

This type of practice will exercise your awareness and sensitivity by paying attention, letting go and involving yourself mentally in what you are experiencing. This practice is great for stress reduction, deeply relaxing the body and quieting the mind.

Recommended for all levels: Beginner to experienced Yoga practitioners. Recommended for athletes.

An open mind versus an open body is essential, it will truly deepen the experience of this profound practice.

Restorative Yoga is designed to help release blocked energy, surrendering layers of deeply held stress and tension. When practiced frequently, deep relaxation leads to improved health, increased energy, clarity of thought, inner balance, restful sleep and more.

Throughout our lives, many of us have been encouraged to "do more." To learn, succeed, earn and obtain more. And, while exploring our fullest potential is intrinsic to living comfortably in our society, we are rarely encouraged to delve into relaxation as a technique for enhancing quality of life. To just let go. Completely.

When we learn to relax deeply, our mind stops racing. We become more receptive and, ultimately, engaged in a journey that unfolds with each moment. That journey is the inspiration for this guided relaxation; a practice that can be easily achieved, in only twenty minutes, any day or every day. Because the more we practice relaxing, the easier it becomes to stay calm, even in life's most challenging circumstances. –Jillian Pransky www.yogajillian.com

Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous form of yoga that incorporates a set sequence of poses linked by breath. It develops both strength and flexibility in the practitioner and in time becomes a moving meditation.

While Ashtanga is ultimately a faster paced practice, the introductory course will allow time to delve into postures, modifications of postures, breath work, sequencing and flow.

It is open to beginners as well as anyone looking to deepen their existing practice.

Instructor Bio: Jodie Blankenburg practices and teaches Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Hatha yoga at numerous locations in Central Ohio. A 200-hour certified yogi, she is currently working on a 500-hour level certification. She has been practicing yoga for 10 years. Read more about Jodie...

Hatha Mix is a mixed-level hatha yoga class geared towards continuing beginners and intermediate yoga practitioners. In this class, we take a building-block approach to safely practicing asana. We also explore other yoga practices such as pranayama to connect with our breath and other techniques to calm and relax the mind.

Instructor Bio: We are excited to welcome Ed Jones to The Yoga Factory family. For more information on Ed, click here.

The weekend is over. The work week hasn’t begun. It is time to treat yourself well! Join us for our popular Sunday evening Hatha class where we luxuriate in the breath, gentle, calming movement and creative visualization. Take a little time to connect with yourself and get centered as you move into your week. Leave feeling refreshed and ready!

An asana practice is one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga described by the sage, Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras.

In fact, the goal an asana practice is prepare the body for meditation. In asana we open the body energetically and physically so that it can sit comfortably in meditation for 18 minutes.

Meditation is the act of effortlessly concentrating on one point for an extended period of time. It is the gateway to inspiration, intuition, insight, well-being, and regeneration.

“To perceive meditation we need to understand the relationship between Mind & Spirit. Spirit is experienced when our consciousness is not fragmented by mind.” –Alan Finger

In this course we will discuss the basics of meditation. What’s happening when we meditate? Why do we meditate? What part does meditation play into a yoga practice? We will use the ISHTA tools taken from the ancient traditions of hatha and tantra. Created by yogi master Alan Finger ISHTA (Integrated Sciences of Hatha, Tantra, & Ayurveda) this class will combine asana, Pranayama and meditation for a comprehensive physical and spiritual practice.