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Upcoming Workshops
CommUnity Campaign at Portland Yoga Studio
DATE: Friday nights monthly, 2009
COST: Pay What You Can ($1-$15 per community classes, $1-$500 for benefit classes)
The word yoga stems from the Sanskrit word yuj-- to yoke, or to unite. As we develop our practice on the mat, it is critical that we begin to see, feel, and experience ourselves as members of a larger community. Through yoga practice, we gain energy, good health, and clarity, which frees us to give to and participate in our community.
Portland Yoga Studio was founded in 1989 by Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy. The CommUnity Campaign is a celebration of PYS's 20 years as part of the community in Portland. We want to expand our awareness of and connection to community, by reaching out to non-profit organizations working in Portland, and by offering classes on a pay-what-you-can basis to include as many people in our local community as possible.
The kick-off to the Community Campaign is an anniversary party. Please join us on Friday, April 24th at PYS for a celebration of PYS's 20 years and the first Community Yoga Class. Come, bring your family and friends, and connect with old and new friends. After the kick-off, we'll have a monthly class on a Friday, either as a benefit or a community class.
- Friday, April 24th Community Campaign Party (free, all are welcome) 7:00-9:00 pm
- Friday, April 24th Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
- Friday, May 8th Preble Street Benefit Class ($1-$500-- write checks to Preble Street) 5:45-7:30 pm
- Friday, June 12th Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
- Friday, July 10th Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
- Friday, August 21st Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
- Friday, September 11th Habitat for Humanity Benefit Class ($1-$500- write checks to Habitat for Humanity) 5:45- 7:30 pm
- Friday, October 9th Women in Need Industries Benefit Class ($1-$500- write checks to WINI) 5:45- 7:30 pm
- Friday, November 13th Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
- Friday, December 11th Community Class (pay what you can) 5:45-7:00 pm
Click here for the Community Campaign Press Release.
Yamuna Body Rolling: Save Your Back Series with Marianna Moll
DATE: Saturdays, March 21, April 25 & May 16, 2009
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
COST: $38 in advance, $42 at the door. NOTE: Please bring your own body rolling balls if you have them.
The health of our spines and backs is essential for the health of our entire body. The spine has pairs of nerve roots that stimulate organ and other vital body functions. The spine is composed of vertebrae and between each vertebra there are discs. These discs need healthy space so that they do not compress and press into nerves, which causes discomfort.
Each part of the spine & back needs special attention and has specific needs. All parts of the spine need strength, flexibility, optimal alignment, and space to function as perfectly as possible.
Rolling up the back is the basic, most important YBR routine. In these classes you learn routines to specifically relieve foot pain, lower back problems, and back, neck, and shoulder tension. YBR is the perfect tool to roll away stress and tension on your own in just 10 minutes.
Marianna Moll is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher and the owner of the Belfast Yoga Studio. She finds Yamuna Body Rolling to be a great way to transform one's body and sees it benefiting her life as well as her Yoga practice.
Saturday, March 21: Part One Lower Back and Lumbar Spine Why people get lower back problems, how to prevent them, and practical YBR work to keep your lower back solid, flexible, and long. This class focuses on creating as much length and strength in the lower back as possible. The foot and leg routines will help the spine to unwind from the ground up. You will learn what it takes to keep the lower back strong and flexible and able to support the rest of the spine. Hip and sacrum issues will be addressed.
Saturday, April 25: Part Two Thoracic Spine This part of the spine attaches to the ribs in the back and the sternum in the front. It needs horizontal freeing and aligning as well as vertical lengthening upward. It needs flexibility for proper backward bending and for optimal breathing through the ribcage. Freeing the ribcage is a prerequisite for a deep Pranayama practice. If there are problems in the thoracic spine, our ability to twist can be restricted and the use of our shoulders can be limited. Special attention is given to lengthening and opening the side body. The relationship of pelvis and ribcage communication will be addressed.
Saturday, May 16: Part Three Hands, Upper Back, and Neck This workshop will focus on the part of the back that is shoulder level and above, which is the cervical spine. Tightness in the upper back at shoulder level is often associated with work tension and tightness from sitting at a desk, working at the computer for hours, and general poor posture due to the round shouldered, dropped chest and thrust forward head patterns. Tightness and restriction in this area make us look old and stiff and cause the skin in the neck to sag and the vertebrae around shoulder level to become calcified very early on. This part of the back needs increased flexibility in forward, backward and sideways movement. The front of the body needs to be aligned and lengthened to equal the length of the back body. This will allow free movement to the upper thoracic and cervical vertebrae. The hands routine will bring an increased range of motion and deep relaxation from the hands all the way through one's neck and head.
Marianna highly recommends all three of these classes to everyone, however, if you cannot attend all of them, register for the ones you know you can make!
Yoga for Scoliosis Mini-Session with Pamela Ryan
DATES: Tuesdays, May 26- June 16, 2009
TIME: 7:45- 8:45pm
COST: $48
The asymmetry of scoliosis presents challenges in yoga practice and daily life. Learn techniques to help meet these challenges, finding sequences that can improve awareness and spread yoga's healing benefits more evenly throughout the body.
