Classes | CV Yoga

Classes

Castro Valley Yoga offers classes in several styles of yoga and taught by our experienced instructors. We also offer one free weekly meditation class on Sundays. We recommend trying a variety of classes to explore your practice and deepen your experience with yoga.

All classes typically include the following components: a period of centering, warm-up, active poses, cool down, and a period of deep relaxation. Classes may also incorporate mantra, mudra, and pranayama (breathing practices). Here's a list of our classes with descriptions:

Hatha yoga is a perfect option if you enjoy dynamic movement (breath and movement) combined with more detailed instruction in the poses. In these classes, you can expect instruction in a variety of standing, seated and reclining postures. All yoga classes technically fall under this category of Hatha; however, certain styles of yoga tend to emphasize certain aspects of the practice more than others. So Hatha is a perfect place to begin (and stay!) because it is truly appropriate for all-levels.

Alignment-based

Alignment-Based yoga is a wonderful way to focus the mind and strengthen the body. It is known for the use of props (straps, blocks, blankets, bolsters, etc.) with an emphasis on body awareness and structural alignment as a way to deepen the mind-body connection. This class is more interactive and poses are generally held for a longer period than in Hatha or Flow classes. Alignment-Based yoga is equally appropriate for beginning students, people recovering from injuries, as well as experienced practitioners.

Sunrise Yoga

Sunrise Yoga is a beautiful way to start the day! It is taught in a mix of Hatha and Alignment-Based styles. This class tends to be slower-paced to allow for more detailed instruction and to incorporate props (straps, blocks, blankets, bolsters, etc.). Sunrise Yoga offers the practitioner an introspective focus to foster a connection to the breath in both static and dynamic postures. Because of the variations offered in each pose, this class is appropriate for all levels.

Morning Flow is a great way to get moving in the morning. This class incorporates a flow with the breath and follows the structure of a vinyasa sequence with lots of options, making it appropriate for all levels of practice. This class also moves through variations of Sun Salutations as a way to greet the day with a heart of gratitude and openness. Classes are heated to 76 degrees to help the muscles relax and facilitate energetic movement throughout the body.

Vinyasa means to move the body in a way that brings consciousness to the movement. In a Vinyasa Flow class, the breath is central to the practice of yoga, since the breath guides each movement of the body. By bringing consciousness to these movements, the flow of a Vinyasa class connects the mind, the body, and the soul. Room is sometimes warmer than other classes, so you should expect to sweat.

It's very important to listen to your body in any yoga class, but particularly so in a vinyasa flow class, which tends to push the body in a faster-paced environment. As always, honor your limitations. Because this is a fast-moving class that tends to weave in some more challenging poses, we recommend that absolute beginners start with the morning flow classes, and then add in a vinyasa class when ready.

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga offers practitioners a chance to slow down and be present with the breath and the body. Thus, it is a perfect complement to the more active classes on the schedule. Yin Yoga focuses on stretching the connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, and fascia) to create greater range of motion in the joints and spine. Yin poses are almost entirely passive and can be well supported with the use of props when appropriate. Because connective tissues require more time to lengthen than muscles do, most of the poses are held for several minutes to allow the pose to penetrate.

Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal yoga is for people who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant and want to prepare for motherhood. Prenatal yoga is also a great way to relax. You'll learn ways to connect your mind to your breath as well as doing movements that help you stay strong and flexible. Postpartum people are also welcome.

Chair Yoga is one of the gentlest forms of yoga available. It is practiced while sitting on a chair or standing using a chair for support. It offers a fulfilling yoga practice that is more easily accessible to those experiencing difficulty with balance, flexibility, or getting up and down from the floor. Chair yoga is an excellent way to loosen and stretch painful muscles, reduce stress, and improve circulation. It also helps reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, protect joints, increase mobility, and build strength and balance.

Community Meditation

Join us for our monthly community meditation. This is a free class taught by a variety of our instructors. They will lead a guided meditation and then offer some time for reflection.

A few important rules about participation for in-person classes:

Agreements to Participate In-Person at the Studio

Must be symptom-free to attend in-person classes
Must agree to wear mask, per Alameda County mandate
Must have temperature taken at check-in for in-person classes
Must go to the lobby or restroom to cough or sneeze; may return only after washing hands
Must confirm completion of Daily Student Health Screener upon arrival at the studio

Daily Student Health Screener

In the past 10 days, were you diagnosed with COVID-19, or did you have a test confirming that you had the virus?
Do you live in the same household with someone who has been in isolation or who had a positive test for COVID-19 within the last 14 days?
Within the past 10 days, have you had close contact with anyone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 or who had a test confirming they had the virus?
In the last 10 days, have you had any of these symptoms, new or different from what you normally have, or not explained for another reason: shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, fever or chills, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, cough, diarrhea, or headache?
Does anyone in the household currently have any of these symptoms? A fever is a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Registration for In-Person Class

Classes must be reserved and paid before class begins
No-shows will be charged $10-cancellation fee due to limited class sizes; must cancel within 2 hours of class start-time to avoid penalty fee
Late arrivals will not be admitted (studio door will lock promptly at start time)
Please email us with any questions or for assistance (we're here to help!)

Class Pricing

NEW STUDENT SPECIAL

One Month Unlimited Yoga $39 for new students

MONTHLY UNLIMITED SPECIAL

$85

Three months minimum with contract
10% off workshops
One hold period per year for up to two months
Cannot be shared

Purchase Class Pass

Passes are valid for one year

Special Discounts is a 10%-off rate for Active & Former Military, Students, and Seniors (age 60 or older).
Youth rates apply up to age 17.
Passes are non-refundable.
Workshop Cancellation Policy: Workshop payments are non-refundable, but can be converted into account credit if cancellation is received within 72 hours of the workshop.

Monthly Unlimited

Monthly Unlimited passes come in two forms:
- 12-month contract with automatic payments at $85/month
- single-month (no contract) for $100/month