First Regular Week of Classes

Wow!  Free class week was awesome.  Having gone to pretty much all 15 classes, I am really thrilled by the turnout and thank everyone who came.  Lots of people are signing up and when we see what sign-ups look like this week we'll know for sure which classes will run.  Most of them will, so come out again, sign up and let's have a terrific inaugural session.

Belly Dance Class Rocked Out!

So Jess Leinberger's Belly Dance class is going to be TOTALLY fun -- what a fun group of people came out for it and many of them are signing up.  Jess has a great plan for this session to really teach the basics (she totally had us dancing and doing the moves tonite) and then she has plans for a costume night, a live drummer night, dancer friends coming in to help out and a plan to choreograph a group dance.  She and her friend demo'd some great dancing at the end and we were all smiling and laughing and talking loudly in the hall afterwards --- all hallmarks of a great class.  By all means, if you are thinking this sounds like fun, definitely join us!  There's room for some extras to join this very solid and fun-loving group of beginners. 

10 minutes after Belly Dance class ended, the next class of the night was taking shape -- Monte's Tai Chi class turns down the overhead lights and moves into totally mellow mode.  Monte knows his subject super-well and keeps a good eye on everyone in the room making excellent adjustments, giving gentle reminders, paying attention to the basics with a great pace to keep it engaging.  There's a solid group that can welcome a few more budding enthusiasts.  Truly, it was a pleasure to try Tai Chi for the first time and I highly recommend Monte.

Tomorrow morning at 6:00 am, join me for Guided Meditation!  Look forward to it. Blessings!

Kathy's Yoga I-2 (Adv Beg) Class Session Syllabus

Yoga 1-2 Class Syllabus                                                 Instructor: Kathy O’Rourke

Tuesday 8:30-10 am & Saturdays 8 – 9:30 am

Fall Session: Vinyasa Krama-Wise Progression & the Science of Energy Management

There are 6 different sequences of poses in the style of yoga that I study with my teacher, Yogarupa Rod Stryker of Para Yoga.  Each sequence has a distinctive energetic tone:  Forward Bends, Back Bends, Laterals, Twists, Extensions and Inversions.  This session we’ll explore the energetic goals and outcomes of each type of sequence focusing 2 weeks on each one to cohesively shift the energy of the body in a specific way. It's a great chance to be a scientist and make note of the affects of each practice and reflect on what sequence enhances your day in a particularly dynamic way.

Yoga is an energy management system and I’ll teach you about the 5 Major Vayus that direct energy in the body:  Apana, Udana, Pran, Vyan, and Samana.  Each of the 6 Sequences relate uniquely to the 5 Vayus.  You’ll gain insight into how to shape a personal practice that is in sync with your prakritti – your unique balance of elements and energies.

In Tantra Yoga, we strive to be very efficient in our pursuit of mimamsa (liberation).  Yoga is about connecting with your true Self and being balanced and steady in your life and in your breath.  The tools to get there are energy mastery and witness consciousness so that you can see that you are a spiritual being having a human experience in every moment.

Overview

In Yoga 1-2, I assume you have the yoga basics and are ready to go to the next level in your practice and wish to gain a deeper understanding of yoga as a spiritual science.  We’ll focus this session on refining foundational poses and smooth out transitions from one pose to the next.  In terms of asana, I’ll incorporate more challenging poses into weekly classes which will move toward an Intermediate practice level such as the “S” series Sun Salute; balancing poses including ardha chandrasana (half-moon pose), virabhadrasana III (Warrior 3) and utthita padangusthasana (standing hand to toe pose); and inversions such as full-arm balance “L” pose at the wall. 

Beyond asana, each week we will incorporate pranayama (breath techniques), bandhas (energy locks), visualizations, and meditations into every class.

The pace this session will be faster than in the past.  We will begin with a short centering breath and a mantra from the yogic tradition and step right into practice.  During holds and resting moments, I will elaborate on the thematic focus of each class.  In this way, we’ll have time to properly integrate the practice at the end in Savasana and then enjoy the fruits of the practice during meditation at the end.  I look forward to a rich and rewarding session with each of you!

