Yoga Classes on Utila Starting Again January 23, 2012~
COCOS DECK!
Update Jan 29: AFTERNOON Vinyasa flow session is moving to room above the firestation. Same time: Tues/Thurs 3pm.
Our first 3 week yoga session (“Get to Know / Re-know Yoga”) went really well. Thank you all who were a part of it! (and to The Utila Lodge and Michelle and Utila Muncipality for the fantastic practice space~)
The 2nd session starts on Monday, January 23rd. We’ll hold the morning classes at COCOS deck. Its covered, and some side protection as well. A great space. If raining, we will go above the fire station, like in the first session (right next to BICD). Afternoon classes will be in the room above the fired station.
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Class Times for Jan 23-Feb 9 Session (3 weeks)
MON TUES WED THURS FRI
9:30am-10:45am: Yoga 101 Gentle Flow Yoga X Gentle Flow Yoga Yoga 101
3:00pm-4:15pm: Flow Yoga X Flow Yoga
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Class Descriptions:
Yoga 101 (Previously called “Get to Know Yoga”)
A slower paced class, focussing on the essentials of yoga, from breathwork to basic body positioning. This class will be a combination of workshop and gentle yoga, and we will focus on ensuring we have correct alignment in our postures and understand the whys behind yoga. This class is suitable for those who are new to yoga or experienced yogis who are looking to reconnect with yoga or better understand alignment, proper positioning and some background on yoga, to be able to better participate in our other classes. Throughout the 3 week session, we will cover the fundamentals of the following:
-yoga breathwork (pranayama)
-developing body awareness
-classic standing and seated poses (asanas)
-sun salutations (A) and possibly (B), including workshopping elements within
-focus/gaze (drishti)
-introductions to basic inversions concepts and subtle backbends
-meditation techniques
-introducing “yoga flow”, combining movement and breath connection
This will be a progressive 3 week course, each class building slightly on the previous day’s class. However, drop-ins are welcome and “one timers” will feel completely comfortable with the pace and context of this course.
Gentle Flow Yoga:
A slower, gentler pace class to wake up the body, encourage energy circulation, calm the mind, focus the breath and set your intention for the day. Gentle yoga postures are combined in a slow vinyassa flow pace where breath is linked with conscius movement so that your flow yoga practice becomes a meditation in action, while increasing strength and flexibility.
Classes will include include traditional yoga elements of breath (pranayama), warm ups, sun salutations, basic sanskrit, standing poses, balancing poses, seated postures, twists, backbends and inversions, ending with relaxation.
Flow Yoga:
Incorporating most of the aspects of our Gentle Flow class above, with a slightly faster, more vigorous pace, and some additional strength postures for a bit more intense practice. Those who have regular physical activity (like pilates, running, aerobics, paddling, swimming, weightlifting, etc,), but who have not yet tried yoga will find this class to be a great fit for them, as well as those who have a regular yoga practice at home. Flow yoga is a great balance of focus of breath, calmness of mind and creation of invigorating energy.
Vinyassa Flow Yoga:
Vinyassa is a dynamic system of practicing asana (poses), linking breath to movement, that builds heat, endurance, flexibility, strength and concentration. Sequencing is often around sun salutations. This is a faster paced class; with energetic and flowing classic yoga poses to increase inner and outer strength, mobility and flexibility. Emphasis is on strength, stamina, and mindfulness.
Private Classes:
A combination of any of the above or more workshop format if there is an area you want to focus on (breathwork, figuring out the downward facing dog, etc)
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Costs:
Donation based. Suggested donation per class: $4-$5 usd (75 to 100 lempiras) per class. This is a donation based class- please do not let lack of money stop you or someone you know from coming and experiencing yoga. You can talk to me direct if you have any questions.
- 25% of donations will go to food/supplies for street dogs and another 25% will go to a needy family (s) for medical bills
- We have kept the price very low as your teacher is newly certified and this is a learning and growing process for everyone. At this same time, we want to ensure all islanders/locals can attend as well. If you know someone who would like to attend but truly does not have the means to meet this suggested donation, please encourage them to come and not worry about the financial part.
Private Classes: $25 usd (or lempira equiv.) for 1-3 people, $5 usd per person after that. Private classes can be at your home or hotel and last about 1 hour 15 minutes. We will bring mats if you don’t have.
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What to Bring To Class:
- Comfortable clothing
- Yoga Mat (we have some available starting at just $20 usd).
