How often should you do yoga?

The more you move your body in fun and kind ways, the better your body will feel, and the happier and healthier you will be.  We highly recommend practicing yoga in a group class twice a week, and then quick easy practices at home on your other days.  Some students attend almost everyday and find that by doing so they accomplish much more in their life by being relaxed and balanced, but please begin slowly and work your way up.  The best way to get the most out of yoga is to attend one slower moving class each week (floor based) and one active (standing & balance) class.  This combination of classes will stretch and tone the body, and build strength in the bones

Description of Classes

Yoga With An Anusara Twist

Description:  Inspirational class that takes you deeper into your yoga practice physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Stephanie’s background in yoga therapeutics, both on physical and mental levels, is woven into the class to help you heal and progress further on your journey both on and off the mat.

Ashtanga Yoga:

Ashtanga  involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

Awaken with Jyoti Yoga:

Jyoti (Devine Light) Yoga class will start your day with brightness and an uplifting practice. This class is appropriate to those fairly new to yoga, or any level student who wishes to refine the basics:  Foundations, thoughtful alignment instruction and moving with the breath are woven into this yoga practice.

These postures are subtle, adaptable to almost everyone at any level especially beginners.  Gentle Yoga is therapeutic and balancing to:
    o Improve circulation, mobility and flexibility
    o Establish better body mechanics to help prevent injuries

    o Replace poor movement patterns that cause discomfort and bad posture

  o Balance one physically and mentally to improve energy and overall physical health

No pre-registration is required - first class will be held on Friday February 5.

Belly Dance :  Belly dance consists of a broad range of styles from Lebanon, North Africa, Egypt, the Arabian Gulf, and Turkey.  These styles are united in the use of isolation movements of the hips, chest, shoulders, head, and arms, as well as serpentine and undulating movements of the torso.  The rhythms and instrumentation used vary greatly, but in most there is an emphasis on percussion.

This is a great way to exercise the core.  It also helps to improve mental focus, as the exercises require each participant to isolate certain areas of the body.  Belly dancing is appropriate for all ages, and all fitness levels.  No prior dance experience is necessary.  For those with some experience, we can add in layering and other more advanced options as desired.

Participants are encouraged to wear clothing that is comfortable, but that allows the instructor to monitor the movements of the torso and hips.  Hip scarves (with or without fringe, coins, or baubles) are encouraged but not required.  We may also experiment with veil work.  Belly dance is fun for friends to come to together -- if you've ever wanted to take a class with friends, this is a great opportunity!

Belly Dance for Kids & Teens

Open to kids between 4 (ability to listen and follow directions) and 9 in age, bellydance for kids introduces children to the music and dance of middle eastern bellydance.  They will learn posture, arm movements, and beginning isolations of the hips and ribs.  In a fun, nurturing environment, they will be encouraged to become more comfortable with movement and rhythm.  No prior movement/dance experience is necessary.

 

Please have your children wear comfortable clothing that allows movement, and allows the position of their knees to be seen (such as tights and skirts or shorts and t-shirts).  They will dance without shoes.

 

Hip scarves with fringe or coins/beads are optional, but fun for the kids, and help them hear and see the motion they are making.  (Hip scarves with coins can be purchased at www.thebellydanceshop.com - located in Pineville, or online - search Amazon.com for options. Scarves with fringe are available at Target and other stores.)

Deep Stretch and Release:

This class will focus on breath work and yoga stretches appropriate for all levels.  There will be a therapeutic and balancing quality to the class, which is cultivated from Lisa’s 25 years of movement and therapy and life experience to the class, which she has acquired by receiving different physical therapy modalities.  being a professional dancer.  She is a massage therapists, embracing and teaching many styles of yoga and most importantly having a daily self yoga practice for many years.

Express Yoga For Less

This class if Community Yoga's way of giving back to our students as well as offering new students to take advantage of a discounted price of $5 per class (No classes are removed from a purchased pass).   This class can be a great break in your day.  It is open to all levels of students offering stillness, subtle flow and strength.  Great for shifting any stagnant energy and  providing a more calm and productive day. 

Gentle Yoga:  Gentle yoga is yoga for everybody.

It is an effective approach to developing flexibility and strength and encourages deep relaxation.  Gentle yoga also offers a transformation for those with physical limitations:

    chronically tight muscles

    reduced range of motion in joints

    weakness, low muscle tone

    recovery from surgery or injury

    inflammation

    heart conditions
This class may be done on mat or in a chair

Hatha Yoga - Basic:  Hatha yoga, broken down.  Slower pace. Ideal for beginning students, or those wishing to deepen their experience.

