Yoga @ The Academy

Audrey Morrison, Certified YTT 250hrs., offers gentle yoga classes for seniors and persons living with chronic pain of a muscular nature.  Ananta Yoga classes are held in the lovely yoga space at the Academy of Music.  Each year, Audrey offers 10 week sessions coinciding with the seasons in the following yogic forms:

Audrey is offering the following classes for the above session:

Each 10 week session is $120 due at first class of the session.  No refunds for classes missed except in unusual circumstances.  Students may attend a make-up class for class(es) missed if space is available in another class.  Audrey allows for up to 2 classes to be subtracted from the cost of registration if a student has pre-made plans for travel, surgery, etc.  Please consult with Audrey prior to registration.  No drop-in spaces are available except upon request.

All props required for the class are supplied, however, if you have a personal yoga mat please bring that to class as practicing on double-thickness is a nice touch!

For more information, or to register or request wait/listing, call Audrey at (604)483-8939 or email her at yogasparks1@gmail.com

SOMATIC MOVEMENT
 The word Somatics means "what it feels like to be in your body. "  When we habitually contract a muscle or group of muscles in response to stress or trauma due to accident, injury or surgery, and including emotional trauma, our brain  forgets how to relax these muscles.  This is called Sensory Motor Amnesia.   Through a series of gentle movements on the floor, Somatics works to re-train the brain to notice when we are holding tension in our muscles. This is the first step to being able to consciously release them.  With a regular practice, Somatics helps the body to regain ease of movement and reduce pain.
YIN YOGA
Yin yoga is a passive form of yoga targeting the deep connective tissues of the body - the tendons, ligaments and joints, including the fascia.  With age, we lose range of motion in joints due to these structures drying-up, shortening and losing integrity.    Yin yoga targets the area from the navel to the knees, using long-held poses supported by props; mostly working with lower back, hips and knees.  If you are relatively active, your muscles are getting the workout they need, but rarely do we stress the deep connective tissues of the body to keep them healthy.  Yin Yoga does this.
HATHA YOGA
Hatha yoga is that form with which most of us associate a yoga practice.  Hatha works the muscles of the body to cultivate strength, flexibility, balance and agility.
All classes begin with a short period of breath awareness, a mindfulness practice to quiet the breath and the chanting of "OM", the universal sound that creates vibration in the body at the cellular level.  Students may participate or choose to sit quietly on their mat during this time.