Class Descriptions
Pilates
Strengthening of the ‘core’ muscles with breath and precise exercises while connecting and conditioning the whole being- body & mind. Our Pilates classes are all levels and range from traditional mat Pilates to BOSU Pilates designed to target the core and train the whole body! EQUIPMENT needed – Mat, light hand weights, optional pilates ring and 9″ pilates ball.
Fitness Fusion
This is a blending of several disciplines of exercise to keep things interesting by taking a flexible approach to traditional exercises. It combines moves from disciplines like Pilates, ballet, Yoga, calisthenics, cardio and more to challenge your muscles in different ways. Mind-body exercise is a form of exercise that combines body movement with mental focus and controlled breathing to improve strength, balance, flexibility and overall health.
Embodyoga®
Developed by my teacher and mentor, Patty Townsend, the founder of Yoga Center Amherst. Embodyoga® offers a deep dive into your physical embodiment and an experience of union of body and mind. We explore traditional yoga asanas (postures) from the inside out, meaning that instead of picturing what a shape might look like and then trying to fit into it, we look for the feeling and movement of prana that the postures are pointing toward and let our movements arise from there. Our cues are internal, and bring your awareness into your body, rather than inviting you to picture what you look like from the outside.
Our classes seamlessly weave in a rich experience of Embodied Anatomy, so you will learn about the inner structures and systems (organs, bones, fascia, glands, etc) that support all movement, and how to leverage deep stability in service of mobility.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Yoga mat, strap, blankets and/or bolster, yoga blocks.
Breath, Balance & Posture
In this class we will emphasize body awareness as we move through a series of exercises that teach alignment. Core strength , flexibility and movement efficiency will improve supported by proper use of breath.
Balletone
Balletone is a fusion style conditioning program, designed for dancers and non-dancers alike. The program is NOT barre. It’s what comes after barre- the cardio component participants are often looking for. It’s a barefoot, variable intensity, cardiovascular program that draws upon influences from dance, Pilates, and fitness.
We develop core strength, muscular endurance, core conditioning and flexibility using NO EQUIPMENT, not even a barre is needed.
PIYO Live
The latest trend in group fitness, PiYo is a strength workout which uses the perfect blend of many disciplines: sports training, core conditioning, dance, stretch, and athletic drills that will help kick up the calorie burn and build muscle! The dynamic blend of movement increases strength, core stability and agility. EQUIPMENT NEEDED: YOGA mat, water bottle & towel.
Total Body Workout
Utilizing the stability ball and/or BOSU Balance trainer, this hour long Total Body class will allow you to push your own limits for strength, flexibility, and balance as we move through incorporating the BOSU balance trainer to really work the core along with a series of exercises designed to work all major muscle groups of the body. The added challenge of balance with the stability ball or the BOSU Balance trainer is sure to burn calories as you strengthen your core to work from the inside out.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: A couple sets of different size weights, water bottles work great too, yoga mat.
Divine Sleep Nidra
Did you know that stress causes 99% of illness today? Join me Thursday evenings, 6:45pm-8:00pm and leave your worries and stress behind with Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra.
We begin with some grounding poses and then gentle stretches to release tension and relax the mind and body and then settle into savasana to enter the world of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation that systematically guides and relaxes you at every level of being and is proven to reduce stress and its effects.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Yoga Mat, blankets and/or bolster, yoga strap, optional yoga blocks
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. While there are all levels, vinyasa flow can be an advanced practice connecting dynamic movement with sustained postures and breath, vinyasa combines creative sequences to open your body. Some of the key benefits to practicing Vinyasa is that it increases heart health, elevates moods, improves flexibility and increases endurance.
Children’s Yoga
Ages 5-12. Through creative play, breathing exercise, yoga postures and relaxation, kids explore the physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga in a fun-filled learning environment. Children can receive enormous benefits from yoga. Physically, it enhances flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness. In addition, their concentration, sense of calmness and relaxation improve. In yoga, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with their inner self and develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them.