Class Descriptions
Therapeutic Yoga
This ancient system is getting more press and support than ever from the western medical community. Why? Because people want to empower themselves to live healthier lives, and doctors are finally giving yoga a nod as a tool that can help us to do that. Yoga helps prevent injury, it can help us to heal and find relief from chronic issues that affect the neck, shoulders, hips, low back and much more.
In this class, postures will be modified to meet the needs of each individual. Blankets, blocks, bolsters, straps or chairs may be used to make postures more comfortable and safe. The class will break down into small groups or individual work will be given depending on what the needs of the group are on any given day.
Yoga for Stress
This class offers a smorgasbord of choices from the yoga menu artfully arranged to serve up a delicious blend of mind-quieting opportunities that include a combo of pranayama (breath work), a restorative pose or two, some relaxation exercises, guided visualization, meditation, and we'll end in savasana with live music accompaniment provided by Karen and her harmonium.
Gentle Yoga
This class includes gentle stretches, breathing, relaxation, and simple movements to increase range of motion of the major joints. Gentle Yoga is appropriate for seniors or for students who simply prefer to move at a slower pace. Individualized instruction and modifications are given to accommodate students with chronic symptoms such as muscle or joint pain, stiffness, weakness, or fatigue. Please note that if you are suffering from major medical issues, please contact us to discuss them so that we can help assess whether this class or a private session might be a better way to serve you. Call Karen or Jo at 513-533-9642. Thank you!
Beginner
This class focuses on standing poses, basic hip openers and backbends to strengthen and stretch the legs, back, and shoulders and may include box pose to build upper body strength and awareness. The Sunday morning Beginner class with Karen ends with seated meditation and a savasana accompanied by harmonium and chanting.
Mixed Level Anusara
Mixed Level classes are for students who are accomplished at the Beginner or Beginner Plus levels and are ready for a more challenging practice. Intermediate and occasionally advanced postures will be introduced with modifications when necessary. In the hands of two Anusara certified instructors, students will benefit from clear alignment instruction, heart-oriented languaging and an uplifting philosophy that are the strongholds of the Anusara system, leaving you in a better place of heart, mind and body.
Beginner Plus
Beginner Plus is a class that is designed for Beginner level students who have perhaps been coming for a little while and are ready to experience some slightly more challenging poses. If you had previously attended a Beginner level class at the same time, please note that the teaching of that class will stay the same and that we are just trying to more accurately describe the class. BEGINNERS ARE WELCOME to attend this class always.
Hour of Power
This class will give the busy yogi everything they need to get in, get mindful, get busy and get ‘er done. Condensing the practice into a powerful one-hour class combines flowing & powerful poses with the alignment you need for a dynamic practice. Work to a soundtrack of mindful breath and contemporary music. Class is open to any student wishing to go deeper into their practice, build strength, increase concentration, or just sweat. Not recommended for those brand new to yoga
Intermediate/Adv.
For the student with an accomplished practice and a strong understanding of the Alignment Principles. This is a challenging practice that includes the full sequence of poses including inversions, backbends and arm balancings.
Advanced
This class incorporates challenging, powerful standing poses, balancing poses on foot or forearms, deep seated postures and hip openers and inversions. Advanced students should be able to kick up unassisted to handstand at the wall and push up unassisted into wheel pose. A regular yoga practice outside of class is strongly encouraged.
Power Flow
Nothing will get you moving and keep you moving more than an invigorating Power Flow class with Beryl. This class is a challenging, creative stringing-together of poses in unexpected combinations to an inspiring soundtrack. Beryl's interesting use of space and dynamic alignment instruction will work you and leave you wondering what just happened to the last hour.
Slow Flow
This is a mindful, challenging yet slow-moving vinyasa practice where poses are beautifully linked together in fluid, creative combinations. Kim's classes are interesting, unexpected and often incorporate practices such as pranayama with an occasional sprinkling of an exercise that will promote mindfulness into previously unexplored territory.
Tai Chi and Qigong for Health
Qigong (pronounced “chee gung”) means 'energy skill'. It is an ancient Chinese system of exercises, breathing techniques, and meditations that cultivate health, energy, long life and a tranquil state of mind.
Qigong has three major areas of application:
- Disease prevention and self-healing
- Building strength, stamina, balance, flexibility, and resistance to injury
- Cultivating awareness, tranquility, and harmony with nature.
Fluid, graceful, circular movements make up this gorgeous practice to allow qi (chi) to flow unimpeded. This is a great practice for arthritis which strengthens and mobilizes the joints in a gentle way. No prior experience is necessary and you may join the class at any time.
Yoga for Pregnancy
In this class, mothers-to-be in any stage of pregnancy learn yoga postures and relaxation techniques to alleviate the common discomforts of pregnancy and prepare for childbirth. New mothers are also encouraged to return to this class as a great way to transition back into a regular yoga practice after childbirth. This is a very gentle yoga class, and no prior yoga experience is needed.
Candlelight Flow & Restorative
In the ambience of candlelight, come enjoy a slow-moving practice of poses that flow sweetly into one another. All students are welcome, and class will culminate in restorative yoga poses using blankets, blocks or bolsters for the last 1/2 hour of class.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga is a practice that often gets overlooked in a world where “doing” is valued far more than “being”. In this lovely practice, you can leave the distractions and stresses of daily life and devote much needed time to restoring your own sense of well-being. Students are situated in simple, comfortable poses on the floor supported with blankets, straps or blocks. They stay in poses for longer periods of time and allow gravity to create the releases and openings for the body without the effort of “doing”. A wonderful way to wrap up a weekend, or to begin the week with a full well to draw from. Consider adding constructive “down time” to your practice, and amazing things may begin to happen.
Hooping
Leslie is on a mission... and Hoola Hoops are the way there! Join Leslie to learn hoop basics and to enjoy an amazing core and cardio workout.
New Beginner
If you've never tried it before, this is THE place to begin! Judy & Sharon take students through a 6 week progression covering the basic postures so students can learn how to take the shapes of the poses in the best alignment possible from where they are.
What makes our approach unique is that we will have TWO teachers present in each class to offer students individual attention. This helps students advance more quickly and understand the alignment on a kinaesthetic level.
Though we rotate content through a 6 week period, we do not require pre-registration. We suggest though that students try to commit themselves to 6 consecutive classes no matter what day they begin in order to digest all of the content. New cycle dates begin on: 8/11, 9/22, 11/3.
Baby & Me
Join Wendy and Janie Andersen for this fun hour of yoga with your little one. Class will be oriented for the parent. Children 8 weeks to 18 months please. We have blankets to create a little padded area for baby. It's a pretty relaxed environment, so don't hesitate to nurse or change baby when necessary. (FYI... We do have a restroom with a changing table.)
