WHY CHOOSE BALTIMORE YOGA VILLAGE?

EXPERIENCED TEACHERS: diversity of approach
Our teachers come from a diversity of experience. We do not churn out teacher trainings with a standard approach; Many of our yoga teachers were trained in the world's most highly respected institutes like Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers in India and New York, Phoenix Rising in Connecticut, Kripalu in Massachussettes, The Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, and the list goes on. Our NIA instructor was Baltimore's premiere NIA instructor. Our dance teacher, Maria Broom, is a local legend who has studied throughout the world. Our Feldenkrais teacher currently travels back and forth to Vienna to bring us back the most authentic Awareness Through Movement classes in Baltimore. True, we do not offer hot yoga; we may never win Baltimore's hippest yoga studio awards, but we can promise authenticity and diversity of programming, bringing home pure quality of teaching from the most highly respected programs in the world.

YOGA LIFE OFF THE MAT: Commitment to peaceful living
Baltimore Yoga Village is Baltimore's premiere family-oriented wellness center, which encourages community building, selfless service, and spiritual life. We invite local and legendary artists to facilitate Nada Yoga (the yoga of sound) and Bhakti Yoga, (devotional yoga), through music and dance. Such artists have included dancer, actress, storyteller: Maria Broom, African Percussionist: Moziah Saleem, national award-winning Native American Flute player: Jan Seiden, and world-class sitar player: Hasu Patel. We offer scriptural study groups, healing homa fires, meditation retreats, vegetarian diet workshops, a full menu of therapeutic massage, and invite guest speakers in the fields of eastern, western, and complimentary alternative medicine, so that many modalities of mind-body healing flourish here. All ages are welcomed and served, making "The Village" a natural hub for sharing wisdom, inclusive of the young and mature. We are committed to workshops for children, and periodically offer yoga teacher trainings for those who want to provide meditation and yoga in schools, especially in underserved areas of Baltimore and Maryland.This yoga community looks inward and expands outward, sharing the benefits of spiritual life and artful living with our families, friends, and greater communities. Continue to check our arts and events calendar for yoga life off the mat.

YOGA ON THE MAT: Emphasis on all of the benefits of yoga
Traditional yoga is taught in a very simple and straight-forward manner, and can be traced back thousands of years through a lineage of masters and sages; As the practice of yoga postures has become popular in many countries, modern "styles" have been created, which adapt to specific emotional and physical needs of modern people. Many first come to yoga for the physical health benefits of asanas, such as toning muscles, stress and anger management, detoxification of the blood, and pain relief. But when taught purely, all popular forms of yoga taught at Baltimore Yoga Village, (Astanga, Iyengar, Anusara,Tantra, Kripalu, etc), are all forms of Hatha Yoga, which is mainly concerned with taming and purifying the body in preparation for deep contemplation of the true Self. Hatha Yoga is part of Raja Yoga, learning to control the thought waves of the mind. The asanas, or steady postures, and pranayama, breathing techniques, provide a means to notice where the body has stiffenened due to attachment to false ideas, repressed emotions, and unhealthy habits. Gradually, through consistent practice, both the body and mind become more healthy, aware, flexible, and calm. Most importantly, the restless mind becomes still and present, which in turn creates a feeling of inner contentment, peace, and increased vital energy. The asanas make it easier for one to sit comfortably for meditation. We offer weekly meditation classes which are by donation (dana) only and bi-weekly kirtan to keep the energy of the yoga center highly focused on the true meaning of yoga.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Baltimore Yoga Village facilitates the practice of authentic yoga as a way of life, for people in all life conditions. The Baltimore Yoga Village builds on the strength of each individual to create a supportive and peaceful community - that promotes integrity, mental clarity, happiness, health and spiritual growth.

CLASS COST:

We continue to find ways to keep low costs for classes. Regular 1.5 hour drop in classes are $15, or $12 for students. Regular 1.25 hour long classes are $12. One hour classes are $10. Most people try class passes to discount their sessions. 10 class passes are $110, making each class $11. 5 class passes are $60, making each class $12. These class passes are very cost effective for those who like longer classes and come about once per week or less. For those who want to come several times per week, we suggest a montly membership for $150. You can get class costs down to $5- $8 per class if you come often enough! Some "community yoga" classes are only $8 specials. View our class schedule for a complete listing of classes and drop-in costs.