Relax and Renew
We all live with a lot of tension and pressure, no matter whether you are working, retired, have a family to care for or are taking care of someone who is ill. Take 90 minutes for yourself to let it go, nourish yourself replenish. No yoga experience is needed to enjoy and benefit from this class.
This year is showing us that we need to be able to adjust and accommodate to new situations and ways of being. This is not by any stretch of the imagination or anyone’s reality easy. It causes tension, stress and heartache. Each of us can only do so much at any one time, any one moment. We all need to step back, take a breath (or several) and relax, do something just for ourselves. Without feeling bad for doing that.
Take 90 minutes for yourself that will help you let go of things. Letting go for a bit will help you go on after that.
Saturday, November 14 9:30 – 11:00 am (class will be recorded for those who register and cannot attend in person). Recording will be available for a week. You must register at least an hour before the class in order to receive the Zoom link.
Teacher: Sue Salantiuk
Fees: $15
You can register online here A flier may be downloaded Relax and Renew
FREEDOM FOR SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK
If you are unable to attend in person you can receive a link to the recorded class.
Shoulder stiffness and upper back aches can occur at any time. Poor posture, repetitive movement, too much computer time or injury can result in problems, pain and restricted movement.
As we age we tend to loose upper back height and lift, our shoulders tend to round forward. This creates tension in the top of the shoulders and neck, the chest dips and narrows, we have problems raising our arms.
Yoga Can Help
Yoga makes us aware of our habits, our posture, our way of moving and can begin to reverse even long time patterns that are destructive. We can slowly begin to straighten up, widen the chest, stretch our arms, pull our back in.
This class will cover some basic principles and some poses that help move and open the shoulders and upper back. Over time these can relieve tension and pain and make it easier to go about daily activities.
If possible have a sticky mat, 2-3 firm blankets or have a bolster or a pillow or some throw pillows and a strap or belt. A chair will be helpful. Folding chairs work or be near a couch or dining chair. Props are very useful but not absolutely necessary.
You will need a free Zoom account. If sending in a check be sure to mail it at least 5 days before the class so that it arrives in time for you to receive the Zoom link and password. Registration is necessary by August 19.
Instructor: Sue Salaniuk
HIP MOBILITY AND HEALTH
Hips are a dividing point in our bodies, a balance point and a place that allow us to bend, sit, turn wiggle, step, hop, jump and flex in all manner of ways. We take these movements for granted until we can’t do them, until restrictions or pain interfere. As we age there is a natural process of stiffening. Injuries happen. Good, well moving hips are the key to healthy knees and backs.
Yoga can help slow the stiffening process and help us recover from injuries. This class will help you explore how to move, how to strengthen and how to maintain and to increase flexibility in the hip sockets. The better the hips move the better the knees are. Also the easier it is to maintain flexibility and strength in the low back.
If possible have a sticky mat, 2-3 firm blankets or have a bolster or a pillow or some throw pillows and a strap or belt. A chair will be helpful. Folding chairs work or be near a couch or dining chair. Props are very useful but not absolutely necessary.
You will need a free Zoom account. If sending in a check be sure to mail it at least 5 days before the class so that it arrives in time for you to receive the Zoom link and password. Registration is necessary by August 10.
Instructor: Sue Salaniuk
BASIC PRANAYAMA
The simplest definition of pranayama is the art of inhalation, exhalation and the pauses between them. However Prana is life force, and we touch this vibration when we breath and when we attend to the breath with our consciousness. So when we practice pranayama we are touching and tapping into our vital bodies. Pranayama is powerful and it is quieting and it makes us feel a type of inner joy. It is a slow practice; it takes patience or perhaps teaches patience, or both. The mind takes a lessor role, it becomes the observer, the body has to learn to be a partner with the breath neither forcing nor lagging behind. It works in concert with the movement of the breath. Pranayama takes sensitivity and focus.
This class will introduce some basic breathing principles that should help you understand what you are doing. But more importantly you will experience some basic ‘how to’, how to begin a pranayama practice, ways to set up, and some basic breathing as well as what to focus on. If there is interest expressed we will schedule another session to go further.
You need to download the zoom app before class and also register ahead of time in order to receive the link and password(zoom.us). The Zoom app is free.
You will need 3-4 firm blankets or a firm pillow instead of a blanket (a bolster will also work). Wear loose clothing that will keep you warm.
Instructor: Sue Salaniuk
You may register online or download the flier and mail a check to Yoga Space, 180 Little Lake Dr #1, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
SETTLE INTO STILLNESS
Conscious Relaxation Infused with Sacred Sound
We are pleased to host this special evening with Jeremy and Nancy from Settle Into Stillness (settleintostillness.com). Please join us for an evening with them and experience a supported, breath centered Restorative Yoga practice that is paired with soothing and healing sounds. No prior yoga experience is necessary, you will be guided gently through all the nurturing restorative shapes. The positions are supported by blankets, bolsters and blocks. Your journey will be accompanied by a vibrational experience that includes the sounds from such instruments as the handpan, didgeridoo, gongs, chimes, and crystal singing bowls.
