Baby Its Cold…..Inside!

The temperatures are in the teens to the thirties this week..which means I need to 'close up shop' in the yurt!
No classes till Monday December 9th

Saturday's Restore and Renew class has been canceled and will be rescheduled for sometime in January. Exact date TBA..looking for those balmy 40's temperatures!
Stay cozy!

Exciting Changes!

With the opening of Dayaalu Center in Winslow, we will be in for some changes..all for the better!
Monday Evening Pilates Mat classes will be moving to this lovely new space on Monday November 4, along with the start of a new 6 week series. Beginners at 6:30 PM and Intermediates at 5:30. You can buy the series for $80, come as a drop-in at $17 per class, or buy a Dayaalu class card at 10 classes for $140 which allows you to take (nearly) all their scheduled classes!

Tuesday morning's "Yoga & Core" will also be moving to the center, starting Tuesday November 5, 9:30-10:45. The same mix of core centered warm-up, sun salutations, standing and seated poses await you in this  warm and sunny studio.The Dayaalu Center is located at 159 Wyatt Way, between Madison and Erickson Avenues (much closer to Madison).

All other classes and events are held at my private studio in Eagledale: Wednesday Evening Yoga 5:30-6:55 PM( NO CLASS NOVEMBER 27) , Studio Group Pilates Tuesday at 1:00 PM, and Thursday & Saturday at 9:30 AM. As always drop-ins are welcome to the yoga class (@$17 each), but you need to reserve a spot in the studio group classes, as they are kept to 3-5 students. Studio Group classes are semi-independent workouts and new students will want an orientation to the equipment/technique which might be covered in 1-3 private lessons with Christy.

The next "Restore and Renew" class is Saturday December 7 3-5 PM.  Formerly called "Yoga for Stress Relief, this unhurried, gentle class will explore ways to reduce stress and gain vitality through yogic breathing, simple movement and restorative (supported) yoga postures. Class fee is $35 and pre-registration is required as class size is limited. You can now sign-up online and pay with PayPal!

Fall Schedule: Classes, Retreats and Events!

Still summer here!! Today the 12th of September we've  had soaring 90 degrees in Seattle yesterday..unbelievable!!
But it IS still Fall..with back to school and all that!! So time to come back to your mat if you've been spending more time outside all summer..and who can blame you??
I've updated my schedule on the "schedule of classes page"..please check it out for my current offerings!
On October 5th I'll offer the first of a series of "Saturday Restoratives" and will continue on the first Saturday of November and December as well! This popular retreat/class is 2 hours of bliss for body, mind and soul!! Supported yoga asana with bolsters, blankets and other props, pranayama practice to soothe the soul  and simple meditation practices to calm the mind:

Next class:

Saturday December 7 3-5 PM $35

Namaste,

Christy

...and more Summer!!

Wow..such a warm and wonderful summer so far, and August has just begun!
This is when I begin to take my vacation breaks and have some mommy time with my girl before school starts and we are once again in the grips of the "feeding frenzy" that is the school-year!
I am seeing clients for private and semiprivate lessons through the month of August (aside from my days away), so call or e-mail  me at SpiralChristy@gmail to make an appointment for Pilates, yoga, therapeutic movement or fitness training!

Summer!

 Pilates Mat Summer Series begins tonight! Both classes (5:30 Intermediates and 6:30 Beginners) are happening! This 6 week series is only $70, with drop-in classes $17 each. Held at the Island Yoga Space.
Good things are happening at my private studio as well: new stairs into the yurt, painting has begun on the front door, and of course your favorite moves and grooves await you inside!
Summer Classes at the yurt include:
Reformer Classes on Mondays and Thursdays at 1:00 and Saturday at 9:30
Yoga & Core on Tuesday mornings 9:30-10:45
Dynamic Flow Yoga Wednesday evenings 5:30-6:45
I continue to teach private and semiprivate classes Monday-Thursday and Saturdays, by appointment. Summer can be a really good time to come in for a private to fine tune your workout! Or bring a friend for a semiprivate!

Spring! Spring Schedule and Spring Break

Spring is springing right now!  Snow mixed with sunshine in today's weather! If you're thinking about putting a 'spring' in your 'step', check out my spring offerings!

Spring Break is April 1-7.   No Classes April 2-6

Group Classes

Mondays
Pilates Mat ( Level 2 at 5:30PM and Level 1 at 6:30 PM ) has two series coming up this spring: April 8-May 6 and May 13-June17. Each 5 week series is $65, drop-ins are $15. There will be a make-up class offered on Monday April 1 for those who missed class in the Winter Sessions.
These classes are held at the Island Yoga Space.

Tuesdays
Yoga and Core (9:30-10:45 AM) is a great combination of essential core work (from Pilates and Barre training), flowing asana (postures) and deep stretches. All levels.

