Ahimsa offers a variety of different classes - mostly yoga but with a handful of other little treasures added into the mix. Below are descriptions of many of our different offerings. Check the class schedule for up-to-date information on when they meet.

Please join us to connect our hearts through breath, movement, relaxation, and meditation.  This class is designed to meet the needs of the Golden Yogis (55+ yrs) in our community.  Our approach is gentle, nurturing and fun!

Vinyasa Yoga is a fun, heart opening and energizing flow of postures that integrates the breath with the body. Considerable attention is given to alignment instruction within the flow of postures.

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes careful attention to alignment of each posture as a means to seeking an awareness of the inner intelligence of the body.  Iyengar yoga focuses great attention on individual poses using demonstrations, anatomical inquiry and props.

Beginning: for students who are new to yoga or coming back to it. Physical alignment, breath and body awareness and self-acceptance are emphasized.

Basic:  ongoing development of a solid foundation of basic postures and alignment

Intermediate:  continuing with basic postures plus adding more complex postures including deepening practice of inversions, backbends and arm balances. There is more linking of the poses (vinyasa) in this class.

A creative, spontaneous mix of deep forward and backward bending, cleansing twists, exhilarating inversions, and playing with balance. Combined with ujjayi breath, energy locks (bandhas) and focused gaze (drishti), to create meditation in motion. The ultimate practice.

Thursdays 10:00 -11:30 am. This class is for people of all levels (beginners are welcome) who are interested in learning how to link basic poses together in tune with the breath. We will practice breathing techniques as well as the proper alignment of poses and spend time learning to flow through the poses as a form of moving meditation. In so doing, we will warm up the body and achieve deep relaxation.

Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 pm. This class is a blend of iyengar and vinyasa yoga. Iyengar yoga emphasizes great attention to detail in the alignment of the poses while vinyasa yoga seeks to link the movement of the poses through the breath. Thus, we will focus on breath, alignment and flow with the intention of having stronger and more flexible bodies, centered minds, open hearts and relaxed spirits. Basic knowledge of yoga poses is helpful for this class and we will move into more advanced postures based on the experience of class participants.

M / W / F : 1-2 PM. A deep, fluid Ashtanga based practice designed to promote mobility, stress relief and healing in the body. Cultivate a sense of balance and relief as you develop personal awareness through meditative breath work and (re)engagement with your physical body. Reenergize and tone as you strengthen from the inside out. Perfect for ANY body and EVERYBODY.

W : 7:15-8:30 PM. An energetic flowing series of Ashtanga based postures done in accompaniment with meditative breath work and dynamic music. We will 'rock out' in a rhythmic series of postures building heat and intensity, as we work to purify the body and release tension, stress and any baggage that is no longer serving you. Using breath and your body you soon transform as you break free from you day. You will leave lighter both mentally and physically after this powerful Vinyasa practice. All are welcome!

Kundalini Yoga is a dynamic form of yoga that combines yoga postures, movement, breath and meditation techniques that provide relaxation and restores strength and flexibility to the body and the mind.  It works to clear the body and the subconscious of energetic blocks, allowing your natural energy to flow, and consequently uplifting the spirit.  No flexibility required!!   All levels are welcome!! 

Swami Sivananda had a vision to promote the awareness of the different forms of yoga to others. It was with this vision that he founded the Sivananda Ashram in Rishekish, India in 1932 and an education institute called the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in 1948. His teachings combined all yogas into one. This became known as the Yoga of Synthesis which is summed up with his motto, “Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise.” The first hatha professor at the Academy was Sivananda’s disciple, Swami Vishnu –Devananda who was directed by Sivananda to bring the teachings to the West. Swami Vishnu-Devananda studied the lifestyle of the Westerners and established the Sivananda Ashram in Val Morin, Quebec in 1962 along with the Teacher’s Training Course in 1969. He consolidated Sivananda’s teachings into five principles of yoga so that the Westerners could weave the science of yoga into their own lives. These principles are proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation. Mary Kay’s class encompasses the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu- Devananda. Her class fosters a positive and relaxing environment where one can obtain peace physically, mentally, and spiritually. It incorporates the five principles of yoga and will show you how yoga is a practical way of life. Experience is the best teacher, so come experience Mary Kay’s class and see the benefits of yoga for yourself!

