Teacher Bios and Class descriptions

All classes on the schedule (calendar page) are taught by Hiyala Indiga unless otherwise indicated.  

Click here for Belly Dance bio

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.

Yoga 1 (basic, beginner, gentle, de-stress): emphasis is on gently holding poses..  We learn several breathing techniques in this class, and practice two minute meditations. This class is not just for beginners. It is also just a good gentle class,  good for those recovering from injury with joint or balance problems, and for de-stress after a stressful day.. 

Yoga 2:  We keep going deeper into the practice.  To the casual observer, it may look as if the poses are the same as the beginning level, but due to increased body awareness, the more advanced student is sensing and feeling subtle energy.  The more advanced student moves more mindfully and finds their mind is better focused.  We do more of the following:  chanting, flowing in and out of poses, studying poses in more detail, backbending poses with props, meditation.   

Pilates, Thurs. 4:30-5:30pm.  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. 

Yoga Flow Wed pm, at Sunnyside Park Building from 5:30-6:30pm.  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. Not recommended for those with joint problems.  Please pre-pay and pre-register thru www.BlaineParks.com

Fall Colors Retreat  in St Croix Falls The Sept retreat will include: Healing and Ritual with Carol Murto, belly dance with Bonnie (Bonjovi) Berquam and Yoga with Hiyala..

Weather permitting, some of this  will take place outdoors. The breeze is usually very nice and keeps the bugs away! If you can' t make it this time, let us know of your interest. We are anticipating the cost to be about $40 .  

Walking Club.Please call to let me know you are coming! 

 Tuesdays, 6:10-7:10am.    At Lochness Park, 1/2 hour silent walk, followed by 1/2 hour seated or walking meditation.  There are many beautiful paths that can be accessed directly from Body Prayers Yoga Studio.  Mon, Wed & Fridays 8-9am.  Carlos Avery Nature Preserve (Dirt roads and paths). Lexington  access just about one mile north of  Coon Lake Public Beach 

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.  $10 each time or $40 /month.