Class Descriptions

for Dance info click here

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Hatha / Iyengar-Inspired Yoga is characterized by an emphasis on alignment that uses props extensively. This practice builds deep flexibility, strength and meditative equilibrium with longer holds in the postures. There is ample time in each posture to reflect upon and understand various aspects of the art of Yoga, and this approach is often best suited for persons needing stability, healing or rehabilitation from injury. This practice style can include Sun Salutations but is not a flowing practice in general. 

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Hatha Flow shares the best of both worlds of Hatha -- longer holds in postures, balancing right and left sides to help your body overcome compensation patterns; and Vinyasa --choreography linking breath and postures together leading to a warming and vigorous practice. These classes are suitable for people who are in relatively good shape and who are wanting to move and raise energy differently. This is a breath and alignment-based class with a good workout!

 

Vinyasa Flow emphasizes the graceful fluidity of Yoga. With a focus on alignment principles, attention to breath, and mindfulness through transitions, a greater awareness and connection is created between mind and body. Students of this practice cultivate a sense of openness, strength, focus and balance by linking the breath to each posture. Our instruction is based on alignment and safety in traveling through the postures, with modifications offered to intensify postures as desired, to encourage a practice to suit one's own needs.

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Pilates Mat is not only a series of exercises; it is a pathway to healthier and happier living, an art of controlled movements. Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the entire body. It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance, posture and mental focus.  Its focus is on quality of movement rather than number of repetitions. The efficient movement patterns that are taught help keep joints healthy.  The focused breathing increases lung capacity and circulation. 

 

The Pilates method is a form of exercise that is a unique and different experience developed by Joseph Pilates (1883 - 1967), from Mönchengladbach, Germany. His father was a prize-winning gymnast and his mother a naturopath. Pilates exercises can be tailored to any level of health and fitness, and encourage awareness and control over your body. ​

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Barre is held on Saturdays at 9AM, taught by Jill Baker. Barre is a technique used primarily by Ballet dancers, and gives the ultimate workout to legs, hips and torso. Featuring leg lifts galore, squats and lunges. Graceful arm movements will help you endure under pressure of millions of repetitions of movements 😂 that conjure up your body's intelligence to heal, stabilize and strengthen. Class format: 30 minutes of Pilates and then 45 minutes at the Barre.

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Beginning Yoga - this is a practice for the pure beginner. You will be introduced to a wide range of standing, seated, and reclined poses at a mindful pace and be introduced to props to personalize your practice. Alignment and safety in transitioning in and out of postures is a cornerstone of this class. Pranayama (breathing techniques) are introduced. All are welcome to this slower-paced practice. 

 

 

Gentle / Restorative Yoga is famously relaxing, healing and grounding. Fewer poses are done over the course of longer holds, using lots of props. This approach is good for relaxation, flexibility, developing greater awareness of the body-mind-breath-emotional connection, and slowly-paced, supported stretching. Postures are done on the floor - seated and reclined.

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Yoga for Seniors is a wonderful community class with the safety, enjoyment, and revitalization of elder bodies, minds, and hearts in focus. This class begins with breathwork and moves into a variety of seated, standing, and wall-supported postures specifically designed to reach out to and respect the diversity of the aging body. We use a slow and stable approach and all kinds of props to give greater access and comfort in the poses. Yoga for Seniors focuses on building muscle tone, improved circulation to and vitality of the internal organs, enhanced breathing and heart rate synchronization, improving digestion, and encouraging increased bone density. ​

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Dance Classes

 

We respectfully request for the sake of our floors that no shoes be worn in our classes unless medically necessary. Thank you for your cooperation! Unless otherwise noted, all dance classes have the same cost as our other scheduled classes. Drop-in is $17, 10-class packages for $150

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Congolese Dance with live drumming, Tuesday nights at 6PM. Arnaud "Nano" Loubayi is an extraordinary human being and teacher of dance and drum from his native homeland of Congo. Beginners are welcome and highly encouraged! We are honored to host the high energy, joyful dance of Congo here in Watsonville, convenient for South County and North Monterey County folks too. Here you will find intricate rhythms taught from the ground up, stories in the dances which teach about life. Here you will find freedom for your hips and pelvis, fun and funky knees, soft belly. You will liberate your torso by moving your rib cage unconventionally, and extend your arms all the way back to the Ancestors.
 

Don't miss the opportunity to "cast all your votes for dancing". The value of these classes for your heart and soul are like a year of therapy in one day

Cost: Use class passes: $17 drop-in, $15 with a 10-class pass (can be used at any classes at our studio) and please bring a tip of $5 for the drummers as it is customary.

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Bellydance Saturdays, 10:30AM Accompanied by beautiful music, learn basic footwork, arms, undulations, locks, mayas and shimmies- the movement signatures used in Arabic dance. Layers and isolations make this a dance that gives back to the body in strength and beauty. Be ready for a great workout! Bare feet or soft-soled dance shoes recommended for this class (jazz shoe, ballet slipper, lyrical sandals or dance paws-socks okay too). This class ends with fun combos that will bring the dance home into your body memory.

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Capoeira is offered for children ages 4-12 at 4:15pm on Thursdays. Capoeira is a form of self-defense originating in Brazil from West African roots, particularly Angola. Capoeira is done typically in a "roda" (pronounced "hoda") or circle with music ("Bateria") on traditional instruments and group singing. Capoeira teaches concentration through maintaining eye contact with one's sparring partner while kicking, spinning, jumping, doing aerial moves, handstands, cartwheels and more with the most careful glinting edges between people but without direct physical contact. Community, self-awareness, energy, freedom, balance and strength as well as beautiful movements flow from this practice.