Yoga

Yoga for Everybody With Ann Deiters
Breathe, relax, feel. Kripalu Yoga is not about forcing yourself into circus-like contortions. Yoga is about, among many other things, learning to make peace with your body and your mind. Join us as we learn to incorporate yoga into our everyday lives, with yogic breathing (pranayama) postures (asanas) relaxation and meditation. Students report leaving class with a new peace, an inner stillness. Please bring a mat and a meditation cushion, large towel, or small blanket to class. Taught by Ann Deiters. Ann Deiters has been teaching Kripalu Yoga in the Ridgefield area for many years. She teaches experienced yogi’s, beginners, and senior citizens as well. She also acts in local theatre productions.

6 Sessions $ 73 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 55)
Mon., 1/23, 30; 2/6, 13, 27 & 3/5 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

6 Sessions $ 73 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 55)
Mon., 3/12, 19, 26; 4/2, 9 & 23 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

12 Sessions $ 139 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 105)
Mon., 1/23, 30; 2/6, 13, 27; 3/5, 12, 19, 26; 4/2, 9 & 23 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School

Next session to start Mon., 4/30 (barring snow make-ups). Visit www.ridgefieldschools.org for schedule.

Gentle Yoga with Frances Goulart
If you’re avoiding yoga’s trees and triangles because you just aren’t flexible, relax and come to this course designed for people who want a slower pace and less strenuous poses. You’ll become stronger, longer, and looser in this slowly paced course just for beginners and newcomers with flexibility challenges. Standing and seated poses, stretching and breathing practices. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket. Taught by Frances Goulart. Frances Sheridan Goulart is is a certified yoga, pilates and yoga-lates instructor who has been teaching in Ridgefield and throughout Fairfield Countyfor over a decade. She is also a certified clinical nutritionist and author of the newly released Super Immunity Foods (McGraw Hill).

7 Sessions $84 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $63)
Wed., 1/18, 25; 2/1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 7:10 to 8:10 p.m.; Veterans Park School

7 Sessions $84 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $63)
Wed., 3/7, 14, 21, 28; 4/4, 11 & 25 from 7:10 to 8:10 p.m.; Veterans Park School

7 Sessions $84 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $63)
Wed., 5/2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 6/6 & 13 from 7:10 to 8:10 p.m.; Veterans Park School

Yoga (Iyengar) for Beginners With Leslie Freyberg
Iyengar Yoga is a methodical approach to traditional yogic postures and breath regulation according to the teaching of living Yoga Master Shri B.K.S. Iyengar. This method of yoga results in improved alignment, strength, vitality, and serenity for the practitioner. Participants need to bring a yoga “sticky” mat, 3 thick blankets, and a belt or strap to class. Optional: yoga block (very useful). Please do not eat the hour prior to class. Taught by Leslie Freyberg. Leslie Dillingham Freyberg is a Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher and also on the faculty of the American Sanskrit Institute.

5 Sessions $62 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $47)
Tue., 2/7, 14, 21, 28 & 3/6 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

5 Sessions $62 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $47)
Tue., 3/13, 20, 27; 4/3 & 10 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

10 Sessions $117 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $88)
Tue., 2/7, 14, 21, 28 & 3/6, 13, 20, 27; 4/3 & 10 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

An Introduction to Hatha Yoga
This is a gentle introduction to the benefits of Yoga. The class is ideal for those new to yoga and looking to start their practice with a little extra attention. For those with a past or current practices, this class is also a great refresher to help you delve deeper into yoga in a safe way. We will focus on:
* The Anatomy of Yoga: Focusing on correct body alignment in each posture, you will learn how to safely deepen your practice while staying injury free and healing past ailments.
* Hatha Yoga Sequences: You will learn to build strength and flexibility simultaneously.
* Restorative Yoga: Focusing on the back and hips, you will learn what postures relieve your aches and leave you feeling renewed.
* Breathing: You will become familiar with breathing exercises and the health benefits of each.
Taught by Leah McKellop. Leah McKellop currently teaches at and manages the Atmananda Yoga Sequence in New York, where she earned her Yoga Certification.
Available Spring/Summer 2012. Please check back early March for dates.

