Calm after work
Calming evening classes across Santa Cruz, for coming down from the day.
Explore current classes, studios and facilitators.
Practice coverage is updating. Schedules refresh separately.
Studio and facilitator lists are updating. Open Classes for the current schedule.
Coming up
Sunday 1 November 1 class
Monday 2 November 1 class
Thursday 5 November 2 classes
Calm after work in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, calm after work means evening yin and restorative yoga. Most classes run about an hour and begin between 5pm and 7:30pm, when the day is winding down. Poses are held for longer than in a typical class, so the body has time to settle. Some rooms are heated and some are not, so you can choose the temperature that suits the evening.
Where to start: The Club at Los Gatos, Anahata Hot Yoga and Wellness Center in Felton or Pacific Edge Climbing Gym in Twin Lakes
It suits you if
- you want to slow down after a full day
- you prefer long holds and quiet stillness
- you like a choice between heated and unheated rooms
Read more about Calm after work in Santa CruzWhat the classes feel like, Where and when to practice
What the classes feel like
The classes in this collection are built around yin yoga, with restorative yoga close behind. Yin poses are held for a long time, and the stillness is what creates the calm. Restorative sessions add props such as blankets, bolsters and blocks, so the body can rest fully in each shape. Many of the classes also aim at flexibility and joint mobility, using the long holds to ease the connective tissues.
Some classes add sweat or a warm room. Warm yin sessions at The Club at Los Gatos and hot restorative yin at Sol Hot Yoga bring heat into the practice, while unheated restorative yin at Sol Hot Yoga keeps the room cool. Anahata Hot Yoga and Wellness Center in Felton pairs yin with energy healing bodywork in a longer 75-minute class.
Where and when to practice
Most of these classes take place in the evening, with a few on weekends. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday are the days when the most classes run. The studios are spread across the area, from Felton and Twin Lakes to Rio Del Mar, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz itself. Pacific Edge Climbing Gym in Twin Lakes, Synergy Dance Fitness in Rio Del Mar and Santa Cruz Athletic Club in Santa Cruz all hold yin or restorative sessions, so you can pick the studio nearest to home or work.
Calm after work: questions and answers
What kind of classes are these?
Most of these classes are yin and restorative yoga, held in the evening. Yin asks you to hold poses for a longer time, often a few minutes each, so the body can soften and the mind can slow down. Restorative classes use blankets, bolsters and blocks to support the body in stillness.
When do these classes usually start?
Almost all of the classes start in the evening, with the earliest at 5pm and the latest at 7:30pm. The start times that come up most are 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:15pm and 7:30pm. A small number fall on weekends, and the busiest days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Are there heated and unheated options?
Yes. Some classes are heated, such as the warm yin sessions at The Club at Los Gatos and the hot restorative yin at Sol Hot Yoga, while others are unheated, like the restorative yin at Sol Hot Yoga. If you prefer a gentler room, look for a class described as unheated or restorative.
Where can I find these classes in Santa Cruz?
Anahata Hot Yoga and Wellness Center in Felton offers a few of these classes, including one that pairs yin and restorative yoga with energy healing bodywork. Sol Hot Yoga in Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz Athletic Club in Santa Cruz also run calm evening classes.
How long are the classes?
Most classes run about an hour, and a few stretch to 75 minutes. That length gives you time to arrive, settle into the first pose and leave the day behind before you head home.