Yoga
Weekly Wellness Yoga Class
Thursday, 12:30-1:30 PM
These weekly Yoga classes offer themes to bring you into the Vermont seasons of change with comfort and joy combining the best of Kripalu Yoga, Subtle Yoga, Mindfulness Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Astrology with the Full Moon and New Moon meditations; including monthly topics/lessons in the Chakras, Yamas and Niyamas.
$15 per class. Details below. You are welcome 15 minutes prior the start of class; to get settled in and have a quite meditation space. Sign-up is required, as space is limited: PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com
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April focus: Throat Chakra
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Yamas & Niyamas see below for details
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra
This special class will be offered monthly in 2024 on a Friday evening from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. Sign up to reserve your spot at PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com. $15
May 17, June 21, July 19, August 22 (Thursday), September 20, October 18, November 15, December 13
Restorative Yoga is a deep relaxation healing practice. To assist the body in releasing tension by using the support of props. To be completely comfortable fully relax into a yoga pose for several minutes to restore balance and harmony.
Note: participants are recommended to have a yoga mat, chair, ottoman or wall space, 3 pillows, 2 blankets, and 2 blocks or firm pillows. All equipment provided by Petra's Wellness Studio. You are free to bring your items as well.
Yoga Nidra originates from ancient yogic scriptures. Yoga Nidra is a powerful relaxation technique that uses guided imagery with the natural process of sleep to enter a regenerative state of consciousness between being awake and sleeping.
Yoga Nidra is also known as yogic sleep. The deeply therapeutic exercise is a methodical practice of directed steps, focused on moving awareness from the external world into the internal world. Stimulating complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation, the healing practice of Yoga Nidra has countless documented benefits.
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Promote deep relaxation
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Aid insomnia
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Alleviate tension
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Restore the body
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Sharpen the mind
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Improve memory
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Reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
Unlike typical meditation, Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down. You support the body with props, pillows, and blankets so that you can land in a space of deep relaxation and rest. While ‘yogic sleep’ is not a substitute for your regular night’s sleep, many people say one hour of Yoga Nidra meditation is equal to 4 hours of normal sleep in its restorative effects on the nervous system. Yoga Nidra practice triggers a sequence of brain-wave changes that alter the fluctuations of the mind and shift the brain into a state of healing and restoration. The process lets go of stress-producing hormones and boosts the production of neurotransmitters and pleasure hormones like serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and others. The end results? A massively positive effect on overall human well-being.
Private Lessons
Private Yoga builds self-care tools to benefit students uniqueness. By designing a customized practice for your lifestyle and wellness goals. In a private setting we get to create the space to help you transform your body and practice. Having private lessons allows you to set specific personal goals whether that be for flexibility, strength, meditation, mindfulness, relaxation or stress reduction. As your private yoga teacher, the practice will be adapted to your self-care goals and expectations. Newer students might feel overwhelmed in a typical yoga class. It can seem difficult to keep up and personal flexibility might require a little work before it becomes easier to get into different poses. If you're already a consistent practitioner, private yoga sessions can be beneficial if you're interested in taking your practice to the next level.
Studio or Zoom 60 minutes $60.
Restorative Yoga with Reiki
Enjoy a customized private treatment in the Studio. With the use of bolsters, pillows and blankets you will fully release into the support of the props for Restorative Yoga while also enjoying the healing benefits of Reiki.
Private ~
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60 minute private $80
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3 session package, 45 minute session $180
Private for Two ~
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80 minute session for two $160
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3 sessions, 60 minute package for two $360
Group Class ~
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75 minute group class, $45 per guest
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4 session package group class, $160 per guest
Yoga Therapeutics
Package of 3, private 60 minute lessons $165
Yoga Therapeutics private sessions based on your particular goals. This is wonderful way to experience Yoga as a beginner or students who want individualized focus or to build a home practice.
After completing this introductory series, many students continue regularly scheduled private Yoga lessons.
Option to enroll online Yoga courses and classes.
Chakra Yoga
Exploring the wisdom of the Seven Chakras to improve your understanding of the energy centers within you.
