Class Descriptions
Summer 2010
Gentle Yoga
Monday and Friday 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Thom Pasculli
Friday 8:30-9:45- Dina Abbondante
This class is for anyone who wants to increase flexibility, balance, strength and self-awareness. A major difference between "just stretching" and yoga is the union of mind and body in movement, and the awareness of breath in the yoga postures. The Friday class is a little gentler than Monday's. Exploring the foundation of yoga positions, this class will enrich a personal experience of movement, sensation, and meditation. By heightening an awareness of the body and relaxing into the sensations of holding a yoga pose, the mind can quiet, confidence can increase, and strength and forgiveness can grow. This class is designed for all levels wishing to broaden and deepen their practice.
Early Bird Yoga
Tuesday 7:00 - 7:55 a.m. Penfield Chester
Thursday 7:00- 7:55 a.m. Katie Pousont
Come for a gentle body-awakening warm-up followed by flowing movement to help guarantee your day begins with peace and vitality. This class is perfect for early risers and those with work constraints. All levels welcome. This class cultivates strong centering and focus techniques for both the mind and body. The first half of the class is dedicated to meditation and breathing exercises which awaken and align the body's energetic channels. The second half of the class focuses on strengthening the core body, opening and grounding the body in preparation for the day.
Vinyasa Yoga
Saturday 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Dina Abbondante
These classes are based on a series of movements where a person flows from one posture to the next. Sun salutations are an example and other standing postures are also incorporated into a flow. Wednesday is a relatively vigorous class open to all. Adjustments are given to heighten the experience of each posture. Other vinyasa classes have a bit slower pace, giving students time to hold and deepen into each posture within a flow.
Vigorous Vinyasa
Wednesday 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Dina Abbondante
Vigorous Vinyasa continues the exploration of fluid movement linked and supported by the practice of Ujjayi Pranayama (ocean sounding breath). This class will consider the 8 limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali, along with kirtan (chanting), pranayama (breath restraint), intermediate and advanced asana (postures), and dhyana (meditation techniques). The student should have an awareness of sun salutations, hip openers, deeper twists, some arm balances, and supported inversions.
Yoga for All Bodies
Available for private classes
The gift of yoga should not be reserved for only those who are young, fit, and svelte, and yet some of us are too self-conscious to join an unfamiliar group. This class offers an opportunity for bodies of all ages, shapes, sizes and physical abilites to experience increased energy, balance, flexibility, relaxation and self-acceptance. The yoga series will be adjusted to fit the needs of the class members. For more information contact Penfield at 413-297-1898.
Core Yoga
Sunday 8:00-9:00 a.m. Thom Pasculli
This is a moderate Kripalu class designed to strengthen and awaken the mind and body in preparation for the day. The class is only an hour and will move efficiently through a meditation, breathing exercises, core strengthening, various posture flows, and a cool down. This class is invigorating and should help facilitate a ‘plugging in’ to your body and a directing of energy throughout your day.
Kripalu Yoga
Sunday 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Thom Pasculli
Sinking deeper into postures and sensations, this class will enrich a more personal experience of movement and meditation. This class will use posture flows to warm-up the body, the sustaining of postures to travel further into self, and movement meditation or free-flow for a personal expression of postures.
Morning Fitness (all levels)
Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Jody Fontaine
Come join this morning fitness group which works hard with great fun! This class consists of a variety of fitness techniques. Each class includes warm-up, movement and stretching, balance, weight training, core training, toning, and cool-down yoga-stretch. Small hand weights, bands, balls, and Pilates rings are all used to vary the tempo of the class and to focus on proper form. An informal after-class gathering at Mocha Mayas to discuss life issues makes this a special time to work out with friends.
Cardio/Kickboxing
Mondays 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. Jody Fontaine
Come with clean indoor shoes (please carry to studio so as not to bring dirt to scratch floor) and be ready for a good work out! There are new steppers and small trampolines for those who want to add some buoyancy to their step!
