Winter Schedule

The Page for "Schedule of Classes" seems to be having technical problems, so I will post new information HERE:

Beginning January 9th I will be offering Monday Evening Pilates Mat Classes (2 levels) without the "umbrella" of the Bainbridge Island Park's District. You will pay me directly and that will help me reduce my overhead and your class fees low. You can sign up for one or both sessions after December 26:

5:30-6:30 Intermediate/Advanced Level

6:30-7:30 Beginning/Intermediate Level 

Winter Session 01 (WS 01) is Jan 9- Feb 13 (no class on Jan 16) $65

Winter Session 02 (WS 02) is Feb 27-Mar 26  $65

If you did not receive a form attached to an e-mail, request one via spiralchristy@gmail.com

Other classes will resume at my home studio:

Monday

3:45-4:45 Yoga & Core for Teen Girls * starts Jan 9th

Tuesday

9:30-10:55 Yoga & Core

1:00-2:00 Pilates Studio Group

Wednesday

12 noon-1:00 Intermediate Pilates Mat

5:30-6:55 Dynamic Flow Yoga

Thursday

9:30-10:30 Barre/Core Workout

1:00 Studio Group

Saturday

9:00 Studio Group

9:30 Studio Group

Winter Solstice

Tonight we will celebrate the Winter Solstice with a candlelit yoga practice dedicated to finding the light..within or without! Dynamic vinyasa for inner warmth, pranayama to remove 'the veil of ignorance' in our hearts and minds, and deep relaxation..well because we need it! We'll also chant the Gayatri Mantra because this sacred chant honors the light and sun, "surya".

This class is by donation only; either a non-perishable food item or cash donation for Helpline House. Class is 5:30-7:00 PM.

Holiday Gifts of Health and Well Being

Giving your spouse, partner, friend or colleague yoga or Pilates classes is a great way to support their commitment to healthful living, (or give it a jump start! )I have beautiful hand made gift certificates available for you to give the gift of health and well being this year.

Here's some ideas:

"Intro to Pilates" 3 private (60 min) studio lessons $185

Class Cards for any group classes 4 classes $55/ 8 classes $100

(now including Monday evening Mat previously offered through BIMPRD)

Mother & Daughter Spring Retreat $75 per couple

Gift certificates can also be made for any amount to use for private or group classes, workshops and retreats. Contact me at spiralchristy@gmail.com or 206.707.5261 to place your order.

Two Workshops Coming Up This Fall

Coming up just in time for the winter holidays "Restful Yoga for Stressful Times": a restorative yoga practice will be held on from 3-5 PM Sunday December 11. Restorative yoga is a wonderful practice of asana (postures) supported with bolsters, blankets and other props. I also include several pranayama (breathing) practices that are known for their stress and anxiety relieving properties. The class fee is $35. Both of these workshops are very beginner friendly, and a great way to experience the power of yoga to enhance your health and wellness!

Pre-registration is REQUIRED!

Class size is limited to 12 participants for each.

Both workshops are held at my Eagledale studio.

Sign up via e-mail at: spiralchristy@gmail.com or by phone at 206.707.5261

More Photos From Sunday's Retreat

Having fun with partner asana!

Fall Mother & Daughter Yoga Retreat

We had another lovely group of girls and moms yesterday for the Fall Retreat. A 'full house' with 7 couples with ages ranging from 8 to...well my age! A strong group of "yogi-moms", many were returning for their second (or fourth!) Mother & Daughter Day, all of them seemed happy and grateful to have this day with their daughters. The daughters were delightful and skilled in their asana practice, patient in the restorative practice (a full 90 minutes) and creative with the henna tattooing.

Luncheon was a hit with yummy soups from Metro Market Catering: African Yam Peanut Stew, Tomato, Polenta and Corn Soup, and Carrot Ginger Soup, with accompaniments of breads, crackers, cheeses and fruit. My lovely daughter Sophie was another great help with the whole day and with the food prep especially (she made the mini cupcakes and the jam tartlets).

I plan on offering a Mother's Day Edition in late April. Stay tuned!

Some New Dates for Fall

Beginning Yoga will NOT BEGIN this Thursday, Sept 15th as earlier scheduled. I'll look for a date later in the Fall to start this class series.

There's a new date for the fall Mother & Daughter Yoga Retreat originally scheduled for this coming Sunday September 18.

Looking at October and that date is TBA.

All other classes are happening as scheduled..including the new Barre/Core Class on Thursday mornings at 9:30!

I think that our very late summer here in the northwest has confused our minds about the term "fall"..as in 'back to school', and back to regular practice...! As the weather moves into its normal course, I believe that everyone will finally give in to being indoors and sign up for these classes and events!

A Mini-Workshop: "Playing with Pilates Props" is happening Saturday, October 1st..(time is TBA) This 90 minute class will help you get the most out of your Pilates workouts using the "Magic Circle', foam roller, mini-ball, yoga straps and blocks. The class fee is $20 and it will be held at my private studio in Eagledale.

Eastward Ho!

Heading "East" later this week for a family visit in Jackson Hole, WY and Stanley ID. Looking forward to spending time in my home-state of Idaho with my 'home-family'; mom, sisters and brother, and to see some cousins from other regions of the country. My cousins came up with the idea of meeting up in Jackson Hole (..great idea, too) and I get to capp off the weekend with a couple of extra days in Stanley with my sister. It's been a really busy summer around here and especially at my studio! While I'm so happy and grateful for all my wonderful clients, and full classes, I'm also really ready for a break and a change of pace and scenery!

