Group Series

Emphasis on creating a safe, non-judgmental space of easeful well-being. All are welcome, especially those new to yoga.

It is normal to experience some anxiousness or discomfort in trying yoga or meeting a new group. Supported in a welcoming space for all fitness and experience levels, with time, familiarity softens discomfort.

Series Themes

Each weekly session builds upon practices from the prior week. Repetition is layered with variety.

Week One: From new to familiar. Explore breath awareness and flowing, repetitive movement sequences.

Week Two: The breath as the link between the body and the mind.

Week Three: Balancing effort and ease. Explore efforting less.

Week Four: The vagus nerve. Practices to activate its calming branch.

Week Five: A recap. Revisiting highlights from the prior four weeks.

What to Expect in a Session

Each 60 minute group session will follow this general framework.

All practices are tailored to each person’s unique choices and needs.

• Welcome, greeting, checking-in. Questions and comments.

• Centering and grounding. Establish a connection to stability, nurturance, and the breath. Pause to notice.

• Whole body warm-up. Move the spine in all six directions and mobilize the major joints. Motion is lotion!

  Seated or a combination of seated and standing as available to each participant.

• Gentle rhythmic movement, often linked with the breath.

  Sequence is tailored to the weekly theme and observations during the session.

• Breath practice aligned with the weekly theme.

  Mindful breathing with somatic exploration.

• Moving toward inward focused stillness.
  A practice to release residual tension.
  May include a supportive, restorative yoga style practice.

• Guided relaxation or yoga nidra.
  Typically includes traveling attention throughout the physical body, traveling attention through energy points in the body, and/or guided imagery along with option for personal intention or affirmation.

• Closing, check-in, feedback, personal practice ideas.