Hello Simply Move Community, Winter Term 2024

The new year is fast approaching and I have been working hard to create a more accessible yoga community through the skills I learned from my recent training, offering tried pricing, and the recent revamping of my website. If you haven't explored my website in a while, please head over and take a look. I have added some new information and resources. I would love your feedback.

https://www.simplymoveyoga.org/

Winter Term - Strength Building, Mindfulness, and Meditation

Over the years I have learned that there is so much more to yoga than the physical practice, like mindfulness and mediation. Don’t get me wrong, I love asana (postures) but that is not all that yoga has to offer. I will always be drawn to the physical practice, as most people are, and that is not a bad thing. Movement is so important for longevity. As I get older, I am finding it is also important to have strong joints. Incorporating some simple strength building into a yoga practice is a great way to improve flexibility and build some muscle tone.

Aside from the physical practice, I would like to explore using more mindfulness in all the movements we do. Mindfulness is what sets yoga apart from typical exercise. Coming to the present moment and taking the time to notice how your body responds to different movements can be a real eye opener. For example, I recently went to a physical therapist for help with hip pain only to discover that even with all my own mindfulness practice, I have not been engaging my glutes (most likely for years). After some very mindful, focused movements I am learning to engage those big muscles that play such an important role in walking, standing, bending over etc. Anyone else feel they have neglected their glutes?

Benefits of building strength in the glutes:

• Relieve back pain
• Relieve knee pain
• Relieve hip pain
• Reduce your risk of injury
• Improve posture
• Improve balance

Image from Holistic Bodyworks

Meditation has always felt a little foreign to me and I have often felt I am not doing it correctly. This is so common with many aspects of yoga. I have always pondered the question of how can I quiet my mind? It never stops. Why can’t I sit like everyone else on the floor with my legs in a pretzel and hold my body up for long periods of time and try to relax? Am I not spiritual enough for meditation? Over the years and especially since my recent training I have come to the realization that it is not me. The meditations portrayed in social media and being offered in classes were not accessible to me. We will explore short, simple practices and variations that will help you find the right postures for meditation. Meditation does not have to look a certain way or be done for a certain amount of time.

Benefits of a Meditation Practice:

• Reduce stress
• Increase self awareness
• Focus on the present
• Increased patience & tolerance
• Lower resting heart rate
• Improve sleep

8 Week Winter Term classes will begin the week of January 8th.

Recommended props: a yoga mat, 2 blocks, a sturdy chair, multiple blankets, and pillows or cushions.

*Please register by Jan 6th.

Winter Term Schedule:

Mondays: 5:00 -6:00 pm

Thursdays: 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Register by clicking the link below:

https://www.simplymoveyoga.org/offerings/8-week-yoga-course-winter-term-2024

A little Glitch in the System:

You may notice when you register and are paying for the class there will be 2 options that appear: package and drop-in. If you purchased a package then simply click the package option. If you did not purchase a package and want to choose one of the tiered pricing options, click drop-in and the tiered pricing menu will appear. Choose the tiered pricing option that best suits you. This is a change made by the company I have my website through and myself and others are hoping it will be changed soon as it appears to be causing lots of confusion. Thanks for your understanding. :)

Package Deal:

Planning on taking both the Monday and Thursday classes each week? Sign up for the package to get a discount. When paying for the package you may see a place to add a code which appears to be causing a bit of confusion too. There is no code needed to purchase the package. Leave that blank and click the pay button to add your payment information.

https://www.simplymoveyoga.org/offering_packages

On-Demand Option:

A friendly reminder that if these days and times do not work for your schedule you can sign up for the On-Demand option. You will receive a recording after Monday’s live class for you to follow along anytime during that week. Click the link below and register for the Monday class time slot, under the tiered pricing you will see special pricing for the On-Demand option.

https://www.simplymoveyoga.org/schedule

I appreciate every one of you and I hope you have a wonderful new year.

See you on the mat,

Kelly

Simply Move