Summer Yoga at the Kirk

09/02/2025

My flex:
I may not be fit or flexible... but I AM a bit lazy. :)

In all seriousness, I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't feel I had something of value to offer.

As a yogi of a certain age with a number of conditions and limitations, I'm dedicated to making our physical practice accessible, meeting our bodies where they are, and promoting integration of body, mind and spirit.

As a yogi of a certain age with a number of conditions and limitations, I'm dedicated to making our physical practice accessible, meeting our bodies where they are, and promoting integration of body, mind and spirit.

08/31/2025

Hello Lovelies!

August is coming to an end, but summer continues. I hope yours is going well!

Through September, Gentle Hatha Yoga classes will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and 2 p.m. on Thursdays, still $10 for drop-in or $60 for a monthly pass. This class can be taken from a chair or partially mat-based. We will use chairs as props for part of the class but students are welcome to do the warm-up and final relaxation on the mat if that's their preference.

A couple other things:
The 4 p.m. Friday Ecstatic Dance class is on hiatus until October but I'm thinking about a session or two some evening(s) through the month. If you're interested, could you let me know what evenings of the week might work for you? I'm thinking early evening -- maybe 7 p.m.

In October and November, the Tuesday class will be followed by a Yoga Nidra class -- basically a long, guided meditation that is designed to be deeply restorative to body, mind and spirit. I will offer a free introductory Yoga Nidra class after Gentle Hatha at some point through September. If you're interested in participating, could you please let me know what day/dates work for you?

Hope to see you soon!

08/28/2025

Come dancing! 4 pm on Fridays at the Kirk, starting in October.

When it comes to building new habits that support brain health, the best ones are often simple, and even fun, like dancing💃🏻!

Whether you’re moving with friends, joining a class, or just jamming out in your living room, dancing is a powerful way to engage both body and brain🧠.

Research shows that regular dance can enhance memory, mental health, and even increase hippocampal volume, a part of the brain key to learning and memory, which may help lower the risk of cognitive decline.

In fact, a study found that dancing even outperformed other forms of physical activity, especially in mental health, working memory, and social cognition🪩.

Explore the image to see all the ways in which dancing can help boost your brain health.

There are many powerful factors that work together to protect your brain as you age: movement 🚶‍♀️, mental engagement 🧩, restful sleep 😴, and one that’s easy to miss during the busy summer season; consistent, brain-targeted nutrition 🥗.

08/25/2025

Can it be late summer already? Next week it will be September, with its fresh pencil-sharpening energy. Time to set our course!

I've established days and times for classes after the end of August. I'll break it down, below, for September and afterwards.

Through September
Gentle Hatha Yoga, a chair-optional offering similar to my current class, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and 2 p.m. on Thursdays. If there's enough interest, Ecstatic Dance will continue on Fridays at 4; otherwise it will go on hiatus and pick up again in the same time slot in October.

After September
Gentle Hatha moves up to 9:30 on Tuesday mornings. It's followed by a Yoga Nidra class (essentially a long guided meditation). The Tuesday classes are offered through Seniors College (but also open to non-members) and may be taken separately or sequentially for a deeply restorative session.

Thursday Gentle Hatha will continue at 2 p.m. on Thursdays. This is an independent class, not part of the Seniors College series.

Ecstatic Dance is offered under the auspices of Seniors College (although non-members will be able to join) at 4 p.m. on Fridays for October and November. I'm considering offering an independent early evening Ecstatic Dance session as well, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly depending on interest.

A plug for Seniors College
Seniors College membership provides free attendance at three of my classes through their fall, winter and spring terms and there's a great slate of other classes being offered, all free with membership. Even just considering yoga classes, it's a great bargain. I think membership is about $170. Check out the courses offered.

07/27/2025

Feeling sluggish? Not up to much exercise? This is a great little standalone minimalist set that will make you feel more lively immediately. In my experience, the benefits are even greater the second day.

10 MIN full body joint rotations to help pump and flush the lymphatic system. PLEASE GO AT YOUR OWN SPEED ! I am only moving quickly to give you all the move...

07/11/2025

A little more about ecstatic dance:
Because ecstatic dance is self-guided, it is absolutely for everyone. The practice helps us integrate more fully into our physical bodies, while also helping us connect to our more ethereal layers of being. On a physical level, it helps us build strength, flexibility, balance and stamina. It helps us regain our joy in movement and self-expression as we tap into our intuition and our innate creativity.

We stay safe throughout the practice by listening to our own bodies. There will be chairs available for anyone who wants to dance seated or just wants a breather from time to time.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows a free range of movement. Traditionally, we dance barefoot. (However, if you are more comfortable wearing shoes, that's what you should do.)

Traditionally, there's no talk throughout the class. We'll try our best to adhere to that one.

The only instruction is from your own body and spirit. (We'll try to keep the brain out of the loop -- that's where all the trouble comes from!) We'll connect to the music, feel into our bodies and move in ways that feel natural and safe for us.

06/28/2025

We sometimes hesitate to take in a yoga class because we don't fit the ideal image or we're not flexible and can't achieve - or maybe even approximate - many poses. And we may never get there, but we can always start where we are, wherever we are. In fact, there is no "there," no point of arrival, but through gentle and consistent practice we enhance our bodies, minds and spirits.

This is a lesson I continue to learn. It amazes me sometimes that I have the nerve to offer classes as I am, far from the ideal. I will not be modeling ideal fitness or ability, nor even perfect self-acceptance. Let alone, truth be told, particular diligence.

What I will be modeling in class is starting where we are and carrying on, towards health, strength, flexibility... and self-acceptance.

https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/yoga-and-body-image/

06/26/2025

Want to know a little more about ecstatic dance? This page provides a good introduction.

What is ecstatic dance, how can ecstatic dance help me, can I do ecstatic dance along, how do I get started.

06/26/2025

Accessible Yoga, Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Ecstatic Dance Mondays at 4 p.m.

06/26/2025

Yoga and Ecstatic Dance classes start July 7th and run through July and August.
Three classes a week. See options in comments.