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Spring Workshops 2012
Pre-register for workshops online, or call 540-309-0071. More Workshops will be added!

7:00 to 8:15 pm - Donation Only
Second Series: February 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3.
BreathingFlow Yoga -- The union of breathwork and yoga asana. Presented in six-week series that systematically explore the movement of breath within your body. Poses are chosen and sequenced to create a profound awareness of the body physical and its relationship to your breath. Once patterns are recognized and areas of tightness and tension are revealed, the student is guided into intentional types of breathing that draw in more oxygen and prana (lifeforce), as well as an awareness of power of the natural, innate breath.

Each class stands alone, and no previous yoga or breathwork experience is required. Class led by Jill Loftis, a Barratt Breathworks Restorative Breathwork apprentice. Because this class is part of her learning process, no fee is collected, but donations will be accepted for the Uttara Yoga Studio karma recipient (currently Student Outreach Series, a group that provides school supplies, clothing and food to homeless high school students in the Roanoke City Public Schools).

Dontations Accepted at Workshop
Please pre-register,
space is limited. Class packs apply.

6:00-7:00 pm, Fridays: March 1, 9, 16 [2-week break]
Series continues April 6, 13, 20
Prenatal Yoga with Kimberly Vest -- A wonderful way for the expecting mom to take care of her body, mind and spirit. Relax and strengthen your rapidly changing body, and find community with other expecting women. Open to post-partum moms, no yoga experience required. Fee $55 for the six-class series, $12 to drop in, please pre-register.

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4:00-5:00 pm, Sundays, March 4, 11, 18, 25
Beginner's Yoga with Kimberly Vest -- Looking to begin yoga, or refresh your practice? This is the perfect series for you! Class topics include classic yoga poses, alignment, philosophy, and breathing techniques. Fee $40 for four classes, space is limited, please pre-register.

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Sundays, February 12, 19; March 4, 11
6:30-7:30 pm
Bellydance Flow with Kamala. You will be introduced to both slow and fast steps each class by drilling basic movements and putting them together in fun and flowing combinations. Class aimed at beginners but appropriate for all, $40 for the four-week series, $12 to drop-in, class cards accepted. Please pre-register.

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Saturday, February 25, 3:00-5:00 pm
Partner Yoga with Jill Loftis—Working with a partner can bring you into a deeper awareness of yourself; playful class includes breath awareness, partner poses, and the possibility to fly! Come with a friend, significant other, or alone and we’ll pair you up. All levels welcome. Fee $20 per person, please pre-register.

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Saturday, March 10, 2:00-4:00 pm
Prana Vidya Workshop: Breathing, Concentration, & Meditation with Lisa Wade --Deepen your yoga practice and move into meditation. Join TriYoga® teacher, Lisa Wade,for Prana Vidya.

Whether one is looking for a stronger respiratory system accompanied by strong pelvic and abdominal muscles or seeking a path to inner peace, Prana Vidya opens the door to renewed health and awareness. These ancient practices systematized by TriYoga®, will enhance the balanced flow of prana for the body, mind, spirit. Please pre-register, fee $20; dress in comfortable clothing.

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Saturday, March 17, 7:30-8:30 pm Spring Equinox Celebratory Kirtan – Join us for drumming, chanting, dancing, music and joy as we celebrate the true new year. This celebration will be informal, noisy and fun. Instruments will be available, or bring your own, and make a joyful noise! All ages are welcome. Donations accepted for our karma recipient.			Dontations Accepted at Workshop Please pre-register, space is limited. Class packs apply.

Sundays, March 18, March 25, April 1, 2:30-3:30 pm
Introduction to Astrology with Jill Loftis – Astrology is a lot more complex than your daily newspaper horoscope. Your precise birth date, time and place yield a configuration known as the natal chart, and we’ll cover the basics of sun, moon and rising sign, as well as the signs, planets and houses. All students will receive a copy of their natal chart, computer generated natal interpretation, and handouts. Please pre-register, class size is limited. Fee $45 for the three-part class.

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Friday, Saturday and Sunday
March 23, 24, 25
Workshops with Gabriel Halpern—Uttara Yoga Studio is honored to welcome Gabriel Halpern back to Roanoke. He is fierce, fabulous and you do NOT want to miss this opportunity to study with him.

