Classes
We welcome Sun City West owner-member residents, tenants, and their accompanied guests, regardless of fitness level or yoga experience. Your teacher will help you take your practice where you'd like to go. Yoga's combined focus on mindfulness, breathing, and physical movements brings health benefits with regular participation.
For the schedule of our in-studio classes, see In-Studio Classes. For the schedule of online classes offered by instructors, see Online Classes.
Mat Yoga
Mat yoga is practiced on a mat and refers to a set of physical exercises known as asanas, or postures, sequenced to align your muscles and bones. The postures are designed to open the many channels of the body — especially the main channel, the spine — so that energy can flow freely.
Levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced, Advanced (Level is specified on class schedule.)
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair, or standing using a chair for support. It is recommended for individuals who may have difficulty getting up and down off the floor due to mobility or recuperative issues. Often the poses, or asanas, are adaptations of Hatha yoga poses.
Level: All skill levels
Yoga Stretch
This class can benefit all ages and abilities and involves a selection of poses to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. For those with flexibility challenges and chronic pain, this class can help improve functional movement. Each class will vary on intensity and variation. This is a low-impact activity and can include gentle movements. It is commonly used as part of physical therapy and rehabilitation of injuries.
Level: All skill levels
Yoga Stretch & Roll
Students of all levels use their own body weight in conjunction with the foam roller and other props to achieve the many benefits of foam rolling including myofascial release, increased blood flow and circulation to the soft tissues, and self-massage.
Required equipment: foam roller
Level: All skill levels
Energy Moving with Mindfullness
Using a combination of slow, steady movements, breath, and stretches, all based on Qigong and Tai Chi movements, to create a unique exercise that’s considered moving meditation. Each class will end with a few moments of quiet meditation.
Classes are held in the yoga studio.
Level: All skill levels
Slow Flow Yoga
This challenging ( Hatha) “all levels” class is for very mobile students and is structured as a flow class, with the tempo slowed down tremendously for more mindful movement from one pose to the next. As Vinyasa is one breath, one movement, slow flow spends more time holding postures (5-8 breaths) to focus in on the breath/body/mind connection to create calm. Students should be able to get up and down from the floor.
Classes are held in the yoga studio.
Level: All skill levels
Yoga as Therapy
Each class will address full body with emphasis on common ailments or issues. Classes may address arthritis, digestion/sleep patterns, scoliosis of the spine, low back pain, shoulders/neck, hips/knees, nervous system, or Parkinson's/MS.
Postures will generally be practiced on the floor seated or lying on the mat. The class is based on re-educating the nervous system to work optimally, therefore one does not need to have any particular ailment to attend. Everyone can benefit and possibly prevent future onset of pain or ailment.
Student prerequisites include your own yoga mat, yoga blanket, small pillow, water, and an open mind. You must be able to comfortably get up from, and down to, the floor unassisted. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to stretch and bend.
Good to Know!
Please Use Fragrances Sparingly in Class
Most of us don’t even think about chemical sensitivities when we spray on perfume or cologne, but for some residents this can be a severe problem, so the Rec Centers have asked the community to keep this in mind as they go about their activities and attend our events.
READ MORE HERE
Learn More About the Fascinating World of Fascia!
Gil Hedley: Fascia and stretching: The Fuzz Speech
Great Reasons To Start Alternate Nostril Breathing
Article from Rejuvenation Lounge
READ MORE HERE
Asana, mudra, namaste, and more
What do these words mean that we hear in class? Here's a list of commonly heard yoga terms.
Seven Principles of Alignment in Yoga
Yoga instructor Carol Fuller frequently mentioned the Seven Principles of Alignment in class. Follow the link below to learn more about the Principles. And don't forget Carol's 8th Principle: SMILE!
Foam Rolling - Applying the Technique of Self Myofacial Release
Article from the National Academy of Sports Medicine
Is Yoga an Exercise? Studies Say 'Yes'
Article in Forbes
READ MORE HERE
Twelve Minutes of Yoga For Bone Health
Article in the New York Times
Jan Stittleburg has provided these Qigong resources for beginners
8 Brocades Qigong, a very simple set of exercises to move the energy thru the body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K-0JpiJu-o&feature=youtu.be
Tai Chi Qigong 18 part 1, a set of 18 simple exercises for moving the upper body: https://youtu.be/bAbEzmH0TPs
Tai Chi Qigong 18 part 2, a set of 18 slightly more exertive exercises for moving the upper and lower body: https://youtu.be/_SliEplK_Ss
Tai Chi Qigong 18 part 3, another set of 18 exercises for moving the upper and lower body, I do this one regularly: https://youtu.be/3cgO9EOoRaI
8 Minute Daily Tai Chi, a very easy to follow beginners practice: https://youtu.be/PNtWqDxwwMg This is by Don Fiore, who has other similar videos on YouTube, all good to try.