Wednesdays
Dynamic FlowYoga (5:30-6:55 PM) is a flowing and challenging classical yoga practice with asana, pranayama, deep stretches and may include mediation and mantra. All levels

Saturdays
Yoga Foundations is designed for the student who seeks a deliberate pace to develop a safe foundation for a physical yoga practice. Modifications and variations using props are offered to create an individual practice. (10:45-12 noon) All Levels/Injury Friendly

Semiprivate Classes

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Studio Group/Reformer Class is a small (3-5 students) semi-independent training group utilizing the amazing Pilates spring-driven machines: Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and the new Balanced Body Orbits (!) All levels, orientation and program set up required (usually 1-6 private lessons with Christy)
 Tuesdays & Thursdays (1:00-1:55) and Saturdays (9:30-10:25AM)
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy for Semiprivate Classes

Private Classes or Duet (2 students) Classes

Monday-Thursday, Saturdays (by Appointment)
Private or Duet lessons are a perfect way to learn the Pilates Method and safely develop your skills. Each class is 50-55 minutes and is designed for the clients' specific needs. Great at either end of the spectrum: those with injury or conditions that need a keen eye and individual attention and those wishing to maximize their physical potential with Pilates (elite atheltes, dancers and performers and movement teachers)
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy for all Private and Duet Classes 

Winter Classes and Events

Wow, January just flew by and now the days are considerably longer (!!) if not yet warmer.  Everyone seems to be back into their pre--December routines again and I'm happy to see so many of you back on your mats!
But just when the momentum begins to grow, comes a holiday! There are no scheduled classes on Monday February 18 for President's Day Holiday. Schools are out all week ('mid-winter break'), so a few of my small group classes will not be held that week:
Wednesday 12 noon Pilates Mat class is cancelled 2/20
Saturday Yoga Foundations classes will also be cancelled on both 2/16 and 2/23

Coming up soon is "Lengthen and Release with the Foam Roller" a great opportunity to learn to use this tool for fascial releasing and to learn variations from the matwork performed on the roller. Saturday March 2, 3:30 till 5 PM held at my private studio. Class fee is $55 with the pruchase of a roller or $35 if you have your own roller (6"X36"). Register at SpiralChristy@gmail.com

In April I'll be teaching "Yoga for the Shoulders, Neck and Upper Back", a very popular workshop to help get the kinks out and develop better posture and ease in movement. That date is TBA.

Namaste,

Christy

Happy New Year!

Time to get back on the mat!
Monday Evening Mat Series returns (after 2 long weeks off due to the holidays) on Monday January 7th. As always, Beginners/ Intermediates meet at 6:30 PM and Intermediate/Advanced students meet at 5:30. These classes are held at The Island Yoga Space.
Registration forms have been e-mailed to those on the recent rosters. If you want to start/try Pilates mat, please e-mail me for a form.

Weekly classes held in my private studio resume the week of January 7th also and include:

Yoga & Core  Tuesdays 9:30-10:55 AM

Pilates Mat/Mixed Level  Wednesdays 12:00 Noon -1:00 PM

Dynamic Flow Yoga Wednesdays 5:30-6:55 PM

Yoga Foundations  Saturdays 10:45 AM-12:00 Noon 

Later this month, on Saturday January 26th I'll be offering "Relax and Renew for the New Year" a 2+ hour restorative yoga class that will include pranayama, meditation and other practices to help you ease into the new year with a relaxed body and refreshed mind!

Coming up Sunday March 3rd is "De-clenching the Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back" offering stretching techniques and yoga postures for those pesky tension zones!

"Mother & Daughter Yoga Day" will be held on Saturday May 4th. This is the "Mother's Day Edition" happening the weekend before Mother's Day. A chance for moms and daughters to share a special day together to practicing yoga, enjoying a yummy vegetarian luncheon,  henna tattooing and  other activities in this full day retreat.

Details (times and fees) for all these events will be posted soon, and you can contact me via e-mail at SpiralChristy@gmail.com to get on the sign up list for any workshop, class or retreat (online sign ups coming soon, not sure if it will be in time for the January restorative class!)

I'm so grateful to all of my students, clients and colleagues for taking me through another great year in 2012 and I'm looking forward to more Pilates and yoga fun in the New Year!
Namaste,
Christy

Fall Events Coming Up

It's finally fall...cooler (and grayer) days..and shorter days, too! Time to travel indoors for ,what else,..yoga!! And more!!
The fall Mother & Daughter Yoga Retreat is planned for Sunday October 21 from 11 AM till 4:00 PM, coming right up! As of this posting there are several slots open that we'd love to fill! The fee is $75 per couple, $35 per additional girl.
The day includes a morning and afternoon yoga practice led by me (with Sophie's assistance), yummy vegetarian lunch (vegan soups from the wonderful Metro Market Catering), henna tattooing and other activities, and chai tea and dessert at the end of the day. Past attendees have really enjoyed the day and many couples come back for more..a few have come to all of the past 5!
Contact me via e-mail at spiralchristy@gmail to confirm. Registration is complete with your payment.

