Class Description
Gentle & Mixed
Ma'lena Walley
Not only will this class build strength and flexibility, but we will explore a variety of styles, traditional Hatha asanas, vinyasas (flows), an Iyengar sentiment and my mentor's Meditation in Movement style. Everything offered gives you the choice of moving slowly with modifications and building to more challenging poses. This class is a level up from Gentle or Gentle Plus in that I will offer poses that ask for more strength and flexibility. A good place to go from Gentle and/or Gentle Plus.
Gentle Plus
Ma’lena Walley
This class is designed to build strength as well as stretch the spine. We start slowly with modifications and gradually increase our challenges using our own bodies as our guide. Traditional Hatha poses—standing, seated and lying down--moving meditation style—primarily on the floor—a twist of Iyengar and Shivananda, along with pranayama and guided meditations creates a synergy that both invigorates and relaxes.
Gentle
Ma’lena Walley
A slow and gentle practice that is good for beginners, or anyone who wants to stretch and breathe in a calm environment. We mix up styles and move from floor to standing using props, blankets and chairs to assist us into and out of the poses. All shapes and sizes, all levels of fitness are welcome in this class. Be sure to bring your laughing cap.
Chair Yoga
Ma’lena Walley
This class explores the same ground as that in Gentle except that we do all the poses seated in a chair. Great for people who have not exercised in a while, those who have health issues, people in wheelchairs with upper body mobility, seniors, and anyone recovering from foot or knee injuries
Yoga for Arthritis
Ma’lena Walley
The composition of this class will shift depending on the students. We will work on lubricating the joints and stretching the muscles as well as loosening up the fascia of the body, helping it transform into supple and pliant tissue. All poses will be gentle and slow. We will stand, sit, lie on our backs; we will massage and roll; we will respect our joints. We will manage to laugh as well as groan.
Bodywisdom: Women's Health
Ma’lena Walley
This class offers a comprehensive approach to perimenopause and menopause as well as health issues facing every woman, at any age. There will be an open circle at the start of each class to share and learn. There will be micro lectures with handouts and suggested readings. We will dive into poses that relieve symptoms of the roller coaster hormonal fluctuations in a woman’s life: insomnia, hot flashes, irritability, restless legs, mood swings, depression and anxiety, pelvic floor health, skin care, nutrition and vitamins. We will address the pelvic floor and how to strengthen and prevent stress incontinence. We will learn how to go deep within to access tranquility and inspiration. We will release our intuition and listen to the wisdom of our own bodies.
Restorative w/Yoga Nidra
Ma’lena Walley
I like to say that Restorative Yoga is like structured nap time for adults without the milk and cookies. We use bolsters, blankets and blocks to provide assistance and support; our bodies melt into the floor using gravity and our own breath to deepen the stretches. We stay in the poses longer while attending to our breath. At the close of many of the classes, I will lead everyone through a specific type of meditation called Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep) where you are in a state similar to the twilight when you just begin to fall asleep: consciously aware yet completely relaxed.
Stretch & Restore
Ma’lena Walley
This class is a blend of traditional asanas and warm ups that move the body, raising heat before cooling down and moving into slow, deep restorative poses—stretching the spine, opening the hips and expanding the heart center. Guided meditation and pranayama encourage the body to release tension and move into an open stillness where meditation and healing occurs. This class is slightly more demanding than traditional Restorative Yoga.
Moon Salutation
Ma’lena Walley
Once a month on the full moon we will gather to honor the moon by performing the vinyasa, Moon Salutation. There are many different variations and it will be exciting and fulfilling to try them all. Caution: some howling may occur.
iRest (Integrated Rest/Yoga Nidra)
Either in a private session or scheduled group session, we follow a specific formula of meditation that enables us to reach a state that is consciously aware yet completely relaxed. It is similar to the twilight zone between sleeping and waking, a deep theta state where we can be present and still, going deep within to where we are infinite.
Getting Grounded In this class we will do easy seated poses to help you hear your body's voice. You will learn breathing techniques to lessen pain and tension, standing poses to help you feel steady, and twisting and turning poses to help you deal with the twists and turns of every day life. Each class will end with a relaxing pose to help you feel at ease and rejuvenated. Students are encouraged to progress to "Getting Stronger" as soon as they feel able.
Getting Stronger This class builds upon your "Getting Grounded" foundation, adding a few more gentle poses to go along with your increasing strength.
Staying Steady This class is designed to expose you to yoga poses you can use for the rest of your life, to get moving on!
Fitball
Janel Irland
Fitball is a combination of strength and stretch. Working on the ball incorporates deep core muscles that help stabilize the spine, helps develop body awareness and proper posture, provides great stretching, and overall muscle development.
Gentle Flow w/Daniella
An active class for new and continuing students introducing the basic yoga postures as well as some Vinyasa sequences, focusing on moving with the breath and finding proper alignment. A good challenge for those with some yoga experience and those who wish to go deeper into stretches.