Beginner Yoga: Level I (Drop In) -
Invigorate the body while quieting the mind.  This class is designed for students who are physically fit but new to yoga, or prefer a less-rigorous class. Attention focuses on conscious breathing, mental clarity and reduced stress while gaining strength and flexibility. The Intro to Yoga Series is recommended as a pre-requisite but not required.

Community Yoga: Level I (Drop In) -
This class is open to all and is "pay what you can"(cash or check only please) or use your class pass. It is designed to provide practice of solid fundamentals and the classic yoga asanas. You'll begin to gain a deeper awareness of your body and develop higher levels of focus, strength, flexibility and endurance. Modifications will be introduced so that beginners can work comfortably at their own level.

Discussions on Yoga (Drop in)

This class is a response to the requests we've had for an on-going study of the history, philosophy and metaphysics of yoga. Yoga is much more than postures and we'll discuss the many traditions, teachings, benefits and aspects of yoga. Whether you are brand new or have practiced for years, this class will help you to understand how yoga can take you deeper, unfolding the many mysteries of life. Each class will begin with a presentation of the day's topic and lead into a group discussion.
Donation only.

Intro to Yoga: Level I (Series)
(pre registration required)
This class is a perfect fit for the new yoga student wishing to "start at the beginning", learning the foundations of yoga practice. The class will teach correct breathing methods and physical alignment, focusing on the ways yoga can create vitality in the body and mind.  Other benefits include increasing strength in the arms, legs and torso, and improving balance and posture. You will learn a wide range of postures (asanas) so that you will be prepared to enter any other yoga class at Three Trees Yoga, or develop a home practice, with confidence. More information on our "getting started" page.

Gentle Yoga (Series)  
(pre registration required)
This is a six-week series that is well-suited to those who are looking for a relaxed, gentle paced workout. The class is not open to drop-ins. The poses are presented with many modifications, making the class appealing to anyone with moderate physical, medical or age-related challenges. Emphasis will be on improving balance; developing conscious breathing; cultivating strength and flexibility; and calming the mind. Ideal for seniors, individuals with MS, Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia or those transitioning from illness/injury/surgery or a sedentary lifestyle. (Private consultation with the instructor is available if you are not sure whether you are suited to this class).

Gentle Yoga (Drop in)
This class is an on-going practice that is well-suited to those who are looking for a relaxed, gentle paced workout. The poses are presented with many modifications, making the class appealing to anyone with moderate physical, medical or age-related challenges. Emphasis will be on improving balance; developing conscious breathing; cultivating strength and flexibility; and calming the mind. Ideal for seniors, individuals with MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia or those transitioning from illness/injury/surgery or a sedentary lifestyle. (Private consultation with the instructor is available if you are not sure whether you are suited to this class).

Yoga & Meditation: all levels (Drop In)

Meditation has been proven to reduce stress, promote emotional and physical healing, and lead to a better quality of life. Most of us don't really know how to meditate and therefore don't see many results in our practice or can't stick to a meditation practice. In this class we will begin each class with hatha yoga to move, stretch, and open the body, focus the breath and calm the mind. Then Karissa will teach students the age-old technique of Mantra Meditation which can be found in many of the classical yoga texts, in addition to Music Meditation, a contemporary practice. This class will help you to lay a strong foundation to your a meditation practice and prepare your body specifically for meditation.

Intermediate Yoga: Level II (Drop In)
This class is open to students who have studied yoga for at least six consecutive months. Participants will be challenged with a more rigorous practice and advanced postures. You’ll continue to develop an understanding and appreciation of Vinyasa flow, practicing more complex combinations of asanas. Must have experience with Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation. More challenging Inversion postures and arm balance postures will be introduced. (Intro to Yoga Series or Beginner Drop In are prerequisites or by permission of instructor)

See Mixed Level , Lunchtime Yoga, Rise and Shine and Vinyasa (listed below alphabetically) for additional classes taught in the Hatha tradition.

