Repped – Inclusive Yoga Series

Repped – Inclusive Yoga Series:

It is our sacred duty to make yoga accessible and welcoming for all. As part of our continuing efforts, we offer a series celebrating underrepresented and underserved communities: Repped – Inclusive Yoga Series.

Repped classes are led by and will center members of these communities. It will be a time for practitioners to celebrate and recharge in a space dedicated to themselves and their unique experiences. Allies and friends are welcome to join in practice, in joy, and unity.

Please be mindful that the space has been cultivated by and for a specific community. As a valued practitioner, please be aware of your role as observer, listener, and student.

It’s been an absolute honor to be Reppin’ since 2022.

Repped Artists & Creators: In addition to yoga offerings, local artists, creators, and vendors from the community are also highlighted throughout the studio and in our boutique. Stop by, and browse artwork and products while supporting your local artists and our greater mission. Do you have a favorite artist or vendor we should know about? Are you a local artist or vendor from an underrepresented community? Let us know here.

Current Repped Series:

All classes are all levels. No prior experience is required. All classes are Sundays: 1pm-2:15pm.

Muslim Communities, led by Muslim Women: April 7th -April 28th (Women Only)*:
Sun, April 7th: Restorative with Zahra Abbassi {Sign up}
Sun, April 14th: Heated Vinyasa with Maryam Java {Sign up}
Sun, April 21st: Slow Flow with Amani Elkassabany {Sign up}
Sun, April 28th: Mindfulness Meditation with Linda Naini {Sign up}
*Women’s Only Class: These classes are specially designed to provide space for Muslim women to practice with or without hijab.

AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) communities, led by AAPI Teachers: May 5th -May 26th:
Sun, May 5th: Slow Flow & Chanting with Peter Francis {Sign up}
Sun, May 12th: Rocket Yoga with Becca Thomas {Sign up}
Sun, May 19th: Yoga & Creative Writing with Seema Reza {Sign up}
Sun, May 26th: Ayurveda inspired Flow with Melissa Maxwell – In-person or Zoom option available {Sign up}

☮️Upcoming Repped Series 2024 Schedule:

  • LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, Asexual+): June
  • Latinx: TBA
  • Special events/offerings

🤎Previous Repped Series:

  • Repped Art Exhibit Event: An incredible event full of art, creators, food, live music, and community. Meet the artists, hang out, enjoy some refreshments and support local DMV artists.
  • Self-Care Workshop for Women’s History Month: Women’s Healing Circle: Acupuncture + Yoga
  • Black Communities, led by Black Teachers
  • Muslim Communities, led by Muslim Teachers (Women Only)*
    *Women’s Only Class: These classes are specially designed to provide space to Muslim women to practice with or without hijab.
  • Latinx Communities, Led by Latina teachers (classes en español).
  • AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Communities, Led by AAPI teachers.
  • LGBTQIA+ Communities, Led by LGBTQIA+ teachers.
  • Empowered Yoga Series: Yoga for Teens, Chair / Mat Accessible Yoga, Pink Ribbon (Breast Cancer Awareness) Yoga, Body Positive Yoga
  • Trauma-Informed Yoga
  • Yoga for Vets / Military / First Responders

Class details:

  • All classes are all levels. No prior experience is required.
  • All classes are 1pm-2:15pm.
  • Check the online schedule to learn more about who’s leading class and the class description (style of class).
  • Each session is 75 minutes. This will include at least a 60 minute practice. A portion of the session may be used for other group activities at the teacher’s discretion.
  • Teachers will be compensated at our regular studio class rates. If you would like to add an additional donation to support the teachers, reach out to the studio or contact the teacher directly.

Financial Accessibility:
In efforts to minimize any possible barriers to attending, either reach out to us, or take advantage of our “Karma Pass” (5 classes for $50). This pass can be purchased once per calendar month and expires 60 days after purchase.

Additional pricing information:

Feedback & Referrals
Are there any communities you would like to see celebrated in the Repped series? Let us know here.
Do you have a favorite artist or vendor we should know about? Are you a local artist or vendor from an underrepresented community? Let us know here.

