Class Descriptions

Beginning Yoga Classes

Level 1 Yoga
In a level 1 Yoga Class students will learn the basics in a fun and supportive environment. Class includes instruction in basic yoga postures to build strength, stamina, flexibility and balance. Includes breathing and relaxation techniques as well.

Level 1-2 Yoga
Yoga experience recommended; fit beginners ok. Level 1-2 Yoga Classes feature detailed alignment instruction and emphasis on strength building to promote healthier, more resilient muscles. Also includes time for beginning pranayama (breath techniques), meditation and relaxation.

View the HeartSong Yoga Class Schedule to register for a beginning yoga class.

Intermediate and Advanced Yoga Classes

Level 2 Yoga
Yoga experience required. A Level 2 Yoga Class features continued refinement of posture alignment with focus on connecting to the inner body experience of yoga and a deeper study of yogic philosophy. More challenging yoga poses such as inversions and backbends will be introduced. Also includes time for pranayama (breath techniques), meditation and relaxation.

Advanced Practice

I have been amazed and delighted at the quality of instruction and the personal attention at Heartsong, and it has helped me tremendously. I went from being barely able to put weight on my shoulder without pain to performing handstands over the period of a year.
- Leesa H -->Click to read more!

An Advanced Practice yoga class is a led practice covering all aspects of advanced yoga practice. Students should be able to kick up into a handstand at the wall on their own, press up into full backbend or able to work on this, and willing to practice arm balances. Class is led by an HeartSong Yoga instructor but not instructed with the same detail as our other yoga classes. Students are responsible for their own alignment and adjustments. No injuries please.

View the HeartSong Yoga Class Schedule to register for an intermediate or advanced yoga class.

Specialty Yoga Classes

Gentle Yoga

Slower paced yoga class for beginners new to a regular exercise program. Great for 50+ and those with limitations due to old injuries.

I am so happy I signed up for Gentle Yoga through PCC! This is my first yoga class EVER and I was really apprehensive in signing up because of my need to start at a very basic level as well as my limitations with my back and neck injuries. The class was great and the instructor truly cares about her students, how they are feeling through each of the moves and watched over the students for any struggle or necessary correction. These things were all important to me. She is kind and gentle and that shows in her teaching. This is the type of class I have been looking for for a long time! My chiropractor has wanted me to do this for years and now that I have found the right place and the right class I will keep coming and keep improving my skill level. I feel good after the class last night...no discomfort in my body at all. Thanks and I look forward to my next class!
-Kim A

With my yoga practice Leslie has shown me many ways to strengthen the areas of my body that need special attention. The class that I attend is for those with specific needs, so we feel comfortable with each other.
-Rosalie B -->Click to read more

Adaptive Yoga

A gentle, supportive yoga class for individuals with mobility or strength challenges. Poses in Adaptive Yoga Classes are done mostly from a chair or on the floor. This is a great yoga class for those with chronic fatigue, MS, fibromyalgia or with difficulty getting up and down from the floor.

Prenatal Yoga
HeartSong Yoga offers Prenatal Classes Prenatal Yoga offers a gentle way to connect with and honor your changing body and growing baby. The yoga poses and breath work help relieve the discomforts of pregnancy, as well as expand on the joy and excitement of this special time in your life. Prenatal yoga builds confidence and strength, while better preparing you for labor and delivery. This class encourages you to experience the community and support of other women sharing a similar journey.

View the HeartSong Yoga Class Schedule to register for a specialty yoga class.

Special Series Classes

2010 Summer Intensive
Levels 1-2 and 2-3
June 21, 2010 - August 13, 2010

Every year at HeartSong we hold an intensive on summer mornings when it is light and cool. The intensive gives you the opportunity to deepen your commitment to and understanding of yoga. This year’s focus is The Chakras: The Body’s Energy System!

Chakras, or wheels, of subtle energy are located throughout the body. Good energy flow is vital to health and wellbeing and can be affected by practicing yoga postures and mindfulness techniques. When the chakras are clear and open, the body functions better and patterns and habits can become more clear.

Each week the focus will be on a different chakra and you will learn yoga principles, postures and techniques to help you to connect to that energy center, understand some of its influences and explore ways to clear and support yourself.

Students in Level 1-2 and Level 2-3 intensives attend Monday’s class from 6:30 am to 7:30 am, where Leslie Ellis will introduce the chakra and begin the week’s practice exploring physical principles and the chakra energy in yoga postures.

Students in the Level 1-2 intensive will continue with Kayci Cavenah on Tuesdays from 6:30 am to 7:30 am to take the principles into a variety of postures. Thursdays from 6:30 am to 7:30 am will be a silent vinyasa (flowing postures) class and a period of meditation.

Students in the Level 2-3 intensive will continue with Leslie on Wednesdays from 6:30 am to 7:30 am to take the principles into more challenging asana. Fridays from 6:30 am to 7:30 am will be a silent vinyasa class in which to explore mindfulness, meditation and movement at a deeper level.

The classes are open to drop ins but for full benefit we recommend attending at least 3 times/week (intermediate and advanced students may attend all 5 days and more beginning students can expand the program by attending the three morning classes along with some evening or weekend classes).

Special 8 week unlimited membership available for the entire intensive which runs June 21 through August 13.
(If you have a current package you may put it on hold for the duration of the intensive.)
Cost is $225

Students may use their regular class package or drop in to individual classes if space permits.

Please register ahead. 8 student minimum required for each level.

View the HeartSong Yoga Class Schedule to register for the Summer Intensive yoga series.

Introduction to Yoga

This 4 week series includes short lectures introducing students to the history and philosophy of yoga and a gentle yoga practice. Designed for first time students to experience some basic yoga postures and develop an understanding of what a yoga class is like.

This series is scheduled for Monday evenings, July 5 - July 26 from 7:15 pm to 8:30 pm.
Cost is $30 for the 4 week series.

View the HeartSong Yoga Class Schedule to register for the Introduction to Yoga series.

Starting a Home Practice
Finding the time for yoga, knowing what poses to do and how to sequence is the challenge we face in deciding to undertake a personal home yoga practice. In this special yoga series we will explore ways to tackle these challenges and to help design a yoga practice that can be flexible to your expanding skills, interest and energy awareness. We will also practice basic poses that will support your personal design.

This series is not currently scheduled. If you are interested, please contact us.

Therapeutic Focus
The Therapeutic Focus class series is designed to provide yoga students an opportunity to explore a particular issue or part of the body in more depth each week. Each class covers basic anatomy and movement principles. Students receive individualized attention and a written yoga routine to take home for further practice.

This series is not currently scheduled. If you are interested, please contact us.

Yoga for Trauma Healing Series

This 6 week class series features informative, restorative yoga that will allow students to relax in a safe place, discover how to stay connected in the presence of trauma responses, and understand trauma's impact on the body and how to support the healing process.

The instructor, Emilee Coulter-Thompson, MSW, RYT has supported individuals, specifically sexual and domestic violence survivors, on their healing paths for over a decade. She also has trained hundreds of professionals on trauma issues as an instructor with the Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force and Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. She is a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and graduate of the 200-hour teacher training at Amrita Sanctuary and University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Students engaged in healing intense trauma are encouraged to work with a mental health professional and/or other support systems while participating in this series.

Cost is $78 for the 6 week series. Payment plans are available.
Mondays, May 17, 2010 - June 28, 2010 (no class May 31)
7:15 pm - 8:30 pm

View the HeartSong Yoga Class Schedule to register for the Yoga For Trauma Healing series.