Kids Yoga (see upcoming events page for class times)

We will use games, stories, music, and group poses to make yoga fun and accessible to children.  The main focus of yoga for kids is to bring movement and awareness into our children's bodies...no ability to touch your toes or sit perfectly still required.

Benefits of Yoga for kids:
• Improves Motor Skills
• Improves Balance and Coordination
• Increases neuromuscular development
• Helps to strengthen the immune system
• Promotes healthier sleep
• Increases concentration, focus and attention span
• Stimulates auditory processing and responsiveness
• Balances energy
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Develops discipline and self-control
• Enables social interaction and self expression
• Encourages a fit and healthy life style
• Its fun!

Parents are invited to wait in our reception room and sip hot tea or water during class. We have found that if the parents remain in the room the kids tend to perform for their parents and the child misses out on having an internal experience. 

Parent & Me Yoga 

Designed for preschoolers  (ages 2 1/2 - 5) along with a parent, grandparent or caregiver.  We will use yoga as the tool to bring movement and awareness into the bodies of preschoolers.  We use animals, sounds, colors, shapes and numbers in our poses along with games, stories, and music to make yoga educational and enjoyable for our little ones.

Lunchtime Yoga: Level I - II ( drop in)
Enjoy a healthy alternative to lunch on the run. This hatha yoga class will strengthen, stretch, and relax you. You'll feel refreshed and return to work energized.

Meditation (Drop in)

Meditation is an invaluable tool for self inquiry and insight as well as a pathway for releasing obstacles to health and well-being. As always, we will play with different techniques to aid in your process of developing awareness and inner peace.  Give yourself this hour to cultivate a quiet place with in.  No experience necessary.

Meditation in Motion Yoga (Drop In)

Its not about how you do the pose, its about what the pose is doing to you.” Using these words of wisdom from TKV Desikachar as a basis, students will have the opportunity to explore their inner experience of yoga as a means to self-discovery and personal growth. Although some attention will be paid to alignment, the primary attention will be to the student's experience of the pose from the inside out; opening and exploring the mind through the body. A combination of meditation, breath practices, and slow flowing movements will be used as a vehicle to self-exploration. Some yoga and buddhist philosophy will be interwoven.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: an 8 Week Meditation Program
(series)

This class could change your life.

MBSR is a clinically proven and extensively studied 8 week meditation program based on the groundbreaking work of Jon Kabat-Zinn from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

. It has been shown to be helpful for:
-stress
- chronic pain
- anxiety
- depression
- high blood pressure
- GI issues
- sleep disorders
- cancer
- weight management
- every day life challenges and more

To be mindful is to develop skills in attention and moment-to-moment awareness. You learn to transform stressful situations by going through them in a skillful way, in order to get beyond them. This is accomplished by using awareness of one's breath and body to achieve skills of relaxed observing and clarity. This course consists of guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices, gentle yoga, group dialogue and mindful communication exercises to increase awareness in every day life, individually tailored instruction, daily home practice, guided meditation CDs and hand outs on home practice. Your committment to attend the weekly sessions and the one day retreat as well as practice daily on your own is critical.

"In this very moment, no matter what your condition or situation, you have within you all the resources you need for growing, healing and working with stress, plain, illness and the everyday challenges you are facing. A growing body of scientific evidence supports the reality of a profound mind-body connection and now recognizes that learning and practicing mindfulness can positively affect your sense of health and well-being physically, mentally and emotionally, while simultaneously offering you a means of discovering a deeper sense of ease and peace of mind." - Saki Santorelli, Executive Director of the Center for Mindfulness, Stress Reduction Program. University of Massachusetts Medical School

The MBSR program started in the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in 1979 and is now offered in over 200 medical centers, hospitals, and clinics around the world. Center for Mindfulness website for more information.

