Alison Faison has been practicing yoga for over ten years. She has taught yoga to adults, teenagers, and children in San Francisco for over five years. She was certified in prenatal yoga in 2006, and taught prenatal classes during her own pregnancy. After having a baby, she participated in postnatal yoga and taught private sessions. She is certified in Hatha yoga, with experience in Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Yin yoga styles. Breathing, sound, music, and movement are incorporated into her yoga practice and teaching. She is interested in combining flowing and energizing postures with restorative postures, and integrating knowledge of physiology and alignment in order to create a nurturing, safe environment for all levels of practitioners.

Custom Yoga
Private yoga sessions accommodate the needs of the individual. Modified postures allow one to be in an aligned body position according to one’s level of flexibility, strength, and balance. This alignment practiced together with the breath promotes relaxation and revitalization.

Hatha yoga, the foundational system of yoga postures used in this practice, allows individuals to strengthen the body, as well as balance the mind and heart for a healthy state of being. The postures paired with breath circulate fresh oxygen throughout the vital organs and muscles, thereby healing and building tissues. Conditions such as: lower back pain, tension in neck and shoulders, arthritis and high blood pressure can be relieved by gently strengthening and stretching the muscles located in the areas of concern.

Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal yoga offers a safe community environment where pregnant women can enjoy movement and breath within their changing bodies. Modified yoga postures can aid in relieving common pregnancy issues such as: lower back discomfort, nausea, digestion, tension in hips and shoulders, swelling, sciatica, heartburn, varicose veins, constipation etc. Movement, breath, and strengthening of the pelvic floor and uterus muscles and visualization promote positive wellbeing in women during pregnancy, as well as in labor and birth. Many postures can relax the muscles and create a fluid rhythm during labor.

Postnatal Yoga
Postnatal yoga creates a space for mothers (recommendation: attending no sooner than six weeks after giving birth) and babies (newborn up to crawling) to enjoy community, movement, and bonding between themselves and other mothers and babies. Modified yoga postures can aid in strengthening the pelvic floor, core abdominal and back muscles, improve balance, release tension in shoulders and back, and support the postnatal healing process. Mothers engage in postures with their babies, as well as enjoy relaxation during the last half of the class. Mothers are encouraged to attend to the needs of their baby at any time during the session or class: feeding, diapering, holding, walking around with baby etc. Mothers are also welcome to attend without their babies.

*All yoga sessions can take place in the client’s home or workplace, or at a fitness studio in North Beach.