September 2019

• Yoga Nidra is back this month! 
• Growing Resilience Program for People with Parkinson's starts this month!  
• Adaptive Yoga for Survivors of Stroke and their Caregivers--2nd location offered--now in Loudoun County! 

 
SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Mark your Calendars! 


SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
Yoga Nidra and the Art of Conscious Relaxation
4:30-5:30 pm at Body Grace studio in Vienna 
Fee: $20 pre-registered: $25 drop-in

Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that takes people into a state of deep relaxation through a guided meditative process and conscious visualization. Also known as yogic sleep, the practice gives rest to the mind, body and senses by drawing the practitioner into a state of conscious awareness—a brain state between full wakefulness and full sleep. This practice has been linked with reducing stress, tension and pain; improving circulation and immune functioning; lowering blood pressure and inflammation; and stabilizing mood. Yoga Nidra is generally practiced while lying down or in a seated position. For your comfort, please bring a pillow and wear comfortable clothing and arrive 15 minutes before class start. Mats and blankets are available at the studio or feel free to bring your own. Please RSVP to reserve a spot with Jan at bodygrace@verizon.net 



REMINDER:  MONDAY EVENINGS 6:45pm-8pm, Body Grace Fitness and Yoga

Yoga for "Core" and Connection

A truly stable core allows the body to respond naturally, without bracing and excessive tension, despite changes in how fast you are going, how much weight you are carrying, or if you are changing direction.  This unique class is for people seeking to strengthen and balance their internal structure—“core” stability—through improved movement.  Class will include a blend of mindful movement, breathing exercises, yoga poses and meditation to help practitioners experience how a supportive and responsive “core” emerges when you are moving and breathing well. Class suitable for all levels.


Growing Resilience: Mindfulness and Body Awareness for People with Parkinson's Disease

I'm pleased to share that this Fall there will be a second offering of this very special program that ran this Spring.  Trisha Stotler, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructor and I teamed up with a 6-session class series for people with Parkinson's.  This is a one-of-a-kind program designed to bring the benefits of mindfulness and body connection to people with Parkinson’s, and empower them towards greater inner resilience, well-being and quality of life.

In the program Trisha and I offer strategies and techniques drawn from the clinically studied MBSR program with therapeutic yoga practices. Elements are designed to improve breath, movement, and body awareness, while reducing body tension and addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety often experienced by people with Parkinson’s.

As part of the program, participants receive follow-up support for each class, including a weekly video download offering a short home practice highlighting adaptive yoga-based movements to improve stability, balance, and flexibility.  Participants also receive (2) 60-minute private sessions—one each with Trisha and Carolyn respectively, designed to help customize supportive home practices further.  

Please reach out with any questions at 
hearttreeyoga@gmail.com or 703-862-5922.


Adaptive Yoga for Survivors of Stroke and Their Caregivers

As many of you know, one of the fantastic local resources here in Vienna, VA is the Stroke Comeback Center (SCC).  It is a place for survivors of stroke to take classes and receive rehabilitative support across a variety of areas.  I have been blessed to teach a weekly yoga class at the Vienna site for the last 2 years on Monday mornings.  

I'm happy to share that the SCC is opening an additional location--the Loudoun Headway Project--in Leesburg, VA.  I will be teaching a weekly class there as well on Wednesdays from 1pm-2pm.  I'm so excited to be part of the SCC's work to bring services to the Loudoun area.

These adaptive classes--at Vienna and now in Leesburg--are designed to meet individual needs at any fitness level--with a strong focus on seated and some standing work (as appropriate.) Emphasis is placed on body awareness, mindful movement, breath work, and yoga-based exercises to help build stability and strength while fostering mobility and flexibility. Every class includes restorative practices to reduce stress and tension. 
I love the classes where we focus on improving wellbeing through better functional movement mechanics and strategies to help balance mood.  

I love to say that yoga is appropriate for every BODY.  No matter where one is in the stage of life, yoga can make a difference in some form. In our classes together we discover together how this is true. 

Please help spread the news about our new location!  

For more information see https://strokecomebackcenter.org