Coming up Saturday October 27 is a mini-workshop: "Lengthen and Release with the Foam Roller", a great way to learn self care for your muscles and fascia. $55 with the purchase of a roller, $35 if you bring your own (6" X 36"). There are a few spots open in this mini-workshop, too.

Late Summer Into Fall...

This week marks the official "late summer" season..school will begin but summer is still out there!! With the start of school Wednesday, there are changes to this week's class schedule:

Monday Evening Pilates Mat begins a new 5 class series on 8/27 (no class 9/3 Labor Day).

Both classes are nearly full, so sign up now! (Beginners @ 6:30 and Intermediates @5:30) Reserve your spot via e-mail or phone.

Tuesday 8/28 "Yoga & Core" @ 9:30 is cancelled

Wed 8/29 Mat @ Noon is cancelled 

both classes will resume NEXT week (9/4 and 9/5)

Fall Mother & Daughter Yoga Day is scheduled for Sunday September 30th, 11 AM-4:30 PM. This has been such a wonderful experience for Sophie and me to plan and teach together! The day will include 2 yoga classes, vegetarian lunch, henna tattoos and other fun activities, and is suggested for girls 8 and older (moms of any age..) The past three retreats have sold out, so please reserve your spot early!

I'm adding in a Saturday Morning Yoga class (10:45-12 noon) to the schedule later in September. Please let me know if you are interested in this "all levels" class.

Some Changes for August

As promised, I have finally set my schedule for August! I will take a vacation break and travel to central Idaho on August 8th returning the 17th. Some classes will be cancelled in addition to those dates, so please make a note of the changes. I will still be booking private and semiprivate lessons while I'm home during the month, so if you will be in when I'm out and not teaching a group class, a private or semi is an option!

Here's the group class schedule:

Monday: Evening Pilates Mat Summer Session ends July 30.  

Drop-in interim class 8/6 @ $15 is offered for both Intermediate (5:30) and Beginner (6:30) classes.

No classes 8/13 &  8/20

Late Summer/Fall Session starts August 27-- Oct 1 (no class September 3/Labor Day) 5 classes $65

Tuesday: "Yoga & Core" (9:30) and "Studio Group" (1:00) continue through August 7th,  

No Class 8/14 &  8/21

Wednesday: "Mat @Noon" is cancelled for August will resume Sept 5th

                      "Dynamic Flow Yoga" (5:30) continues through August 1st, NO Class 8/8 & 8/15

Thursday: "Studio Group" (1:00) continues through August 2, No Class 8/9 & 8/16

Saturday: "Studio Group" (9:00/9:30) Cancelled August 4th & 11th  Resumes 8/18

In September, I'd like to offer another YOGA class to the schedule..thinking of Saturday morning..not too early..maybe 11:00..let me know if this is something you're interested in!

Summer!

Nearing the Summer Solstice, school is out and our island is suddenly quiet.....it must be summer!

My summer schedule can be found on the "schedule of classes" page. I will continue with all the group classes through the end of July when I will be taking a break for vacation. Those dates will be posted when they are determined.

A new series of Pilates Mat classes starts next Monday June 25. I will offer both Beginner level (at 6:30 Monday Evenings) and Intermediate level (at 5:30 Monday Evenings). These classes are held at The Island Yoga Space and regularly fill up (with 14), so sign up early to get a spot!

Spring Mother and Daughter Yoga Day

We had such a fun day yesterday! It was the largest group so far with 8 moms and 9 daughters attending, ages ranging from 11 to....my age! Everyone seemed to have a great time! Luncheon, with Ivy White's wonderful quiches, was delicious as were the mini cupcakes and jam tarts (made by my #1 assistant Sophie and served with chai tea for dessert.) Special thanks to my assistant /helper /friend Tijen for extraordinary help in pulling off the whole day!

Spring Break

Spring Break Class Schedule April 2-April 7

Monday 

5:30 PM  Int/Adv Pilates Mat

6:30 PM Beginning Pilates Mat("Spring Break Special" $15 drop in, new session starts 2/9)

Tuesday 

9:30 AM Yoga & Core

1:00 PM Studio Group Pilates

Wed

12 noon Int Pilates Mat

5:30 Dynamic Flow Yoga

There are no group classes THURS-SAT this week only! 

 Spring Session begins Monday April 9th. 

Sign up now for Monday Evening Pilates Mat, which is run as a series only class. 

