COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ESTABLISH A PRACTICE | WITNESS GROWTH | BUILD COMMUNITY

INTO THE MAGIC SHOP
THE ALCHEMIST
THE UNDERGROUND
CONNECTION, GROWTH, AND DEPTH

As a teacher, I want to be continually challenged and learning from my students and my practice. Teaching is a very important part of my life. I don’t see it only as teaching, I see it as an education for me, as well as a way to pass on what is most important to me.

Courses are a series of classes designed to fit together, cohesively, into a course. Courses are different from daily drop-in classes because they create one of the best platforms for learning to take place. They invite students to commit to themselves and to a practice. This format is steeped in the tradition of yoga, where knowledge is transmitted from teacher to student over time. Programs are set-up to build, which helps both the students and the teacher to develop a strong relationship and witness growth in their personal practice.

In a course, the same group of committed students come on a weekly basis and learn in a progressive and cumulative sequence of instruction. The students and the teacher get to experience the depth that comes from learning with each other year round. It also opens up the joy of a shared language, experience, and consistent class environment.

This format of study leads to truly phenomenal growth. The practice is given an opportunity to integrate into life and creates a dialogue and inquiry into the ways in which we can grow. This learning structure is an opportunity for insight on physical and emotional freedom to flood in.

In these courses, we go behind the scenes, where the real magic happens and transform our prior knowledge, challenges and limitations into strength and freedom. A course is the place for a student to make leaps and bounds in their practice. If you want to challenge yourself to grow, learn and expand your knowledge, ability and strength, these are perfect for you!

“KNOWLEDGE HAS A BEGINNING, BUT NO END.”
—GEETA IYENGAR
LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS
BEGINNER:
In beginner / intro level classes you will:

  • Come away with a solid understanding of all the basic postures
  • Learn the foundational poses: standing postures, forward bends, twists & beginner-level backbends
  • Learn alignment
  • Feel safe to ask questions
  • Increase your strength and flexibility
  • Reduce stress
  • Gain the confidence you need to begin a home practice or attend other yoga classes

These classes are fun, safe and comfortable for students who’ve never done yoga before, are beginners, or have done yoga before but would like to return to the basics. It may also be suitable for students who have physical concerns or injuries.

LEVEL 1 / 2:
In these classes, students continue refining the foundational postures, learn the building blocks for level 2 poses and do level 2 poses! This is a great place for the level one student to make a bridge into a level 2 class.  We practice standing poses, backbends, twists, forward bends, and inversions that include headstand and shoulderstand.  We will also begin the exciting work of learning handstands, forearm balance, and the Sun Salutations. Each pose is built in stages so that students understand proper alignment and safely build stamina and strength.  As step-by-step instructions and modifications are provided, students are able to tune into their bodies and practice at their own level of comfort.  The yoga philosophy is woven throughout the class and applied experientially to the practice.

This class is fun, safe and designed for level 1 students who are ready to deepen their practice.  

LEVEL 1:
In level one, beginner students refine the foundational postures by working on stamina, strength, grace, ease, and a deeper understanding of proper alignment in all the poses. We will also begin to learn the building blocks for level 2 poses. We practice standing poses, heart openers, beginner-level backbends, twists, forward bends, and inversions. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the yoga philosophy is woven throughout the class and applied to the practice.

This class is fun, safe and comfortable for students who’ve never done yoga before, are beginners, or have done yoga before but would like to return to the basics. It may also be suitable for students who have physical concerns or injuries. Modifications will be offered to common postures to allow students to practice safely.

LEVEL 2:
Level 2 is for students who are solid in their foundational postures and ready to explore intermediate postures! In Level 2 classes and courses we practice:

  • Sun Salutations: Sun Salutation A and B as well as other variations on the Sun Salute
  • Inversions: Handstand, Forearm Balance, Headstand and Shoulder Stand with variations
  • Foundational Standing Poses, Balancing Poses, Revolving Standing Postures, & Revolved Balance Poses
  • Deeper hip opening postures
  • Neat chest and shoulder opening prep work for backbends
  • Beginning level pranayama (Breath work)
  • Integrating strength, endurance and grace with technique and concentration

Philosophy is threaded throughout class and applied to each sequence. Hands-on adjustments are given to students who would like to receive them.  

LEVEL 2 / 3:
These classes are designed for the level 2 student that is ready to move towards a level 3 practice.  We begin to work with more advanced postures within longer sequences that include headstand, handstand, shoulder stand, backbends, forward bends, bindings and arm balances. These classes are for more seasoned yoga students that are comfortable with inversions and have a regular practice. Students develop strength and refinement in all asanas.

