Weekly Schedule: August 2010 __________________________________________________________________________
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Class Descriptions
Yoga
*Level determined by class day and time. Our Hatha-style yoga classes explore breathing techniques, posture (asana) practice and deep relaxation. Drawing from the vast array of yoga poses, each class may explore seated warm ups, twists, balance poses, and/or standing postures, working on stretching and strengthening the body. Props and modifications are incorporated in postures, allowing students to practice in comfort and at their own pace.
Vega Flow
*Level 2/3. Aaron Vega’s signature class! This advanced beginning/intermediate class is for the student looking for a new challenge in a flow class. Aaron utilizes dynamic flowing sequences, choreographed to a unique array of music that you never thought you would hear in yoga class.
Core Focus Yoga
*Level 2. Incorporating the various core strengthening techniques of Yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and Dance, each teacher will bring their own twist to this core-fusion class. Experience a safe and challenging workout, while further exploring how core muscles relate to and provide support in yoga poses.
Infant-friendly Yoga for Parents
*Open level. Not to be confused with Baby-Mommy Yoga, this is a Yoga class for the parents, where babies from 4 weeks to pre-crawlers are welcome.
Children's Yoga and Creative Movement (ages 3-5)
*No prior yoga or dance movement experience needed. A lively yoga and creative movement class designed for young children. Working on focus, flexibility and motor skills, all while singing songs, learning poses and most importantly, having fun!
Children's Yoga (ages 6-11)
*No prior yoga experience needed. A fun and lively first look at postures. Working on strength, flexibility and coordination, while using music and exercises geared toward this age group.
Teens Yoga (ages 12-17)
*Open level. Stretch and strengthen in a class that lets you practice with the support of your closest friends. Learn de-stressing tools for life, in a fun and creative atmosphere. Great supplement for dance, gymnastics or sports!
Yoga in the Chair
*Basic level. Ideal for Seniors or individuals with back/knee injuries. This entire class is designed to offer postures with the aid of a chair, incorporating gentle stretches in standing or seated positions. A wide variety of poses, including twists and balances are taught, providing work on strength and flexibility. Absolutely no getting up and down from the floor. *2 Holyoke Council on Aging (COA) class tickets also accepted.
Tai Chi and QiGong Intro
Tai Chi and QiGong are Chinese forms of body movement and internal forms of martial art. The soft, slow and graceful movements relax the mind and body, help digestion, quiet the nervous system, benefit the heart and blood circulation, make joints loose, refresh the skin, tone the muscles, strengthen the spine, organs and brain, and improve overall quality of life and health
Mid-day Stretch
*Open level. This one-hour class is perfect if you’re on a tight schedule or just need a break from work to stretch and rejuvenate. Fit it in on your lunch break!
Yoga for Back & Neck Care 6-Week Series (drop ins welcome!)
*Basic level. SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES. CLASS CARDS DO NOT APPLY. Yoga For Back & Neck Care is both for those who have suffered with chronic low back pain or general back and neck discomfort. It is also for those who want to learn preventative care, as well as good discernment during yoga practice. Participants will learn yoga and therapeutic movements to increase muscle strength and improve range of motion.
Participants should be willing to do a twenty-minute home practice 2 to 3 times per week to maximize the benefits. If you are under a doctor's care, please receive Dr.'s approval before registering for this class.
Karla Geoffroy is a certified Structural Yoga Therapist and has been teaching yoga for 16 years. She has healed her own back pain using this program. Karla is the co-director of Valley Yoga in Westfield.
Yoga en Español
*Basic/Level 1. Yoga sirve para cultivar una actitud positiva, reducir estres y mantener el bien estar del cuerpo. En esta clase para todas las edades se presentaran principios de meditacion, respiracion y las posturas basicas de hatha yoga.
Yoga for the Guys
*Basic/Level 1. Get in touch with your inner warrior … and find space to surrender. A class designed with guys in mind! Build strength and flexibility in a non-competitive atmosphere, with great music and that Aaron Vega twist.
Y-D Fusion
*Level 2/3. Debra Vega's signature class! This yoga-dance fusion class, which is friendly for yogis and dancers alike, combines the practice of yoga with the challenge of dance technique. Opening and strengthening the body while working on coordination, flexibility, and furthering your body awareness. A fun, challenging new way to look at yoga!
Power Yoga
*Level 2/3. Courtney's Power Yoga is dedicated to the dance between safety, body awareness and stepping outside perceived boundaries. Even as you work up a sweat, the pace remains slow, fluid and methodical. Inversions, arm balances and backbends are explored in this vigorous practice, but alternatives are always offered. Devoted yogis afraid of the word "Power" should try it out, as this is still a peaceful, contemplative practice.