Hatha Yoga - Hatha yoga is described as a merging together of sun and moon, left and right, or the masculine and feminine principles of the body through asana.  It affects the mind as well as the body.  It is the type of yoga which is widely practiced by westerns, the physical yoga, where we begin to consciously  move through postures.  The benefit of yoga depend on presence of mind during practice, making this practice much more than purely physical.  Come to create balance and peace in your life by stretching muscles that you never knew you had.  As we begin to strengthen and open the body through these postures, asana,  we also encourage concentration, find inner stillness, perseverance, patience, and self-acceptance, which, will  benefit our mind and overall health.

Each teacher adds their own personality and wisdom to their classes, but in each Hatha yoga class you will find a connection with movement and breath, strength and relaxation, as well as meditation and release.  Perfect for beginners and amazing for intermediate to advance students to deepen their practice and knowledge. 

 

Kids Yoga: 
Roar like a lion!  Stand strong as a tree.  Float like a cloud in the sky!  Your child will develop self awareness, self acceptance and self confidence with this comprehensive children's yoga class.  Each class begins with centering, incorporates breath and movement and ends with coping and relaxation skill building.  Classes will also feature the telling of an international folk tale! 
Participants will act out the story using yoga postures to demonstrate characters, action and mood. This form of yoga strengthens a lifelong love of literacy and fosters appropriate self expression.  The children learn postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and dance moves.  We create a respectful, creative, and supportive environment as we introduce the beauty of yoga to the children in our community and plant the knowledge of the sacred space within us and others. 8 Week Summer Session Kid Yoga 2009.doc

Stress Rx Yoga

Make coping with stress your New Year’s Resolution and keep it!  Join me as we explore Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MSRB) techniques thru yoga.  You will learn techniques to help you calm and quiet your mind, leaving you more focused and energized to deal with the crazy world around us.  For five weeks we will learn a variety of techniques that will become tools that you can use on and off the mat to find balance in your life and start to live a healthier life while dealing more effectively with your stress.

Nia: (nee-ah) - Done barefoot to diverse and inspiring music, Nia is a transformational movement practice that teaches you to be more JOYFUL, EXPRESSIVE, and ALIVE in your body, both inside and outside of the studio.  Nia is holistic, engaging your body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Nia draws from the healing arts, martial arts, and dance arts to create purposeful movement that will help you grow and learn.  Nia increases the pleasure of living in your body; Nia creates weight loss and proper weight maintenance; Nia strengthens muscles, improves muscle tone, increases muscle definition; Nia calms the mind and relieves stress; Nia increases grace, flexibility, and endurance; Nia builds reservoirs of chi and improves cognitive functioning. Nia is practiced by people of all walks of life, ages, and fitness levels.

Pre-Natal Yoga : Meet other soon to be mothers in a calm, caring, and supportive environment.  Adapt to your changing body; learn specific breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation exercises that may support you through your labor.  Occasional guest speakers and educational topics included.  You are invited to join the Pre-Natal after your first trimester. A Doctors note is required.

Pilates Mat Class: This is a class designed to target the core muscles of your body, specifically your transverse abdominals.  The class begins with a 10 minute warm-up, followed by 40 minutes of Pilates exercises, and finishing with 10 minutes of stretches.  The exercises are done on a yoga mat and they help you to increase your balance while targeting core muscles.  The exercises involve lying flat on your back, stretching out on your stomach, lying on your side, in a "cat" position (hands and knees), sitting up straight, in plank position and standing.  If you are new to Pilates or at a Beginner or Intermediate level, this class will be a perfect fit for you.  There are various modifications of each exercise to meet every fitness level and as your abdominal strength increases, the exercises can be modified to be more challenging. 

Real Yoga for Round Bodies

This classes focuses on yoga poses for the body that you have right now. It’s designed to increase strength, flexibility and self-confidence through slow-flowing poses with a focus on modifications for plus-size bodies. Weight loss will not be discussed; instead affirmations of acceptance, mindfulness, awareness and self-care will be themed throughout the class.