Join in the fun of traditional Irish Step Dance and Ceili Dance! Classes are offered for children and for adults. In the children's classes we will work on basic step dances such as jigs and reels, there is no prior dance experience required, and classes are non-competitive and engaging. In the adult ceili class we will dance the ancient circle dances of the Celtic Isles, a great way to share a winter evening! Kay has been a Celtic dancer for 26 years, and loves to share her skills of this traditional and lively dance form. For more info see www.celticheelsdance.com ; celticheels@gmail.com ; Call Kay at 413-230-7998.
Pre-registration required, call or email Kay

The Jivamukti method of Yoga is one of the nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha Yoga. The name Jivamukti means Liberation while living. Jivamukti is taken from the Sanskrit term, Jivanmukti, which is used to describe the state of enlightenment. David Life and Sharon Gannon named this yoga method Jivamukti because they wanted the student to be reminded of the ultimate aim of the practice—to live in enlightenment (Samadhi). Whether you're a beginner or an advanced yogi, an Open Jivamukti class encompasses all levels. A typical Open class consists of a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating flowing vinyasa sequence partnered with hands-on adjustments, pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, Sanskrit chanting, yoga philosophy, and deep relaxation. To keep the practice unanticipated, asana sequences are ever-changing. We do sitting, standing, and inverted postures and suggested variations for everything in-between. Exuberant, eclectic music plays an integral role in Jivamukti yoga; in a typical Open class you might practice to a shifting soundtrack of uplifting and inspirational music from Krishna Das to Michael Franti to the Beatles. In the words of Sharon Gannon, "The Jivamukti method could be described as that way of teaching and practicing Yoga where the student is constantly reminded that their true Self is none other than happiness, Love itself."

Ithaca Kapala Mandala is a satellite sangha of Tara Mandala, a retreat center founded by Lama Tsultrim Allione.

We welcome you to join us. We alternate between Feeding Your Demons and the Chod practice each Sunday from 5 to 6 pm. To reserve your space, see contact emails below.

Feeding Your Demons is a 5-step process developed by Lama Tsultrim Allione for dealing with negative emotions, fears, illness, and self-defeating patterns. We pair up at our FYD sessions, one assisting the other for half an hour, and find that by nurturing these demons, we can free ourselves from struggling with them.

The progenitor of Chod was the 11th century Tibetan teacher Machig Lapdron. Informed by the PrajnaParamita (perfection of wisdom) scriptures, Machig developed the Chod as a means to cut through fear, fixation, and self-clinging. The practice is chanted in Tibetan and performed with drum and bell.

Prerequisites:

Doing the Chod requires transmission from a qualified teacher, but attendance at the practice is open to all.

Feeding Your Demons is open to those who have read the book of that title by Tsultrim Allione; or have attended one of her talks, workshops, or teachings; or have had a short orientation with one of the sangha steering committee: Lenore lenorie@lightlink.com OR Mara malper@ithaca.edu OR Mary mg24@cornell.edu

Additional information can be found at the website for Lama Tsultrim’s retreat center: http://www.taramandala.org

Benefits accrue at all three levels of body, mind, and spirit simultaneously and often at a level beyond conscious awareness.  While no specific medical claims are made, nearly all known dis-ease has been seen to respond favorably to conscious breathing; ranging from cancer to digestive dis-orders, migraines, heart and circulation problems, addictions, high blood pressure, immune system dysfunction, depression, chronic fatigue... the list is endless.  Transformational breathing also complements and integrates all other healing systems.  The simple truth is that complete oxygenation of our cellular system is essential for good health!

Ahimsa Yoga Center presents Dance Church!  Please join us in this celebration of life.  Dance Church began in California and has spread around the world.  Traditionally, people gather to dance for a couple of hours every Sunday.  We provide music, space, and loving vibes.  This is a social event and it is free.  There is no discrimination; all races and religions are welcome.  The intention is for people of the community to join together in a clean and healthy environment to express our  celebration of life with dance.  The dance is free-form and the music is varied.  You are welcome to stop in for a little while, or stay for the whole dance!

Sundays, 1:00-3:00p

Contact improvisation is a dance technique in which points of physical contact provide the starting point for exploration through movement improvisation. Contact Improvisation is a form of dance improvisation and is one of the best-known and most characteristic forms of postmodern dance init.