Class Descriptions
Yoga Styles
Introductory/Beginning Yoga are entry level classes that cover the pertinent aspects of classical Hatha yoga to prepare students to enter a Level I or Specialty class at the Center.
Please note that all classes on the schedule that are noted with a "heart symbol" allow all levels of students, including those with no experience.
Iyengar Yoga emphasizes correct alignment in the postures and develops strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. The use of props facilitates learning the poses. Its founder, BKS Iyengar, is known internationally for his teachings and was instrumental in introducing yoga to the United States.
Kundalini Yoga is called the yoga of awareness. Dynamic movement is linked with rhythmic breathing. The sets (kriyas as taught by Yogi Bhajan) combine breathing, stretches, posture and meditation to invigorate the body, balance the glandular system and strengthen the nervous system. It can be aerobic, or it can be quiet and reflective, but it is always a unique and uplifting experience.
Mind and Body Yoga emphasizes asana, breath, meditation and visualization as an integrated yoga practice. You will relax, as well as develop strength and flexibility, leading to greater awareness of body, breath and mind.
Power Yoga: Strength with Breath in Movement Taught in the Viniyoga Tradition of breath with movement. The power is created by the use of longer stays and holds, while using the breath to aid in developing strength and endurance, and keeping the integrity of the body safe.
Viniyoga is an approach to Yoga that emphasizes the integration of the flow of the breath with the movement of the body. Classes focus on assessing the movement potential of each student, breath awareness, breath modification in Yoga postures, and the use of the tools of Yoga to enhance strength, flexibility, and well-being.
Private Yoga Instruction at the Center or in your home is provided by Clare Collins, Marianne Huebner, Ann Lapo, Kathy Ornish, and Kathy Stover. Please contact the instructor for further information.
Specialty Yoga Classes
Beginning Pranayama explores the art of breathing. Pranayama in the rhythmic control of the breath, it's extension and expansion. Pranayama cleanses and aerates the lungs, oxygenates the blood and purifies the nerves. Contact Kathy Stover Taught periodically
Beginning Meditation will be a systematic approach to learning beginning meditation. Meditation decreases stress, and creates deep inner calm. This class will provide a foundation on which to build a long-term home practice. All levels welcome. Contact Kathy Ornish Taught periodically
Children’s Yoga supports children's creativity and enjoyment of physical activities to build flexibility, strength and balance. The children explore exercises for muscle strength, flexibility and balance, build self-awareness through breathing and movement, and study aspects of anatomy (such as muscles, and skeleton). Music, stories and games are incorporated in the classes. Contact Marianne Huebner
Gentle Mind and Body Yoga offers a very gentle physical practice, combined with breath awareness , to enhance strength and flexibility of body and mind. Restorative yoga poses, relaxation, meditation and visualization will end the class leaving you relaxed and renewed. All levels welcome. Contact Kathy Ornish
Introduction to Yoga for Every Body
Yoga class for beginners designed specifically for people with health challenges. Join Clare Collins RN., PHD, certified Yoga Therapist to experience how the tools of yoga can be adapted for your specific needs. Individual yoga therapy sessions available at reduced cost for participants. Fee includes book and handouts. Class size limited to 8 students. Contact Clare at 333-9883 ext 2.
Mothers and Infants Yoga, for new mothers and their babies, ideally beginning the first month after delivery, includes gentle poses to strengthen and tone mothers’ bodies; relaxation and restorative techniques to relieve stress and renew energy; and time for sharing questions and concerns in this time of becoming a new family. Contact Stephanie Francisco
Mothers and Babies Yoga, for the 2-8 month old baby, continues with yoga to strengthen and tone mothers’ bodies, and meditative postures to bring calm. Interactive yoga with babies, including infant massage, deepens the mother-baby bond. This class may be taken following the Mothers and Infants Yoga class or independently. Contact Stephanie Francisco
Practice from the Heart gives you an opportuniy to immerse into a complete yoga practice - poses, pranayama, meditation, guided imagery and philosophy - designed to open you heart, honor your body, cultivate compassion and renew your connection to your peaceful center. All levels welcome. Punch cards available. Contact Ann Lapo
Prenatal Yoga is designed for beginning or experienced yoga students in their second and third trimester who do not have pregnancy complications. Gentle poses, breath awareness, and deep relaxation help relieve physical discomforts of pregnancy and prepare the body for labor and delivery. Contact Kathy Stover
Prenatal Transformation Hatha Yoga For You and Your Baby
Yoga is fun -- it relaxes and nurtures your whole being. With Prenatal Transformation Hatha Yoga (from 16 weeks through delivery) you can joyfully maintain and strengthen your posture and tone, prepare and balance on all levels. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to class. Pre-registration is required. Students may join mid-series by contacting the instructor. Contact Joanne Rowe
Yoga Clinic
Each week this workshop will be dedicated to a specific part of the anatomy (such as the hips, shoulders, and abdominals) to help students address certain physical imbalances and introduce a range of poses and their modifications to strengthen and relieve tension in the body.
Call Tara at 862-6963, dharma_yoga@hotmail.com or www.dharmayogaarts.com.
The Yoga Journey for Beginners & Beyond
This class invites students of all levels of experience to explore yoga as a practice for resolution and renewal. With an emphasis on postural alignment and the integration of breath with movement, students will develop body awareness, strength, flexibility, and balance while learning to create safe transitions through dynamic sequences. This joyful, contemplative and constantly evolving practice incorporates meditation and relaxation techniques to nurture self-study and well-being. Contact Tara Scott
Yoga and Menopause
Experience how the tools of yoga can be adapted to support you during the transition through menopause and beyond. Class includes discussion, yoga postures, breath techniques, meditation and guided relaxation. Individual yoga therapy sessions available at reduced cost for participants. Handouts included. Class size limited to 10 students. Contact Clare at 333-9883 ext 2.
