New To MĀ Yoga

Āsana, derived from the Sanskrit word for “seat,” embodies the essence of finding a harmonious balance between stability and ease within yoga postures. If you’re new to the practice of yoga, we have tailored 4-6 week series called “The Foundations of Yoga Asana,” which are regularly offered. These specialized workshops are designed to provide you with a solid groundwork before venturing into our drop-in classes, helping you find your own place within our welcoming community. Check out our workshop section to see when the next intake starts at MĀ Wellness and Yoga. All Classes are held in the upstairs studio (Sky Studio) at our yoga centre in Victoria, BC.

Gentle Hatha classes are also highly recommended. These classes are active, but are generally slower moving, and offer more pause between the shapes.You will find these classes held weekly in both studios at MĀ Wellness and Yoga in Victoria, BC.

Yin yoga is a gentle and meditative style of yoga that focuses on holding poses for an extended period, targeting the connective tissues in the body. It is an ideal choice for beginners due to its accessibility and low-impact nature. The longer hold times allow beginners to develop patience and mindfulness while promoting relaxation and stress reduction. Yin yoga’s emphasis on gentle stretching gradually increases flexibility and joint mobility. With its focus on mindfulness and meditation, it provides a calming and nurturing experience for beginners, helping them unwind and find balance in their practice and daily lives. All props our provided by our yoga studio.

All Levels Vinyasa is a dynamic style of yoga that synchronizes movement with breath, flowing through a series of poses. It is often considered suitable for beginners because it offers a balance between challenge and accessibility. In an All Levels Vinyasa yoga class, modifications and variations are provided to accommodate practitioners of different levels, including beginners. This allows individuals to choose options that suit their abilities and gradually progress as they become more comfortable and experienced. The continuous flow of movement in Vinyasa yoga helps beginners build strength, improve flexibility, enhance coordination, and cultivate mindfulness. The variety of poses and sequences in Vinyasa classes also ensures that beginners can explore and develop their practice within our yoga studio, in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Restorative yoga is a gentle and therapeutic style of yoga that focuses on deep relaxation and rejuvenation. It involves holding supportive poses for extended periods, often using props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks to provide comfort and support. The aim of restorative yoga is to activate the body’s natural relaxation response, allowing for physical, mental, and emotional release. It promotes deep rest, stress reduction, and a sense of overall well-being. Restorative yoga is accessible to practitioners of all levels, including beginners, as it does not require strength or flexibility. It is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries, dealing with chronic pain, or seeking a calming practice to balance a busy and demanding lifestyle. All props are provided by MĀ Wellness and Yoga. Just bring yourself!

If you are looking for a more vigorous style of yoga āsana practice in Victoria, BC , read on for recommendations of how your practice can grow with MĀ Wellness and Yoga.

A Level 2 Vinyasa practice is a challenging and dynamic flow that pushes the boundaries of strength, flexibility, and endurance. It incorporates intermediate-level yoga postures, transitions, and sequencing, requiring a solid foundation of alignment and body awareness. In addition to the physical aspects, Level 2 Vinyasa classes often integrate teachings from Bhakti and yoga philosophy, providing practitioners with a deeper understanding of the practice. For experienced practitioners, this level of practice can be highly satisfying as it allows for refinement and expansion of their capabilities. It cultivates focus, determination, and resilience, leading to a sense of accomplishment as practitioners navigate complex sequences with grace. The combination of physical intensity, breath synchronization, and philosophical teachings creates an invigorating and transformative experience that encompasses all aspects ofl wellness. This class is popular amongst yoga teacher training graduates and seasoned practitioners alike.

Jivamukti classes at MĀ Wellness and Yoga. Jivamukti is a dynamic and spiritually-centered style of yoga that integrates physical postures, breathwork, chanting, music, and meditation. It combines vigorous Vinyasa flows with elements of Bhakti and Yoga philosophy to create a holistic and transformative practice. Jivamukti classes at MA often incorporate advanced asanas, intricate sequences, and challenging variations, making them particularly suitable for advanced practitioners seeking to deepen their practice. The emphasis on alignment, strength, and flexibility in Jivamukti yoga provides a platform for advanced practitioners to explore their physical boundaries and refine their technique. Additionally, Jivamukti at MA offers specialized workshops and open classes in Victoria, BC where practitioners can further expand their knowledge and skills. It is recommended to check the workshop page to find Jivamukti open classes and explore the range of specialized workshops available at MA Welness and Yoga to enhance the practice and delve deeper into the teachings. These workshops provide advanced practitioners with the opportunity to explore specific aspects, such as philosophy, meditation, chanting, and more.

All Levels Vinyasa at MĀ Wellness and Yoga. These practices are ideal for advanced yoga practitioners as they offer a diverse range of options to suit individual needs. These classes provide advanced variations, challenging sequences, and the flexibility to modify or intensify the practice. They allow advanced practitioners to continually push their boundaries, refine their technique, and cultivate strength and flexibility. The inclusive nature of All Levels Vinyasa classes within the MĀ yoga studios also fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities for sharing knowledge and inspiration.