Inner Journey Meditation
*No prior meditation experience needed. Focusing on quieting the mind and learning techniques to strengthen and balance energy in the body, we will explore mudras (yoga for the hands), chakra meditation, breathing exercises, and regular old sitting quietly together. Group meditation is a great way to tune in to the world around you and get in touch with all of those positive energies that are floating around, waiting to be breathed in!
*This is a donation only class. Class cards do not apply.
Suggested donation - $10
Heart Centered Meditation
*No prior meditation experience needed. Come enjoy a hour-long guided meditation, that will relieve your stress and help you explore your heart center. Some say it's like an hour long shavasana. Suggested donation - $10.
Yoga for Relaxtion
*Open level. In India, yoga is a way of preparing the body to sit or recline comfortably in meditation and relaxation. Yoga and Relaxation will be an open level class for students who want to deepen their yoga practice with longer meditation, extended relaxation, mudras, and pranayam. The energy of group meditation and movement can create a very healing and rejuvenating atmosphere, and this evening class will be a relaxing way to release nervous energy and stress at the end of the day.
Gentle Kripalu Stretch
*Open level. Hamstrings, shoulders, and hips are the main fields of interest in Gentle Kripalu Yoga. Explore the emotional body as you loosen joints, lengthen the spine and find overall mobility that makes everything in life easier. Though the class will often practice restorative poses, there will also be safe, standing postures and short flow sequences to improve circulation and strengthen the body. Modifications are always offered for injuries. Whether you are new to yoga or a long term practictioner needing a deep gentle release, come explore this slow, rebalancing practice.
Girls Scouts of America Yoga Badge
A one-time class or 4 to 6 week series, which offers basic knowledge about the practice of yoga. Designed to enable Girl Scout Troops to earn their yoga badge.
Yoga to Relax and Rejuvenate (1st & 3rd Fridays Only)
*Level 1/2. This class is well suited to those who are looking for a relaxed, gentle-paced practice. Emphasis is on improving balance, developing conscious breathing, cultivating strength and flexibility, while calming the mind. Props may be utilized for support to create complete muscular release, promoting deep relaxation. Feel yoga's restorative power, and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit!
Intro to Belly Dancing 6-Week Series (drop ins welcome!)
*No previous dance experience needed. SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES. CLASS CARDS DO NOT APPLY. Through this series, students will learn bellydance basics, including posture, hip and chest isolations, fluid arm movement, and gentle shimmies. Students will learn a short sequence of steps to practice at home---or try at the next dance party!
Yin Yoga 4-Week Series (drop ins welcome!)
*Open level. SPECIAL 4-WEEK SERIES. CLASS CARDS DO NOT APPLY. Yin yoga integrates pranayama, asana, meditation and long holds to produce a deeper physical and mental opening in your practice. Learn the “yin” technique of releasing muscular tension to sooth and refresh connective tissue of the body.
Each of the four classes will have a a familiar yoga sequence to warm and invigorate the body followed by an hour or more of yin poses – postures held for up to 5 minutes. Arranging the bones into a supportive shape allows the muscles to melt and relax. Long holds offer the chance to self-analyze the effects of postures on the physical structure.
The course is designed for all levels of experience and ability. Although each class will present a few deep poses, variations will be offered to allow for limitations.
Go home and sleep like a baby.
Levels Explained
Yoga Basics
*Never taken yoga or taken very little.
This beginner’s class in the Hatha style introduces students to the asana (posture) practice. This class begins to explain and explore the fundamentals of yoga postures, breathing, alignment and relaxation. Our teachers provide slow and steady guidance, allowing our students to feel comfortable and confident as they build their own yoga practice.
Level 1 Yoga
*Beginner level.
This beginner level class in the Hatha style provides students a strong foundation in yoga postures, breathing, alignment and relaxation. Postures are taught with plenty of modifications, providing students the opportunity to explore at their own comfort level and ability.
Level 2 Yoga
*Advanced beginner level.
Continuing to build on the yoga fundamentals, this advanced beginner level class in the Hatha style is for the student ready for a deeper challenge. Modifications continue to be provided, allowing the beginner student to experience their next level of practice.
Level 3 Yoga
*Intermediate level.
An intermediate level class in the Hatha style for the student who has a strong yoga practice and is looking for a challenge! Dynamic flowing sequences, backbends and inversions may be explored in this class.
Open Level Yoga
*Some prior yoga experience.
Beginner-friendly classes open to students of all levels of yoga abilities, from basic level to intermediate. Challenge levels vary depending upon the style of class and class description. Each class provides a variety of modifications enabling our students to fit the class to their own ability.
Intro to Belly Dancing
No previous dance experience needed for this Intro Level Belly Dance Class.