Abs & Cardio & Pilates
Mondays 7:30- 8:40 a.m. Jody Fontaine
Each class includes a short warm-up, 20 min of cardio and 20 minutes of focused ab strengthening. A great way to start the day!
Senior Chair Fitness & Chair Yoga
Mondays 11:00- 12:00 a.m. Jody Fontaine
Most poses done in a chair. We will work with bands, weights and yoga poses.
Jody Fontaine jodypiste@verizon.net 413-369-4008
Pure Pilates (all levels)
Saturday 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Dina Abbondante
Pilates helps to increase strength and flexibility, and improve posture and alignment, balance, and muscle control. The class uses stretching and strengthening to tone your entire body. We will have fun with physioballs, bands, Pilates rings as well as work on the mat to increase your core strength! The energy of yoga supports this practice.
Please contact Jody Fontaine or Dina Abbondante for one-on-one sessions until another group class forms.
Co-op Yoga
Friday 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Rotating teachers
This class is for those who are members of Franklin Comunity Co-op ( McCuskers and Greenfield's Market. Other folks are also welcome.the teahers will rotate each week and give a gentle class.contact Penfield for more information
$5 for co-op members, $10 for others
Zumba
Tuesday 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Staci Cutler
Zumba is a great way to dance, have fun, and get fit all at the same time. And anyone can do it! Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness class that combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body in an aerobic workout. Zumba offers a unique blended balance of cardio and muscle-toning. The best part about it? You forget you're toning your body because you're having so much fun! Zumba creates a party-like atmosphere that provides a non-intimidating opportunity for non-dancers, new exercisers or those who have hesitated to participate in group classes, to have fun and get a great workout. At the same time, dancers and long time exercisers thoroughly enjoy
Modern Dance for boys and girls
Fridays 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Grades K-2
Fridays 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Grades 3-6
Grades K-2
Students will experience the joy of moving through a combination of structured improvisation and exercises from a range of styles including modern dance, ballet, and yoga. Students will create short dances to share with friends and family on the last day of class. Cost for Session: $50
Grades 3-6
Students will learn the basic foundations of modern dance technique as well as improvisational exercises designed to encourage a lifelong love of dance and movement. Classes include a structured warm up, stretches, guided improvisation, and traveling dance sequences. There will be an informal studio performance for friends and family on the last of class. Cost for Session: $65
One-on-One yoga instruction
Interested in designing your own home practice or want to get personalized tips for your own yoga practice within a class setting? Contact Penfield or any of the yoga instructors to schedule a personal session.
Drumming Class
Learn effective hand drumming technique while unleashing the urge to improvise and play in a safe and supportive environment. We'll play West African, Brazilian, and Latin American inspired rhythms as a we build a drumming community. We’ll also create rhythms of our own, learning skills to bring to informal drum circles. Cost of class is $65 for six weeks or $14 per drop-in class, drums available to use
African Dance
This African dance class is rooted in Senagalese culture. Danced to Sabar drumming, the dance brings the rhythms and movements of African celebration and events alive so one can feel a sense of rhythm and balance perfectly integrated into the daily life. Its open to all ages, families are welcome. Contact Abdou for more information.
Summer Qigong Class
Tuesdays 9:30 - 11 a.m. Collin Ricketts, starts June 8th
Summer is a time of abundant outer activity, and thus a perfect time to cultivate inner stillness.
Class includes both still and moving exercise to help students relax deeply and develop a greater sense of “presence” in their lives. Wild Goose Tripod-Spiral Qigong, The Healing Sounds, Fragrance Qigong, and Taoist Standing Meditation
Begins June 8th - 10 week Course –
Tuition: $150 (installments ok)
Advanced Qigong Practice
Advanced Qigong Practice is a more demanding practice for students who are enrolled In one of Collin’s other classes or for people who may be dealing with an acute healthcondition and who want a more physically intense qigong practice. Enrollment with permission of instructor only.