Studio Closure Dates: August 3-9 and August 15-16

Barre Workout Class Starts June 23rd

This "hot new trend" in fitness isn't all that new (ballet being over a hundred years old by now), but the synthesis of rigorous ballet exercises with Pilates and stretching has become the NEW THING that Pilates was ten years ago. And I'm hopping on this train! With my background in dance (lots of ballet over the years, too!) its a great fit. Look for this class on Thursday Mornings starting 6/23 at 9:30. An all levels class, but not therapeutic, so best for those who want to work their legs, hips and core, but are not struggling with injury. This photo is from NY Times article in May.

To read moreabout this trend, check out this link/:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/fashion/at-ballet-workouts-getting-that-dancer-physique.html

See you at the barre!

Summer Will Come!!

Each summer in the Northwest, the same mantra is chanted.."summer will come, summer will come", while we face another cloudy and cool Saturday in June, as the rest of the country swelters under a canopy of heat.

Still, I'm setting and planning my "summer" schedule at the studio (and beyond) to begin the week of June 20th. The BI public schools let out at around noon on Friday June 17th (this coming Friday!!) and folks either disperse for warmer climes, or buckle down to wait out the true arrival of our glorious and so-worth-waiting-for summer around July 5th.

In the meantime there's lots of yoga and Pilates to be done! Loads of prana to breathe in , and cores to strengthen! My summer schedule appears to the left with starred notations for planned interruptions of classes. Please do check this blog or contact me via e-mail if you plan on attending a group class that you haven't been to for a spell, as there is the chance that a class could be cancelled if enrollment falls as the temperature rises.

Coming Soon! "Barre-Center" workout classes and more! I'm jumping into the Barre scene(as in ballet barre, not cocktail bar..) and creating a fresh new class based on dance/barre exercises, Pilates, yoga and a little Laban Movement, too. Look for times/dates soon!

Mother and Daughter Yoga Retreat

Yoga,henna tattoos

and a surprise "Bollywood Dance" performance by Savannah Travis! Thanks to everyone who participated!

Mother & Daughter Yoga Day April 30

Our second annual Mother's Day Retreat is scheduled for Saturday April 30, the weekend before Mother's Day. My daughter, Sophie is excited to again help me with this event! This is something that really unites my love of teaching yoga with my love of my family!

Your day includes a dynamic morning yoga class, a delicious vegetarian lunch, fun with henna tattooing (while lunch digests), a restorative yoga class, and tops off with yummy "Sunshine" yogurt!

I recommend girls 9 and up, (some 8 yr olds might do just fine, though.)

This retreat is limited to 12 participants. $75 per "couple" $25 per each additional girl (or grandmother). Register via e-mail at spiralchristy@gmail.com or via phone 842.7570.

Scroll down on this blog to "older posts" Sept 21st to see some photos from last September's "Back to School" retreat.

Yoga for the Neck & Shoulders March 12!

"Yoga For the Neck and Shoulders" is a 2 hour workshop for those chronic problem areas most of us struggle with! Tightness, tension, and pain can be relieved and eventually prevented with simple stretches and yoga poses. I have a pretty large "bag of tricks" between yoga and other therapeutic techniques I've learned while working in a physical therapy practice and love to share them with the suffering!

Defiantly for all levels and great for those new to yoga.

The next class will be Saturday March 12 from 3:00 till 5:00 PM here at my private studio.

Class fee is $35. Please pre-register for this class as spaces are limited!

Online at spiralchristy@gmail or via phone 206.842.7570.

Your payment will secure your space.

Coming in March

Starting Thursday evening March 10, I'll offer a Beginning Yoga Series at 6:15 at my home studio in Eagledale. Designed to set a strong foundation in asana (postures) for the beginning student, but also to help the "rusty" student to get back into practice. With props as needed, we will explore standing poses (for "vigor"!), seated poses (for stretching the spine), extensions (for energy!) and twists for balance and inner connections. Yogic breathing (pranayama) will be included and always a savasana (relaxation!) Taught in a series (each class building upon the previous class) I require a 4 class commitment at minimum. Missed classes can be made up.(no class 3/17)

Four class series is $60, an 8 class series is $100

Class size is limited to 10 for the best individual attention, so sign up early to reserve a space! Questions? email me at spiralchristy@gmail.com or phone at 842.7570

Why Pilates?

Even after 15 years of teaching (and educating people about exactly what Pilates is..) I still often get the question.."Why do Pilates?" The answer I have is: It will make you feel stronger, more capable in movement and overall happier and more content with your body.

This is how it happens:

• By concentrating on the core of the body and the supporting muscles, in the pelvic floor, lower abdominals and diaphragm, the lower chakras are involved (the stability, creativity and power centers) leaving students with a sense of strength and control
• With core support all movement can originate from a strong center and tension patterns and pain in the neck and lower back are reduced as movement becomes more fluid and centered
• With the focus on breath, "veils of confusion" are lifted in the mind (see Yoga Sutras on pranayama) and students feel refreshed mentally as well as invigorated physically

The outcome is a centered, content, and strong person!

Yoga Nidra Audio CD Now Available

With help from Tijen and Clay, we recorded and edited my Yoga Nidra audio CD just before Christmas. This practice evolved from Tantric practices and is a progressive relaxation for body and mind. We produced an initial small batch, many were pre-ordered, but there are still some available for purchase @ $15.

Coming soon is a Pilates Mat Audio class for home practice/workout. I'm hoping to get that produced in January. I'd love feedback or suggestions about what else you'd like for a home practice.