Mixed Level Yoga: Level I - II (Drop-In)
This class is designed for Beginners and Intermediates to work side by side practicing solid fundamentals and the classic yoga asanas. You'll begin to gain a deeper awareness of your body and develop higher levels of focus, strength, flexibility and endurance. You’ll be introduced to inversions and more complex postures, as well as hold postures for longer periods. You’ll continue to develop an understanding and appreciation of Vinyasa flow. Modifications will be introduced for complex poses so that beginners can work comfortably at their own level.

Phoenix Rising Yoga: all levels (Series)

Phoenix Rising Yoga is a unique series of movement and mindfulness classes based on yoga and mind/body psychology. They are derived from the work of Michael Lee, the founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. Through this therapeutic and process based experience, you have the opportunity to enhance your health and well-being, find stress relief, and promote your own personal growth.

Consider this: your body has been everywhere you have in every moment of your life. Since it has been with you through everything you have ever experienced, it can hold your stressful, challenging or painful experiences as tension, aches/pains, anxiety, depression or disease. What can your body teach you about your life and how you react to it?

In each class of this six-week series a new theme will be introduced and explored through movement and mindfulness tools that will allow you to engage in a process of self-discovery. The postures and meditation taught in the class are more about what you are experiencing than doing it the "right way". This is why no previous yoga experience is necessary for these tools to be of value. Phoenix Rising Yoga classes are appropriate for anyone who wants to explore Yoga practice as a life-enhancing tool. You will benefit not only from the physical aspects of the practice but will grow in your understanding of your relationship to yourself and those around you, allowing for positive life change and a healthier relationship with life’s stress.

Partner’s Yoga - all levels (workshop) 
This is a fun class that is designed to bring two people, either life partners or fitness buddies, together through yoga and touch. We explore new and creative ways to do traditional yoga postures, modifying them to fit the unique needs of each couple. Release tension, strengthen your body and your mind as you deepen your relationship in a light, playful atmosphere.  All participants are invited to go out to dinner afterwards to complete the evening of fun.

Prenatal Yoga (Series)  
Prenatal Yoga can help you have the best possible pregnancy and delivery and ensure a loving, nurturing environment for your baby right from the start.

* Encourages an awareness and appreciation for your body
as you undergo the many changes that pregnancy brings.

*Regular yoga practice helps to reduce swelling, back and
leg pain, and insomnia.

* Can increase focus, concentration and decrease stress and
anxiety.

* A place to honor and share your experience with other
moms-to-be.

Private Yoga Class ($60 per hour, by appointment)
Private classes are available by appointment. These sessions are ideal for anyone who is not suited to working in a group class because of illness/injury/or surgery. Recommended for individuals who are currently undergoing or have just completed cancer treatment. Private, restorative yoga sessions can help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with conventional treatment and offer a way to step out of the cycle of pain and depletion that often accompanies this illness. Private yoga sessions are recommended in support of anxiety issues, and digestive disorders as well as for those with MS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome who do not have the energy to attend group classes.  Students wanting to deepen their yoga practice, develop a home practice or work on individual alignment are also welcome

In collaboration with the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Deployment Health Clinic,
Three Trees would like to support veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD from a recent deployment by offering free yoga classes. Please call Suzy at 253- 861-5644 for more information.

Restorative Yoga (Drop in)

This class involves only the most delicious yoga poses. It includes very gentle stretching as well as relaxing postures that are held for several minutes. The body is invited to release and let go while the mind is encouraged to be quiet and awake.

You will experience a variety of poses that help to: * relieve anxiety and nervousness * treat and prevent head aches * soothe the nervous system *combat insomnia * relieve depression and foggy thinking * improve digestion * reduce symptoms of PMS * refresh and rejuvenate the entire body.  
Dim lights, soft music, bolsters, blankets and lavender-scented eye pillows will assist you in releasing tension from the body and the mind.  Float home and enjoy the rest of your week end in peace.  No previous yoga experience required. All props are provided although you are encouraged to bring your own if you have them. Preregistration strongly recommended. Class size limited.