Subtle Yoga: 

Beyond the Pretzel!   Subtle Yoga is therapeutic and balancing.  Subtle Yoga postures are accessible to most people, adaptable to most abilities, and help you:

1. •Improve circulation, flexibility and mobility
   

2. •Establish better body mechanics to prevent injuries
   

3. •Correct maladaptive movement patterns that cause bad posture, discomfort or pain
   

4. •Balance your physical and mental energy levels to improve overall health
   

5. •Release emotionally-charged holding patterns lodged in the physical body
   

6. •Enhance emotional well being, which in turn improves your physical health
   

Personal Transformation – Subtle Yoga helps you become:

1. •Less stressed out, calmer and more peaceful
   

2. •Less depressed, tense and/or anxious
   

3. •More in touch with your inner Self – body, mind and spirit
   

4. •Better connected to your Spiritual Source
   

5. •More aware of your life’s purpose (and offers strategies to fulfill it)
   

Rooted in the Yoga Tradition – Subtle Yoga will also take you beyond asanas to explore the deeper, more contemplative dimensions of yoga including:

1. •Breathwork for improving health and cultivating relaxation
   

2. •Meditation for centering and peace of mind – and to help you connect to your deepest Self and your life’s purpose
   

3. •Philosophy including the 8 limbs of yoga to help you move towards the ultimate goal of yoga: enlightenment and Oneness
   

Subtle Yoga helps you understand how you learn about yoga and yourself, so that you can then use that skill to actualize your life and accomplish your goals.

Svaroopa Yoga: is a yoga practice for spinal release,  pain relief, lengthening  and strengthening the body.  Every lesson includes a Guided Awarenes of the body,  Pranyam (breath) and Asana, all formatted to release the deep tensions in the spine that create stiffness and pain in the back, hips, shoulders, neck, knees . . . EVERYWWERE!   Each class includes abdominal, standing and seated postures as well as inversions  and slow vinyasa.  Blankets, supports and individual adjustments guarantee the   GENTLE, DEEP and  EFFECTIVE poses suitable for  ALL BODY TYPES. (you must be able to move comfortably from floor to standing). 

"Deeper Svaroopa® Class is by pre-registration only.  This 6 week class is for students with a dedicated Home Practice who have been practicing Svaroopa® Yoga regularly for at least 1 year."

Please feel free to contact Polly Breen if you have any questions. (704-439-3195)

Yoga For Runners :

Are you a runner and are experiencing tight hips, hamstrings, quads, and even shoulders? Would you like to improve your core strength to help your running form? This class is for you! An hour of strength and stretching starting with abdominal work, and then ending with stretches geared to those tight areas. I have personally experienced how yoga done before a long run or after a short run can benefit you and take your running to new levels. Class is also open to anyone wanting to focus on strength and stretching. Always ends with savasana (corpse pose) or legs up the wall.

Stephanie Yewcic began running in Dec 2008 to train for a half marathon in Nashville, TN for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training.  What she discovered was a new way of stretching her known limits and fell in love with the process. As she discovers new things about her body beyond what she learned from 10 years of yoga practice, she desires to share this knowledge with others.  Stephanie has studied yoga therapeutics for years in order to prevent and heal injuries and believes yoga is the key to longevity in one’s ability to run for life.   She recently completed the VA Beach Half Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and is training for the Half Marathon in The Outer Banks in November.

Yoga for Girls:  

Girls Yoga is for girls ranging in age from 8 - 18.  We stretch, strengthen and relax together. We play with Yoga postures and relaxation techniques and discuss how to use them to help make us better athletes, students, and overall balanced, self-aware girls. Join us! We are creating the Yoga teachers of the future!

Svaroopa Yoga, Magic 4:  The perfect class for your stressed out mind and body...Each class includes "The Magic 4" , Svaroopa's signature poses, providing gentle and effective relief of spinal tension and painful hips, knees, shoulders, necks etc.  Appropriate for new yogis and regular studnets alike.  You and your body will love it.  

Sunrise Yoga:  (see also Hatha Yoga)  What a wonderful way to start the day! Beginning of class emphasis is opening, stretching and flexing to wake the body and mind, followed by a gentle vinyasa flow to energize for the coming day. As always, requests for specific asana or focus is always welcome. Please join us. 

Vinyasa:  Also known as Flow Yoga, promotes both cardiovascular and muscular stamina.  It is a more rigorous practice linking breath with movement in a faster pace. If you enjoy sun salutations you will enjoy vinyasa!

Womans Sacred Circle:  Community Yoga is beginning a “Woman’s Sacred Circle” on the first Friday of the month beginning in March (at 7:30-9:00 PM).  We are looking for ways to support one another in personal and spiritual growth.  The evening will include group meditation, music and sharing.

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