We practice:  

  • Sun Salutations: Sun Salutation A and B as well as other variations on the Sun Salute
  • Inversions: Handstand, Forearm Balance, Headstand and Shoulder Stand with variations and longer holds (2 – 10 minutes).
  • Foundational Standing Poses, Balancing Poses, Revolving Standing Postures, Revolved Balance Poses, Forward Bends, Backbends, Twists and Bindings, Backbends, Core Strengthening, and Arm Balances.
  • Modifications that are still challenging and about working towards these postures are given and worked with.
  • Pranayama (Breath work)
  • Integrating strength, endurance and grace with technique and concentration

Philosophy is threaded throughout class and applied to each sequence. Hands-on adjustments are given to students who would like to receive them.  

INTO THE MAGIC SHOP | ​Level 2/3

​This course is designed to take intermediate level students towards a level 3 practice! We will begin to work with more advanced postures within longer sequences that include sun salutations, headstand, handstand, forearm stand, shoulder stand, backbends, forward bends, bindings, arm balances and lots more!. These classes are for more seasoned yoga students that are comfortable with inversions. Students will develop strength and refinement in all asanas. ​

In our work together, the yoga postures are not our primary focus but they are used as a testament to the “behind the scenes” work we do.  For example, a pose like handstand becomes a testament to the hand, wrist, shoulder, thoracic, hip, hamstring, foot and ankle work that we have done. Now we walk better, run better, dance better, climb better, squat better, lift better, sit better, sleep better, create better, digest better, work better, think better, feel better AND we can do a handstand!

WE WILL DO THIS THROUGH:
  • Lacrosse Balls and Yoga-Tune-Up balls to work muscle, fascia, and tissue restrictions and to mobilize and release held patterns
  • Functional Range Conditioning to create greater range of motion and strength in the new range of motion
  • Foundational Gymnastics
  • Footwork
  • Internal alignent cues
  • Workshop Style Breaking-It-Down / Step-By-Step Supportive work
  • Hatha Yoga
  • Repetition to integrate what we have learned and witness growth
  • Tools for working with emotions, sensations, and thoughts as physical openings begin to unfold. (Yoga Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy,  and Chinese 5-Element Philosophy) 
FOCUS POINTS:
  • Feet and Ankles
  • Hips
  • Hamstrings
  • Core (front, side, & back)
  • Ribs
  • Spinal Mobility
  • Upper, Middle and Lower Back 
  • Hand and Wrist Mobility and Strength
  • Chest Opening
  • Shoulders 
  • Neck & Jaw Releasing
  • Breath work
  • Philosophy
This is safe and courageous work about building bridges between a level 2 and a level 3 practice. Ultimately it is not about the poses, but more about the magic of transforming pain into freedom and our challenges into our strengths.
DAY: MONDAYS  |  TIME: 5:30 – 7:15 pm
LOCATION: SERENITY YOGA – SOUTH HADLEY
SUMMER SESSION: FOUNDATION TRAINING
DATES: JULY 15 – AUG. 12
LENGTH: 5 WEEKS
COST: $100

EARLYBIRD:
$190 (DUE JUNE 30)

FALL SESSION: FOUNDATION TRAINING
DATES: SEPT. 23 – DEC. 23
LENGTH: 13 WEEKS
COST: $260

EARLYBIRD:
$234 (DUE SEPT 2)