Rise and Shine Yoga : Level I - II (Drop In)
Start your day off in the best possible way-with your practice. In this class we start with pranayama, move to core work, build heat with the sun salute and finish the practice off with some deeper poses.

Stress Management: Level I (Series)

Stressed? Trouble turning your brain off?
In this class we will explore various techniques to manage stressors as they arise. We will start with some breathing techniques to promote relaxation, we'll do some gentle movement and stretches, and finish with restorative yoga (completely passive poses designed to repair frazzled nervous systems). This class is open to all levels. No previoius yoga experience or flexibility is required.
More on the benefits of yoga for stress

Tai Chi - (series)  
Tai Chi - For those wanting to learn the traditional Yang style short or long form.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of slowly flowing movements and shifts of balance that strengthens the legs while conditioning the tendons and ligaments of the ankles, knees, and hips, increasing their range of motion and making them more resilient, less prone to injury. The constant weight shifts practiced in Tai Chi increase balance and body awareness, leading to greater ease of movement within the practice and in everyday life. Tai Chi is a physical practice that focuses the mind, while conditioning the body. Tai Chi is associated with the following benefits:
more efficient breathing, reduced blood pressure, slower declines in cardiovascular power, increased bone density, increased strength and range of motion of joints, greater leg strength, knee strength and flexibility, reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice, improved immune function, and heightened mood states.

Tai Chi 8 Form- (series)  
Tai Chi - a shorter, simplified form of Tai Chi specifically designed for seniors or those with health challenges.

Tai Chi/Qigong - drop in with a monthly Mid-day Tai Chi/Qigong Pass (pricing details here)
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:00 - 1:15PM and Fridays 12:15 - 1:30 PM

"Western science and medicine are now proving what Eastern science and medicine have known for thousands of years - there is an energy grid in your body.  Several of the ancient ways of accessing this grid (acupuncture, Tai Chi and Qigong) have recently been tested using western scientific methodology. These tests have not only proven their medical efficacy, but by inference, their underlying philosophy. Using Tai Chi and Qigong techniques taught in this class you will learn how to access this grid to greatly improve your health and well being.  Tai Chi and Qigong have enormous therapeutic effects including reduced stress, lowered blood pressure, aerobic benefits, stronger bones in post menopausal women, decreased pain in arthritis patients, and improved balance, coordination,blood and energy flow. No more cold hands or feet.  The Hunyuan Taiji system is the curriculum for this class. This system focuses on a strong foundation in Qigong and Chen Style Tai Chi" - Lawrence Loofbourrow

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:00 - 1:15PM and Fridays 12:15 - 1:30 PM
This is a unique class and unlike our other yoga and tai chi programs. The student purchases a One Month drop in Mid-day tai chi/qigong pass, after trying the first class for free. This pass enables the student to attend all of the Mid-day Tai Chi/Qigong classes (ave. 12 per month).  If you start after the first of the month, you will be prorated for the classes that you missed. (You can't do this yourself online so please pay by check or contact us at the studio for assistance.)

Therapeutic Yoga (series) Not currently scheduled.

This is your opportunity to have a yoga practice geared towards your individual medical or physical challenges.

Yoga is known to have beneficial effects on wellness and health and is a powerful tool for improving a wide variety of physical issues. These include musculoskeletal problems involving joint and muscle stiffness, aches and pains caused by trauma, arthritis, postural habits and aging.

Chronic metabolic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity respond well to yoga therapy as well as many neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and GI problems.  Dr. Dhru's caring,compassionate and nonjudgmental nature makes it comfortable to follow his expert guidance. You will be encouraged and supported to do these practices at home in order to realize the full effect of a regular yoga practice. 

Approval from your current medical provider to practice yoga as well as an indication your current medical problem/s, limitations required. You are asked to fill out a questionnaire and return it toDhaval Dhru, MD. He will review it and give you a call to discuss your individual needs so he provide the best yoga practices for you during class. 

