Does it seem like every yoga class is heated these days? What if heated yoga just isn’t for you?

Sundara Wellness, a holistic wellness center and yoga and Pilates studio in Midtown, offers the most non-heated yoga classes in Memphis. Let’s explore where to jump in.

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Non-Heated Ashtanga Yoga

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga is a dynamic and athletic form of yoga that has several fixed sequences of poses, or asana, that are classified as primary, intermediate, and advanced.

In Ashtanga-led classes, students are guided to synchronize movement with breath, and rely on their bandhas and drishti to balance moving in and out of sun salutations, standing postures, seated postures, and inversions.

The effect is a good full-body physical workout that helps you stretch and detoxify. Students often report feeling calmer, lighter, and more energetic after practice.

Non-Heated Gentle Yoga

What is Gentle Yoga?

Gentle Yoga is a great starting point for beginners. Gentle Yoga classes incorporate many reclined, kneeling, and seated poses and encourage the use of props and modifications to increase accessibility for all bodies.

How does it differ from Slow Flow or Vinyasa? In Gentle Yoga, students are encouraged to hold poses for a little longer (we’re talking a breath or two, not Yin-style long holds), and transitions between poses are often a little easier. Plus, although classes vary by teacher, Gentle Yoga classes are generally less effortful than Slow Flow or Vinyasa classes.

For example, some teachers might keep a general sun salutation flow but give the option to skip the downward facing dog, or take child’s pose instead. In addition to providing gentle modifications, students are also encouraged to use props to manage effort.

Non-Heated Slow Flow Yoga

What is Slow Flow Yoga?

Slow Flow is often a style of Vinyasa that is more mindful and slower-paced. Slow Flow incorporates conscious flowing of breath with movement of body.

Each class is a little bit different, but generally, you will build strength through slow, focused movements, and increase flexibility and range of motion via flowing movements and deep stretching.

Slow flow generally includes foundational yoga poses and sun salutations, attention to detail on breath and alignment, and some long holds for strength.

Non-Heated Vinyasa Yoga

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

In a Vinyasa Yoga class, teachers put their own spin on sequences, linking them together for what we call a “flow” in yoga. That’s when one pose moves to the next, synchronized to the breath. Because there’s no standard sequence (like in Ashtanga for example), classes can vary greatly from teacher to teacher and from class to class. Variety is one of the things that make vinyasa yoga appealing to many students. Classes could focus on:

A peak posture, like poses that work up to and then include tree pose, for example
A body part, like a class that really zeroes in on hip openers
A philosophy in yoga, like the vayus, the vital energies that circulate in the body

Non-Heated Yin Yoga

What is Yin Yoga?

In Yin Yoga, the focus is on deep tissue release. Poses are mostly done on the floor, mostly focus on the lower body and hips, and are held for longer periods of time than in other classes.

We can think of Yin Yoga as the complement to more “yang” styles like Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Benefits related to Yin Yoga that have been reported by students include enhanced relaxation, decreased anxiety, better flexibility, and improved circulation.

Students are encouraged to work with their edge in Yin Yoga, using the breath to find deep connective tissue and fascia release. Poses are often held for 3 to 5 minutes. Students should always remember that working with your edge shouldn’t feel like joint pain and are encouraged to adjust their practice to fit their needs.

Which non-heated yoga class is right for me?

Hopefully this blog post has given you some ideas about what’s available for non-heated yoga classes in Memphis. Remember that you are your greatest teacher and there’s no better way to find the right yoga class for you than to try a variety of yoga classes. Our teachers, staff, and community members are inclusive, supportive, and friendly to help you feel comfortable checking out any class. And your first class is free! So what are you waiting for? See you at Sundara!