REPPED CLASS DESCRIPTIONS – APRIL & MAY:

☮️Class descriptions for Muslim Series – Women Only:*
*Women’s Only Class: These classes are specially designed to provide space to Muslim women for practice with or without hijab

April 7th: Restorative with Zahra Abbassi:
Class will focus on reflection and reconnection as we complete the month of Ramadan. It is a woman-only space to provide covering women the option to practice without hijab. Class will include minimal poses held in supported stillness to create a meditative experience for both the mind and body. Restorative poses require little or no muscular exertion as each pose is held with plentiful props for several minutes. Participants leave feeling grounded, well rested, and nourished, with a new cultivated awareness. No yoga or meditation experience is needed.

April 14th: Heated Vinyasa with Maryam Java:
All women are welcome, but this class has been specially designed for Muslim women. It is a woman-only space to provide covering women the option to participate without hijab. In this Heated Vinyasa Flow class you will synchronize breath with movement in a heated room. Students will focus on linking conscious breath with a mindful flow. In a Vinyasa class, students awaken their strength, energy, and flexibility in a fun atmosphere. Develop skills of concentration and patience that help focus the mind as you deepen your strength, poses and practice, while sweating it out! Approx class temp: ~85-92 degrees. Please bring a towel.

April 21st: Slow Flow with Amani Elkassabany:
As part of extendYoga’s Repped Series, this class is tailored to the needs of Muslim women (though all women are welcome), creating space for all to practice with or without hijab. This class will focus especially on preparing our bodies, minds, and spirits. Slow Flow yoga combines intentional breathing, flowing movement, and meditation to carefully explore each posture while cultivating strength, flexibility, balance, and calm. We will make time and space for breathing and moving between postures to allow body awareness, inner strength, and easeful opening.

April 28th: Mindfulness Meditation with Linda Naini:
All women are welcome, but this class has been specially designed for Muslim women. It is a woman-only space to provide covering women the option to participate without hijab. We will explore cornerstone principles of Islam that are also fundamental precepts of mindfulness. There will be periods of guided meditation, mindful movement, journaling, and sharing in small groups.

☮️Class descriptions for AAPI series: May 5th-26th:

Sun, May 5th: Slow Flow & Chanting with Peter Francis:
A slow flowing class where students will synchronize breath with movement. Open and stretch your mind and body with slow movement and conscious presence. Slow pace with plenty of time and space to feel and experience in and out of postures. The asana class will be followed by chanting; in a call and response format. This practice is rooted in ancient traditions, and offers a pathway to connect with the divine through the power of sound and vibration. You will be guided through this practice. Absolutely no previous experience needed!

Sun, May 12th: Rocket Yoga with Becca Thomas:
RocketYoga is a dynamic and energetic practice that re-sequences the traditional Ashtanga system into a playful, accessible and creative class. Practice opens with sun salutations, standing postures, and moves into arm balances, inversions and backbends for a fun and challenging class. Students of all levels are welcomed to meet themselves on their mat and practice, exactly where they are at and can modify and take it up or down depending on how they are feeling. Students can expect to breathe, explore, play and build strength through this practice. Please bring a pair of socks to class!

Sun, May 19th: Yoga & Creative Writing with Seema Reza:
No experience required! If you can think, you can write. In this creative writing and yoga workshop, we’ll practice a short asana flow designed to help us ground, center, and connect with ourselves. We’ll read and respond to prompts designed to introduce writing as a tool for communication, expression, and relief from holding it all together. There will be an opportunity (though not a requirement) to share your work with other members of the community. Whether you have an existing writing and yoga practice or are brand new to one or both, this workshop is for you. Bring a notebook, a pen, and an open mind.

Sun, May 26th: Ayurveda inspired Flow with Melissa Maxwell – In-person or Zoom available!
Join Melissa for a 75-minute Ayurveda-inspired slow flow where you will be guided through cooling postures & pranayama to balance “pitta dosha” in preparation for summer. Ayurveda is the 5000-year old wellness system that translates into “the science of life.” In Ayurveda, everything contains a unique ratio of the 3 energetic doshas (vata, pitta & kapha), made up of the 5 elements. As we near the summer months (a time connected to pitta dosha), we are able to use pitta-balancing practices and rituals to bring the body, mind & spirit back into balance.