Lake Tahoe Yoga indoors, outside and on-site scheduled & Private Sessions focusing upon individual needs since 2008.
Lake Tahoe Yoga guides practices for all ages and abilities. Join us for scheduled classes at our studio, on the beach and on the water. Private and semi-private sessions are available in-studio or on location. Specializing in parties, events, gatherings, celebrations, corporate and therapeutics.
11/10/2025
The root of dhyana is "dhyai" and means "to think". Dhyāna (meditation) means thinking with concentration. It is to think of that which is invisible and formless. We can imagine only some material that contains attributes of form. So, dhyāna is to fix the mind on the object of meditation, and to imagine that particular object in a particular place and to concentrate the mind upon it. One who casts off their body while engaged in meditation attains 'Sāyujya' (oneness).
Meditation is focus upon that which is formless.
11/09/2025
You can be in the state of dhyana and still engage with the world. Your experience will be from a distance because you'll have accessed a deeper connection to the world.
Your experience will can be in a state of dharana and be interrupted by the work because your focus withdrew as a result of distraction.
Dharana is the effort of focusing upon one point.
Dhyana is the state of being mindfuly focused.
Dhyana results from consistent, persistent and dedicated practice of mindfulness. Once you enter a state of meditation you never lose it. Your awareness is forever shifted.
Stick with it
Discover your Self
11/08/2025
This is just a sequence of movements.
Unless you establish Sankalpa and engage in dharana, then it becomes a practice of yoga.
Intention and concentration are key to differentiating a series of movements from a practice of yoga asana. What we hope to achieve and the attention we pay to how the movements and breath effect body, energy, thoughts and emotion matters.
Yoga is not just movements or mindful focus or breathing. It the combination of these practices and self study with the intention of accessing integration.
11/07/2025
Dhāraṇa (धारण) refers to “stabilising” and is the action (karma) associated with Sthira (“static”)
As we practice asana we seek sthira and sukha; steadiness (static) and ease (goodness). In yama and niyama we seek sattva (harmony). Pranayama helps us to access sauca (clarity). As we withdraw through pratyahara we create avritti (direction).
Dharana can be practiced as we engage with others, focus upon ourselves, move, breathe and sense. When we establish an intention of steadiness through effort, we practice dharana.
11/07/2025
We're a locally owned studio that focuses upon the practice of Real yoga to address your needs whether you live in Tahoe or love to visit.
Why do you love Lake Tahoe Yoga?
11/06/2025
Dhāraṇā (धारणा) refers to “concentration of the mind
We use many tools to develop concentration: the touch of a bead on a nala, the sound of mantra, the scent of incense, the image of a yantra. These tools are like training wheels; they help us to feel the balance of mindfulness.
When we are able to access mindfulness without tools that is when we begin to transition into meditation.
11/05/2025
Establish an intention of focusing upon one point, be it visual, audible, tangible, tasteful or scented. Direct your mind to remain attentive to that point. As distractions from your other senses, thoughts and emotions arise, continuously redirect back to your chosen point of focus.
This is dharana. It requires intention, effort and consistent focus. It is a practice that we can do, but that we so often choose not go because it's not easy. Allowing our attention to be directed by our senses rather than directing our senses requires work. However, the more we do the work, the closer to yoga we become.
Want to learn how to become better at establishing dharana? Book a Sensory Immersion Session to awaken, focus and control your attention.
"Height loss is not just about osteoporosis; it reflects loss of muscle mass, changes in posture, dehydration of spinal discs, and perhaps most significantly, compression of the body's internal cavities.
Think about what happens as your spine compresses and your posture collapses forward: Your thoracic cavity, which houses your heart and lungs, becomes compressed.
Your lungs can't expand fully when you breathe. Your heart has less room to pump freely. Your diaphragm can't descend properly with each breath. Even your digestive organs feel the squeeze as your torso collapses forward.
In short, when your body loses its structural integrity, everything from breathing to digestion to circulation becomes compromised."
-YogaUOnline
We can help you to stop this. Yoga movement, breathwork and mindful practices can help you to remain strong and stand tall. Protect your spine and you'll live longer.
11/04/2025
This could be dharana, or it be be posing, or it could be stretching, or it could be a work out.
The intention (sankalpa) is what matters.
You can attend a class that's labeled as yoga, but is really a fitness routine. If your guide tells you to do a posture, focuses upon muscles, movement and exercise and your goal is to sweat, stretch and gain strength, then you're unlikely to experience mindfulness.
If your guide provides philosophy, suggests establishing and intention of inward awareness, leads you to focus upon a singular point, encourages intentional breathing and you establish mindful focus, you may access dharana.
