What is Yoga?

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and emotional practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and is one of the six schools of Hindu Philosophical Traditions. There are also varieties of Yoga schools in Buddhism and Jainism. The written practices of Yoga are thought to date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions around 3000 BCE with the oral traditions of Yoga originating long before that time. Yoga teachers from India later introduced yoga to the United States following the success of Swami Vivekananda in the late 19th and early 20th century with his ability to translate the Yoga Philosophies to a different cultural and philosophical tradition. The practice of Yoga is more than Asana (physical postures) and is a philosophically based lifestyle. While many come to the practice of Yoga for Asana and the benefits of the physical postures, there is so much more to the practice which include but is not limited to the Eight Limbs of Yoga: Yama (ethical conduct), Niyama (personal practice), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (steadying of the mind), Dhyana (meditation) ,and Samadhi (bliss which defies description-complete integration of mind, body, and spirit). Honoring the intention, depth, and lineage of Yoga helps foster true health for the body, mind, and spirit.

We chant OM (AUM) before and after class to honor the sacred space and all those who are in it and to clear the space and prepare it for Asana, Mediation, and Self-inquiry practice. Om is a single syllable mantra from the Sanskrit language. The sound OM is a vibration from which all the manifest universe emanates. OM is the most elemental of vibrations and it attunes us with our true nature. It is the sound of the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe, who is also the inner guru and teacher.

We say Namaste at the end of class to bow to and honor everyone who is in the space, who has been in the space, and who will one day be in the space. Namaste is derived from the Sanskrit language and is a formal phrase of honor and greeting used in South and Southeast Asia or where communities from South and Southeast Asians live.

We have a statue of the Buddha in class to remind us that the ultimate goal of Asana is to prepare our mind, body, and emotions to sit silently to better perform Pranyama (breathing techniques), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (steadying of the mind), Dhyana (meditation), and to ultimately achieve Samadhi (bliss which defies description-complete integration of mind, body, and spirit). Asana is only one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga and a powerful tool we can use to prepare our physical bodies for higher intentions. The Buddha was given as a gift to Cheryl (the founder and owner ) by her daughters’s Lauren and Lucia (current studio Director) when the studio opened in 2009.

Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic combination of strength, mindfulness, and spirituality. 

The Journey Into Power Sequence is an accessible yet challenging and flowing form of Asana that will lead you to a state of personal transformation. The intention of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga is to heal as it detoxifies body, mind, and soul. The Journey Into Power Sequence will sculpt, tone, and hone the muscles of your body as you are encouraged to continually get in touch with your true spirit.

All classes - power to restorative - are based on the Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Journey Into Power sequence created by Baron Baptiste. This invigorating vinyasa sequence works for all ages, body types, and physical abilities because it is not fixed and is adaptable to every student. Within the consistency of this proven structure, there are many variations and possibilities that serve the needs of all experience levels. Get ready to take your practice seriously but yourself lightly, as you explore your edge, discover your strength, and awaken your spirit!  Read more about Baron Baptiste, his purpose, and the purpose of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga here. 

WHo is Baron Baptiste?

For more than 25 years, Baron Baptiste has devoted his life to sharing transformational yoga practices and programs through workshops, books, and trainings.

The son of wellness pioneers, Walt and Magana Baptiste, Baron’s development as leader in the yoga community and teacher started as a child. His parents, the founders and owners of the first wellness, yoga and health center in San Francisco in the early 1950’s, were primary influences in causing yoga’s acceptance in the United States. They believed yoga should be accessible to everyone. This would become Baron’s lifelong mission.

At an early age, Baron was surrounded by and studied under such teachers as BKS Iyengar and Indra Devi. Over the years Baron studied Raja, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Hot Yoga, and Power Yoga and then melded these styles together to design a vigorous and challenging heat-based vinyasa flow.

Baron is committed to sharing Baptiste Yoga in ways that make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people. His approach to yoga has been a catalyst for the acceptance of yoga as a popular practice in the United States and his perspective on the practices of yoga is now being used all over the world.