WHAT IS MARK BLANCHARD'S POWER YOGA?

At Mark Blanchard's Power Yoga Centers we teach strong flow-vinyasa style yoga. You move in and out of the postures using your breath as a guide. The series are linked by the various versions of sun salutations drawing from Ashtanga Yoga (a form of Hatha). A solid power yoga program should help you feel more powerful,confident and balanced yet also simultaneously feel compassionate, fluid and open. Whether you do every pose or not is not important-the breathwork, the intention and the journey within your movements-that's what yoga is all about.

The term 'Power Yoga' was developed to help people understand that this style of Hatha (the physical kind) is a challenging practice with athletic movements that help you energetically flow from one posture to the next. But there's so much more to it than that! It's an intense invigorating working where you can burn up to 800 calories in one class!

PURE YOGA - AND NOTHING ELSE.

Some of the most unique and identifying characteristics of Mark Blanchard's purist "Power Yoga" studios is that there are no potentially threatening "levels" (i.e.: level one, two or three), no props and no music. "Regardless of how trendy these accoutrements have become, there were no stereos or straps when yoga was created over 5,000 years ago," says Blanchard. We focus on teaching without distractions. "Simply work at your own level, do the best you can personally do, and welcome the joy from within."

WHY MARK'S YOGA?

Allure Magazine, Sept 2007: In 4 weeks, 5 trainers only one persono lost 15 pounds and 12% body fat - in the words of Jessica herself: "I feel stronger. My stomach is flatter, and my arms and butt are toned. My back pain is gone, my mood is improved, and I have a sense of calm." Jessica went from 163 lbs. with 32% body fat to 148 lbs. and 20% body fat in 4 weeks going to yoga 5 times a week or doing Mark's video at least once a day if she couldn't make it to class.

Voted Top 10 Best Workout DVD, Fitness Magazine, 2007.

Challenging heart-pounding workout, Shape Magazine Dec 2006

Keeps you interested and challenged no matter what your level, Healing Lifestyles Dec 2006

Intense and Invigorating Mind Body workout that targets the entire body from head to toe, OC Insider Dec 2006

Mark Blanchard is the master in the hot discipline of power yoga, People Magazine