Gabriel holds a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Health Psychology, and was trained at the Iyengar Yoga Institutes in San Francisco and Pune, India. Gabriel has practiced since 1970 and gives workshops nationally. He is the founder and director of the Yoga Circle in Chicago, IL since 1985. Owing to the direct influence of BKS Iyengar and 4 decades of continuous study, Gabriel’s teaching is science, art form, lifestyle, and mystical mentoring.

Each workshop stands alone; take one, or all! Workshops are accessible to all levels. Pre-register by March 16 for all four workshops, including instructor’s only program -- $185. Pre-register by March 16 for all three open sessions -- $165.

Friday, March 23, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The Yogic Prescription for Stress Relief -- Pranayama and Restoratives. The fourth limb of yoga is pranayama. Mastering poses confer a flexible body, calm nerves and mental steadiness. Yoga is the best antidote for being out-of-sync with your own life rhythm, or if you are experiencing any type of fear, anxiety or depression. Yoga teaches techniques that are simple, safe and effective. Today’s class will cover a sequence of poses that will relax and renew; supine breath awareness; and pranayama basics. You will leave with peace of mind, and a toolbox of techniques to balance your being. Please pre-register, fee $55/after 3/16 $65.

Saturday, March 24, 9:30 to 12:30 pm
Back to Basics -- Hatha Yoga 101
So many students are lost in the "Hollywood facade" of poses, thinking that doing more convoluted and advanced postures is doing better yoga. The truth is fundamentals are the basis for all advanced poses, especially if you want them to be done correctly and injury free. Alignment is everything. In this class we will review the basic spinal movements of flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, as well abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder and the hips. Poses highlighting each of these actions will be demonstrated, taught and corrected with modifications suggested for each student. Please pre-register, fee $55/after 3/16 $65.

Saturday, March 24, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
For Yoga Teachers Only – Body Sighting and Hands-On Adjustments. Students process information through sight, sound and touch. Good teachers demonstrate the poses beautifully; excellent teachers will also articulate clear cues and instructors. GREAT teachers add precise hands-on corrections. In order to properly help your students, you must develop the skills to see where, when and how the adjustments needs to be made. This hands-on session will boost your confidence and help you to recognize what needs to be done, and how to do it. You will leave with a better sense of sequencing, a keen eye that can catch misalignments, and a creative ability to transmit your knowledge to your students. Please pre-register, fee $55/after 3/16 $65.

Sunday, March 25, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Turn Your World Upside Down -- Safe Inversions. An inversion can be defined as any pose where the legs are above the head, or the head is below the heart, or both at the same time. Iyengar Yoga says that inversions, done daily, give vitality, clarity, and tranquility. Special attention will be given to head stand and shoulder stand, so you are able to approach these poses with proper sequencing that will help avoid injury, as well as learn recovery poses to undo any incorrect habits of practice. Continuing and advanced students will learn variations and creative prop work to refine their understanding and guide their future development. Please pre-register, fee $55/after 3/16 $65.


5:30-6:45 pm, Friday, March 30; Friday, April 27; Friday, May 18 Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Jill Loftis – We’ll begin with gentle, long-hold restoratives; and then relax into savasana, during which you will be guided into a deep state of inner stillness. Amazing for stress reduction. Must pre-register; drop-in class, class packs apply.			Drop-In Class Please pre-register, space is limited. Class packs apply.

Saturday, March 31, 3:00-5:00 pm
Saturday, April 28, 3:00-5:00 pm
Yoga Asana Open Floor -- Come and do your thing on the mat! Modeled after the Mysorepractice of Ashtanga Yoga, ‘Open Floor’ is a chance for practitioners of any level and lineage to move through their personal practice while sharing space with others. The instructor will be traversing the room giving assistance and physical adjustments to each person within their own sequence. There is no set amount of time that one must commit to; practice as long or as little as you like and move at your own pace. Handouts will be available for those interested in a classic Ashtanga flow. Experience the beauty and wisdom of receiving individual attention while moving through your personal asana practice and sharing community with others. Please pre-register, fee $15.

Mondays: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Nadi Shodana/Ashtanga Yoga Second Series -- Move into spring with a supple spine and open hips by learning the basics of Nadi Shodana, “nerve cleansing”. By focusing on backward-bending, twisting, and hip-opening, the Ashtanga Yoga Second Series awakens the spine and therefore the nervous system, allowing one to release old hang-ups and move forward fearlessly. We will work the first half of the practice and then learn a hip-opening sequence to prepare for leg-behind-the-head pose. This class is appropriate for the intermediate to advanced practitioner. Having some experience of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series is recommended, though not required. It is not necessary to be flexible! Just come with body-awareness and an open mind! Pre-registration is required; $50 for the series.

