Yoga dreaming a Playa Blanca en la peninsula de Yucatan!
We can practice yoga together here in the Seattle area. I offer yoga instruction and yoga therapy at client’s homes or my studio in Redmond, Yoga Bliss on Mercer Island and Two Rivers Yoga & Massage in Carnation.
Schedule of Weekly Classes & Workshops at Yoga Bliss:
75 minute Gentle Yoga
Mondays at 8:00 am, Thursdays at 6:30 pm & Saturdays at 10:00 am
In this gentle yoga practice, movements are synchronized with the breath, turning rigidity into fluidity. With the breath as our guide we “go with the flow.” Periodic pauses are taken as we rest in a more passive pose (asana). The emphasis in this class is on de-stressing the body and mind. Gentle yoga is very therapeutic in nature and is appropriate for those wanting a more restful, restorative practice.
Schedule of Classes at Two Rivers Yoga & Massage:
90 minute Vinyasa Flow
Wednesdays at 9:30 am
This Vinyasa class is a flowing series of postures, each movement synchronized with the breath. An aerobic, full body workout which builds strength, flexibility, balance and endurance while detoxifying and relaxing the body and mind. This class is designed for students with basic yoga experience and for students with no chronic injuries.
Individual Yoga Instruction & Therapy
I use the Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT) discovery approach to therapeutic yoga. Yoga Therapy brings together body awareness and breathing awareness practices, positions of the hands called mudras, stretching and movement, meditation and deep relaxation.
Sessions generally last 1 to ½ hours and will contain the elements described above tailored to address how your feeling at the time of the session. You can send an e-mail to Catherine@dharmaworks.net or call me at 425 503 4118 to arrange a session.
Explanation of Integrative Yoga Therapy
The foundation of Yoga Therapy is that health is the integration of body, mind and Spirit. In Yoga Therapy, the student and teacher work together to discover the elements of Yoga practice that facilitate this integration for each individual. The healing that occurs from Yoga Therapy is the natural consequence of the restoring balance in all parts of our being. Elements of practice include:
Body Awareness
Body awareness exercises help you to notice which areas where you hold tension and develop greater appreciation for those areas that are relaxed and comfortable. Developing body awareness also enhances the connections between your mind and your body and this allows your body systems to function optimally and the natural healing process to function more effectively.
Breathing
Breathing exercises increase your lung capacity and show how smooth steady breathing helps you reduce stress. Improved breathing will bring greater health to every part of your body: your circulation will improve, you’ll have more energy, and your mind will be calmer and more focused.
Yoga holds that along with the physical systems of our being such as the circulatory system, there are also energetic channels filled with life force energy, called prana. Balanced and smooth flowing circulation of prana to all parts of our body is fundamental to health. To facilitate the flow of this life force energy the ancient yogis discovered a variety of breathing practices called pranayama. These techniques can also be used to calm and focus your mind before during and after stressful events.
Movement
Muscle tension tends to accumulate in certain areas including the neck and shoulders or low back. These tensions can be exacerbated while living with chronic or intermittent stress or injury related pain. Yoga postures and movement exercises, may help to release and relax areas of tension. Gentle somatic movement may also help restore or “re-member” more functional ways of moving with ease.
Relaxation
To facilitate deep relaxation, guided imagery is used to assist in the complete integration of body, mind and Spirit. This type of practice includes Yoga Nidra – a type of “yogic sleep” that is profoundly healing. Deep relaxation integrates the experience of the session is particularly nourishing to the body’s immune system.
Meditation
At the end of the session, we often practice a few minutes of meditation. Meditation is not something you need to achieve. It’s simply the natural state that you’ll experience as the body and mind come into balance through movement, breathing exercises and deep relaxation. Meditation is really like coming home to your self. It is a place of stillness, balance and connection with the deepest part of our beings. Meditation opens us to our own inner resources for healing. During our session, I’ll guide you step by step so you can just relax and let the Yoga do the work.