The Hatha Yoga perspective says the chakras must be balanced and functioning properly to maintain optimal physical and mental health. Therefore, engaging in practice via the Chakra System supports spiritual growth and can provide clarity to align with dharma, your soul's purpose. Moving the spine through various yoga postures is believed to increase the energy flow. When you pay attention to what each Chakra relates to and work to bring yourself into balance, you'll find a sense of wholeness and completeness that leaves you feeling put together. Understanding the Chakras helps us to understand the full spectrum of our basic needs. Sign up: PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com
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Private Chakra Yoga Course - 7, 60 minute sessions, $420
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Semi-private small group: 2-4 students each additional $70
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Create your own private small group with your friends/family (4 minimum to 10 maximum), $105 per student
Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu Yoga is a gentle yoga practice with a compassionate approach to meditation, physical healing and spiritual transformation that overflows from the yoga mat into daily life. Kripalu is gentle Yoga that emphasizes moving at your own pace, self-acceptance and adaptability. It is ideal for beginners and is accepting and adaptable to everyone, no matter your age, ability, size, or other circumstance. Yoga increases strength and flexibility, improves circulation, breathing and digestion. Because of the deep relaxation there is reduced muscle tension and risk of injury. The classes begin with a centering meditation practice, (breathing) pranayama exercises and gentle stretches followed by (movement/poses) asana practice and ending with final relaxation. Class schedule: Tuesdays 5:00 PM, Thursdays 12:30 PM, Saturdays 10:30 AM. Private and small groups.
Mindfulness Yoga
Rejuvenate your body and mind. Each session offers a refreshing outlook as we explore a new theme each session.
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Mindful Slow Flow Yoga to release tension and stress
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Restorative Yoga to calm your body and restore energy
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Yoga Nidra (description below) to clear your mind and release stored physical, emotional, and mental tension
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Metta Meditation to reconnect to yourself and the world around you.
Note: If you decide to do this course online participants are recommended to have a yoga mat, water, journal paper and pen, chair, ottoman or wall space, 3 pillows, 2 blankets, and 2 blocks or firm pillows for class. In studio equipment will be provided.
Register and inquires @ PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com
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Private Mindfulness Yoga Course - 4, 60 minutes sessions, $240
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Semi-private small group: 2-4 students each additional $40
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Create your own private small group with your friends/family (4 minimum to 10 maximum), $60 per student
Subtle Yoga
Subtle Yoga calms the nervous system, improves breathing, increases the body-mind connection, and is trauma-informed. It is a holistic intervention that can complement and enhance traditional healthcare approaches through health promotion, prevention, treatment or aftercare/recovery. Subtle Yoga incorporates six key processes: mindful movement, breathing practices, meditation, awareness of values/ethical engagement, spiritual development and service. Together these practices promote attention, mindfulness, body awareness, self-regulation, resiliency, self-actualization and pro-social behavior. Subtle Yoga is a broadly applicable, person-centered approach to yoga practice that can be tailored to different body types/physical abilities and various contexts - from mental illness, anxiety and depression to public health. Sign up: PetrasWellnessStudio@gmail.com
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Private Subtle Yoga - 12, 60 minute sessions, $720
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Semi-private small group: 2-4 students each additional $120
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Create your own private small group with your friends/family (4 minimum to 10 maximum), $180 per student
Working with...
the Magic of the Moon
New Moon
The New Moon phase is when you make time for yourself. Awaken and align your energy with this practice and plant the seeds of your future dreams. The New Moon is in a different zodiac sign each month, explore meditation, and an opportunity for self-care journaling. Suggestive supplies: journal paper and pen, water. See Monthly Memo for current information. Free recording, found in Video Library.
Full Moon
The Full Moon is the high point of the lunar cycle. It is a very powerful time for inner work. As the Full Moon takes place in a different sign of the zodiac each month. In this session you will experience two healing meditations: the Full Moon Forgiveness and Gratitude practices. Suggestive supplies: journal paper and pen, water. See Monthly Memo for current information. Free recording, found in Video Library.
the Yamas & Niyamas
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word Yuj, meaning to unite, come together, or yolk. It’s a union of body, mind, and soul with universal consciousness. The physical postures of Hatha Yoga prepare the body for sitting by making the body more supple and by stimulating the systems to expel toxins caused by our modern diet and lifestyle. It also plays an important role in preparing our bodies for the following limbs. There are eight limbs of yoga. They are — ‘Yama’ (abstinence), ‘asana’ (yoga postures), ‘Dharana’ (concentration), ‘pranayama’ (breath control), ‘pratyahara’ (withdrawal of the senses), ‘niyama’ (observances), ‘dhyana’ (meditation), and ‘samadhi’ (absorption).”
Over the year I will share a monthly opportunity for you to learn and reflect with the Yamas and Niyamas with weekly exploration in the Wellness Wednesday page (recording). Using the book 'The Yamas & Niyamas Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice' by Deborah Adele.
Yamas ~
The Yamas address the fact that we are social creatures, alive on a planet of other life forms where we need to learn to live together and share the goods. The Yamas, or restraints, invite us into an adult relationship with the world, where we see past our own needs into the collective good. Guiding us into harmony, peace, and the right relationship with the world.