Saturday, April 7, 2:00-4:00 pm
SLOW MOTION with Ginny DeCoster -- Recognizing the benefits and subtleties of hard and soft, this class begins with a mindful vinyasa practice and tapers off into deep yin postures while seated. Concluding with a restorative savasana and guided relaxation. Slow down and find strength deep within. Pre-registration fee $25/$30 at the door.

Ginny completed her RYT 200 with Ann Richardson of Virginia Beach. During this process she met Beryl Bender Birch, and fell in love with the Ashtanga yoga method. Ginny became certified with The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute and continues to follow Beryl. In 2010, Ginny received her 500RYT from Studio Bamboo Institute of Yoga. Her classes include attention to breath, gaze, proper technique, intention, hands-on adjustments and uplifting music. Ginny teaches her students to use yogic philosophy in their practice on the mat and off, bringing perspective to the challenges of everyday life.

Choose A Workshop:

4:00-5:00 pm, Sundays, April 15, 22, 29; May 13
[no class on 5/6]
Beginner's Yoga with Kimberly Vest -- Looking to begin yoga, or refresh your practice? This is the perfect series for you! Class topics include classic yoga poses, alignment, philosophy, and breathing techniques. Fee $40 for four classes, space is limited, please pre-register.

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Mondays/Wednesdays, April 16 through May 9, 6:30-7:30 am
Morning Immersion with Kimberly [pre-registration only]:a great way to start the day ~ develop a consistent morning practice ~ energize your body - better than a cup of coffee! We will start with a basic series of postures and add a new posture and focus each week. We will concentrate on the correct form for poses as well as the benefits of each pose. We will end with a deep relaxation and meditation that will leave you feeling energized and ready to start your day! Pre-registration required, fee $70 for 8 classes.

Saturday, May 5 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm
Sunday, May 6 from Noon to 4:00 pm
Barratt Breathworks: Restorative I Breathworks Intensive—This program is tailored for the beginner as well as the experienced student of breathwork. Participants will experience a progressive sequence of mindfulness breathing practices designed to restore physical health and well-being. Topics include prana or Qi; the Science of Breath; awakening the innate intelligence of the breath; the five principles of mindfulness; and practices for identifying and for dismantling poor breathing habits. Fee $155. For more information please call 540-966-6703 or visit www.BarrattBreathworks.com. Pre-register by April 23; education credits are granted in accordance with YA.

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Saturday, May 12, 3:00-5:00 pm
Yoga Therapeutics: Lower Back and Hip Care Basics with Vani -- Let’s face it; lower back and hip area pain can be debilitating and exhausting! Unfortunately, as we experience pain over an extended period of time, this can greatly affect the ability of the mind and body to heal. Fortunately, yoga is one of the best ways to holistically address the issues that create chronic pain. This workshop aims to address lower back and hip pain so that you can gain the skills needed to not only support the healing process but also continue (or begin) this process through the use of a regular yoga practice.

We will begin with a brief anatomical discussion and then engage in an experiential exploration to identify what story our body reveals. You will then learn a sequence of yoga postures and therapeutic exercises, which aim to not only align the body but also efficiently strengthen and stretch, targeted muscle groups. Additionally, the combined use of pranayama (breath work) and affirmations will empower you with skills to combat the physical and mental stress of lower back/hip tension. Handouts of the sequence will be provided for those intrigued by home practice! Class is open to all levels and may also be helpful to teachers working with students who have lower back/hip issues. Fee $20.00, please pre-register.

Choose A Workshop:

Saturday, May 19, 2:00-4:00 pm
Heated Yin/Yang Flow with Vani -- It's time to relax, de-stress, and take some time to nurture yourself. Join Vanessa 'Vani' Fassié for this meditative and healing journey that will combine grounding Yin/Yang Flows, Yin Asana, Pranayama, and Yoga Nidra to help you release, renew, and refresh your mind, body, and spirit! The studio temperature will be kept at 85° to help ease you into a state of deeper release. Class is open to all practitioners regardless of experience. Please bring your own mat. Register early as class size is limited! Early registration fee (by May 11) $15, after $20.