MISSION:
To bring the benefits of real yoga practice to people who might otherwise overlook it. Encouraging students to think of yoga practice in terms of its service to their lives and needs, and presenting it as an exercise and meditational form that requires only the effort and ability that we are able to bring to it, reaping the short term rewards of inner peace, better sleep, and ongoing calm demeanor, as well as the long term rewards of decreased suffering, increased physical strength, flexibility and the possibility of profound mental and spiritual change.
A COMMON MISCONCEPTION: STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY ARE REQUIRED TO DO YOGA.
This is patently untrue. Strength and flexibility are a by-product of consistent yoga practice, but they are not required to take class. Students who make regular yoga practice part of their lives will certainly notice over time, that they are achieving greater levels of flexibility and strength, but those levels are not required to make a start. Yoga practice should be approached with a "come as you are" attitude. We need nothing more than we have, to begin practicing yoga.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Comfortable, flexible, form fitting clothing is recommended. Warmth during practice is beneficial, so layers are recommended for unheated classes. Loose clothing or jewelry may get in the way of practice, or distract us, so neither are recommended. Tight clothing, or inflexible fabrics like canvas or denim can bind, leading to an uncomfortable and distracted practice, and are also not recommended. Bare feet, or specially designed "yoga socks" or "sticky socks" are recommended.
JR
is an E-RYT 500 registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. He has been practicing yoga for over twenty years, and teaching for more than ten. His experience ranges from private studio classes, to park departments, small franchise gyms, large corporate gyms, and the Veteran's Yoga Project.
As a yoga practitioner, JR was blessed with an excellent first teacher, who's lineage and inclination was Pattabhi Jois, David Swenson and the Ashtanga form of Hatha yoga. He progressed naturally from a desire for purely physical improvement (as a surfer, he just wanted more waves per session), to an understanding of the more profound improvements regular yoga practice could make upon his entire life, like better sleep, inner peace and greater acceptance of life as it comes (Santosa). In short: less suffering.
As a teacher, JR's intent has been to provide an authentic and effective yoga practice for newcomers and regular practitioners, in the same way that he received such practice from his first instructor.
The class is Hatha flow, with emphasis on Breath and Bandhas, structured upon Patanjali's eight limbed path.
The intent is that each new student will experience some level of Samadhi, "Union" or "Ecstasy" (the eigth limb, and goal of practice) from their first class, and be encouraged to continue, eventually finding their way to the long term benefits of repeated ongoing practice.
It's all about breath and Unity of mind and body, without concern for the "triple P" (Perfect Pretty Postures). Postures should be as well aligned and correct as possible for health and safety, but they are a means to an end, rather than an end unto themeselves.
Foremost in class intent, is integration of mind and body. Yoga practice is not just exercise and stretching. It is a combined effort of mind and body, creating a union.
Students are encouraged to put as much effort into their mental practice as they do into the physical. Mental control and visualization cues are included in class to help with that effort.
Also of importance is the practice of the first "Yama", "Ahimsa": non violence. Students are encouraged to modify or skip poses that cause pain, and to let go of held poses when their body has had enough, understanding that the benefits of their practice will be found at their own edge of ability, not beyond it.
JR Weekly Yoga Class Schedule:
This Schedule is Current as of: 04-07-2025. If you have visited this page before, RE-LOAD (or refresh) the page.
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Tuesday:... 8:30 am, LA Fitness - North Long Beach, 5810 Downey Ave, (at South St.) in North Long Beach
Tuesday:... 9:45 am, LA Fitness - Long Beach Cherry, 2140 E Carson St, (at Cherry Ave.) in Long Beach - Cherry
Tuesday:... 11:30 am, Crunch Fitness - Cerritos, 11881 Del Amo Blvd, (at Pioneer) in Cerritos
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Wednesday:...10:00 am, Crunch Fitness - Lakewood, 5815 Bellflower Blvd, (at South St.) in Lakewood
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Thursday:... 9:45 am, LA Fitness - Long Beach Cherry, 2140 E Carson St, (at Cherry Ave.) in Long Beach - Cherry
Thursday:... 11:30 am, Crunch Fitness - Cerritos, 11881 Del Amo Blvd, (at Pioneer Blvd.) in Cerritos