Gentle Yoga Practices
In these classes, you'll find many variations on common yoga poses, and you'll work with plenty of yoga props, which are provided to help poses fit your body. If you're joining class virtually, we recommend that you have a chair handy—preferably, a chair that is light enough that you can reposition as needed. It's also helpful to position yourself near a wall, which we often use for support and feedback during class.
Yoga for Balance and Stability
Yoga for Balance and Stability is a chair-based yoga class designed for students who are recovering from injury, working with limited mobility or special conditions, or looking for more supported ways to build strength and improve balance. With the support of a chair, each student can experience the stretching and strengthening benefits of yoga regardless of their current physical condition. While some may stand for part of the practice or transition to the floor for relaxation at the end, others may seated in a chair for the duration of the class.
Gentle Yoga
Gentle Yoga is designed for adults of any age, including seniors and those with minor physical ailments, who prefer a slower paced or more relaxed practice. Students practice beginning yoga postures and work on the principles of body alignment and breath awareness. Teachers provide lots of variations to ensure that poses are accessible for students with extra tight hips, cranky knees, or other minor limitations. Students of all levels are welcome, including those who are new to yoga. This class is best suited for students who are comfortable getting up from the floor and back down at least twice during class. If practicing with a chair is more appropriate for your body, please join us for Yoga for Balance and Stability or Gentle and Accessible Yoga.
Gentle Yoga Flow
Connecting breath with gentle, flowing movement, Phil weaves together sequences that help you feel stronger, wiser, and good down to your bones. Each class is carefully crafted to engage a variety of muscle groups to improve balance and posture, while fostering strength, flexibility, and mobility. By shaping breath, directing attention, and not taking ourselves too seriously, we‘ll encounter our innate capacity for steadfastness and stillness. Students of all levels are welcome, including those who are new to yoga. This practice is best suited for students who are comfortable getting up from the floor and back down at least twice during class. Please note that Fall 2024 Gentle Yoga Flow classes will be virtual-only during December.
Gentle Yoga with Weights
Gentle Yoga with Weights is designed for adults of any age, including seniors and those with minor physical ailments, who prefer a slower paced and more relaxed approach to upper body and core strengthening. Students practice yoga postures for core stability and balance using principles of body alignment and breath awareness. Standing poses will include upper body strengthening work with free weights and resistance bands, which are provided at the studio. Students of all levels are welcome, including those who are new to yoga. This class is best suited for students who are comfortable getting up from the floor and back down at least twice during class.
Qigong
This one-hour Qigong class includes gentle warm-ups, movements, and meditation to help the body heal, calm the mind, and boost energy. This class is beneficial for those new to Qigong and those with experience. Leyla will provide detailed instruction for beginners to learn the movements. Experienced practitioners will benefit from the instruction as well as the opportunity to practice in community. The class can be done either standing (building strength in the legs and improving balance) or seated in a chair (for those with mobility and balance limitations).
Yoga for a Healthy Back
Coping with back trouble—or trying to avoid it? Use breath and movement to build awareness, mobility, and strength to support the upper, middle, and lower back. This class is based in yoga, and we'll incorporate other techniques including myofascial release and strengthening / stretching with resistance bands. Resistance bands are available for use at the studio.