HOME

ABOUT US

YOGA

PILATES

AYURVEDA

BELLY DANCE

JOURNEYDANCE

CLASSES

PRIVATE SESSIONS

CLASS AND WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

WEEKLY CLASSES

January 4th - May 7th, 2010

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

YOGA

Beginning Yoga - This class will provide the student with a clear and simple overview of yogic philosophy, breath work, and movement.  Step by step instruction in yoga poses and movements (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama), and relaxation is provided, and students are encouraged to work within their limitations and explore their range of movement and edges.

Continuing Yoga - This class continues to explore and expand upon the concepts and techniques introduced in the beginning yoga classes.  Students will be asked to delve in more deeply into their practice.  Previous experience with hatha yoga is recommended.    

Restorative Yoga - In today’s world, several of us work very hard, are extremely busy and deal with a large amount of stress in our lives.  While we may sleep, we rarely take time to rest and rejuvenate. Restorative yoga serves to help us learn to relax completely, rest deeply and find balance in our lives.  Restorative yoga is a practice for everyone as we all can benefit from conscious relaxation.  In this class, you will be given the opportunity to learn how to observe your tension patterns, begin to let them go, turn your attention inward and allow yourself to surrender.  Using props to support you in yoga poses, you will begin to let go of effort, relax your body, quiet your mind and renew your being.  For more information about restorative yoga, please visit www.restorativeyogateachers.com.

Please bring 4 blankets, 2 yoga blocks and an eye pillow if you have them.  Some props will be available at the studio but they are limited and must be reserved for use before the workshop.  Class size is limited to 10 people.

BELLY DANCE - Please visit www.mandaradance.com for more detailed info about current dance offerings

Yoga and Belly Dance - In this class, students will begin by exploring the use of the abdomen, chest, spine and pelvis through a series of yoga postures and dynamic flows. Using Pilates strengthening and stabilizing exercises as well as yoga-based breathing techniques, students will work to develop flexible, fluid strength and most of all, an increased awareness of their bodies.  Students will then explore fundamental belly dance moves and will be dancing with them in combinations by the end of each class.  This class is appropriate for individuals of all skill levels.       

Belly Dance Fundamentals (formerly Level 1) - This class is an introduction into the theory, style, and fundamental moves of belly dance.  This class is suitable for students who are beginners, those that may have some belly dance or comparable dance experience, or experienced students wishing to refine their understanding of these foundation movements.  We will explore fundamental belly dance technique focusing on posture, basic isolations, and traveling moves while weaving them into simple combos and flows

Belly Dance Core (formerly Level 2) - This class reviews and refines the foundation moves of Belly Dance Fundamentals.  Using the basic movements introduced in Belly Dance Fundamentals, students will learn how to build on these moves using them in combinations, adding layers (including playing finger cymbals) and how to dance with others.   Classes focus on technique drills, isolations and combinations from the American Tribal Style (ATS) and Tribal Fusion movement vocabulary.  Pre-requisite: An understanding of basic belly dance fundamentals is required for this class.

Belly Dance Flow (formerly Level 3) - This workshop / seminar series is designed for students of at least intermediate skill level who wish to cultivate a personal dance practice, improve technique, develop their own creative voice as artists as well as gain a deeper understanding, appreciation and respect in regards to the historical and contemporary issues that affect this dance form.  This class is an exploration of belly dance performance focusing not only on belly dance technique, but also exploring personal stylization and bringing emotion into your dancing.  Each month will focus on a special topic (which will be announced in advance) with the intention of having the participants be able to take home the skills and concepts introduced in the workshop and be given the tools to be able to further explore and develop these elements within their own dancing. 

YOGA/PILATES INSPIRED

Be Kind To Your Spine - A yoga and Pilates based class for those wishing to promote optimal back health.  In this class, we will work on building core stability, improving posture, and increasing flexibility.  Participants will work to develop an increased body awareness and flexible strength which can reduce lower back and shoulder stress, tension, pain and injury.  This is a fundamental, beginning level class which is accessible to those who would like a gentler approach. 

JourneyDance is a grooving celebration that will have you loving your body and loving your life!  Weaving simple guided movement sequences and free exploration, JourneyDance reconnects you with your innate state of joyous well-being.  Your mind becomes clear, free, and positive, and your body feels supple, energized, and powerful.  Practiced barefoot to inspiring world music, your dance is an enpowering journey of transformation.  

CLASS REGISTRATION

* To register for Belly Dance Fundamentals, please contact

VT YMCA Open University

(540) 961- 9622

Blacksburg, VA 24060

http://vtymca.org/Courses.asp

Cost through VT YMCA Open University:  $50 for 6 weeks

** To register for Belly Dance Core, please contact

Jennifer Speiden

(540) 552-2596

joyifer@yahoo.com

Payment made to Jennifer Speiden:  $80 for 8 weeks

For all other classes, please contact

Akke's Yoga Place

2401 South Main St., Suite J

Blacksburg, VA 24060

(540) 953-2553

www.akkesyogaplace.com

Cost at Akke's Yoga Place: