Class Descriptions
Fall 2010
Gentle Yoga
Monday and Friday 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Thom Pasculli
Friday 8:30-9:45- Dina Abbondante
This class is for anyone who wants to increase flexibility, balance, strength and self-awareness. A major difference between "just stretching" and yoga is the union of mind and body in movement, and the awareness of breath in the yoga postures. The Friday class is a little gentler than Monday's. Exploring the foundation of yoga positions, this class will enrich a personal experience of movement, sensation, and meditation. By heightening an awareness of the body and relaxing into the sensations of holding a yoga pose, the mind can quiet, confidence can increase, and strength and forgiveness can grow. This class is designed for all levels wishing to broaden and deepen their practice.
Rise & Shine
Tuesday 7:00 - 7:55 a.m. Erica Travis
Thursday 7:00- 7:55 a.m. Erica Travis
Come for a gentle body-awakening warm-up followed by flowing movement to help guarantee your day begins with peace and vitality. This class is perfect for early risers and those with work constraints. All levels welcome. This class cultivates strong centering and focus techniques for both the mind and body. The first half of the class is dedicated to meditation and breathing exercises which awaken and align the body's energetic channels. The second half of the class focuses on strengthening the core body, opening and grounding the body in preparation for the day.
Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Dina Abbondante
Thursday 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. Katie Pousant
Vinyasa continues the exploration of fluid movement linked and supported by the practice of Ujjayi Pranayama (ocean sounding breath). This class will consider the 8 limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali, along with kirtan (chanting), pranayama (breath restraint), intermediate and advanced asana (postures), and dhyana (meditation techniques). The student should have an awareness of sun salutations, hip openers, deeper twists, some arm balances, and supported inversions.
Yoga for All Bodies
Available for private classes
The gift of yoga should not be reserved for only those who are young, fit, and svelte, and yet some of us are too self-conscious to join an unfamiliar group. This class offers an opportunity for bodies of all ages, shapes, sizes and physical abilites to experience increased energy, balance, flexibility, relaxation and self-acceptance. The yoga series will be adjusted to fit the needs of the class members. For more information contact Penfield at 413-297-1898.
Core Yoga
Sunday 8:00-9:00 a.m. Thom Pasculli
This is a moderate Kripalu class designed to strengthen and awaken the mind and body in preparation for the day. The class is only an hour and will move efficiently through a meditation, breathing exercises, core strengthening, various posture flows, and a cool down. This class is invigorating and should help facilitate a ‘plugging in’ to your body and a directing of energy throughout your day.
Kripalu Yoga
Sunday 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Thom Pasculli
Sinking deeper into postures and sensations, this class will enrich a more personal experience of movement and meditation. This class will use posture flows to warm-up the body, the sustaining of postures to travel further into self, and movement meditation or free-flow for a personal expression of postures.
Morning Fitness (all levels)
Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Jody Fontaine
Come join this morning fitness group which works hard with great fun! This class consists of a variety of fitness techniques. Each class includes warm-up, movement and stretching, balance, weight training, core training, toning, and cool-down yoga-stretch. Small hand weights, bands, balls, and Pilates rings are all used to vary the tempo of the class and to focus on proper form. An informal after-class gathering at Mocha Mayas to discuss life issues makes this a special time to work out with friends.
Cardio & Pilates
Mondays 7:30- 8:40 a.m. Jody Fontaine
Each class includes a short warm-up, 20 min of cardio and 20 minutes of focused ab strengthening. A great way to start the day!
Yoga Pilates (all levels)
Saturday 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Dina Abbondante
Yoga pilates: an integration of the practice of yoga and pilates. Pilates helps to increase strength and flexibility, and improve posture and alignment, balance, and muscle control. The class uses stretching and strengthening to tone your entire body.e.
Please contact Jody Fontaine or Dina Abbondante for one-on-one sessions until another group class forms.
Co-op and Community Yoga
Friday 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Rotating teachers
This class is for those who are members of Franklin Community Co-op (McCuskers and Greenfield's Market.) Other folks are also welcome. The teahers will rotate each week and give a gentle class. Please contact Penfield for more information.