Yoga-lates

Yoga-lates With Frances Goulart ~ Evening
Yogilates is a unique fusion of yoga and pilates for total body fitness. Develop a stronger more flexible body, longer leaner muscles and toned abs. Improves the strength of the back and the health of the joints. Perfect for complete beginners or veterans. Most of the stretches will be done on the floor, please bring a thick mat, yoga block, and a blanket. Frances Sheridan Goulart is a certified yoga, pilates and yoga-lates instructor who has been teaching in Ridgefield and throughout Fairfield Countyfor over a decade. She is also a certified clinical nutritionist and author of the newly released Super Immunity Foods (McGraw Hill) and Super Healing Foods (Prentice Hall).

6 Sessions $ 73 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 55)
Thur., 12/8, 15; 1/12, 19, 26 & 2/2 (make up is 2/2) from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Veterans Park School

9 Sessions $106 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 80)
Thur., 2/9, 16, 23; 3/1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & 4/12 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Veterans Park School

9 Sessions $106 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 80)
Thur., 4/26; 5/3, 10, 17, 24, 31; 6/7, 14 & 21 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Veterans Park School

Meditation

Practical Buddhism and the Search for Self
Based on the contemporary Buddhist bestseller The Buddha in Your Mirror (www.middlewaypress.com), this class introduces a simple daily ritual that you can apply to relationships, career, health, and the unique environments you encounter in normal life. Unlike monastic traditions, this 700-year old Buddhist philosophy and technique can be practiced anywhere (except when driving!) and can be completely integrated into your daily life (without buying a new wardrobe or leaving for long weekends). Instruction will take place in English. Taught by Charles Greenberg and a guest speaker. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He team-teaches Practical Buddhism.
1 Session $31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $23)
Sat., 3/10 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Venus Bldg.

Meditation Workshop with Thai Meditation Master
Achan Da will lead another seminar similar to those that have been so well received in past years. Mahasati meditation is a form of vipassana, or insight meditation, practiced for years in Southeast Asia. It uses both walking and seated meditation. It is experiential in focus and does not rely on the acceptance of any religious doctrine. Since it is performed with the body in motion and eyes open, it is more easily carried into daily life than other forms of meditation. Suitable for both new and experienced meditators, the workshop will combine lecture, demonstration, and actual meditation practice. The second session provides attendees the opportunity to ask Achan Da questions regarding their practice after trying the technique for a week. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Meditation Master Achan Da is a Theravada monk in the Thai Forest Tradition. He was abbot of the Thatkong Monastery in Northeastern Thailand and has been teaching meditation for over 30 years. This is a chance to learn from a true master.
2 Sessions $29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $22)
Available Spring 2012. Please check back early March for dates.
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.; Redding Meditation Center, 9 Picketts Ridge, W. Redding (1/2 mile east of Route 7).

The Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is a method for easing back pain, improving posture and increasing coordination. Through gentle hands-on guidance, discussion and observation, students learn about stressful habit patterns and how to change them. It helps eliminate repetitive strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, tempomandibular joint syndrome, sciatica, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, asthma, back pain, or pain in other areas. It also teaches participants to maintain calm in times of stress and anxiety and to find a balance between being sleepy and hyper, as well as to increase awareness in daily life, connect with oneself and others and to complement a practice of Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, meditation, etc. Taught by Susan Pfeffer. • Susan Pfeffer took her first Alexander Technique class out of curiosity and soon discovered that she was able to move out of a habitual slouch, eliminate tempomandibular joint disorder and become stronger overall. She is a graduate of The American Center for the Alexander Technique, a member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique. She has taught group and private classes at universities and various organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

10 Sessions $ 117 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 88)
Wed., 1/25; 2/1, 8, 29; 3/7, 14, 21, 28; 4/4 & 11 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

10 Sessions $ 117 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 88)
Thur., 1/26; 2/2, 9; 3/1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 4/5 & 12 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.; Farmingville School

Medical Questions:

We expect students to have consulted with their doctor before starting any new exercise program.