The next series runs 4/9-5/7

 5 weeks $65

Spring Session will NOT include Monday Mix class on Mondays 9:30 AM 

FREE BARRE CLASS IN MARCH

 Aimed at new students and anyone who in curious about this fun fitness trend, I'm offering a free Barre Fitness class during the month of March. Barre Fitness is an energetic exercise class with the focus and concentration of Pilates the flow and stretch of dance. We begin with a standing, mobilizing warm-up, move on to leg and hip work at the "barre" next work the arms with light weights and tiny stabilizing movements.  Then its on to the mat for core and belly exercises finishing the hour with full body stretching. I'm loving putting these classes together every week, 

mixing just the right 'cocktail' of movement, breath and sweat!  

The class meets Thursday Mornings  9:30-10:25 AM 

The promotion dates are March 8, 15, 22, and 29.  

Come try it..you'll love it!

Holiday Weekend!

Taking off Saturday AM for Portland. I'll be taking some "Barre 3" classes (the method was founded in Portland) and possibly a yoga class or two. Looking forward  a little get away.
There are NO Saturday classes 2/18 and no Monday classes 2/20. Everything back in full gear Tuesday Feb 21st!
There are still 2 spots open in next Sunday's "Relief for Your Neck and Shoulders" class. It runs from 3-5 PM and the fee is $35 pre-paid or $40 day of the class. This class is held in my private Eagledale studio. All levels welcome!!

A New Class! And Relief for Your Neck & Shoulders Feb 26

 "Monday Mix" will be just that! Monday mornings from 9:30-10:55, a mix of Pilates mat, yoga and barre to start off your week in the very best way! We will begin with core work from Pilates, because it's the best foundation, move into some great moves for the legs and hips from barre and finish with yoga asana, stretches and pranayama.

Drop in $15, 

4 class pass $55

8 class pass $100

This class starts Feb 6 and will be held at my private studio.

"Relief for Neck and Shoulder Pain" Sunday February 26 3-5 PM 

In this workshop you will learn yoga postures and stretches, breathing techniques and therapeutics to release tension patterns in the neck, shoulders and upper back. Our world shapes our bodies and many of us spend too many hours shaping our bodies around a computer and its keyboard. This creates an imbalance of the flexors in the front of the upper body ( "enclosing" by shaping the body forward and down) over the extensors ("expanding" the body, moving it up and back). To bring back balance, we will learn  gentle backbends (extensions) to enhance postural muscle balance, and movements to 

increase range of motion in the neck

Class fee is $35 with pre-payment/$40 day of class

Snow Day!

It's a Snow Day today..these classes are cancelled: 

Intermediate mat at 12 noon and Dynamic Yoga at 5:30.

This weather is expected to turn to rain tomorrow,  so we will take the "wait and see" approach to life for tomorrow (and beyond!) Check in about  Thursday's schedule (1/19) here or e-mail me at spiralchristy@gmail.com

Saturday's workshop, "Lengthen and Release with the Foam Roller" is expected to happen as planned  when all this snow will be just a memory. I can accommodate one more student in that class which is from 3:30-5:00 Saturday afternoon. Class fee is $55 with roller purchase, or $35 if you bring your own roller.

Lengthen & Release with the Foam Roller

Fascia is the sheath-like connective tissue that wraps around muscle bundles. When this tissue becomes tight and rigid, muscles don't move freely and muscle movement is hindered. This then leads to tightness in those muscles' respective joint connections. Once the joint's action is restricted, arthritis can set into the joint, an unfortunate snowballing effect. By releasing the fascia through self massage with the foam roller we can begin to prevent the tightening and binding of fascia and keep the length and fluidity in our bodies.
The foam roller is also an excellent prop for dynamic and challenging core and balance exercises. In my Intermediate Mat classes we have been using the foam roller to enhance our Pilates sequence, creating better core support, balance and core/distal integration.

"Lengthen & Release with the Foam Roller" 

Sat Jan 21 3:30-5:00 PM  $55 with purchase of 6" X 36" roller, 

($35 if you bring your own roller (6" X 36", please)

Sign Up at spiralchristy@gmail.com

Pre-registration Required

Teen Class Resumes on Monday Jan 9th

Next week, January 9th, we will begin Winter Session of "Yoga & Pilates for Teen Girls". I will be running two sessions, of 5 classes each Mondays from 3:45-4:40 taking us to "Spring Break". This class is all about developing core strength for better posture, athletic performance and overall health and wellness. Elements from the Pilates Method mix with yoga asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing) to help your teen develop flexibility, balance and inner support. We will also establish some good habits for relaxation, breathing and rest; re-learning about 'single-tasking',..something we all can benefit from.

Sign up via e-mail @spiralchristy@gmail.com