Level 1
A yoga practice that offers beginning level instruction designed to safely and comfortably introduce people to the benefits of yoga. We explore movement, deepening the breath and quieting the mind. Level 1classes increase flexibility, strength, endurance, and improve balance in a non-competitive way.
Schedule: Mondays from 5:30 - 6:45 PM with Susan, Wednesdays from 9:30 - 11:00 AM with Alison, and Saturdays from 9:00 - 10:15 AM with Melissa. Level 1 series offered on Mondays at 4:15pm with Sunita.
top ^All Levels
A yoga practice combining level 1 and 2. We will increase flexibility, strength and awareness through asana (postures), pranayama (breath work), and meditation at a level appropriate for the students in class. Students are encouraged to work at their own level.
Schedule: Mondays 9:30 - 11:00 AM with Alison, Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:00 AM with Alison, Tuesdays 12:15 - 1:15 PM with Lauri, Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:15 PM with Sunita, Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:45 PM with Susan, Thursdays 7:00 - 8:00 AM with Alison, and Fridays 12:15 - 1:15 PM with Sunita.
top ^Level 2
A challenging practice combining asana, pranayama, and meditation: designed to deepen your yoga experience inspire your body and mind. Prerequisite: Level 1 classes or previous yoga experience.
Schedule: Mondays at 7:00 - 8:30 PM with Kim.
Free Fridays
Free Friday classes are held on occasion.
We offer free workshops on occasion. Pre-registration is required and a donation for HopeLink requested. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Ages 12 and up are welcome. Call 425-861-1318 or Email to pre-register.
top ^Schedule: Friday, July 30th at 6:00 - 7:30PM. An Introduction to Yoga.
Instuctors vary month by month.
Yoga for Pregnancy
Yoga for Pregnancy is a Level 1 class. Dynamic yet gentle yoga specifically designed to support women 6 weeks to term. Prenatal exercises & breath techniques are integrated to strengthen the childbearing muscles, increase flexibility and improve circulation and digestion.
Deep relaxation restores and balances the mental and emotional states, perfect preparation for labor and birth.
Schedule: Tuesdays 5:30 - 6:45 PM with Patti, Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 PM with Beth, Fridays 10:30-12:00 PM with Sunita and Saturdays 10:30 - 12 PM with Melissa. top ^
Stressed Out? How long term stress can impact your health and what you can do about it.
By Kathleen F. Miller
Do you feel like stress rules your life right now? Are you frequently sick or tired? Long term stress can truly change your body and damage your health. Steven Hall, MD is an eastside doctor with offices in Bellevue and Issaquah. His Integral Medicine practice combines both traditional and "alternative" medicine. He says, "we need to make a distinction between the effects of short-term and long-term stress. We are most concerned about long-term stress. As far as the body is concerned, this means stress that has been going on longer than three weeks. In addition to causing all of the bodily changes or physiological effects of the stress response, long-term stress induces changes in your body that:
• Suppress your immune system
• Set the hormone patterns that lead to metabolic obesity and diabetes
• Develop into hypertension and other cardiac risk factors
• Fatigue your adrenal glands
Your adrenal glands are your stress glands. They produce the majority of the hormones that are associated with the stress response. Once the adrenal glands start to fatigue from overwork, they can no longer release the stress hormones in the same ratios that the stress response is designed to need. And that imbalance tends to further exacerbate the bodily effects of stress."
Why does stress make us sick?
Dr. Hall observes, "modern life is filled with chronic situations that activate our physical stress response. Unruly traffic, hectic family commitments, over-scheduled days, and unrelenting responsibilities at work and at home are just a few of the pressures that most of us deal with on a daily basis.
When our body responds to these normal life experiences as if we were in mortal danger, our entire body goes out of balance. If we keep this up, over time we damage our bodies in real and significant ways, including being at increased risk for heart disease, cancer and other life threatening and debilitating diseases."
What can we do about stress?
You can learn to "restructure your relationship with stress" through a variety of means including a regular practice of yoga. The Mayo Clinic reports that "the ultimate goal of yoga is to reach complete peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety." Dr. Hall also offers an upcoming class on long term stress management called Taming the Bear: Take the Bite Out of Stress. More information about the class and his practice can be found on his website: http://www.stevenmhallmd.com