More information about Jeremy and Nancy, what they do and their experience can be found at www.settleintostillness.com
Please check back when we re-open to see when we will be able to reschedule.
The evening is limited to 35 participants, so register early. $30 in advance/$35 at door. ($3.00 fee for credit).
FINDING BALANCE IN TWISTS
Did the cold winter weather make you feel all bound up and stiff?
Join Susan and learn how twists can bring flexibility to the spine, tone the abdominal organs, and bring a sense of balance to the mind.
Teacher: Susan Bellinson
Cancelled until further notice.
Fee: $25 check/cash. $28 credit.
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
RESTORATIVE YOGA
These classes teach how to use the asanas to rest, restore and rejuvenate yourself. Most are done in a supportive manner and look deceptively easy, but these positions delve deeply into your inner being to help bring repose where there is stress and understanding about underlying tension so that you begin to let go and release. This type of practice can be deeply rewarding and should be come a regular part of your yoga routine. .
These classes are for students who have had at least a session of Iyengar yoga.
Teacher: Pam Lindberg
Sunday,
Fee: $25/check, cash. $28/credit
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
Inactive classes, offered again in the future:
FOCUS ON LEGS
Learn how to stand on your own two feet.
Yoga helps with pain and avoiding pains which happen when our legs don’t support our body well. Feet, knees, hips and back need to work together in poses to bring strength and freedom into yoga practice and daily life.
Everyone has different legs. Classes will focus on getting to know what you need to do for your particular body. You will create a first draft of a home practice sequence to help you develop and maintain strong, flexible legs. This is for anyone who feels that their yoga practice will benefit from going deeper into how to work their legs safely.
You need to pre-register at least a week before the class. Minimum of 6 students/maximum of 15.
Teacher: Sally Rutzky
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
PRANAYAMA
Clearly Pranayama is the art of inhalation, exhalation and retention. More completely it is a bridge between the outer practices and the inner practices of yoga. The outer practice of asana makes the body strong, supple and aware. In asana you make the spinal muscles strong and learn to open the chest. The mind learns to penetrate inside so that you become aware of yourself, you develop awareness and control. The inner practices, beginning with Pranayama and then Pratyahara, draw the mind inward and require that the intelligence surrender to the heart. These practices are quieting and very focused, but cannot be done without a toned, aware body.
This class will focus on beginning a Pranayama practice: how to prepare the self, the body and mind specifically for controlling the breath. A practice always begins with Savasana. Then the class will learn several initial practices or breath patterns and methods of control. 6 months Iyengar practice required. Class cancelled. Please check again in the fall.
Teacher: Sue Salaniuk
Fee
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
HOW TO PRACTICE
This class will help you identify personal barriers to practicing yoga, give guidelines for how to stay in the present and practice safely, as well as teach how to use the swatchbook of poses (included in price) and develop a sequence. Six months yoga experience required.
Teacher: Pam Lindberg
Fee:
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
FOUNDATIONAL STANDING POSES
Standing poses help develop stamina, strength, flexibility, lightness and balance. This workshop will explore basic standing poses that will help the body become strong and stable. Pre-registration necessary by May 25.
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
Yoga for Gardeners
Preparation for gardening requires attention to backs, shoulders, wrists, knees and legs. During this focus class with Pam Lindberg you will learn a sequence of poses that addresses these areas and helps to strengthen them and prepare you for gardening. You will also learn some things you can do while out in the garden to help relieve tight, cramped feelings and how to recover after you are cleaned up and done.
Teacher: Pam Lindberg
Fee:
You may download a flier here.
MANAGING STRESS With YOGA
A three part Mini Series that will help you begin to learn to recognize signs of stress and teach several ways to mitigate and overcome the physical and mental reactions caused by excessive stress. Each session will focus on one of the three basic reactions to stress and how yoga can help you manage.
Feeling out of control; too much to do.
Feeling overwhelmed and frozen
Feeling tired and exhausted
Come to single classes or all three.
Appropriate for students of all levels. Information on each class on back of flier.
Teacher: Sue Salaniuk
Fees:
Please make checks out to The Yoga Space, pre-registration required one week in advance.
USING PROPS
“Props are for action. Not resting, not to break up stiffness, but to stretch open. They [should] give the idea of action.” Geeta Iyengar, December 2018
Are you stuck in a rut in the way you use your blocks, blankets and straps? Do you avoid certain poses because they just don’t work well for you? Do you feel as if your practice just isn’t going anywhere?
Learning how to work differently with props can change your practice and your body. Looking at poses from a different angle can spark a transformation in your practice, your body and your energy.
Iyengar yoga is known for props; Mr Iyengar was the one who realized how props can be utilized to assist people in their practice and slowly other methods have casually begun to incorporate their use, but without always understanding the method behind their use.
Come see how props can probe and prompt and when to use them to prop you up. Take charge of your practice, your body and your life.
Teacher:
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