MANTRA WORKSHOPS VENTURE OUTDOORS FESTIVAL CORE-IOSITY: UNDERSTANDING & STABILIZING YOUR CORE YIN YOGA CLASSES RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASSES BENEFIT YOGA SERIES FAMILY YOGA CLASSES THAI YOGA MASSAGE WORKSHOPS YOGARHYTHMICS® OFF THE MAT, INTO THE WORLD (OTM) - YOGA IN ACTION TRAINING MANTRA WORKSHOPS w/ Kendell & Rick Romanelli FRIDAY, May 18th 2012 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. OM NAMAH NARAYANAYA This sweet sounding mantra brings infinite love, prosperity, and wisdom by dissolving obstacles resulting from the ego and ignorance. "It is a mantra of peace bringing balance to an off-centered world." We will use Deva Premal's version from her album "Love is Space." These workshops are designed for mantra meditation. It is not a call and response kirtan, but rather a gathering of voices that will raise the level of consciousness of the group. The workshop will begin with a brief discussion on the pronunciation and meaning of the mantra being chanted followed by a few easy exercises to warm the body and prepare it for sitting. Please feel free to bring personal meditation pillows, but studio props will be available (including chairs for those who would prefer not to sit on the floor). We will chant the mantra for 31 minutes. When we chant for 31 minutes the meditation begins to affect your whole mind, your aura, and all your body's internal organs. After chanting we will meditate on the vibrations we created and close with a long deep relaxation with the healing sounds of crystal bowls/live guitar. $20 in advance $25 at the door For more information on these workshops please e-mail us by clicking here. return to top VENTURE OUTDOORS FESTIVAL SATURDAY, May 19th 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Held at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, the 2012 Festival, presented by Highmark, features activities for the whole family including kayaking, fishing, hiking, yoga, biking, climbing and more! free event For more information on this event, please visit Venture Outdoors. return to top CORE-IOSITY WORKSHOP Understanding & Stabilizing Your Core w/ Anna Gilbert Zupon SUNDAY, May 20th 2-4 p.m. Very often when we hear the word “core” we think of sit-ups and the elusive 'six-pack'. But our core is a complex and vital part of our muscular system, and the body’s foundation for all of our movements, on and off the mat. Our core supports our balance and coordination, improves our strength and posture, enhances our breath control and flexibility, and is a integral component of injury prevention. Using our core-iosity, we will begin with an investigation of our core muscles, (hint – it’s more than just abdominals!). Moving from that foundation, we’ll explore how these unique muscles work in tandem to stabilize our asana practice and support our breath from the inside out. $20 in advance $25 at the door For more information on this workshop please e-mail us by clicking here return to top YIN YOGA CLASSES ON-GOING WEDNESDAYS 7:30-9 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, May 20th 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, June 3rd 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, June 17th (live music*) 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, July 1st 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, July 15th (live music*) 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, July 29th 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Lynn Rescigno SUNDAY, August 5th 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette SUNDAY, August 19th (live music*) 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Valerie Antonette *about once per month, the Yin Yoga classes will have harp accompaniment by Certified Music Practitioner, Stephanie Miller. Composing and playing music from a young age, Stephanie enjoyed learning about music and how it benefits people in all aspects of their life and wellbeing - eventually leading her to become a Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy Practitioner. Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy (VAHT) is a unique method of applying live harp music to help bring one’s body back into balance. Suitable for almost all levels of students, Yin Yoga generally targets the connective tissues (ligaments, bones, and joints) of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine through relaxation and meditation in seated postures. Yin Yoga is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that emphasize internal heat and the lengthening/contracting of our muscles. Because yin and yang tissues respond quite differently to being exercised, you may realize after taking a Yin Yoga class that you have been doing only half of the asana practice. While initially this style of yoga can seem quite boring, passive, or soft, a Yin Yoga practice can be quite challenging due to the long duration that the poses are held - anywhere from one to twenty minutes! The time spent in the postures is designed to nourish the natural range of motion of the joints. A Yin Yoga practice invites you to go deeper into yourself and challenges you to stay in the experience. This practice is also an excellent way to help you improve your comfort in seated meditation. regular class pricing For more information on this class please e-mail us by clicking here. return to top RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASSES SUNDAY, May 27th 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kate Olson SUNDAY, June 10th 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kate Olson SUNDAY, June 24th 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kristen Kolenda SUNDAY, July 8th 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kate Olson SUNDAY, July 22nd 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kristen Kolenda SUNDAY, August 12th 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kate Olson SUNDAY, August 26th 2012 5:30-7 p.m. w/ Kristen Kolenda This all levels restorative practice will include "active relaxation" - supporting the body with blankets, blocks, and other props to support postures which are held for several minutes. This alternatively stimulates and relaxes the body allowing it to move towards balance. This practice is very beneficial to health, can reduce the effects of stress-related disease, and will leave you nourished and well rested. regular class pricing For more information on this class please e-mail us by clicking here return to top BENEFIT YOGA SERIES FRIDAY, June 1st 2012 6:30-8 p.m. Benefit for: Shambhala Meditation Center of Pittsburgh w/ Jennifer Ferris-Glick FRIDAY, July 6th 2012 6:30-8 p.m. Benefit for: TBA w/ TBA FRIDAY, August 3rd 2012 6:30-8 p.m. Benefit for: POWER w/ Kristi Rogers FRIDAY, September 7th 2012 6:30-8 p.m. Benefit for: Off The Mat, Into the World - Yoga in Action Pittsburgh w/ Terri Neese This series of ALL LEVELS community classes, typically held on the first Friday of each month, reflects seva - or service to others. Each class is donation based allowing participants to pay what they wish to attend. 