More and more people around the world and in Blanco County are discovering the advantages of a yoga practice, and there is a class right for you here in Blanco and Johnson City. Toning, stretching and lengthening every muscle in your body leave you feeling calm, patient and relaxed. Connecting breath with movement, you become more in tune with your body, benefitting you at the core level of physical functioning: cellular metabolism. It also reduces anxiety and stress. Stress hormones are literally decreased during yoga, which makes the practitioner feeling lighter and more clear.
Adrienne Larson, who is a massage therapist and veteran yoga teacher, incorporates a stress-reducing practice into her Monday night Restorative Yoga class (5pm-6:45pm) called Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is a sleep-based meditation and guided relaxation done lying down.The practice of Yoga Nidra creates the quality of mind (deeply relaxed yet mentally attentive) where problems can be solved, dissolved and resolved. Yoga Nidra is a simple practice that anyone can do. It brings integration of the nervous system and healing to the body and mind. Adrienne also teaches a class on Monday mornings from 10 to 11:30 called Yoga for Life. This class is adapted to fit the personal needs of the class and is perfect for all levels.
Tara O'Neill, RN and owner of Casa de Yoga, went to MD Anderson's Conference for Yoga Teachers in July 2012. Its main focus covered current research being done in Houston and India in regard to yoga. The research clearly shows improved symptoms of cancer treatment with twice a week yoga practice. Chemotherapy and radiation are noxious; yoga twice a week offered relief for patients from many of the chemo and radiation side effects. Tara's work as a nurse has given her an appreciation of MD Anderson's recognition of the yoga practice as a part of a treatment plan. In addition, she knows from personal experience that you don't have to have a terminal illness to experience the challenges of a healing process. Yoga is valuable for any health recovery timeline. Tara’s teaching style creates a common sense approach to yoga. She believes gentle suggestions combined with slow deep breathing are what it's all about. You can enjoy Tara’s teaching on Tuesday nights from 6 to 7:15pm in her class Free the Spine and Hips. This class is suitable for all levels.
Tara also enjoys sharing Kid Yoga, which her two daughters, Shanon (10 years old) and Antonia (9 years old) inspired. She says, "Kid yoga is a whole other 'Animal.'" Kids like the action part like doing trick moves and moving from one posture to another.
Another possibility for people to enjoy stretching and breathing is at the Blanco Library. Miranda Roberts, LCSW, instructs a free class on Monday mornings from 10 to 11. The class is done entirely in a chair! Miranda emphasizes moving with the breath through gentle stretching. Her intention is to prevent muscle strain and promote balance. If you have any questions regarding chair yoga please feel free to contact Miranda at 830-833-2681.
Natalie Hain, who has over 300 hours of training, teaches at Gem of the Hills and Casa de Yoga, both in Blanco. She incorporates breath work and meditative flows into each class, which helps calm and ground mind and body. Natalie brings a fun, playful attitude to her classes and believes that any BODY can gain something from what yoga has to offer. Please come to a Beginning Yoga class at Gem of the Hills on Wednesday nights from 5:45 to 6:45 if you’ve had limited or no experience. For those who like the early morning hours, Natalie teaches from 6:30 to 7:15am on Mondays and Wednesdays also at Gem of the Hills. The best time to practice yoga is in the morning. It jumpstarts your day with a feeling of calmness and peace and melts away feelings of morning stiffness in the body. Natalie also teaches an advanced class on Sunday from 10 to 11:15am at Casa de Yoga. Also, beginning on Thursday January 17, Natalie will begin a six-week class at Casa de Yoga from 6 to 7:15pm. The class will be held in a candlelit room and there she will serve hot tea at the end of each class. This class is suitable for all levels.
After the six-week series ends, a new teacher will begin at Casa de Yoga, Kim Radich. Kim has over 170 hours of training and currently teaches in Johnson City at her new studio, New Leaf Yoga, located 3 miles west of the 290 turn-off. Kim has a positive attitude and feels that yoga improved her sense of self and connection with God, because of the positive physical, mental and spiritual changes. Her class at Casa de Yoga will begin in March on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:15pm. She will also begin new classes in Johnson City on January 7, 2013 on Monday evenings from 6 to 7:15pm. This class is open to all levels and it will focus on a more gentle flow. She will also teach a morning class on Wednesdays beginning January 9 from 8:15am to 10am, which is also open to all levels.
Beckie Morris, owner of Johnson City Does Yoga, teaches yoga classes primarily based on her students’ needs. Classes are fun and relaxing. Beckie has a strong belief that the body is a giant metaphor for how a person handles life. Therefore, she encourages and aides her students in gaining strength, flexibility and balance – both physically and mentally. Join “Beckie and Other Bendy People” during her Monday and Wednesday hour-long classes at 24/7 Gym in Johnson City. Winter classes begin at 10:00 am, and summer classes begin at 8:30 am. Each class is $10, or five classes (no expiration date) may be purchased for $45.
Casa de Yoga is a donation-based studio. The suggested donation is $5-$15. No one will be refused due to financial hardship. Gem of the Hills requires a $10/year membership fee and each class is a donation of $5. New Leaf charges $10/class. All teachers are available for private lessons. To find out more about anything yoga related in Blanco or Johnson City please check out casadeyoga.com, new-leaf.us, jcdoesyoga.com, nattyoga.com or gemofthehills.org. From all the teachers at Casa de Yoga, New Leaf Yoga, Johnson City Does Yoga and Gem of the Hills, we hope to see you soon! You won’t regret you came!
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