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.