Class & Workshop Descriptions

Join a class anytime. Fee will be prorated. No class April 27, May 18, June 13

Fresh Start Yoga with a Twist (60 min)

This class is designed for beginners, or those who want a more gentle yoga class.  It's also for those who want to build strength, stability and flexibility.

The twist? I'll add a focus to each class, that will incorporate special movements and/or the use of props including yoga therapy balls, spinal strips, bolsters, etc.  For example, one class I might focus on balance, and we use the therapy balls to roll out the bottom of your feet and then see how it affects balance.  Or I might focus on hip mobility, and break down warrior 2 pose to see where the limitations are and how to improve them.  Or I might focus on sitting cross-legged on the floor more comfortably.

The result? Build strength, stability and flexibility not with force, but with mindfulness and the least amount of effort.

Mindfulness Yoga (60 min)

This is not your typical yoga class. It incorporates mindfulness into a movement practice so you build strength and suppleness, not strain. We may break down a typical yoga pose in order to identify areas that are weak, compensatory or don’t move well. This will improve the efficiency of your movements. If you want to develop strength, in a non-braceful, non-grippy way, this class teaches you how. Suitable for all levels: those who are new to yoga will learn a lot about their bodies, and those who are familiar with yoga will get an opportunity to slow down and check in. This will help you manage "information overload" and improve your ability to pay attention. Thus improving your yoga practice.

Go With the Flow (60 min)

Built upon a traditional Hatha yoga practice, and designed for those who want to move mindfully and find freedom in movement. Expect both floor-based and standing poses as you develop strength, flexibility and balance, along with some smooth flowing movement. Leave class ready to slip into bed for a blissful sleep!

Intermediate Hatha (60 min)

For those who want a faster paced class and have more experience, we build heat and increase strength, while reducing pain, tension and stress. Learn to move purely, minimizing compensations, in a very mindful way.

Somatics: Let's get flexible (75 min)

This class is for you if you want to learn more about your body and how it works, so that you are in the driver's seat when it comes to solving problems with tightness, aches and pains. Become a master of your body and therefore of your health!

I will break down this series into different focuses.  We will explore tight backs, tight hips and shoulders, limitation in rotation and side bending, etc.  Learn how to gain control of your muscles by using a special technique called pandiculation.  This method helps lengthen muscles to their natural length, thus freeing up your movements.  You may be surprised at how such small and gentle movements can make such big changes. This will impact your walking, your running, your yoga, your sports... your life!  Every day movements such as bending over, reaching overhead, getting up off the floor and turning your head to back up your car will be changed for the better.

Somatics/Yoga Blend (75 min)

Apply the techniques of Somatics and see how it impacts your yoga practice for the better! Each week we will explore a different part of your body and how to release it so that it improves your yoga practice. For example, the ability to back bend is directly related to how free you are in the belly area (this is where "cut" abs are not desirable!). Being unable to bend down to touch your toes is due to tightness in your back. We will start each class with some Somatic exercises, exploring tight shoulders, hips, belly and back and will also look at rotation (twists) and side bending. The second part of the class we will do some yoga and you can see what impact the Somatics exercises have on your yoga practice. This series will give you the tools to help you manage areas of your body where you feel constricted and frustrated.

Yoga Therapy Balls Workshop

This workshop provides instruction on how to use yoga therapy balls to roll out different parts of the body that typically hold tension. These specially designed high-grip rubber massage balls penetrate through layers of skin and muscle. The result? Quick relief! The balls also help bring awareness to areas of your body that might be contributing to your pain or habitual movement patterns. Balls are provided.

Somatics: Move Without Pain Weekend Workshop

This workshop is designed to reduce the effects of Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA) that normally occur by middle age. Sensory Motor Amnesia is like a "memory loss" of how to control certain muscle groups and how they feel. How does this happen? Throughout our lives, our sensory motor nervous system continually responds automatically to daily stresses and traumas with specific muscular reflexes. Over time, these muscular contractions become so deeply involuntary and unconscious that we no longer "remember" how to move about freely.

Through slow, gentle and mindful movements, learn to release the muscles that are limiting you. This workshop is ideal for everyone.

Learn more details more here.

Availability for Hands-on Somatics Sessions

Contact me to set up a time for your own hands-on Somatics sessions. Learn more here.

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Lenore Foster is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Somatics Educator serving clients in Lorne Park, Port Credit and South Mississauga. She provides yoga and Somatics classes in her home studio. Call her at 905-271-2505