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Ahimsa - Nonviolence, Turns us from harming self and others to kindness and compassion for self and others. (January)
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Satya - Truthfulness, Turns us from lies and half-truths to expressing our uniqueness and authenticity. (February)
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Asteya - Nonstealing, Turns us from theft to cultivating new skills and abilities. (March)
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Brahmacharya - Nonexcess, Turns us from greed to appreciation and pleasure without excess. (April)
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Aparigraha - Nonpossessiveness, Turns us from attachment to intimacy without possession. (May) and (June review Yamas)
Niyamas ~
In the second half of the year we will touch on the disciplines of the Niyamas, we will move our attention from an adult relationship with the world to an adult relationship with ourselves; and from a social focus to an internal focus.
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Saucha - Purity, Invites us to cleanse our bodies, our speech, our thoughts. (July)
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Santosha - Contentment, Invites us to fall in love with our own life. August)
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Tapas - Self-discipline, Invites us to consciously choose discipline and growth. (September)
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Svadhyaya - Self-Study, Invites us to know the Self. (October)
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Ishvara Pranidhana - Surrender, Invites us to pay attention to what life is asking of us. (November) and (December review Niyamas)
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for my first private Yoga lesson?
You will need to set up a yoga space and position your computer. Having props isn't required, but they are a great way to deepen your practice. Some props might include a yoga mat, strap, yoga blocks, bolsters, pillows and blankets. Many things around the house can be substituted as props. Zoom gives the student the convenience of being home.
How often should I do yoga?
The more you practice, you'll notice the benefits. Petra recommends practicing daily, even short sessions bring joy.
How long is a private yoga lesson?
Private yoga lessons are usually 1 hour long. Sessions can be longer or shorter to accommodate students schedule.
How do I to meditate?
Begin each day with a simple 5 minute meditation practice.
At the earliest possible time in your day:
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remain completely still and quiet once the seat is chosen
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allow for insights to arise — shifting results in avoidance of what comes up
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watch the breath by focusing on a spot — perhaps the tip of the nose, or the back of the throat and feel the breath move in and out. Keep the focus only on the breath and let everything else fall away
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Surrender, meditation will be full of everyday distractions
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Keep a daily meditation journal.
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Date, time & duration of your meditation
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How you felt before & after the meditation
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What was easy or hard about the meditation
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What you will take from the meditation practice into your day
What is Metta Meditation?
The metta prayer of loving kindness is a prayer or mantra used as part of a loving-kindness meditation, or metta bhavana. 'Metta' is a Pali word for benevolence, friendship, affection, and kindness. This form of meditation is one of the most soothing ways of putting together and practicing the four qualities of love – friendliness (Metta), appreciation and joy (Mudita), compassion (Karuna), and equanimity (Upekkha). This kind of meditation and use of a mantra is popular in the Buddhist tradition. The word, metta, translated as “good will” or “loving kindness.” In Pali, a language that's closely related to Sanskrit and spoken in northern India, “metta” means positive energy and kindness toward others. Metta to care and wish well for another being without judging them, to accept them independently of agreeing or disagreeing with them and without wanting anything from them in return. It is a universal love that can overcome all barriers.
What is a Walking Meditation?
Vipassana Walking Meditation: walking and becoming aware of each movement is a meditation; relieving tension and calming the mind. This technique is based on the awareness of the feet touching the ground.
Instructions (15 minutes walking indoors or outside) - Walk slowly with your awareness focused on your feet as they touch the ground. Keep your eyes lowered to the ground, so that you can see only a few steps ahead. If you like, place your hands on your heart center. While walking pay attention to the contact of each foot as it touches the ground. As you walk in slow motion you can say, "Right" when the right foot touches the ground, and say "Left" when the left foot touches the ground. If other things arise, notice what else takes your attention, and then return to your feet.
September is National Yoga Month
The purpose of this month is to promote the health benefits of Yoga and inspire a healthy lifestyle. The best part about National Yoga Awareness Month is that there is nothing prescriptive about it. It is simply about honoring this beautiful practice and enriching your life with a healthy practice for longevity and vitality.
Articles of Interest:
https://nationaltoday.com/international-yoga-day/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-yoga-awareness-month/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-gratitude-month/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-stress-awareness-day/
May you be happy, may you be healthy,
May you be safe, may you be strong,
May you flow through life with joy and ease.
Shanti. Peace. In Buddhist and Hindu traditions you chant shanti three times to represent peace in body, speech, and mind.
Mindfulness is the act of bringing one's full attention to what is happening in the present moment. We bring our minds back to our bodies, and come home to the present moment. It begins with mindful awareness of our breathing: our in-breath and out-breath. Mindfulness is the kind of energy that helps us to be fully present, to live life in the here and now. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
