Yoga
“The yoga postures and breath are tools to rebuild and transform ourselves. The goal is not to tie ourselves in knots — we’re already tied in knots.”
— Max Strom, Yoga Teacher
Yoga.
My yoga practice is Hatha based. Hatha Yoga is perfect for beginners. It’s comprised of slow-paced, mindful movements, intentional breathwork and individual asanas (postures) with little yoga-flow. Hatha Yoga is perfect for focusing on alignment and posture. The intention of a Hatha-based yoga practice is to bring one’s body and mind into balance. Some of us are naturally flexible. Others are naturally strong. It’s far more common that we are strong and/or flexible in one area of our bodies, and not in another! Over time, due to injuries or through repetitive use (day-to-day life!), our bodies change and adapt. We lose strength, flexibility and range of motion. My yoga practice and instruction focuses on postures and teachings to meet each person where they are. In addition to the physical benefits, yoga has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, modulating the body’s stress response systems. This, in turn, can help to reduce the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and ease respiration.
“If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. We are both salt water mixed with air.”
— Nayyirah Waheed
Add yoga to your massage.
When you want your mind, body and spirit to feel healthy, yoga and massage are both great ways to achieve that.
Which Comes First?
Before yoga, massage helps provide the warmth and stretch your muscles may need in order to hold a pose longer. If you have trouble concentrating during a yoga session, massage can make it easier to sustain focus by removing your attention from the day’s distractions.
Massage after yoga creates a powerfully relaxing experience, after which you may feel so tranquil you’ll want to bask in that peaceful feeling for the rest of the day.
Just For Now
Just for now, lay down the
weight you so patiently
bear upon your shoulders.
Feel the earth receive
you, and the infinite
expanse of sky grow even
wider as your awareness
reaches up to meet it.
Just for now, allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience.
Breath out
whatever blocks you from
the truth. Just for now, be
boundless, free, awakened
energy tingling in your
hands and feet. Drink in
the possibility of being
who and what you really are
so fully alive that when you
open your eyes the world
looks different, newly born
and vibrant, just for now.
—Danna Faulds
“Yoga is a process of replacing old patterns with new and more appropriate patterns.”
— Sri T Krishnamacharya
Yoga Classes
Private Yoga Sessions
A private yoga class designed around your needs and abilities is the safest & easiest way to build a healthy yoga habit!
It is not uncommon for new students to join a group yoga class and feel overwhelmed or out of place. In studio classes, it can be difficult for instructors to address the unique needs of every student. Clients often seek out yoga to help address physical, mental or spiritual challenges or obstacles they are working on in their lives.
I love using private yoga classes to help clients create their own customized home practice. Private sessions focus on clear explanations and patient instruction focusing on safe alignment techniques and proper modifications for each individual. I specialize in coordinating asanas (yoga poses), pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation into customized sessions designed to help each client reach their goals.
Private sessions can begin with a conversation about health history, goals, and personal background information. An evaluation process to assess range of motion, flexibility and strength are options for clients looking to monitor their progress.
Yoga Class Schedule
I am not currently teaching group classes. At this time I am focusing on massage therapy and incorporating private yoga sessions for clients seeking to improve posture, build strength, increase flexibility, improve balance and focus on self-care. Outdoor, “Pop-Up” group yoga classes may be available and will be announced on social media.
“There is no competition in yoga. There is only the breath, body, mind and movement.”
— Giselle Shardlow
