Kripalu Yoga Teacher
gentle, compassionate, meditative yoga for everyBody
Having practiced Kripalu Yoga for over 20 years, I became a KYT/RYT 200 certified yoga teacher in 2019. The cornerstone of this lineage is embodied by this quote from Swami Kripalu: "Self observation without judgment is the highest form of spiritual practice."
Yoga can be done by every Body, and the practices of pranayama (breathing) and asanas (postures) are intended as a way to relax the body into a meditative state. I focus on guiding breathing, gentle movement, which allows for a meditation in motion that invites you to tap into your own body's deep inner wisdom, and witness consciousness, a compassionate awareness that can allow for greater insight into oneself and one's creative work.
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This is an excellent practice for writers and all creative people to 'strengthen the container.' I have also found it a good way to ground myself into my body, which has aided me—gently, over many years—in healing from deeply embedded past traumas that had led me to dissociate. I am not a therapist or medical practitioner, but Kripalu yoga has been deeply healing for me, and I love being able to offer this compassionate practice to others.
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SPECIAL NOTICE: I moved to Zoom classes because of COVID restrictions. The March 2020 online classes I did teach went very well. However, I contracted COVID and then spent over a year healing from long-haul COVID using the techniques I am now certified in to help tone the vagus nerve in order to soothe the nervous system.
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I am now teaching new gentle, healing yoga classes integrating polyvagal theory and somatic healing. Last April, I taught a 4-part series on Sundays, which I am offering now via recordings. I then taught a 2-part series in May, building on the April series, which is also available as a recording. Please contact me for details on how to get access to recordings. Both are offered on a sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.**
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When I am teaching live stream classes again, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom info, and I will email you before the class begins. As someone recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum at age 57, it is my passion and commitment to ensure my classes are neurodiversity friendly and accessible to all regardless of disability or health challenges, visible or invisible. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions about the class.
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Jennifer Stitt wrote after taking this healing, gentle yoga class:
"It was a great class! The breathing exercises were calming; the gentle stretches loosened me up without overdoing anything, & my POTS could even handle the gradual postural transitions (!). I tend to push, push, push, but this class allowed me to take it slower & just relax (I am bad at relaxing, generally). I’m looking forward to the next one. So glad you’ll be offering classes on a regular basis!"
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I am also available for private classes, solo or small groups, to help you develop a meditative, gentle practice designed specifically for your body. I also teach special workshops designed for writers, and can travel to any groups interested in this type of practice.
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"This was excellent. You were wonderful and this was relaxing, calming, invigorating. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Lovely. Comforting, relaxing. More than I could have asked for. I feel refreshed which in these times is a bit of a miracle. Highly recommend."
Anita Taylor
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"I want to tell you how much I appreciate your Kripalu yoga classes. I was hesitant to try yoga because I was afraid of injuring myself and/or looking ridiculous, but I found that the clear guidance and individual options you offer in class made yoga eminently doable for me. It’s also been a surprise to find that gentle yoga can have such beneficial effects. Since I began the practice, I’ve noticed subtle and not-so-subtle positive changes in my balance, strength, agility, and serenity. I also appreciated the workshop with its introduction to the foundations of Kripalu and illustration of how yoga can be an integral part of daily living. I’m so glad you are offering classes again in February. I hope that this is the beginning of a lifelong practice."
- Donna Craig
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** If you would like to donate to help subsidize my pay-what-you-can fee structure to keep gentle, healing yoga accessible to everyone who needs and wants it, please do so below: