What is yoga?
The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yug” which mean to “yoke or to join together.” Yoga is believed to have been practiced for over 6000 years ago in the Indus River Valley in ancient India.  Many different styles of yoga have evolved from the original practices in India. Hatha yoga is the style you will be learning and it stands for the action of yoga.  It is translated to “sun and moon” which refers to the joining of the sun and moon. The sun is the right side of the body and the moon is the left side of the body harmonizing the opposites or polarities through the use of the body and breath.  “Asana” is the Sanskrit word for sitting down or rest in the seat of oneself.  Asanas were  given the names of animals. Yogis observed animals and attempted to imitate the animals’ behaviour or posture of the creature in hope to return to primal states of evolution. It is thought that the postures are archetypes that are encoded in the neuromuscular systems in the human body that have significant effects on the body.   It is the postures that make our practice of yoga today allowing us to have a deeper awareness of our multidimensional being.

What are the benefits of yoga?
  • improve flexibility
  • improve strength
  • improve balance
  • reduce stress and anxiety
  • reduce symptoms of lower back pain
  • be beneficial for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • increase energy and decrease fatigue
  • shorten labor and improve birth outcomes
  • improve physical health and quality of life measures in the elderly
  • improve diabetes management
  • reduce sleep disturbances
  • reduce hypertension


What style does Allison teach?
Interdisciplinary Yoga® is a non-authoritarian approach, a unique form of yoga that draws from diverse styles of yoga currently being practiced in the West. Interdisciplinary Yoga uses and respects the ancient traditions of yoga, but is not limited to the past. While honoring the history of yoga, this style of yoga takes an evolutionary approach that helps you access inspiration for evolving into ways of practicing that fuel your personal evolution simultaneously participating with yoga's continual evolution. Interdisciplinary Yoga can provide tools for practicing yoga without abandoning contact with your inner guidance or neglecting the wisdom flowing from your organism.

Self Awakening Yoga
Not all students coming to a yoga class can begin with traditional yoga postures. Self-Awakening Yoga is a self-educational and self-therapeutic yoga modality that is based on the use of moderate effort, rather than going to one's maximum edge. Cultivating one's capacity for relaxed awareness allows for a deep release into the natural flexibility, mobility and balance in your body --without producing strain or fatigue. Going slowly enough to allow the body to learn through experience. The principles of Self-Awakening Yoga arise from neuro-muscular developmental stages that are encoded in the body's memory from birth. When the force of gravity isn't evenly distributed throughout the body, one feels burdened, emotionally drained, and out of control. Conscious re-patterning the way the body responds to gravity dramatically influences overall health and well-being in all dimensions of the self.

Gentle Yoga Flow Class. in this class students move in and out of poses slowly, with a strong focus on safe alignment and breath. This class will help develop strength, balance, mindfulness and flexibility over time. There will be extra attention to detail with a occasional hands-on assistance helping you to find a little more ease and comfort in your practice. Allison also works as an occupational therapist and has a good understanding of how to adapt poses for that need help or have injuries.
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Yoga Tips
  • Wear light-weight clothing, loose and comfortable clothes so you can move and stretch easily.
  • No shoes or socks needed.
  • Mats, blocks, bolsters and blankets will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own mat.
  • An empty stomach is recommended for a comfortable yoga class experience.
  • Please turn off all electronic devices.
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to class to allow for orientation and registration.
  • Please let me know about your injuries and limitations. Yoga should NOT be painful. Listen to your body. Only you know what is best. When stretching or working a muscles there may be discomforts which may arise. You may find that you are sore the next day. You are finding muscles you didn’t know you have. This is temporary and will get easier with practice.
  • I offer "hands-on" adjustments to help you find the correct alignment and freedom in your postures. If you are uncomfortable with this, please let  me know before class.
  • Drink plenty of water after class.
  • Most importantly yoga is about having fun, going at your own pace and discovering yourself.