kula flow is vinyasa (or flow) style yoga with an emphasis on creativity and alignment. classes are inventive and thoughtful sequences of sun salutations, standing & seated postures, back bending and inversions - guided by a steady breath to tone and calm the mind. most teachers also use bandha work to open and strengthen the inner body. (classes differ in tone and vigor depending on the teacher, so if you have special needs/interests please contact jen@kulayoga.com.) for students with a regular yoga practice.
Kula Basics
get in the kula flow! kula style yoga is a deep, challenging practice that will make you stronger and more flexible on the outside and softer (and more flexible) on the inside. you are never too tight, too tall or too weak to begin. (there’s nothing we can do if you’re too much of a procrastinator to get here.) open to beginners as well as those wanting a slower paced vinyasa class or those who wish to reconnect with the fundamentals of alignment and flow style yoga. though we like to emphasize that these are not so much yoga basics classes (there are plenty of those around the city), as basic kula style classes. if you are brand new to yoga, you may want to start with the 4 week brand new beginners series.
Honey Flow
the most delicious (and stealthily challenging) of kula classes. a one hour serving of sticky, sweaty kula flow, lathered with 20 minutes of yin yoga (deep, intense stretching) and a 15 minute restorative asana topping. yum. we know that no one needs a little deep chillout more than nyc yogis, but most of us are too type a to take a true restorative class. so – this is the kula solution. as one student put it, ‘you kick our ass for an hour and then kiss it for another 30 minutes.” (sanskrit translation please?) this is an intermediate level class.
The Kula Hour
we used to think that an hour was way too short for a yoga class, and then we discovered the kula hour: a 65 minute straight up shot of all the good stuff. (of course a kula hour lasts just a little longer than a nyc hour.) we start at the front of our mats in this strong all level class, and for 60 minutes we do not pause to contemplate our navel rings. 5 minutes of blissful rest follow. this class is perfect if you need an early asana espresso, a mid-day snack, an appetizer for a tasty evening ahead or a short yogic nightcap.
Release The Beast
hosting gremlins in your rotator cuffs? an ogre riding around on your upper traps? rodents gnawing your si joint? kulis - it's time to release the beasts! the first 30 minutes of this new class will be a slow flow groove. for the second half hour you will get a bag of self-bodywork tools and instruction on how to roll, prod, compress and release your personal stable of beasties from head to toes. deep tissue massage assists in releasing pain, opening locked muscles, and facilitating proper posture and quality sleep. when you win the lottery, you can hire a private masseuse; in the meantime, a 65 minute group exorcism at kula will do just fine.
Intro Series
this 5 class ongoing series is a sweet, sweaty and serious introduction to the particular style of vinyasa practiced at kula. (it's also the perfect way to get that friend who has been 'meaning to try yoga' to finally put their mat where their mouth is.) in every class, we break down sun salutations a & b, which are the foundation of the vinyasa practice. and then week by week we cover all postural groups. (week 1 - standing postures. week 2 - back bending & twists. week 3 - arm balancing & hip opening. week 4 - inversions & forward bending.) for months that have a fifth week, ujjayi breath and bandhas will be covered. students have the option of using their 5th class for one of these special classes or repeating any section they wish to review. series may be started at any time and taken over 3 months, but it is ideal to begin with the first week of a month and to progress over 5 weeks.
Specialty Classes
Iyengar Program
(level 2 & level 2/3) with nikki costello kula flows into profound stillness...expect a rigorous, strong practice that will move you in all directions: laterally, vertically, forward, backward, twisted and inverted (yes, i mean upside down!). watch your strength and flexibility increase, your waistline decrease, and feel the breath move more freely as you deepen and refine your practice. as an added bonus, learn to enjoy the benefits of pranayama and restorative poses leading you to the deepest savasana of your life!
Teachers Practice
with nikki costello (tribeca) as a teacher, there is now a time and space reserved for you to explore and deepen your own practice on a weekly basis. nikki will lead you through an investigation into all the nuanced aspects of the practice; classes will include asana, pranayama and meditation, woven together with yoga philosophy. this class is a special opportunity for the new york community of teachers to come together in a setting that will educate, challenge and progress your studentship and enhance your skills as teachers. teachers from all yogic traditions are welcome, and you are encouraged to spread the word and invite anyone who is inspired to explore, experiment and grow magnificent things with this kula! (for teachers and teachers in training, or with nikki's permission.)
Pranayama/meditation
with nikki costello (williamsburg) the breathing practice: pranayama+meditation can be taken in conjunction with the 630pm or separately. this class is a simple and accessible pranayama practice for relaxation and inward reflection, layered with a meditation practice. a yoga practice is complete when the breath is steady and even, the senses turn inwards, and the mind becomes enchanted by the self within. (suggested $10 donation.)
Mediation
let's face it: new york city can be a grueling place for any yogi to survive, no matter your level of practice. the proven way out of the madness is to go in -- to observe your thoughts, feelings & sensations as they are, without reacting or commenting. meditating, a.k.a. sitting still with awareness, increases clarity, compassion, relaxation and creativity, not to mention making your already rockin' asana practice even sweeter. no experience necessary. classes will cover posture & breathing, and create a series of visualizations for you to draw upon to fit your own needs. so roll up your mat, pull out a cushion... and don't worry, you'll get your work-out in: you still have climb the famous green stairs. (suggested donation is $10.)
Kulanatal
big bellies and new mommies can flow too! deep vinyasa flow, restorative asanas and pranayama with special modifications for you and the bun in your oven. a vigorous, energizing and relaxing class. besides working up a nice kula style schvitz, you will find relief from the common discomforts of pregnancy, learn practical tools for labor and delivery, as well as exercises for healing and strengthening the pelvic floor and abdomen. open to women at all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, these classes bring both body and mind into balance during this time of great transition and change – as well as proved a special community space for soon-to-be and new mamas.
Kulakids (williamsburg)
kulakids is our version of mommy and me for older kids: mommy (and daddy) take a kula hour class in one room, while your kid gets their yoga on right next door. (or you drop you kid off for class and go home and take a nap.) afterwards everyone enjoys at least 10 minutes of peace together before the yoga high wears off! kids are natural yogis, and these classes help them to cultivate body-awareness and selfesteem. with the introduction of very basic mindfulness practices, kids begin to feel their breath in their bodies and focus their minds. in the classes for younger kids (mature 3-7yrs), mini kulis set a foundation of life-long strength and flexibility through yoga poses, imaginative stories and cooperative games. in the classes for older kids (mature 4 to 8yrs), kids move from yoga as play to yoga as a dedicated (playful) practice, and these older yogis can really start to fly - upside down and inside their minds! no yoga class is complete without a sparkly lotion savasana and stickers, and these super wise little yogis leave with a piece of calm as the enter back into the chaos of the new york city streets!
Yoga Soundscape (tribeca)
yoga soundscape: a sweetly sweaty yoga and music series led by aarona pichinson with special weekly guest musicians and djs every friday night at 6:30pm! each class will be filled with intention, aligning rhythmic sequences, stretched out breaths, sweaty drops, live topnotch musical nectars, and plenty of room to freestyle - creating a deeply active yoga class and sound healing meditation open to all levels. with the music and yoga combined you'll go deeper into your practice and move through each asana with a sense of grace and strength. bring a friend, bring your water, and indulge your senses. each class will be the cost of one class on your kula card unless otherwise specified, plus a minimum request of $5 towards the musicians and cds will be avaialable!