WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL CLASSES

RESTORATIVE YOGA

Sundays, 4:00 – 5:15 PM
March 7, April 4, May 9, June 6, 2010
Taught by Ruth Knight, eRYT500
Cost: $13

In a beautiful and serene setting, you'll be guided into postures using outer supports such as bolsters, blankets, and chairs. With the body so supported it's possible to focus your breath awareness deeply and powerfully to release tension from your body, mind, and heart. The result? You'll feel unburdened and at peace. Restorative yoga is a beneficial practice on it's own, and the discoveries you make through holding, opening, and releasing will bring new insights to your regular yoga asana practice. No yoga experience is necessary.

HEALTHY BACK YOGA

Thursdays, 5:45 – 7:00 PM
March 4 – April 8, 2010
Taught by Kathy Dahlke, MD
Cost: $75

Do you have a weak back? Is your back stiff and sore? This class may be just what you’re looking for!

It’s important to keep you back healthy, and the rest of your body strong and mobile so that you can continue the activities you enjoy as you age.

Kathy will teach you how to practice yoga safely with a program designed to stretch and strengthen your back.

Please note that if you have a serious back problem, you’ll need to get your doctor’s okay before attending this class.



THE HOUSE AS HEALING METAPHOR: Exploring the Rooms of our Lives through Poetry and Yoga

Saturday, April 17, 2010
1:30 – 4:30 PM
Taught by Laura Washington, RYT500, and Richard Brown
Cost: $25
Pre-registration required.

In this workshop we will explore the different metaphors of the house or other dwellings both inner and outer. Through a blending of yoga and the reading and writing of poetry, participants will consider how the places they have lived have shaped and influenced who they are today.

About Richard and Laura
Richard teaches language arts to Portland high school students and conducts poetry workshops and day trips for adults. Laura is a naturopathic physician with a private practice here in Portland, and yoga instructor for The Movement Center since 1990.

BREATHING WELL: Returning to a Natural Breath

Saturday, May 15, 2010
1:30-4:30 PM
Taught by Ruth Knight, RYT
Cost: $25
Pre-registration required.

Poor breathing patterns, such as chronic hyperventilation and other forms of shallow or depressed breathing, are significant obstacles to health. For many of us, these unhealthy breathing patterns are the result of focusing for long stretches of time at a computer, battling the daily commute to work, enduring the strain of a high-pressured life, or coping with health issues.

Pause and imagine a quiet walk in the woods, or a stroll along the beach. Take a breath and drink in the fresh air. Remember how delicious and vital that breath feels? Remember how it brings peace to your mind and relaxes your body? Such an experience of breathing can seem far removed from daily life, but you can recapture it. Even if your breath capacity is limited, you can still enjoy the benefits of a fuller, more healthful breath.

The goal of this workshop is to make you more aware of how your breath impacts your body and mind, and give you tools for conscious, healthful breathing. Here’s what we’ll be working on:

About the instructor
 Ruth brings a depth of insight and experience that comes from teaching and practicing yoga and meditation for over two decades. The inspiration for this course happened gradually. Noting that many yoga students list stress reduction as a primary goal of practice; that increasing numbers of students are short of breath or have respiratory ailments, and dealing with breath-related ailments among her own family led her to think carefully about the connections between breathing, environment, and physical and mental well-being.

MEDITATION INTENSIVE

Saturday, January 23, 2010
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Guided by Swami Prakashananda
Cost: $25 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Spend a concentrated period of time with your Inner Self through a series of meditation sessions guided by Swami Prakashananda.
Chanting at 8:30 AM followed by three consecutive 40-minute meditation & 10-minute hatha yoga sessions.
Beginners & experienced meditators welcome.