A prolonged period of stress on a regular basis weakens the body's defense system, decreases concentration, efficiency and energy level. The body becomes prone to health problems and you may find increased trips to the doctor's office and use of medications. Headaches may be an everyday thing that you live with, and painkillers a monthly expense. Stress has contagious effects on people that work and live in a common area. Research continues to show that exercise and fitness can reduce stress. Yoga and meditation practices have shown that relaxing the mind relaxes the body and vice versa (mind/body connection). With practice over a period of time one deals with life stressors without decreasing effect of stress on the mind and body. We have a wide range of fitness (strength training equipment, spinning cycling class, cardio equipment) and mind/body (yoga, Pilates, meditation/breathing, tai chi, Feldenkrais, therapeutic massage) awareness classes you can choose to reduce stress, and rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit.

 
THERAPEUTIC GROUP FITNESS
Thera Pilates : Research has shown that persons with a history of low back pain lose the ability to activate their deep abdominal muscles. Pilates exercises target these muscles to increase your ability to stabilize around the spine. Also, increased body awareness and breath control is developed. Taught by a physical therapist with certification in mat Pilates instruction, this program gives the you the tools to transition into a larger standard group exercise Pilates program, having learned how to modify for your condition if necessary as well as how to properly perform the techniques.

Thera Yoga : Taught by a physical therapist with certification in yoga, this class will teach you increased body awareness and pain reduction/management. This is a progressive educational series and physical practice to enable you to learn how to independently personalize a yoga practice to your needs. Tools utilized include breathing instruction, practice of physical postures to improve strength and flexibility, as well as education in techniques for reducing stress. Once completing this program, you are able to enter a community yoga program or our Progressive Yoga Class with confidence and ease. Class size is limited to 6-8 participants to ensure personal attention.

Feldenkrais Method : Awareness Through Movement The method facilitates healing through gentle movements that release holding patterns in the muscles that interfere with natural skeletal balance. You will learn to use more efficient patterns of movement, so that separate areas of the body do not become overworked. This class is appropriate for persons with all types of musculoskeletal dysfunction.

PROGRESSIVE GROUP FITNESS
We offer classes catered to all levels of participants. We encourage beginners to try our Basics classes for a few sessions, to learn correct techniques, then into our Progressive Classes when they feel ready. Our classes are designed to bring wellness to EVERY body, not just the very fit. Each class will include variations and modifications so you can personalize it to your fitness level. We foster the concepts of feeling and listening to the body in all of our classes, whether it is Progressive Yoga, Pilates or Spinning, to enable everyone to work to their own individual potential.

HATHA YOGA
Hatha Yoga is designed to create an absolute balance of the interacting activities and processes of the physical body, mind and spirit. When this balance is created, the impulses generated give a call of awakening. The body is not the goal, the body is just an instrument on the path to reveal the true self.

Yoga Basics : This class is designed for those new to yoga or those wishing to review basic techniques and postures. You will learn how to breath, focus your attention and begin to let go of expectations and enjoy your hatha yoga practice to its full benefit.

Progressive Yoga : (Mixed Level) This class is appropriate for all levels. Modifications and variations of all postures will be offered to allow the new yogi as well as the advanced participant to practice together in an open and welcoming atmosphere. The emphasis will be on body balance through the use of standing poses, forward bends, backbends and twists for an overall balanced practice

Traditional Yoga : Emphasis of this class is on awareness, relaxation and freeing the flow of vital energy. Use of asanas/yoga postures to improve flexibility and strength with breathing techniques. Includes inverted poses, forward and backward bends. Set series progressive poses are utilized.

Basics Pilates : This class is geared toward teaching the beginner the five principles of Pilates which include breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, shoulder blade movement and stabilization; and head and neck placement, while performing basic Pilates mat exercises. Through this class, the participant will learn to exercise safely and effectively, allowing them to reap the full benefits of Pilates exercises.

Progressive Pilates : This class allows the participant with a good base knowledge of the principles of Pilates alignment to continue experiencing the benefits of Pilates, With the focus on core stability, this class will help the participant restore the natural curves of the spine, relieve tension and enhance self confidence. This will result in a balanced and aligned body, preventing or healing the occurrence of musculoskeletal dysfunctions due to poor postural habits.

TAI CHI
This program is for those with impaired or decreased balance and strength from an injury or illness. Tai Chi is excellent at utilizing slowly flowing movements and shifts of balance that strengthen the legs while conditioning the tendons and ligaments of the ankles, knees, and hips. The constant weight shifts train balance and body awareness, leading to confident ease of movement within form and everyday life. Tai Chi is a physical exercise that focuses the mind, while conditioning the body.

MEDITATION
This class is designed for the beginner as well as the continuing student. The practice will include various meditation techniques designed to enhance your individual practice. This class is best done after a hatha yoga practice, which allows the body to adequately prepare for floor sitting during meditation. Meditation cushions are available for use and purchase.