Private Yoga Lessons
Are you more comfortable working privately with your instructor? Perhaps you are ready for additional challenges? Private Yoga sessions allow for individualized attention to your specific needs, working at your own pace and finding your own comfort zone. Sessions are scheduled at a convenient time for both you and your instructor. 

Instructor: Martie Schoener
Private Yoga fee:  $60 per hour

Yoga For Beginners

10 week sessions: Wednesdays 6-7 pm

• Summer Quarter: July 14- September 15
• Fall Quarter: September 29 –December 8
  (no class 11/24/10)
• Winter Quarter: January 5 – March 9, 2011
• Spring Quarter: April 6 – June 8, 2011

Cost: $120
Early Bird Special: Sign up for the summer quarter
by July 12 and save 10%

The introductory/beginning level Hatha class starts with the very basics. Instructor Martie Schoener offers background on Yoga and the tremendous health benefits which may result including:

• increased concentration & focus
• increased stamina & energy
• strengthens & supports the spine
• tones the body & clears the mind
• increases flexibility & strength
• improves circulation
• helps to combat stress, tension,
  and a restless mind
• may bring a greater sense of calm and encourage more restful sleep

This class requires NO prior yoga experience.  Basic yoga postures will be explored, with a focus on proper alignment, breathing, and moving with the breath. Through a number of gentle stretching techniques, participants will learn how to slowly and safely open the body gradually over time. This process will help to increase flexibility, strength, range of motion and balance. Students will learn to work at the place and pace appropriate for each person’s body - what we call working at the 'edge' - as I believe yoga should never cause pain!

Plenty of options and modifications will be offered such that the body is never forced or pushed aggressively. Taught in this way, the practice allows the opportunity for opening up the mind - body - spirit connection - the heart of yoga practice. Participants need to be comfortable getting up and down from the floor easily. Class duration is usually 1 hour and 15 minutes, with a substantial relaxation period at the close. Each participant is asked to bring a yoga mat, 2 blocks and a strap.             

Class is designed for new beginners or those with very little previous yoga experience.

No Pretzels Poses, Please! Yoga
Slow Yoga Flow for every body!

10 week sessions: Tuesdays 10-11 am

• Summer Quarter: July 13-September 14
• Fall Quarter: September 28 – November 30, 2010
• Winter Quarter: January 4 – March 8, 2011
• Spring Quarter: April 5 – June 7, 2011

Instructor: Martie Schoener
Cost: $120
Early Bird Special: Sign up for the summer quarter
by July 12 and save 10%

Yoga can be beneficial for anyone.  Students work at their own pace to gain strength, flexibility, and awareness - while reducing stress and easing tension. Even if you have limited mobility or have special physical challenges, yoga postures can be modified for your benefit. Whatever your body type or fitness level, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of yoga. There is NO need to be intimidated by those "hard-bodied" pretzel poses you may see on TV or in magazines! We are not going there! This class will introduce you to a gentle, slowly flowing sequence of poses (postures) that can be done anytime. Beginners focus on learning breath awareness and easy postures, while emphasizing relaxation techniques and spine flexibility. You will do YOUR yoga for YOUR body! You’ll glow with the flow!

There is one premise suggested for all Yogis:  Ahimsa.  Use AHIMSA in class (ah-hem-sa.)

Nonviolence, kindness, release of negative thoughts, non-aggression, and GENTLENESS – all applies as to how you treat YOUR body! LISTEN TO YOUR BODY ABOVE ALL ELSE. Pain and strain do NOT equal gain! If it does not feel right, don’t do it and tell your teacher!  Usually, the posture may be easily modified or an alternate posture is offered. Your alignment may simply need adjustment. It is hard to see your own body. You will learn the difference between discomfort/pain (usually from joint compression), and sensations of a new feeling in the body (usually tension in the muscles). In time, you will learn to work at your “just right place” or stretch – what we call the “edge.”  Yoga should feel good during and after practice, and the next day. Tell your teacher about past injuries. Bottom line – “Yoga shouldn’t hurt” and pain is never to be ignored.

Ahimsa also applies to the way we compare ourselves to others - in other words, come to class with an attitude of "non-judgment" of yourself and others. Unlike most other fitness, workout or athletic programs, Yoga is NOT a competition! Each body is unique - different from that of anyone else. No two people will do the same yoga posture the same way. Yoga is about you discovering, experiencing and connecting with your own body. Your body will feel different from class to class, week to week, and from right side to left side - depending on the day and what is going on in your life, i.e. where you are holding tension. Yoga is all about the joy and delight of self discovery, and the body-mind-spirit connection!

Hatha Yoga is appropriate for all fitness levels, and is a safe starting point for those with little or no yoga experience. With the breath as our focus, the postures slowly flow (move) from one to the next, riding or floating on the inhalation and exhalation of the breath. This mellow pace allows for attention to alignment, gives the body time to open, and offers the mind the possibility to ‘chill out.’ Hatha flow is also suggested for experienced yogis seeking to add
balance to a more athletic style of yoga practice. An introductory series is recommended for those who have never experienced any yoga at all.

FYI - Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga styles are definitely more athletic in nature as well as being more physically challenging and vigorous. Both require a higher degree of flexibility, strength and stamina, as postures are paired with the breath to build heat and move at a more brisk pace. Ashtanga style takes you quickly through a predetermined set of poses (series) as you remain focused on deep breathing. Vinyasa style yoga is very similar to Ashtanga except that the sequence of the poses used is more creative and diverse as opposed to prescribed, and is chosen or designed by the individual instructor.

As with any form of exercise or body workout, check with your doctor prior to coming to class to make sure yoga is appropriate for your particular physical constitution or health situation.

COMPONENTS OF ALL CLASSES
Pranayama - Full breath (working with the breath)
Asanas – postures (poses)
Pratyahara - quiet internal reflection & stillness

Class is designed for those with previous yoga experience and some body awareness.