- Water Bottle
- A hand towel as our Utila weather is hot and you may sweat a little bit
- Positive attitude:)
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Directions:
Morning Practice are planned for COCOS deck! Its a great space, and covered for sun and also a bit on the sides for some privacy. Thanks Santi and Jonathan and Cocos crew! Afternoon Practice will be in the room above the fire station.
In case of rain, we will be in the “Room Above Fire Station”: You will be turning down the same entrance as to The Utila Lodge / BICD. Go just past the fire station, down the path to Utila Lodge. Entrance is 2nd door on the left.
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Need a Yoga Mat?
We have received our yoga mats on island, and they will be available to pick up in the Utila Realty office, next to Munchies.
Yoga Accessories Sticky Mat: Available for sale for just $20usd (377 lemps). These retail for $17 usd + shipping if purchased direct from states, so this is a good deal since they are already here on island. 1/4 inch thick, sticky, this Yoga Accessories mat is one of the most popular sticky mat found in yoga studios and fitness clubs. Burgundy, Brown (my favorite), Dark Lavendar
Dragonfly Natural Rubber Mat: Completely non-toxic, biodegradable, recyclable, and contains no latex, or PVC. Made with open cell, natural rubber, making it very resistant to slipping, even during a vigorous yoga routines. I bought two and will be using 1 myself. Other one will be for sale for $55 usd. These retail for $49.95 plus shipping. Color- Dark purple.
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Comments from our first 3 week session:
-“Andi…thank you so much!!! I really think this is your calling, you are incredibly calming and a natural. At first I felt awkward since this was my very first experience. However, I can’t express enough how good I feel right now.”
-“Thanks for a wonderful class. I think you are doing a really great job. My experience in the past has basically been mostly from doing classes in countries where I don’t speak the language, or from videos where they can’t tell you/manipulate your body if you are not doing a pose correctly, so it is wonderful to actually understand the ‘why’behind the how. You are a very good teacher”
-“It was great Andi! My body wasn’t too sure at first, but by the time we were finished, my body was feeling happy & energized. Looking forward to the next class! Thank you”
- “Reconnected to my body through yoga this morning. I feel amazing! Two months without was way too long. I literally cried half of it, it felt so good. Grateful to be present. Back with peace and joy, love and light ”
-“Gentle yoga is wonderful for everyone, it allows us to move more freely. Yes, I am so happy that Andi is now teaching a peaceful yoga with direction. Thank you”
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About Andi:
Sunshine, waves, flat turquoise water, coral reefs, thunderstorms, waterfalls, dog smiles, kayaking, paddling, jumping off docks, and yoga~
I recently completed my 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training at Davanna Yoga in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with empahsis on Vinyassa Flow.
I am still creating my own personal style, which is a blend of of Hatha, Vinyasa and Slow-flow Vinyasa, integrating meditative aspects and energy flow into the physical postures.
I started with yoga over 15 years ago, and like most people, thought it was just about being flexible and learning how to be more so. I immediately realized that yoga was much more than the solely pursuit of poses and flexibility, but I still didn’t yet know what “that much more” really was. I practiced sporadically for many years, always loving how I felt after yoga, but for some unknown reason, never committing to the practice on a more intense or regular level.
After incurring a fairly serious back injury, I was inspired to find ways to get rid of the pain other than the workmen’s compensation prescribed routine of “cortisone injections and ibuprofen” for the rest of my life. This led me to start learning and exploring ways to incorporate mind, energy, and positive thinking into the healing process, while mentally choosing to stay active in physical pursuits to help keep my body strong and flexible. This led me back to yoga.
Throughout the year I work part time as an outdoor guide, and I’ve been leading stretching classes with my kayaking work up in Belize for 2 seasons now, slowly integrating aspects of yoga more and more into each week. After leading these stretching classes and deepening my personal yoga practice, I felt I was ready to immerse myself more. I took the yoga teacher training course this past Fall to deepen my personal practice and be better able to share this art with others- primarily on my kayak trips, but through the encouragement of others on Utila, I learned there was an interest in having classes start here.
And so with that, I am grateful for this opportunity to share yoga with others her on Utila. Physically, while of course yoga helps with flexibility, yoga also will bring us strength and balance. At the same time yoga will strengthen our bodies and mind and allow for amazing energy to flow through both. And through regular practice I have found yoga can help to bring more gratitude, patience, and contentment into our lives.
Namaste~
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For More Information:
Email YogaUtila@gmail.com or call Andi at 9-779-0521 (but it doesn’t really take voice messages, text is good though!) or stop in at Utila Realty office, next to Munchies. Or just drop in to the classes above
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