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Cincinnati Yoga Teacher Training • Vinyasa & Ashtanga Yoga Classes • Yoga ah! Studio

Yoga ah specializes in the Rocket system as taught by Larry Schultz. The Rocket is based in Ashtanga yoga. The Rocket is a system of yoga that’s meant to “get you there faster,” adding in lots of supportive moves and fun transitions. We also offer Medicine yoga that is suitable for all levels.

Yoga ah offers Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training to all levels of practitioners. Basic 200-hour teacher training is for those who want to deepen their practice and begin their journey of learning the art of instructing. Advanced Rocket Training is also offered for those who have been instructing for awhile and want to refine and expand into more advanced training methods. 

Cincinnati Yoga Classes

BEGINNERS

lotusBeginners Restorative

Yoga ah offers this class for students new to yoga practice or for those of you that want a slower flow. The word restore in the name means is that the sequence is meant to make you feel rested and relaxed. This class is a much slower approach to Ashtanga. You will learn basics of creating a strong connection with your breath and core. Some poses will be held longer with the use of props and some poses are taught more slowly to allow you to have a better understanding of fundamental poses. This class completes with a resting pose shavasana. It is still based in Hatha Yoga. 50 minutes

lotusModified Primary Series (MPS)

Based on a modified version of full Primary Series of Ashtnga yoga. Consisting of 34 poses. You will learn the foundations of an ancient moving breathing system designed to purify your body and make you more comfortable for mediation, while having fun in a community environment. By beginning to practice yoga you will lower stress levels and increase the feeling of wellbeing. 50 minutes.

lotusMedicine Rocket 1 and 2 or Bottle Rocket

Modify the Rocket with these 50 minute routines that will show the basics of Rocket without being taxed from a longer practice.These routines contain the main elements of full Rockets with some poses omite. Bottle Rocket 1 is more hips and forward bending. Bottle Rocket 2 focuses on more backbending and arm strengthening moves.These routines will give you a good foundation for other Rocket routines. All Rocket complete with deep relaxation. Good for beginners to advanced. 50 minutes.

ADVANCED

lotusRocket 1 ( Mixed Level )

Rocket I is always practiced with Surya Namaskara A and B (Sun Salutations) as a warm- up. This is followed by a standing sequence, more Dolphin, more elbow stands, balancing (with an extra focus on strengthening your legs) and “Rocket Splits.” Once seated, there is an extended series of forward bends. This routine allows you to explore more Rocket transitions. There are three to five abs workouts woven into the seated poses to promote core strength (essential for holding a handstand). We finish with hip-opening forward-bends and one set of three backbends towards the end of practice. As with any class, the Rocket Finishing Series can be practiced at the end of the class. This routine is known as the “Long and Strong” series, and it creates balance in the body if practiced before and after Rocket II.

lotusRocket 2

This routine begins with a full warm up consisting of five Surya Namaskara As and five Surya Namaskara Bs. This is followed by a basic standing Rocket sequence and “Rocket Splits.” Balance poses are optional, as the heart of The Rocket II begins in the seated poses. The first seated series focuses on strengthening the arms with arm balances and backbends. This is followed by twists and abdominal sequences then handstands and hip openers. Rocket II is what the Rocket is all about—“Getting you there faster.” The sequence leaves you feeling lighter and invigorated. As the Rocket is all about finding balance it is recommended that Rocket I is practiced on Thursday if Rocket II is practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to keep your joints healthy.

lotusHappy Hour Rocket 3 (Mixed Level)

Rocket III, when practiced in its entirety, offers the most poses of any Rocket sequence. It begins with Sun Salutations, followed by standing poses, Rocket Splits and a selection of Rocket I and Rocket II seated poses. It is usually practiced at the end of the week as a celebration of the practice and represents a coming together of yogis and poses. It is often called “Rocket Happy Hour.” If you missed the pose during the week you will get it in in your Rocket III practice. Meditation is encouraged at the end of any Rocket practice followed by Savasana. This is when you have the opportunity to feel the effects of your Rocket practice and be a witness to the magic The Rocket within ourselves. The Rocket’s goal is to lead us into spiritual liberation and lead us to the eight-fold path offered in Ashtanga Yoga. 

SPECIALTY

lotusYoga Abs

Our Fitness yoga class is based with strength training mat exercises, more core work and a little Rocket to make you feel balanced and strong. 55 minutes

lotusPrenatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga is a great way to help you have a more comfortable pregnancy. This class is meant for pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. You will learn proper breathing techniques for a more comfortable pregnancy and relaxation techniques to use in labor and delivery. You will also tone and stretch your body and practice pelvic floor exercises, which will help you hasten recovery after childbirth. 55 minutes

lotusRocket to Restorative

In this class you will experience a Rocket flow for the first 30 minutes that is intended to heat your body and still your mind. It will be followed by a series of deep stretches, relaxation and meditation. This class will give you a work out feeling with time to restore and replenish your energies. 55 minutes

lotusMedicine Yoga

This class will focus on different themes to help you connect to your inner teacher to heal naturally.

Often people walk into It’s Yoga with worry, stress and tiredness written all over their faces but when they leave, they show the effects of Ashtanga Yoga: they feel better and look better, lighter, freer, more relaxed and energized. This is why to me, teaching Ashtanga Yoga is a kind of self-realization; every time I lead class I, as a teacher, grow and express the insights of my own yoga. I see people take in the practice from various angles and develop, change and transcend their limitations, realize their possibilities.

In Memoriam: Larry Schultz, YogaDragonden (1950-2011)

About Yoga ah! • Cincinnati Yoga Studio • Vinyasa & Ashtanga Yoga Classes • Yoga Teacher Trainnig

Yoga ah! was opened in the summer of 2007 by Amber Gean Espelage. She had a vision of having an all Ashtanga studio which featured The Rocket sequences.

The Rocket was created by Larry Schultz. Larry is known for creating a language for the ashtanga yoga practice and creating modifications so all levels of students can experience this sometimes physically demanding practice. While Larry was traveling with The Grateful Dead he created The Rocket which refers to sequencing the poses around the joints of the body and the days of the week. Amber studied with Larry from May 2000 - until he left his body in February of 2011. For over 10 years, she studied the routines of The Rocket over and over again thru constant practice and regularly going out to visit Larry at It's Yoga San Francisco.

Amber also began getting involved in leading and facilitating Yoga Teacher Training. At the time of Larry Schultz's passing out of the human body she was in deep discussions with him about Rocket Yoga and creating an Advanced Teacher Training Program. Before Larry passed he told Amber Gean that she could facilitate Rocket Yoga Training, however those materials were yet to be written. Amber felt called to continue Larry's work. She began and still is in the process of creating more training materials for advanced methods. She is also through her experience of training yoga instructors refining level one trainings so that each and every trainer that walks through the door at Yoga ah will receive an authentic experience and have all the tools they need to become an effective safe yoga instructor upon graduation.