(WRJ) An Introduction to the Bandhas
Wednesdays, 5–6:15 pm
July 1–29

A five-week series with Jim Ryan

Read a full description for each week here

You may have heard the word bandha mentioned in class (perhaps many times) without ever quite knowing what to do with it. That changes this July.

The bandhas—energetic seals or locks—are among the most powerful and least understood tools in yoga. Often treated as advanced or esoteric, they are in fact deeply practical. Once you can feel them, they change everything about how you experience your practice. This series meets you where you are. No prior experience required, only curiosity.

We begin at the outermost edges of the body, the hands and feet, and work our way inward and upward, week by week, until we arrive at the full integration of all our bandhas in a single practice. Each week builds on the last. Attending the full series is encouraged, though each class is also designed to stand meaningfully on its own.

July 1: he Foundation: Pada & Hasta Bandha
The Foot Seal & The Hand Seal

We begin where the body meets the earth. These are the most tangible of the bandhas. You can see them, feel them, and find them quickly. We’ll share some inspired floor work followed by a grounded standing sequence designed to help you locate these seals and understand why they matter.

July 8: The Root: Mula Bandha
The Root Lock

Located at the pelvic floor, Mula Bandha is the energetic root of the entire bandha system. This week we slow the practice down to help you locate and sustain this subtle engagement through longer holds and deliberate cueing.

July 15: The Rise: Uddiyana Bandha
The Upward Flying Lock

Having established a root, we now learn to fly. Found in the deep drawing inward and upward of the lower abdomen, Uddiyana Bandha is the bandha most associated with lightness, lift, and buoyancy in the body.

July 22: The Crown: Jalandhara Bandha
he Throat Lock

The uppermost of the four bandhas has a profound calming effect on the nervous system. Less commonly explored in an asana context, this is the week the practice begins to feel like meditation in motion.

July 29: The Whole: Maha Bandha
The Great Lock

Everything has been leading here. The simultaneous engagement of all four bandhas. This final week is both a celebration and an integration. You will leave with a felt understanding that no book or lecture could provide.

All are welcome. Sign up for one, or all 5

(WRJ) Saturday Evening Sound Bath
July 25, 6:30–8 pm

Shambu

A sound bath is an immersive and healing sensory experience for the body, mind and soul. An array of Instruments that are tuned to specific healing frequencies are played while the group is lying down in a deeply relaxed, meditative state. Scientific research continues to reveal the power of these frequencies’ effects on the body and mind, which shift them into profound harmony. We begin the session by setting an intention for the journey, whether you need to manifest, release, shift or heal. Our intentions are followed by brief pranayama (breath work) and a short guided meditation before being serenaded in a high vibrational soundscape including singing bowls, chimes, gong, drum and more! Feel the effects of these potent healing vibrations for yourself and leave feeling a renewed sense of inner peace. 

All ages and abilities are welcome, wear comfortable clothes and arrive with an open heart and mind!
Register to save a spot; use your existing pass or purchase a pass here .

(WRJ) SomaFlow
Sundays in August, 11 am—Noon

Leslie

This class combines SATYA with moderate flow. For those new to this slow, soft form of somatic practice known as SATYA—Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement—it supports the pulse of life.

In practicing these movements, we move out of the ego and beyond conscious control, connecting to the deep interior of the psyche. Gliding, undulating, and pulsating, we move with little effort, sensing how movement emerges from within.

As we penetrate layer by layer into our interior, we experience not only physical, but psychic absorption, or Samapatti. This “soaking inward” is profoundly healing for both body and mind..

SATYA movements are a perfect complement to asana training, offering non-weight-bearing, restorative movement. Our subsequent flow practice will mirror some of the opening movements, but in a weight bearing, more active capacity to create an organic and progressive journey that will leave you feeling whole and grounded for the week ahead.

Everyone is welcome! Sign up for one or all 5.