Finding the Divine in the Daily with Annie Hoffman
DATE: Saturday, June 6, 2009
TIME: 2:00- 5:00pm
COST: $40 advance/ $45 door
"Every day we gather ourselves together and weave it again
Who knows what keeps us at it...
Hunger no doubt, and hope." -May Sarton
No matter how long we have had a yoga practice we are all using our faculties of discernment (viveka) to understand the changing nature of what movement is beneficial for the body. We want a path of moderation where we are not over-doing or under-doing.
Asana is a physical tool which can certainly support our vitality; keeping us flushed out, well toned and basically relaxed.
We also want to take on the next level of consideration which is to seek out the interconnection of movement and meaning. How do we make our practice divine? The answer is the same way you make a meal holy- it has to do with intention and gratitude. So in this gathering we will become re-involved with the ritual of yoga and seek to find balance in body/ mind/ spirit.
The Inner Lifts and Core Strength with Karen Kozlowski
DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2009
TIME: 11:30 am- 12:30 pm Intro to Inner Lifts; 12:45- 3:00 pm Inner Lifts and Core Strength
COST: $32 adv./$35 door for Inner Lifts & Core Strength; $42 adv./ $48 door for both
Thus far in our explorations of the Inner Lifts (bandhas), we have associated each phase of the lifts with corresponding bone events—the tailbone descends, the buttock bones move laterally together, etc.
In this workshop, we will experience the Inner Lifts as a “wave” or as a “scooping action” along the spine—behind the organs, thus allowing the organs to fall back rather than protrude during core strength asanas.
For those who have not yet experienced the Inner Lifts and want to do the Core Strength Workshop, there will be a one hour introductory class preceding the Workshop.
Karen Kozlowski has studied Iyengar Yoga for over 35 years, with
Ramanand Patel, Patricia Walden, & Dona Holleman. She has been to the
Iyengar Institute in India twice to study with the Masters.
Karen teaches from her studio in York, ME.
FREE INTRODUCTORY BEGINNER CLASSES
DATES: See List Below
TIMES: See List Below
COST: FREE
Free introductory classes are offered at the basic level, for new students only. This is a wonderful way to experience first-hand the many benefits of yoga. Try a free introductory class before making a commitment to a full session of classes. You do not have to be flexible, strong, or experienced in any way-- we'll teach you from the very beginning. Try different instructors; find a class that works for you!
Please call ahead 799-0054 to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited!
- Monday, July 6, 2009 5:30-7:00 PM with Elaine McGillicuddy
- Wednesday, July 8, 2009 5:45-7:00 PM with Stephanie Abrams
- Sunday, July 12, 2009 11:30 AM- 12:45 PM with Stephanie Abrams
- Thursday, August 6, 2009 7:00-8:15 AM with Pamela Ryan
- Saturday, August 1, 2009 8:00-9:15 AM with Pamela Ryan
10-Day Summer Intensive with Pamela Ryan
DATES: Tuesday, July 21- Saturday, July 25 and Monday, July 27- Friday, July 31, 2009
TIME: 7:00- 8:30 am
COST: $120
The practice of yoga involves effort, reflection and joy. Broaden and deepen your own experience in this early morning series. Standing poses, backbends, forward bends and inversions will be covered in this series.
One year experience or permission of the instructory is required. To receive permission, please contact Pamela by email.
Experience the myriad of benefits that come with daily practice. This a great way to start or re-charge your yoga practice.
A Taste of the Gentle/Restorative Side of Yoga with Mary Taylor
DATES: Thursdays, August 20 & 27, 2009
TIME: 4:00- 5:15pm
COST: $25
A very short, very special summer mini-series designed to introduce you to the benefits of gentle, restorative yoga; the other side of yoga.
Use it:
- to enhance your own practice at any level
- as your complete practice of yoga
- as a break from your regular classes
- as a great introduction to those new to yoga... including other family members
- to experience the restorative qualities of yoga in a different, less demanding way
- to feel really great, with increased energy and a clear, crisp outlook.
Kirtan (Devotional Chanting) with Susannah San Filippo
DATE: 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month
TIME:
7:00-8:30pm
DONATION: Free, $5-7 suggested donation (not required)
Kirtan is part of the path of yoga called Bhakti, or devotion. During our time together each week, we learn Sanskrit chants and sing to the many names and aspects of god. Instruments, dancing, children and joy of all kinds are welcome. Although it comes out of the Hindu tradition, this practice is not religious, but is a celebration of the world and an expression of gratitude.
On Friday, March 20, 2009, the studio is being rented for another event, so the Kirtan will be meeting at the Awake Collective on 65 Merrill Street in Portland, same time.
Dances of Universal Peace - Meditative
Circle Dances with Elaine McGillicuddy and Guests
DATE: 3rd Saturday of each month
TIME: 7pm -
9pm
DONATION: $6.00 - $8.00
Inspired by various sacred traditions. No previous experience
necessary. Does not meet during summer months. Call Elaine
at (207) 797-2151 to confirm, and to hear about special events
and retreats.
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