Reflections on a Great First Monday

We are really filling this new space with lots of good energy --- 10 people came out to Gayle's 12 Noon Nia class and we really got to rock out and groove to some great tunes and be in our bodies in a very fun way.  If you missed it, there's a second class this week on Wednesday afternoon at 3:15 for kids (7-11) and grown-ups from 4:30-5:30.  Nia is really fun and Gayle is a sweet teacher so it's well worth it!

And tonite, Jon Passi taught a cool class that reminded us of the whole point of yoga -- to remember that we're all One with readings by the great Eckhardt Tolle. 

Tomorrow morning, I teach for the first time in Room 203 and I have a great class session planned to convey the science of sequencing asana and incorporating it into our personal practice to bring steadiness and ease to our days.  The asanas you choose shape your energy -- just as food does, or friends do.  So, come out and explore this powerful ancient knowledge and integrate it into your life.  Tomorrow is Yoga 1/2 at 8:30 am for people ready to move beyond yoga basics that is the focus of Yoga I.

Also, tomorrow, check out Belly Dancing at 5:00 with Jess Leinberger and Tai Chi at 6:45 with Monte McPheron.  See you there!

Tapestry Yoga is Open for Business!

Today is the BIG Day and Tapestry Yoga Center opens its doors in just a few hours for Meg Newlin's Intermediate Led Practice at 7:00 am!  

The space is gorgeous -- it is arguably the nicest space in the Landmark thanks to the very hard work of my amazing husband, Matt Shortridge and much help from our friend, Jim Farrell.  Monica Woody and I picked out the colors and it has all come together to create a very lovely and inviting space.  I will post pictures very soon!  

All the props are unpacked and the floors are shiny -- just inviting you to roll out your mat or take your place to move in the room.  

Also tomorow, One Spirit Rising Interfaith group is meeting from 10:30 - Noon led by Diane Banner.  

Thanks to everyone for all their support and work in getting this place together.  It is very exciting and I look forward to welcoming you out to a week of free classes!  

Much love and many blessings.  May this endeavor be fruitful and touch the hearts of all who seek a connection to source.

Hari Om!

Kathy

Tapestry Yoga Center Website is Up and Running

Today is my birthday (celebrating 42 years!) and at 3:00 a.m. today my website went live on the world wide web --- www.tapestryyogacenter.com!  I just love the universe and how these things coincided.  Launching the Tapestry website (with an amazingly full and awesome schedule of classes and teachers) has been a lot like giving birth -- there have been days in the creation of the advertising that I've felt like I'm in "transition" the most intense and overwhelming phase of labor that immediately precedes pushing a baby out into the world -- if you've been through it, you will always remember it!  SO, it is with tremendous relief and a bit of bliss that today I am passing out brochures at the farmer's market and excitedly encouraging everyone to check out the website for a complete schedule of classes!

Just two weeks from tomorrow, FREE CLASS WEEK begins (Sept 20-26th) with Meg Newlin's Intermediate Led class on Sunday morning.  This week, the studio renovation phase is taking center-stage  with help tomorrow morning from Jim and Betsy Farrell (and any other volunteers).  There's much to clean and much to paint, so if you are inclined to do either one, I totally welcome your help--tomorrow or any other day this week.  Also, if you have any beautiful fabrics (including silks to cover the lights) or decorative items to offer to the space, they are also very welcome.  

Tell everyone you know to come check out what we're offering.  I have some great rack cards (brochures) -- 350 of them -- and could use help getting them into the hands of Viroquans.  My vision is 15 full classes the week of September 20th.

There are many people to thank for help so far -- Geri Shonka for design, Teo of Zumavi Design for the website (he's the one who was up at 3 am today), Anne O'Connor for editing help, Vicky Ramsay and Monica Woody for studio design and Dairyland Printing.  Thank you to my students who have supported this enterprise with their tremendous enthusiasm and also to my teachers, especially Suzie Hurley of Willow Street Yoga whose center is the template for TYC and also thanks to my spiritual guide, Yogarupa Rod Styker who ignited a spark within me to fulfill my dharma -- living purposefully, fearlessly and joyfully.  Truly this undertaking is fully supported and empowered by the teachings of the yoga tradition.

Fifteen days to lift-off!

Blessings!

Kathy