100% of the donations received for the class will go to support the charity or non-profit organization chosen by the instructor. by donation - COMMUNITY CLASS (cash or checks please!) For more information on this class please e-mail us by clicking here. return to top FAMILY YOGA CLASSES w/ Paul Richards & Kristen Kolenda 1st SUNDAYS: SUNDAY, June 3rd 2012 SUNDAY, July 1st 2012 SUNDAY, August 5th 2012 1:30-2:45 p.m. Children are naturals for yoga and these classes will be fun for the whole family as you practice together! The practice of yoga inspires a sense of self and brings focus and concentration to children and adults alike. Yoga is a great way to improve self-esteem, concentration and relationships. Yoga can calm and strengthen the nervous system, improve motor skills, and contribute to increased patterns of balance and overall good health. Yoga classes with children are fun, interactive and full of rewards. Learning valuable skills and encouraging balance in the body from an early age creates good habits for children to carry into their teen years and beyond. This class includes postures & activities for the whole family, including appropriate age (and intensity level) variations to accommodate everyone. All families with children age 5+ are welcome! $15/family For more information on this class, please e-mail us by clicking here. return to top THAI YOGA MASSAGE WORKSHOPS Seated Postures w/ Sunny Klaber SATURDAY, June 9th 2012 SUNDAY, June 10th 2012 1:30-5 p.m. each day Thai Yoga massage is an ancient healing art with origins in Ayurvedic Medicine, Yoga and Buddhism. It has evolved into a unique and magical combination of gentle rocking, deep stretching, rhythmic compression, soft-tissue manipulation, energy balancing, and acupressure. A Thai Yoga massage session differs from a Therapeutic Massage in that it is conducted on a thick pad on the floor, and the client remains fully clothed in loose pants and a comfortable shirt. It is often referred to as "lazy man's yoga" because it offers the same benefits as a yoga practice, but requires little or no effort from the clients. A traditional session lasts 2-hours and consists of dynamic and fluid combinations of techniques that move, stretch and twist the client while they are positioned on their back, front, side and sitting cross-legged on the floor. This introductory-level workshop will be facilitated by internationally-recognized Thai Yoga Massage instructor Sunny Klaber. Sunny’s contagious passions for yoga, dance, Buddhist philosophy and massage strongly influence her unique approach to practicing and teaching this ancient healing art. Her extensive knowledge of, and respect for, these disciplines creates an environment which honors the sacred roots of Thai Yoga Massage, while gracefully infusing it with fresh applications and innovations. Over the past seven years Sunny has enjoyed developing and teaching the Thai Yoga massage curriculum at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, Cortiva Institute, The Center for Massage and Natural Health (Asheville, NC) and the Costa Rica School of massage Therapy (Samara, Costa Rica). She currently owns and operates a private massage therapy practice in Boulder, CO (www.bodyandsolmassage.com), and facilitates integrated healing arts journeys to Thailand, Spain, Scotland, Brazil and the Dominican Republic (www.integraltravel.com). No massage therapy experience necessary - appropriate for all levels. Advanced practitioners will learn techniques that they can easily integrate into their current Thai Yoga Massage practice, and beginners will walk away with skills that will make them very popular with friends and family who suffer from typical complaints like neck pain, back pain, and sore feet. 7 NCBTMB Approved Continuing Education Hours are available for Massage Therapists attending the full workshop. $108 full weekend $60 Saturday only For more information on this workshop please e-mail us by clicking here return to top YOGARHYTHMICS® w/ Nicole Zellie Lann starting again in September 2012 (our YogaRhythmics® classes are currently on "maternity leave" - we'll be dancing again this fall!) Ever find yourself rocking out to music in your car? Or start dancing up a storm in your room to your favorite song? Then you understand the powerful nature of music and how it unleashes all different forms of movement in your body. Here’s your chance to transform those movements in a safe and sacred place combining yoga postures, breathwork, free-form movement, and creative play all wrapped into one exhilarating class - YogaRhythmics®. It has long been studied that music awakens and revives our chakras - the 7 energy centers in our bodies. Each one is responsible for a particular part of our emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Through a structured sequence of natural movement patterns the principles of yoga come alive - love, acceptance, compassion, contentment, and integrity are at the heart of YogaRhythmics®. Join us as we take you on a musical and movement journey through your chakras to energize and align these energy centers. You will leave feeling refreshed - awakening your inner child at times - with a big smile on your face. No dance experience required - just a willingness to move and BE MOVED! by donation - COMMUNITY CLASS (cash or checks please!) (at least 50% of monetary donations are given to the benefit organization, chosen by the previous class, in the name of "BYS Yoga Students") For more information on this class please e-mail us by clicking here. return to top OFF THE MAT, INTO THE WORLD (OTM) YOGA IN ACTION TRAINING w/ Cortney Seltman & Terri Neese 7 new training sessions this fall: SATURDAY, September 22nd SUNDAY, September 23rd SATURDAY, September 29th SATURDAY, October 6th SATURDAY, October 13th SATURDAY, October 20th SATURDAY, October 27th What is Yoga in Action? Yoga in Action is a project of Off the Mat, Into the World (OTM). OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and to ignite grass roots social change. These 7-session groups are an opportunity to build community around yoga and service, develop relationships with other yogis and activists in your area and collaborate on creating real change. In this workshop you will: • Awaken your authentic purpose through the process of yoga • Develop tools and practices to put purpose into action in a sustainable way • Cultivate long term community and support to live your purpose and make a difference in the world We will use asana, meditation, visualization, experiential exercises, discussion, process work, music, and ritual to access and activate these tools while building a close community for on-going support. Join Us! PRE-REGISTRATION & MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: www.yogainactionpgh.org For more information on this training being held at BYS Yoga please visit www.yogainactionpgh.org. return to top