The following recommendations are for individuals seeking to learn and maintain meditation while prioritizing nervous system regulation and relaxation. Regular meditation practice plays a vital role in regulating the nervous system, counteracting stress, and promoting a state of calm. By engaging in mindfulness techniques, deep breathing exercises, and body scans, you can enhance relaxation and support overall well-being. Cultivating present-moment awareness and gentle attention to bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions promotes relaxation and supports mental and physical health. Moreover, as we come to understand that we are more than just the mind, a profound sense of interconnectedness emerges, and the whole world opens up to us. All props are provided within the yoga studios in Victoria, BC.

A sound healing meditation at MA Wellness and Yoga is a practice that utilizes various soothing sounds and vibrations to induce a state of deep relaxation and healing. During a sound healing meditation, participants typically lie down or sit comfortably while a practitioner or facilitator plays a variety of instruments, such as singing bowls, gongs, chimes, or drums. The resonant tones and vibrations produced by these instruments are believed to help balance energy, release tension, and promote overall well-being. Sound healing meditations can be both passive, where participants simply receive the healing sounds, or participatory, where individuals actively engage in toning or chanting along with the sounds. This immersive experience can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and facilitate a sense of harmony and inner peace. Sound tools are often incorporated into our slow flow and restorative classes, adding an additional layer of relaxation and therapeutic benefits to these practices.

Japa Mala meditation is a traditional practice that involves the use of a string of beads called a mala. In this meditation, the practitioner repetitively recites a mantra or a sacred phrase while moving their fingers along each bead of the mala. The mala typically consists of 108 beads, symbolizing spiritual completion. The repetitive nature of this meditation technique helps to focus and calm the mind, allowing for a deeper connection to the chosen mantra or intention. Japa Mala meditation can be practiced silently or vocalized softly. It serves as a powerful tool for self-reflection, concentration, and spiritual growth. By engaging in Japa Mala meditation, practitioners can cultivate mindfulness, inner peace, and a heightened sense of awareness.

Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is a guided meditation technique that induces deep relaxation and conscious awareness. During a Yoga Nidra session, participants lie down in a comfortable position and are guided through a systematic relaxation of the body and mind. The practice typically involves a series of verbal instructions that encourage a state of deep relaxation while remaining mentally awake and alert. By accessing a state between wakefulness and sleep, Yoga Nidra promotes profound physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. It can help reduce stress, relieve anxiety, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being. The practice of Yoga Nidra allows individuals to explore and connect with their inner selves, promoting self-discovery and a sense of inner peace.

Restorative yoga has been increasingly recognized for its profound impact on enhancing overall health and well-being. By engaging in gentle and supported poses, restorative yoga promotes deep relaxation and stress reduction, which directly contribute to improved physical and mental health. Studies have shown that regular practice of restorative yoga can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, and improve immune function. It also aids in relieving chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting better sleep quality. Furthermore, this therapeutic practice has been linked to reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, increased emotional resilience, and improved self-awareness. Restorative yoga’s emphasis on conscious breathing and mindfulness cultivates a deep sense of calm and tranquility, allowing individuals to restore balance and vitality to their lives.

Music is a big part of are overall vision at MĀ Wellness and Yoga, and we have found many ways to make music a big part of our spiritual practice. Our owners are musicians themselves, and use it as a key aspect of their creative driving force. Check out our recommendations below for events and classes that will move you.

Check out our Restorative Yoga and Sound Classes all over our schedule. These classes are led by skilled sound healers and musicians that will bring the physical practice into another realm.

Kundalini yoga is a dynamic and spiritual form of yoga that combines physical postures, breathwork, chanting, meditation, and mantra repetition. It is often referred to as the “yoga of awareness” as it aims to awaken and raise the dormant spiritual energy known as Kundalini that resides at the base of the spine. Kundalini yoga classes typically involve a combination of physical movements, known as kriyas, along with specific breathwork techniques and mantra chanting. The practice of Kundalini yoga aims to balance the energy centers in the body, increase vitality, and expand consciousness. For music lovers, Kundalini yoga can be particularly beneficial as it incorporates chanting and mantra repetition, creating a rhythmic and melodic experience. The combination of movement, breath, and sound can deeply resonate with those who have a deep appreciation for music, providing a unique and profound way to connect with their practice. Kundalini yoga offers music lovers an opportunity to explore their spiritual journey through a harmonious and soulful practice.

Kirtan is a devotional practice in which participants come together to chant or sing sacred mantras and hymns. It is a form of call-and-response singing, where a leader sings a mantra or phrase, and the group responds in unison. Kirtan is deeply rooted in Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion, and aims to create a sacred space filled with love, devotion, and connection to the divine. Through the repetition of mantras and rhythmic melodies, kirtan transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, allowing participants to experience a sense of unity and spiritual bliss. The practice of kirtan is not about perfect vocal abilities but rather about expressing heartfelt devotion and surrendering to the power of the mantras. It can be a transformative experience, uplifting the spirit, calming the mind, and awakening a deep sense of joy and inner peace. Kirtan is not limited to any particular tradition or belief system and is open to people of all backgrounds, making it an inclusive and enriching practice for those seeking a spiritual and musical connection. MĀ Wellness and Yoga does monthly offerings at our wellness centre and yoga studios in Victoria, BC.