Align with Grace
Transformative, Para Yoga influenced yoga with Claudia Neuman
A Special Message to all:
All of my classes are live stream via ZOOM. My once a month ‘Enlightened Rest 108’ workshops are both live stream via ZOOM as well as IN PERSON, at Grace Yoga Studio in Silver Spring Maryland. My upcoming ‘Enlightened Rest 108 Retreat’ is live as well.
About
Align With Grace Yoga / Claudia Neuman, Certified Parayoga® & Parayoga® Nidra Instructor
Claudia Neuman, MSW, E-RTY 500, YACEP, was born in Los Angeles where as a child she joined her mother at community yoga classes. As a teenager she pursued daily classes through Integral Yoga Society, and also spent time at the Sivanada Yoga Society. Claudia began her serious study at Yoga Works in Santa Monica where she was fortunate to study with and assist some of the most influential teachers of our time while honing her own teaching skills. She was even more fortunate to have Rod Stryker initiate her into the ISHTA Yoga tradition at that time as well.
Claudia received her Masters in Social Work from USC in 1985, where she had also been offering free yoga classes to staff and students on campus. During this time it became clear her love of the Yoga Tradition, and her desire to elevate the human condition would become her calling. She spent many years as a Family Systems Therapist, specializing in addictions while continuing her work as a yoga teacher. Through her years of study and teaching, Claudia has become even more wholeheartedly committed to helping individuals find the source of their internal light through the practice of yoga.
Claudia’s love of the Tantra Tradition has been a cornerstone of her life’s work; she sought out teachers such as Douglas Brooks and Paul Muller-Ortega, and, in 2004, she certified in Anusara Yoga. In 2013 she reconnected with her former teacher Yogarupa Rod Stryker, the founder of ParaYoga®, and knew immediately she was home. Claudia became certified in ParaYoga® Nidra in March of 2021, and has now added ParaYoga® Level I Certified Teacher to her already outstanding list of accomplishments.
Today, Claudia’s students describe her classes as ‘mini yoga retreats’ that offer a complete experience of yoga while putting them in touch with their own power and strength. Claudia directs teacher trainings and continues to offer her signature workshops “Enlightened Rest” and “The Origins of Yoga” at many studios in the DC Metro area where she lives. Her articles are featured regularly in the ‘Yoga Today’ section of Pathways Magazine.
Other ways to connect with Claudia:
FB: Align With Grace Yoga: Claudia Neuman
IG: @alignwith_grace
Claudia has logged over 20,000 hours of teaching yoga.
Schedule
All of Claudia’s virtual classes are recorded so that you can do them at your convenience.
Services
Enlightened Rest and Enlightened Rest 108
This is a specialty class offers a combination of yoga poses, meditation, intention setting and Yoga Nidra (the Yoga of Sleep). Done in accordance with the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutras, the Enlightened Rest specialty classes give the participant a profound experience of repairing the mind and body at the deepest level. Suitable for all levels of yoga practitioner. This is wonderful for complete beginners as well. Arrive with an open mind, leave on a cloud of sublime restoration!
Yin Yoga Sessions
Yin Yoga is the art of placing the body in a seated yoga pose and relaxing the muscles. Time in each pose (3-5 minutes), creates a gentle pull on the connective tissues which, when carefully released, gives the surrounding area and joint sight hydration.
Yin Yoga is beneficial for all body types and requires no strain on the body.
Claudia’s Yin Yoga classes are used not only for ultimate joint health, but as a pre-cursor to finding one’s way to meditation.
200 and 300 Hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Trainings
Taking your love of yoga to the next level and serving as a teacher is a blessed responsibility and a gift. Even if you aren’t sure you want to teach, embarking on Yoga Teacher Training is a life affirming experience that will deepen your relationship with yourself and your practice. Claudia’s trainings instill a firm foundation in the ancient tradition and history of Yoga, as well as a clear understanding of the art of teaching.
Origins of Yoga Workshops
Claudia offers an ongoing Origins of Yoga workshop series designed to educate and inspire all interested. These sessions include some practice, lecture and meditation. Workshops include:
- The Ancient Civilizations: The Shamans, the Rishis and the origins of Tantra·
- The Classics: The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and more
- The Yugas: The Hindu concept of time and Kali Yuga we live in today
- The Samkhya Tradition: Looking at the 24 Principles of Creation known as the Tattvas and understanding how they measured consciousness. Understanding how it becomes matter, and looking at the origin of Gunas and Doshas
Focus Sessions
My Focus sessions offer you a unique type of yoga private. Rather than just getting a teacher to take you through the poses, you now have a teacher who can customize your practice so that you are actively learning ways to balance yourself. Using the tools of Ayurveda, as well as the wisdom of the Subtle Body, we will work on the practice that will transform your life and world view.
Some students use these sessions for specific guidance in meditation, while others choose to have these sessions privately each week. Offered on a sliding scale, these focus sessions are invaluable!
Yoga Nidra Special Training TBA
Starting in Fall of 2022 I will offer a series of special workshops that will give you
My Yoga Nidra Special Training is for those individuals who wish to delve into the entire practice of Yoga Nidra for their personal growth and healing. In addition to practicing a lot, you will learn about the origins of Yoga Nidra, the classic Nidra exercises, sleep and brainwave cycles, the five categories of Para Yoga Nidra and so much more. You will also get the tools you need to start doing your own self guided practice. This is a wonderful journey! Stay Tuned for the dates and location.
Tantra: The Accelerated Path of Yoga
$17-$20 per single class (sliding scale), or, $50 for a package of 4 classes
Ongoing, Every Friday, 9:45-11:15am
As yogis, we have the option to practice and purify the mind through asana, pranayama (breath), bandha (locks), and meditation. The Tantric approach to yoga utilizes every technique in masterful, well organized sequences to target specific outcomes and accelerate growth.
We will rely on the progression of yoga set forth by Gheranda in the Gheranda Samhita that moves from lunar to solar to fire practices.
The lunar practices build steadiness at all levels of the body.The solar practices focus on illumination of perception: ‘once the moon is made steady, the sun will rise….The fire practices utilize the internal power for purification of stubborn, subconscious tendencies.
Although the ideas seem esoteric, the practices are accessible to all levels of yogi who wish to become a more efficient vessel for transformation and ascendance. Asanas will done in the contexts mentioned, followed by a short meditation.
Products
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Mentoring Session
Are you looking for a way to grow your practice and help others? Our mentoring sessions can offer you unique guidance to help you reach your goals.
Community Class Payment
Join us at one of our live-streamed community sessions and check the schedule to find out what is coming up next.
Focus Sessions
Our focus sessions are hour-long, sliding scale private sessions designed to help you create a meditation and pranayama practice that is customized to you.