Yoga for Midlife and Older Beginners offers gentle, guided instruction for the older beginner with the use of props for support. You’re never too old to benefit from yoga! Contact Kathy Stover.
Yoga for Wellness is a yoga class for every level of students with a focus on creating physical and mental wellness. The class will consist of yoga poses that integrate the flow of the breath with the movement of the body (see description of Viniyoga), a time for deep relaxation, a pranayama (breathing practice), as well as some meditation. This should result in increased stability, strength, and flexibility in the body, as well as increased stillness and clarity of the mind to enhance the general well-being of the participants. Students will be encouraged and helped to develop a home practice that fits their own needs and goals. Contact Gabriele Kende
Yoga to De-Stress for Lunch
This class will help to release stress from the body and mind. Breath and movement will facilitate stress reduction in this 45-minute lunch time class. Contact Wendy Kopitsch
Movement Classes
Basic Tai Chi is a gentle, energizing, and relaxing exercise program suitable for all to improve their fitness, health, vitality and sense of well being; equally beneficial to healthy individuals as well as those with physical challenges. Persons with any serious medical problems should consult with their doctor before beginning any new exercise program.
If you want to wear shoes, please bring flat comfortable CLEAN shoes to change into for class. Street shoes are not allowed in the studios.
Contact Cathy Stewart
Chilel Qigong Lift Chi Up and Pour Chi Down Method
Chilel Qigong is a Chinese Healing Movement Art once taught at a medicineless hospital in China. It received a 95% effective rating according to United Nations Standards of Effectiveness.
It consist of gentle, slow, and easy to learn movements which are designed to harmonize the flow of chi (life force) in the body. We will learn the first method which is Lift Chi Up and Pour Chi Down.
Chilel is all about love, compassion, and harmony and so the practice is very up lifting and inspirational. Some other benefits include: Deep Relaxation and Stress Reduction, Increased Flexibility and Strength, Improved Stamina and Balance, all for Improved Quality of Life. Contact Aspen Bernath-Plaisted 517-651-5725
The Nia Technique
Experience the benefits of moving your body...The Body's Way. Develop flexibility, strength and balance while moving JOYFULLY and PLEASURABLY to the music of a variety of genres and artists. Nia combines martial arts, dance arts and healing arts to open your mind, condition your body, and nurture your spirit. All fitness levels welcome. Contact Pam Gower
Pilates
Pilates is a set of exercises on the mat that strengthen the core muscles, build endurance and improve coordination. The emphasis is on control, breathing, centering, stability, range of motion, and precision. Specific muscle groups are stretched and strengthened to stabilize the spine. These are flowing movements with deep breathing. Pilates improves your strength and physical well-being. Foam rollers, small balls, and stretch bands enhance the results of the exercises and help with proper alignment.
The Beginning Pilates moves more slowly with careful attention to form.
Pilates Flow is a vigorous class for those with prior Pilates experience or fit beginners. Enrollment limit: 10. Contact Marianne Huebner
Tai Chi Depth Training for Tai Chi Instructors and Advanced Tai Chi Students (2 years or more experience) will focus on going deeper into your tai chi forms to bring out more internal force and chi cultivation by understanding and applying the internal principles of tai chi. Yang Style, Sun Style, Chen Style and 5 Elements will be the primary forms covered during classes. Participants will further enhance their tai chi skills with continual forms corrections, learning martial applications, Qi Gong, Silk Reeling, push hands, tai chi temple dance and the use of the tai chi Ruler, fan and sword to reach higher levels of tai chi proficiency.
Please bring flat comfortable CLEAN shoes to change into for class. Street shoes are not allowed in the studios. Wear loose comfortable clothing.
Contact Dan Jones
Telling Your Story, a writing class
Do you have a story you want to tell? Are you writing a book? Do you need some structure? Some feedback? Some practice? This workshop is a place to focus on what you’ve already begun or find inspiration with a new approach. Drop-ins welcome. Punch cards accepted. If you'd like more information, go to www.clarkwoodconnect.com, call Rebecca at (517) 372-3432, or email her: write@clarkwoodconnect.com. Please put "Telling Your Story" in the subject line.
Gentle Yoga
Gentle Mind and Body Yoga offers a very gentle physical practice, combined with breath awareness, to enhance strength and flexibility of body and mind. Restorative yoga poses, relaxation, meditation and visualization will end the class leaving you relaxed and renewed. All levels welcome. Contact Kathy Ornish
Introduction to Yoga for Every Body
Yoga class for beginners designed specifically for people with health challenges. Join Clare Collins RN., PHD, certified Yoga Therapist to experience how the tools of yoga can be adapted for your specific needs. Individual yoga therapy sessions available at reduced cost for participants. Fee includes book and handouts. Class size limited to 8 students. Contact Clare at 333-9883 ext 2.
Yoga for a Healthy Back is for those that want to create or maintain a strong back; the use of Viniyoga methodologies wll be used to strengthen the back, and create pelvic/lumbar region stability. Your instructor, Wendy, has been trained and Certified by American Viniyoga Institute, whose founder, Gary Kraftsow, has produced the DVD - Viniyogatherapy for the Low Back, Sacrum and Hips. Contact Wendy Kopitsch