Yoga Arts

Welcome and thank you for visiting Yoga Arts.

One of the ancient definitions of yoga comes from the Bhagavad Gita, and it says that "yoga is skill in action." Yoga Arts yoga classes are guided by this principle. Therefore, each class emphasizes sound alignment of the body, skillful, fluid movement, strength, flexibility, balance, effective breathing, learning how to relax and also smile. Our classes are taught by Yoga Arts owner Preston Whaley Jr. He makes the classes accessible, lively, challenging, safe and effective for most anyone who sincerely wants to learn and benefit from their yoga practice. In our experience, people of any age and in most physical conditions can feel comfortable practicing here.

There's another ancient definition of yoga that comes from the Yoga Sutras, which says, "yoga is samādhi," that is, yoga is the state of deep meditation. Available as a separate offering, Preston is an authorized teacher of Neelakantha Meditation as taught in Blue Throat Yoga. Neelakantha Meditation is an easy-to-do, natural, deep meditation practice anyone can learn.

When you sense your own growth and improvement it is self validating and motivating for continued, rewarding practice.

Please review the class memberships, Talking and Listening, class drop-in option and the Neelakantha Meditation course. We hope you join us. 

Preston's Educational Background: 

He's been practicing yoga since 2002 and teaching for 21 years. His primary teachers include Tias Little founder of Prajñā Yoga, Joseph LePage, Integrative Yoga Therapy. He was authorized to teach Neelakantha Meditation, Paul Muller-Ortega, founder of Blue Throat Yoga. He holds a M.Div. degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and also completed a practicum with the Seminary Consortium of Urban Pastoral Education. He did post-graduate work in Comparative Mysticism at the University of Florida and received his PhD in the Humanities from Florida State University. He lives with his wife Carrie and two children in Bradenton, Florida. He founded Yoga Arts in 2008. 

I am Preston Whaley Jr., instructor and owner of Yoga Arts. I am an authorized Neelakantha Meditation teacher and also a Yoga Alliance, RYT 500 asana teacher. I've been teaching yoga for over 21 years. As your teacher, my commitment is to present knowledge-based, holistic and engaging yoga. Acrobatic postures and athleticism are not the focus, though the offerings here will benefit those who enjoy athletic pursuits. Each Yoga Arts session is geared toward improving alignment, strength, joint support, agility, flexibility, balance and breath. The higher goal and reward of teaching is helping to instill more deeply the pleasure of movement, generosity of breath, enhanced body-mind awareness and a greater understanding and experience of Yoga. More recently, after many years of practice and study, I have become a Neelakantha Meditation teacher as taught by Blue Throat Yoga. I am grateful to be able to offer Neelakantha Meditation to students. It is easy to learn, deep, transformational and auspicious for the living of life.