Medical questionnaire (this information goes directly to Dr. Dhru only)

Vinyasa or Flow Yoga: Level I - II (Drop in) 
 
This class is a flow type yoga class where you move from one pose to another in a graceful way and in time with your breath. Energize your body and reduce stress with a vigorous vinyasa or flow yoga class. It will build strength and endurance. The class is suitable for Intermediate students or Beginners with at least six months of a dedicated yoga practice. It is important to have an understanding of the basic poses already in place.

Basic Flow: Level I (Drop in)

This class is a flow type yoga class that is suitable for beginners who have a basic understanding of the poses already in place and are interested in exploring how to use the breath to move between postures in a graceful way. The class will focus on strength building poses and a slow flowing sequence of postures that continues to build on the basic yoga poses. Modifications will be offered to allow each student to work at a level that leaves them feeling energized and balanced.


Yin Yoga: Level I - II (Drop in) 

Yin is a simple, quiet practice that explores the connective tissue and joints of the body. The major differences between a yin and a traditional yoga practice are that yin postures are passive and done with the muscles relaxed. The poses are held on the floor, for a length of time. This is because connective tissue does not stretch like muscle and does not respond well to brief stresses. The focus of Yin Yoga, then, is to keep the joints and connective tissues of the body mobile. The regular practice of Yin yoga frees areas of chronic tightness primarily in the hips, legs, and lower back.

If this isn’t reason enough to try Yin Yoga, it also serves to increase awareness and chi flow to the connective tissues throughout the body. It is thought that these tissues contain the meridians of Chinese medicine, or acupuncture theory. The practice of Yin Yoga stimulates the meridians as they flow through the joints and helps restore vital energy to our organ systems. 

The yin aspect of yoga, therefore, is vital for a balanced approach to our physical and mental sense of well being. Yin yoga allows for the physical body to release areas of tightness, for energy enhancement, and for the cultivation of inward focus and surrender. It is a great complement to more active forms of yoga or for those who prefer more muscular activities. The practice is quiet and passive; it has a quality of stillness. Learning to be still and to enjoy that stillness, helps us to find calm amid the chaos of our daily lives.

Although this class is open to all levels, be aware that it is not an easy practice, due to the long holding of postures. Pregnant women welcome.

Yoga Nidra 

Yoga Nidra is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by turning inwards, away from outer experiences. One appears to be asleep, but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, yoga nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness. In this threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously. This is yoga nidra, the state of dynamic sleep. Just come, get into savasana (a pose that involves lying flat on the floor), and enjoy!

Yoga for Seniors (Series)
Not currrently scheduled. Please let us know by email or phone call if you are interested.

It is never too late to start yoga. With advancing age yoga is more necessary than ever. In this class we will develop a gentle and challenging practice that will regain or improve your mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance as well as mental clarity and focus. The class will include  Asanas (physical poses) based on individual need. These are often taught while sitting in a chair or using it for supprt.  Pranayam(Breathing practices) and Mindfulness are emphasized so as to feel energized, invigorated, focused and with a heightened sense of wellbeing.  No previous yoga experience is necessary. Don’t worry if you have not done any yoga before. Just come with enthusiasm, a positive attitude and an open mind and experience all the benefits yoga has to offer.

Yoga with a Beat (drop in)

This class is inspired by the play of yoga rather than the study of yoga. Students must be familiar with alignment of basic poses as there is little instruction on fundamentals. It is a energizing vinyasa class for those yogis who understand their limits and are not working with an injury or health limitation. This flow style class is accompanied with some great tunes to keep us moving. Come play!

Yoga for Veterans

In collaboration with the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Deployment Health Clinic,
Three Trees would like to support veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD from a recent deployment by offering free yoga classes. Please call Suzy at 253- 861-5644 for more information.