SIGN UP
THE ALCHEMIST | ​Level 1/2 Series
This course is designed to bring the level 1 or 2 student fully into a level 2 practice. We will continue with the foundational postures, (seated poses, standing poses, balances, twists, beginning backbends) but add in stages of learning headstand, handstand, forearm balance, shoulder stand, sun salutations, and more challenging backbends.  Each new posture is built in stages with step-by-step instructions. We will do a lot of “behind the scenes” work.  For example, a pose like Trikonasana (triangle) becomes a testament to the hand, wrist, shoulder, thoracic, hip, hamstring, foot and ankle work that we have done. Now we walk better, run better, dance better, climb better, squat better, lift better, sit better, sleep better, create better, digest better, work better, think better, feel better and we have a beautiful trikonasana. 
FOCUS POINTS:
  • Feet and Ankles
  • Hips
  • Hamstrings
  • Core (front, side, & back)
  • Ribs
  • Spinal Mobility
  • Upper, Middle and Lower Back 
  • Hand and Wrist Mobility and Strength
  • Chest Opening
  • Shoulders 
  • Neck & Jaw Releasing
  • Breath work
  • Philosophy
WE WILL DO THIS THROUGH:
  • Lacrosse Balls and Yoga-Tune-Up balls to work muscle, fascia, tissue restrictions, mobilize, and release held patterns
  • Functional Range Conditioning to create greater range of motion and strength in the new range of motion
  • Foundational Gymnastics
  • Footwork
  • Internal alignent cues
  • Workshop Style Breaking-It-Down / Step-By-Step Supportive work
  • Hatha Yoga
  • Repetition to integrate what we have learned and witness growth
  • Tools for working with emotions, sensations, and thoughts as physical openings begin to unfold. (Yoga Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy,  and Chinese 5-Element Philosophy) 
  • Focused work on Standing Poses, Forward Bends, Back Bends, Sun Salutations
  • Introduction to Inversions
  • Hands-on Assists (for those that want this)
  • Weekly check-ins with students on what they are needing 
This class is fun, safe and designed for level 1 or 2 students who are ready to deepen their practice.
DAY: SUNDAYS  |  TIME: 5:45 – 7:15 pm
LOCATION: SERENITY YOGA – SOUTH HADLEY
SUMMER SESSION: FOUNDATION TRAINING
DATES: JULY 17 – AUG. 14
LENGTH: 5 WEEKS
​COST: $100

EARLYBIRD:
$90 (DUE JUNE 30)

FALL SESSION: FOUNDATION TRAINING
DATES: SEPT. 25 – DEC. 18
LENGTH: 12 WEEKS
​COST: $240

EARLYBIRD:
$216 (DUE SEPT. 4)

SIGN UP
THE UNDERGROUND | ​Level 1/2 
These classes will support students who are comfortable with the basics progress to a more intermediate level of practice. We will do this by covering the underground and foundational movements that create strength, stamina, alignment, greater range of motion and understanding within the yoga poses.   Once we have built a strong foundation we will dive into practicing the full range of yoga postures.  Our work will not be so focused on the postures themselves, rather the poses will become a testament to the solid foundation we have built. Each new posture is built in stages with step-by-step instructions.  We will do a lot of “behind the scenes” work. For example, a pose like Trikonasana (triangle pose) becomes a testament to the hand, wrist, shoulder, thoracic, hip, hamstring, foot and ankle work that we have done. Now we walk better, run better, dance better, climb better, squat better, lift better, sit better, sleep better, create better, digest better, work better, think better, feel better and we have a beautiful Trikonasana. We will cover standing poses, seated poses, twists, forward bends, core strengthening, beginning stages of learning inversion like handstand and forearm balance, sun salutations, and back bends. 

Everything will be built in stages with step-by-step instruction and modifications offered so students are able to tune into their bodes and practice at their own level.

FOCUS POINTS:
  • Feet and Ankles
  • Hips
  • Hamstrings
  • Core (front, side, & back)
  • Ribs
  • Spinal Mobility
  • Upper, Middle and Lower Back 
  • Hand and Wrist Mobility and Strength
  • Chest Opening
  • Shoulders 
  • Neck & Jaw Releasing
  • Breath work
  • Philosophy
WE WILL DO THIS THROUGH:
  • Lacrosse Balls and Yoga-Tune-Up balls to work muscle, fascia, tissue restrictions, mobilize, and release held patterns
  • Functional Range Conditioning to create greater range of motion and strength in the new range of motion
  • Foundational Gymnastics
  • Locomotion
  • Footwork
  • Internal alignent cues
  • Workshop Style Breaking-It-Down / Step-By-Step Supportive work
  • Hatha Yoga
  • Repetition to integrate what we have learned and witness growth
  • Tools for working with emotions, sensations, and thoughts as physical openings begin to unfold. (Yoga Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy,  and Chinese 5-Element Philosophy) 
  • Focused work on Standing Poses, Forward Bends, Back Bends, Sun Salutations
  • Introduction to Inversions
  • Hands-on Assists (for those that want this)
  • Weekly check-ins with students on what they are needing 
This class is fun, safe and designed for experienced beginners to intermediate students who are ready to deepen their practice.
DAY: TUESDAYS  |  TIME: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
LOCATION: GREAT FALLS YOGA – TURNERS FALLS
DROP-IN CLASSES: 
DAY: TUESDAYS
TIME: 6:00-7:30 PM
​COST: $15 DROP IN / USE CLASS CARD

LOCATION: GREAT FALLS YOGA

SIGN UP

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Classes, Courses, Shiatsu, Podcasts and More!

Upcoming Classes

Learn More

Book A session

Learn More

The Podcast

Learn More