All classes are taught by Hiyala Indiga unless otherwise indicated.  

Hiyala Indiga, the owner of Body Prayers Yoga Studio, feels so blessed to be able to serve her clients with  yoga,  massage, and artwork (primarily portraits of pets, people and homes).  After years of traveling to various sites she is happy to have found her current studio in Circle Pines.  She was trained through Integrative yoga therapy in California and has since studied Structural Yoga Therapy with Makunda Stiles, and Yoga for Specific Health Problems with Jeff Migdow, MD at Kripalu.  She continues her training by studying with master teachers throughout the year. "Body Prayers" originated from a prayer called "The Earth Dance" that Hiyala memorized by setting it to movement. She taught the finished piece to others as a movement meditation.  A group of women formed to perform and teach these meditations.  This Twin Cities based group called themselves "Body Prayers", and consisted of Hiyala, Amy Barankovich, Luann Kintree, Maryann Meyers, and Bonnie Berquam. Body Prayers is available to perform/teach at your event! 

Hiyala has been teaching yoga since her initial training in 1996.  Many know her from the classes she taught at Pathways in Uptown, the Emma B Howe YMCA, Unity Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Shoreview Community Center, Anoka Community Ed, and the Women & Spirituality workshops in Mankato.   

My classes blend a variety of different styles.  Since studying Positional Release Therapy at Kripalu Yoga Institute in Ma., I infuse these movements into my classes. What I learned is that "trigger points" form from overworking muscles.  These are like "snags" in a nylon, and they squeeze a muscle tight. Trigger points can cause pain that is sometimes diagnosed as "tennis elbow", arthritis, carpal tunnel, sciatica, etc. Stretching can make them worse, not better.  So, it's important to address them first, by doing some poses that release them - before stretching.  Having studied with William Protengeier and various other visiting master teachers at the St Paul Yoga Center, my teaching is influenced by the Iyengar method.  Also, Pilates is infused throughout my classes for abdominal strength. Pranayama (breath work) is very important to the opening of the body, and Ayurveda, yoga's sister science of health is taught is "tidbits" throughout the session.  Sometimes, we will be studying single poses in detail, holding the pose a long time, some days, we will "flow" in and out of the poses.  What we do is determined by the individual ability levels within each class.

Pilates, Thurs. 4:30-5:30pm circle Pines.  Wed 6:45-730 Blaine.  Mon 4:30-5:30 Centerville. Easy on the joints, great for abdominal muscles. For most of the exercises, we lay on our backs on the floor.  Some modifications can be made for those who cannot get up and down off the floor easily.  A new class will be taught on Friday mornings from 10-11am in the summer in the village of Coon Lake Beach. 

Yoga Flow every Wed pm, 5;30-6:30. Sunnyside Park in Blaine.  For those who have studied yoga at least two sessions (6 months minimum) and who would like more of a challenge than what "gentle yoga " provides.  We will learn some more challenging poses and some vinyasa (flow) sequences which, repeated over and over, might work up a sweat.  Stay for 45 minutes of pilates (see above)

Summer Pilates/yoga  in Ham LakeFriday am,10-11:30am beginning June
   with hiyala .  At the Clubhouse in the town of Coon Lake Beach- south shore of Coon Lake. (note: this is not the county beach!!)  Weather permitting, part of each class will be outdoors, ending indoors. Since it's on a lake , the breeze is usually very nice and keeps the bugs away! This yoga class will be slow and easy, with an emphasis on learning the yogic breath, and learning basic poses for stress reduction.  For those who are less agile, chairs and modifications of the poses will be available.

Walking Club on Tuesdays, springtime 8-9am , summer 7-8am (avoid the heat of the day).     There are many beautiful paths that can be accessed directly from Body Prayers Yoga Studio. On Wed we will walk in Carlos Avery Nature Preserve (Dirt roads and paths) Please be able to walk a brisk pace.  Hiyala will lead us in some warm ups for our joints before and after the hike.  She will also teach some breathing techniques as well as giving guidance for good posture.  $15 each time