We offer opportunities to experience both the physical effort of kriya as well as the intentional practice of dharana. Join us to oractice Real yoga.
*paddle yoga has ended for the season,but you can join Balance Building to continue the practice all Winter long.
11/03/2025
Vinyasakrama: sort order
Popularly perceived as a workout or fitness approach to yoga asana, Vinyasakrama can be explained as "intentional placement" or "specified order." The "flow" created by the seamless transition from posture to posture has become synonymous with the word vinyasa.
The intention of Vinyasakrama is to create ease of movement and grace. As the sequence becomes more natural, through repetition, less focus is required to direct your body. Thus, you begin to practice dharana: mindfulness or concentration.
Vinyasakrama can be slow or rapid, simple or expressive. In each case, most important is the order of the postures as this establishes the intention of your focus.
Do the sequences your teacher or instructor guides make sense? Can you feel the intention of the vinyasakrama? Do you experience a shift beyond your body as you practice?
11/02/2025
Listening to an app to quiet your mind = dharana
Engaging in a breathing practice to calm your energy = dharana
Visualizing an image or symbol = dharana
Repeating a mantra or motto = dharana
Doing a body scan to help you body rest = dharana
The practices of mindfulness have become mislabeled as meditation. While these individual practices or sadhana are incredibly helpful for directing your focus, calming energy and inducing relaxation, none are meditation. They are effortful mindful practices that can help us access meditation.
So, when that ad comes on that suggests if you listen to a tone or sound for a certain period of time you've done a meditation, sorry you haven't, but you may have just engaged in a mindful practice: dharana.
Learn Real yoga when you practice with us to get know the difference between what's really yoga and what's just a promotion.
11/01/2025
After you ride, hike, work, ski or play, recovery allows you to be able to do it again the next day.
Before you go out for the evening, recover with the practice of yoga.
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It was serendipity that led to the creation of Lake Tahoe Yoga. For years studio owner, Jenay, would joke when walking by empty commercial spaces saying, “That’s a good spot for a Yoga studio.” She never thought she would actually open one.
Jenay Aiksnoras, ERYT500, M.S. Counseling, B.S. Psychology completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training while studying for her Master’s Degree. At the time, she was working two jobs: nanny and flower delivery girl while also interning as a counselor. This is just a small example of her commitment and work ethic.
In 2008, Jenay and her husband Brian relocated from East (NY) to West (NV). Jenay began working as a School Counselor, Brian is a Physical Therapist. The two regularly discuss that which they are learning, challenged by, and struggling with in order to both grow as individuals and professionals. Brian’s knowledge of Physiology and Anatomy has helped Jenay improve her awareness of the human body. Jenay’s understanding of the human condition has helped Brian provide better treatment for his patients.
Lake Tahoe Yoga began as Svadhyaya Yoga Studio. Svadhyaya translates to mean Self Study. In the lineage of Rajahatha Yoga Svadhyaya is the most valuable practice to develop in order to access Samadhi (integration). The studio was built on a foundation of sharing knowledge and connecting with others through conversation as well as developing better awareness while moving and breathing.
As Svadhyaya Yoga Studio grew, so did Jenay; she completed her 500 level YTT in 2011 and established the Lake Tahoe Yoga School. She has trained dozens of new teachers in the lineage of Rajahatha Yoga. Svadhyaya Yoga Studio became Lake Tahoe Yoga and the motto “Practice Yoga Everywhere” is applied literally. Jenay has taught throughout the basin, at her teacher’s studio in Madison, Wisconsin, in Cambodia and at a few unique locations you should ask her about when you meet her.
Today, Lake Tahoe Yoga has become more than just a place to practice poses. The class schedule is simply labeled to reflect the style of Asana and lineage that will be practiced. Every class includes a philosophical focus, intentional sequencing and directed breathing. In the tradition of Hatha Yoga practices of Mantra, Bandha and Satkarma are incorporated.
Every class begins with a Dharmic Focus. We discuss topics written about in ancient texts including The Yoga Sutras, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Vedas and Upanishads. We will chat about how Yoga has influenced the various practices of modern times as well as how some of the ancient techniques are not quite as applicable today. You will learn proper technique for accessing postures, the proper application for directed breath, mindfulness practices you can do anywhere and more.
All ages and abilities are welcome at Lake Tahoe Yoga. It is the perfect place to begin, grow and deepen your practice. To learn more about our Classes, Teacher Training, Therapeutic Sessions, Private Bookings, Corporate Classes and our unique Realignment Coaching. Visit LakeTahoeYoga.com.