$3 for co-op members, $5 for community
Zumba
Tuesday 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Staci Cutler
Zumba is a great way to dance, have fun, and get fit all at the same time. And anyone can do it! Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness class that combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body in an aerobic workout. Zumba offers a unique blended balance of cardio and muscle-toning. The best part about it? You forget you're toning your body because you're having so much fun! Zumba creates a party-like atmosphere that provides a non-intimidating opportunity for non-dancers, new exercisers or those who have hesitated to participate in group classes, to have fun and get a great workout. Please bring clean dance shoes.
SERIES CLASSES
To register please contact Katie at 413.475.2441 or pousant@mtdata.com.
Creative Movement/Pre-Ballet for grades K-2
Mondays 4:30-5 Katie Pousant
Session Cost: $120
Students will experience the joy of moving through a combination of kinesthetic play, structured improvisation, and exercises from a range of styles including modern dance, ballet, and yoga. Students will create a short dance to share with friends and family on the last day of class.
Modern Dance for boys and girls grades 3-6
Mondays 5-5:45
Session Cost: $150
Students will learn the basic foundations of modern dance technique as well as kinesthetic games and improvisational exercises designed to encourage a life-long love of dance and movement. Class includes structured warm-up, stretches and yoga postures, guided improvisation, and traveling dance phrases.
Ballet Class for grades 4-6
Mondays 5:45-6:30
Session Cost: $150
Students will learn and build upon the basics of ballet technique and vocabulary using barre work, jumps, turns, and traveling combinations. Class activities encourage an increase in strength and flexibility as well as body, spatial and rhythmic awareness. Ballet class also includes movement games and improvisation.
Students should wear any comfortable clothing to class. Ballet shoes are recommended for ballet class. All students will have the opportunity to perform in an informal studio showing on the last day of class. Family and friends are encouraged to attend! Payment is due on or before the first day of each session.
Breathwork
Monday 6:45 - 8:45 p.m. Jude Johnson
All of us long for connection--with ourselves, with each other, with Spirit. Transformational Breath helps us make these connections. Transformational Breath works on the physical, emotional and spiritual level and starts by opening and clearing restricted breathing patterns. Working in an unconditionally supportive environment, we can feel safe enough to feel feelings and energy that have previously been too scary. The high vibration created by the open connected breath integrates this energy and we feel lighter, more joyful, more fully alive and connected.
I fell in love with Transformational Breath my very first experience with it, and knew I wanted to become a facilitator. In Transformational Breath, I have found more of the authenticity, freedom and connection that has been my life's passion.
I'm really excited about building a breathwork community. Over and over again, I've experienced the power of breathwork to create a space of magical love and connection. In many parts of the world, where individualism is less dominant than in our culture, healing takes place in community. This is what I hope to create together in this class.
This class will be open and on-going, Monday evenings, 6:45 to 8:45 PM. First time come for free to try it out. Thereafter, suggested donation, $20.
Before your first class, please call Jude Johnson, 624-3963 for some information about the class and orientation to breathwork.
One-on-One Yoga Instruction
Interested in designing your own home practice or want to get personalized tips for your own yoga practice within a class setting? Contact Penfield or any of the yoga instructors to schedule a personal session.
Full Circle Yoga
Tuesday 5:30 - 6:50 p.m. Sheila Simon
All of us long for connection--with ourselves, with each other, with Spirit. Transformational Breath helps us make these connections. Transformational Breath works on the physical, emotional and spiritual level and starts by opening and clearing restricted breathing patterns. Working in an unconditionally supportive environment, we can feel safe enough to feel feelings and energy that have previously been too scary. The high vibration created by the open connected breath integrates this energy and we feel lighter, more joyful, more fully alive and connected.
Fall Qigong Class
Tuesdays 9:30 - 11 a.m. Collin Ricketts, starts June 8th
Summer is a time of abundant outer activity, and thus a perfect time to cultivate inner stillness.
Class includes both still and moving exercise to help students relax deeply and develop a greater sense of “presence” in their lives. Wild Goose Tripod-Spiral Qigong, The Healing Sounds, Fragrance Qigong, and Taoist Standing Meditation
Begins June 8th - 10 week Course –
Tuition: $150 (installments ok)
Advanced Qigong Practice
Advanced Qigong Practice is a more demanding practice for students who are enrolled In one of Collin’s other classes or for people who may be dealing with an acute healthcondition and who want a more physically intense qigong practice. Enrollment with permission of instructor only.