Which Class?
When practicing in a new center, always start with a beginner level class to learn the style of yoga practiced and to prevent injuries. In our center you can also take Yoga Therapy classes.

Yoga Foundation Classes

These classes that teach the basis of physical practice are ideal for people who would like to improve yoga in time. Some students keep attending these classes, some of them begin to try other classes after attending these classes for 3 months 3 times a week. Always move listening to your own body, after you feel comfortable in basic postures try other classes. The context of the class varies from teacher to teacher, so join the classes where you feel comfortable, try new classes or teachers from time to time.

Yoga Therapy

This is a class that welcomes all age groups. Yoga experience is not needed. If you’d like to start yoga but feel you’ll have difficulty in classes, if you’d like to stay more with the breath and move smoothly, this class is ideal for you. During simple flows with breath, going in and coming out of the pose, even staying in the pose for a couple of breaths, tense muscles will loosen and weak muscles will get stronger, circulation to those areas will increase, your pain will become less. In addition to this, your body will regain the flexibility and ability to move, skeletal system will align and neuromuscular system will learn more functional movement patterns realizing the existing ones. All of these are related with increasing the quality of life.

These classes are taught by Banu Çadırcı who has been studying with Gary Kraftsow aiming body therapy. Herniated disk, sciatic, scoliosis, clenched teeth… you will find something for yourself in these classes. Even if you don’ta have a specific problem, it is helpful for strengthening the upper and lower spine. If you have a specific problem please talk to Banu, she’ll try to help you.

Power

These classes in which the foundation formed in Beginner classes is practiced with more power, balance and flexibility are both meditative and make you sweat. Classical postures flow with various sequences. Alignment is important, the whole body works. Power stands not just for muscular power but also means resistance, deepening and confrontation. Please make sure you have taken minimum 6 months of yoga classes before joining Power classes.

Hot Core

It has a flow based on yoga posture series focusing on and strengthening core muscles. You should join if you have regular practice of yoga or been practicing yoga since a long time. In this class, the room temperature will be increased up to 35 degrees, so that the body will quickly warm up and be prepared to stretching, expanding. Get ready to sweat! Please do inform us if you have any health problems. For a more comfortable practice you are advised to quit eating at least 2-3 hours before class and drink lots of water during the day.

Flow

This yoga style that combines classical yoga postures with creative flows, is one of the most popular Hatha Yoga forms today. Graceful and continuous flows invite the mind to the moment, open the joints without forcing and work the whole body. Before taking Flow classes, please make sure that you have been taking Yoga classes for 3 months 3 times a week.

Light Flow

In this “light flow” yoga class we practice a gentle sequence of hatha yoga postures that physically express the theme or the intention of the teacher. The word “light” in the description does not mean that the postures will always be easy, nor the class will be a beginner class.

Naz Sarman will explore in her themes the teachings of Body Mind Centering and her experiences from her ongoing anatomy studies with Amy Matthews. In order for her students to keep their focus on the theme or the body part explored during asanas and throughout the transitions, she intends to keep the pace in her class little bit slower than the pace of a normal flow class.

Yin Yoga

In Yin Yoga, muscles stay passive for a long time and it is working on joints and connective tissue. It is both meditative and increases flexibility. Ideal for people who has hard muscles due to too much sports. Energy channels pass through connective tissue. In Yin poses where we stay passive for 5-10 minutes, there is a deep energetic interaction. Berivan Aslan, Devrim Akkaya and Özge Işın who are teaching Yin classes have had their teacher trainings with Paul Grilley – the creator of Yin Yoga method.

Tao Vinyasa

The Tao Vinyasa style is a form of Yang Yoga developed by Paul and Suzee Grilley. The focus is on the person’s own consciousness of his body, anatomical differences and feelings. Three basic flows are thought (Golden Seed, Warrior, and Flying Dragon). In the beginning of the practice, the body is prepared for these flows. After the warm-up, these flows containing yoga asana-like poses are repeated in rhythm and fluidity; enhancing power and balance. The Yang energy of the flow in balanced with Yin poses. This style is influenced by Martial Arts and contemporary dance techniques. Each level of yogis are welcome.

Meditation

The class usually starts with a little explanation about meditation and the day’s technique on focus. After the theory part, the practice begins. This is a two stage practice, first one being shorter (10-15 min) and the last a little bit longer (20-25 min). After the first part, the students are free to share their experience and ask questions. The class ends with the longer meditation practice. Every level of students can attain this class. No prior yoga or meditation practice is necessary.

Yoga Philosophy and History

This class focuses on yoga philosophy, yoga history (origins etc.) and helpful anatomical hints. External sources that helps understanding yoga can also be used. Each class has a different theme. Various sources about the theme are explored and discussed. Even though regular attendance is not obligatory, consecutive classes may have continuity and integrity.

Shadow Yoga

Shadow Yoga series give the student the breath and body flexibility much needed for asanas, while releasing joint, bone and tendon tensions. During the classes consisting of the repetition of simple and easy movements, the student, freed from the emotional distress of excessive muscular effort, meets the hidden body intelligence. While the empowering standing postures strengthen the core, the differential spiral movements clear the mind and energize the body. Shadow Yoga is usually practiced early in the morning as a private lesson. For more information you may attend Defne Surman’s class in our Istinye studio, which is open to members. Morning lessons are not included in the membership.

Ashtanga Yoga Mysore Style

Classes are in Mysore style, the traditional way Ashtanga yoga is introduced and taught in Mysore, India by Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswami. Students work individually at their level and pace. The teacher gives one to one assistance, adjustment and instruction within this group environment and students are introduced to new postures when they are ready. This style of teaching is open to all levels of students.

Mat Pilates

Pilates classes are ideal for those who want to get more strength, to obtain a better posture, get flexible, and get those abs and hips into shape! Developed by the world famous fitness Guru Joseph Pilates, the Pilates technique, adopts the body, breath and mind integrity, and the movement flows with the breath. The breathing technique is just like a tight rope binding the movements to each other. The important thing is not the excessive repetition but the repetition that is just enough to be present in the moment and feeling the body. Pilates breathing technique heals the body, the spine in particular. Regular practice pays out soon; the body gets into shape, muscles are toned elegantly, the hips and abs are tightened, the posture is straightened, balance and the ability to focus are enhanced.

Pregnancy Yoga

Regular yoga practice during the pregnancy keeps the physical condition, minimizes posture deformations, strengthens cardio-vascular systems. The relaxation of vaginal muscles results an easier birth. The abs and the spine are toned. During the birth, the mother uses the breath to get calm, and therefore a much healthier birth takes place both for the mother and the baby.

Mother and Baby Yoga

(from 3 months to crawling)
Mother and Baby Yoga offers fluid postures, movements, touching, sound and deep relaxation; encourages an alive, carefree, happy mother-baby relationship as the baby grows. The movement combined with the touch, is probably the richer experience that we can offer to babies. This stimulation is realized in a pace that the baby can comprehend, with mutual participation of the mother and the child. Yoga postures inviting a deep relaxation on adults, work wonders on babies too, relaxing them and supporting a deep sleep.