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Yoga for Beginners: Exploring Yoga Styles Weekly Drop-In Yoga Class

Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, and more! Learners explore a new style of yoga each week. Classes include an overview of the week's style and guided practice of signature yoga poses. Drop in just once or join weekly to learn them all!
Tara Swoboda, MA, RYT
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(47)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per week
Homework
Yogis are encouraged to practice the poses they learn between weekly drop-in classes. No formal homework is assigned.

Class Experience

Welcome, yogis! Have you ever wanted to try a new yoga style? Or maybe you’re wondering what Ashtanga even means? This weekly drop-in class is open to yogis of all levels and explores a different yoga style each week. We start every session with an overview of the style’s history, key terms, and signature poses. Then, we warm-up with breathing exercises before a guided practice of the style’s key poses. Modifications are offered for students to explore range of motion, balance, and personal preference in poses. Join once to explore your favorite style 

Fall 2023 Schedule: Mondays September 11 - October 30
*Styles requiring props, please see details
Sept 11, 2023: Hatha Yoga
Sept 18, 2023: Vinyasa Yoga
Sept 25, 2023: Iyengar Yoga
Oct 2, 2023: Ashtanga Yoga
NO CLASS WEEK OF OCTOBER 9, 2023
Oct 16, 2023: Yin Yoga* Suggested props this week: Towel or blanket that can be rolled or folded, 2-4 books that can be stacked at different levels, small pillow.
Oct 23, 2023: Chair Yoga* Suggested props this week: Chair, couch, or comfortable seated area.
Oct 30, 2023: Restorative Yoga* Suggested props this week: Towel or blanket that can be rolled or folded, 2-4 books that can be stacked at different levels, small pillow.

Winter 2023/2024 dates and times to be announced this fall -- Save this class to receive updates when new sections are scheduled!

Weekly Class Format (45 minutes)
- Intros and settling in; overview of the week’s style, history, and key poses
- Guided warm-up and practice of key poses
- Cool-down and reflections

Drop-in Approach
Due to the nature of this drop-in course, every session is beginner-level. Students do not need to attend any one particular week in order to be ready for another week’s style. I specialize in teaching beginners – Beginners are welcome and encouraged to enroll any week!

This drop-in class meets weekly and yogis are welcome to join and leave the series as they please. Students should expect to participate by engaging in discussion during the introduction, overview, and reflection portions of each session. This class does not typically use background music, instead keeping the practice sequence quiet of background noise while the instructor verbally guides yogis through poses and modifications. I will demonstrate every pose and modification for students and will repeat any pose requested to further guide students. Regular rest and reflection are built into each practice, giving students ample opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences with fellow yogis.

No Yoga Experience or Mat Required
New to yoga? Welcome! This course is designed to welcome yogis of all levels, whether you've never reached for the sky before or can easily wrap your arms around your ankles.
Don't have yoga props? That's okay! We'll learn to modify poses to fit each individual’s range of motion. You do not even need a yoga mat to begin a healthy practice. In fact, I'll often practice and demonstrate poses without a mat to show students that you can do yoga with no mat at all. And for styles that rely on props such as Yin and Restorative sessions, I’ll show students how to use common household items like pillows, rolled towels, or stacked books when necessary. Please see the schedule above and refer to suggested props for any styles marked with*.

Focus on Form, Not Sweat
This is not meant to be a workout class that concentrates on breaking a sweat. Rather, this is a safe space to learn and explore yoga styles and build a strong foundational practice. Our goals focus on personal understanding, acceptance, and calm movement.

English Instruction with Sanskrit Vocabulary
Class is taught entirely in English with occasional Sanskrit vocabulary introduced for common yoga poses. This way students will feel comfortable, confident, and prepared to take more yoga courses in the future.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the history, key terms, and signature poses of each week's yoga style.
Students will gain confidence, balance, and calm through yoga practice.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This drop-in yoga class requires physical activity. Yoga students should plan to participate in a location that provides open space free from sharp objects, loud noises, and visual or physical distractions such as televisions or pets. Students should have enough open space to stretch their bodies without hitting walls, objects, people, or pets around them. Any floor surface is fine; if practicing on a slick or potentially slippery floor, please wear athletic socks with grip, or go barefoot (our feet are great natural grippers!). Please wear comfortable clothing that is loose enough to move in, but fitted enough so that sleeves and necklines don't accidentally slip off of shoulders. Sweatpants and a t-shirt are great options! Students are welcome to have a water bottle nearby and water breaks will be available regularly throughout the practice. Please also consult with your child's physician regarding any previous injuries or medical concerns before enrolling in a yoga course. This yoga class is intended for beginners and will focus on gentle stretches. There will be no inversions (upside-down poses) or "challenge" poses, as our purpose is to gently introduce students to moving their bodies safely and comfortably. Students will not be asked to disclose any health issues or previous injuries publicly, but parents are welcome to reach out to notify the instructor of any health concerns or restrictions ahead of time and accommodations can be made.
Supply List
Yogis should come to class dressed in comfortable attire. Be prepared to move -- don't wear clothing that is too tight or restrictive. Also be prepared to stretch -- don't wear clothing that is so loose that it falls over your face or body when moving or bending.
Yoga mat and props are not required, but yogis are welcome to use a mat or towel if they choose. For modifications in poses, the instructor will provide suggestions for household items that can be used such as books, pillows, and scarves. If you don't have any workout equipment at all, that's perfectly fine!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2019
5.0
47reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor
Licensed to teach children's online yoga in the US and internationally
RYT200 (Yoga Teacher Certification)
RYT500 (Advanced Teacher Certification) in progress
Teaching highlight: Hike+Yoga instructor at Big Bear Yoga Festival

Bachelor of Arts - UC Berkeley
Master of Arts - Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
Home Education Diploma - Awarded with Distinction
Outschool ACE Educator

Hi there! I'm a former university literature instructor, a certified yoga teacher, and a mom of two young learners. I started teaching literature classes on Outschool in 2019, then began offering yoga classes when I completed my yoga teacher certification. I teach mostly yoga classes today, but be on the lookout for the occasional throw-back literature class! Whether you're a reader or a yogi, I'm excited to welcome you to my classroom.

I offer beginner-level yoga for kids ages seven years and up. My youth yoga classes are always beginner-level to encourage safety and confidence. Every class focuses on positivity and individual strengths, regardless of how long a student has practiced or what other activities they may do. We each have our own strengths, and every yogi expresses their strengths differently in their poses. I provide a watch-and-copy teaching method in which I demonstrate every pose, then walk students through how to copy what I'm doing themselves. Classes are kept intentionally small to allow for individualized attention and pose modifications. 

I've been practicing yoga for twenty years and enjoy yoga outdoors. My kids enjoy practicing yoga, too! By age four, my son was flipping through illustrated yoga textbooks and practicing every pose from cover to cover. My daughter wasn't very interested in yoga until she started taking karate lessons -- Suddenly, then, yoga was a helpful tool for her to perfect her forms and build strength and confidence. No matter where you are in your yoga journey, you're welcome to practice with me!

WELLNESS CERTIFICATIONS
Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor: 200-hour certification specializing in teaching beginner-level yoga. I'm also working towards my advanced 500-hour certification!
Iyengar Yoga Certification: Specialization in yoga style emphasizing proper alignment and celebrating small points of perfection.
Vegan Nutritionist Diploma: Certified nutritional consultant and meal planner specializing in athletic and family wellness.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$10

weekly
1x per week
45 min

Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-10 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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