ON-GOING, OPEN CLASSES

These classes are held weekly unless they fall on a major holiday. They are drop-in classes - come as frequently as you wish. You pay by the class. Each teacher has their own fee structure. Heidi offers classes at $10 or buy passes: 10/$85; 5/$45; for full-time students or seniors 60+ 5/$40; 10/$75. (Lower payments may be accepted in cases of financial hardship. Talk to your instructor.) Margot's classes are by donation. Suggested donation is $5-10 per class.

It is suggested that you bring a yoga mat to class. If you do not have one, you can borrow one of ours. We have some for sale, too.

Gentle Yoga

Gentle classes are accessible to most everyone. They involve breath and movement, easier and modified postures, body awareness, gentle stretching and strengthening, and relaxation. These are good classes for people with limited range-of-motion or with some chronic health conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. They are also good for many seniors, beginners who want to start slowly, people who are overweight or just getting back into fitness, or people who just prefer a slower pace with lots of warm-ups. These are good classes to get a little extra attention from the instructor and an introduction to the use of props. The body likes to be invited to open - gentle classes are good for everyone!

Gentle/Moderate Yoga

A hybrid class involving a slower pace, building to more challenge. The teacher will suggest modifications to the classic poses as needed. These classes can be a good place to start if you are new to the practice. Breath awareness, alignment and working at one's own pace are stressed.

Moderate Yoga

These are our traditional hatha yoga classes. They range in intensity according to the teacher, the make-up of the group, and what we are currently interested in learning and practicing. Many beginners can start here or at a more gentle level. Moderate classes involve warm-ups and plenty of instruction. Heidi offers students an opportunity to help shape the therapeutically-oriented class by sharing suggestions and insights. Margot offers intermediate students an active challenge and a therapeutic focus.

Challenging Yoga

These classes are best for people who have been practicing awhile, are more body aware, and have a basic familiarity with the postures and pranayama. These classes work with more challenging sequences, including inversions, and cultivate mental and physical strength and stamina. Chanting and philosophy are part of the Tuesday night class with Margot.

Yoga for Health and Healing

These gentle yoga sessions will include careful attention to any and all health conditions. The focus is on learning to assist the body’s reach toward health via opening the joints, healthy alignment, and breathing. This is a drop-in format, by donation. Suggested donation $5-10. Held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, 228 Gougler Ave. Kent, OH

Restorative Yoga - Offered on Sunday afternoons 4-5:30pm

A gentle-moderate format, these classes focus on relaxation, stillness, quietude. We'll begin with easy warm-ups, breath and some postures, but then move into effortless poses supported by props such as bolsters, folded blankets, blocks, chairs, walls, etc. Bring your eye pillow (also available for purchase or to borrow). Although we have many props, they tend to be used up in this class so supplement by bringing a firm blanket or 2, your mat, a small cushion, warm clothes. These classes are okay for beginners, but please be prepared for less activity, more rest. Not a typical yoga class, but it should be accessible to almost everyone.

CLASS SERIES - Preregistration is appreciated. Register in person at the studio before or after scheduled classes or mail a check to: Kent Yoga, 145 S River St. #5, Kent, OH 44240 To discuss your personal situation contact the director, Heidi Shaffer, at (330) 677-8169

Yoga Basics - Offered this Fall 2010 on either Sundays 6-7:30 pm or Thursdays 7-8:30 pm. Choose your primary class but you can do make-ups in the other class. This is an 6-week series offered each season that introduces new students to yoga and gives more experienced students a systematic approach to hatha yoga in the therapeutic tradition. We address the questions "why?" as in "why do we do backbends or inversions?" as well as how to sequence for more challenging postures with proper warm-ups and awareness exercises. Some yoga philosophy and history are included along the way. Depending on the participants, we may do more gentle yoga or moderate-level work. This class prepares students for traditional hatha yoga classes. Healthy, balanced posture and natural, free breathing practices are taught and emphasized. Everyone is encouraged to work at their own comfort levels while having fun in a non-competitive environment. Please register for this series by mail or in person. Late registrations are considered. 6 weeks/$60.

Prenatal Yoga - Offered quarterly. A 6-week series for $60. Focus is on preventing and relieving common pregnancy complaints, bonding with your baby and your body, and preparing for labor, childbirth and parenthood. This is offered to pregnant women who are in their 2nd or 3rd trimester. Heidi is certified in Pregnancy Yoga.

Core Dynamics Pilates - Offered next in January 2011. This high energy workout with a first-class teacher pairs breath and movement to strengthen and lengthen both core muscles and limbs. You are guaranteed to feel strong and lean afterwards! Kimberly Karpanty, a KSU dance professor, teaches our hour-long Pilates classes. Preregister.

Chair Yoga - currently offered as an ongoing class, but pay for the series.This class is accessible for almost everyone! No getting on the floor. We will do postures, breathwork and meditation from seated and, sometimes assisted standing positions. Gentle class with modifications as needed. Instructor: Marianne 6 weeks/$40.

Kids' and Youth Yoga - each age group offered an appropriate pace and level of activity. Young people like more action than adults so it is important to offer these classes. We hope you will take advantage of them so we can hold them regularly!

Parent/Child Yoga - Yoga for adults that can be done in a playful way interacting with babies and toddlers. A nice support group for moms and dads. Offered on Tuesday afternoons this fall. If this time or day does not work for you, please contact us to tell us what would. Maybe a different time can be offered this winter.