Intro to Yoga

Wednesdays, May 16 - June 20 with Annie Stocker

7:00pm - 8:30pm

Learn the basics of yoga in this small introductory six-class course. Gentle strengthening and stretching using asana (poses) and breathing help you settle into the wonders and benefits of yoga. You'll leave the series ready to join a Gentle or Level I class. Send questions.

 

Maximum Students:  11

$108 for 6-class series | preregistration required | location TBA with registration

 

 

Monthly Gentle Yoga

Saturdays: June 2, July 7, August 4 with Annie Stocker

12:00pm - 1:15pm

A slow-paced class for students with injuries or physical restrictions, or for those who want gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. Learn how to get the support you need to do the yoga you want.

$16 drop in | monthly class

Big Dog studio

 

 

Bringing Your Practice Home

Saturday, June 30 with Annie Stocker

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Develop and sustain a home pratice that you love!

•    Identify our own internal and external barriers to stepping on the mat at home
•    Recognize the relationship we already have with our yoga practice
•    Develop a plan to initiate or refresh a home practice that is practical and effective in our lives
•    Discuss sequecing and therapeutic applications of asana
•    Hand out included

Students often express after class that they feel peaceful, relaxed, invigorated, more grounded, and that their day is easeful or tht they sleep better after coming to class. Many students come to class 3 or 4 times per week to sustain this experience; others cannot come that often for a variety of reasons such as travel, lack of time, or other commitments. My question to you is, "If you do experience relief and replenishment with your yoga practice in class, why not make it a regular daily practice, not only dependent on the classroom setting?"

Let's take action to move ourselves towards that which replenishes and renews our daily lives. Yahoo! Prizes! At the end of class there will be a drawing for a yoga mat and a Two Dog water bottle.

See flier, send questions.

$30 workshop | preregistration required

Big Dog studio

 

A Dog a Day?

A home practice story shared by Roxi Smith, long-time Two Dogger, Lake City resident, tennis player, and cat lover.

Four years ago I attended a well-planned and inspiring “Home Practice” workshop, taught by Amy Metzendorf, a gifted young teacher at Two Dog. Though Amy has since moved on to other climes, she left me with one singularly motivating thought about building a home practice: “Even one downward dog a day makes a difference.”
I must confess – it’s taken me most of the four years since that class with Amy to actually build a home practice. I didn’t have the time, I’m not a morning person, etc., etc. But recently when I was making some changes in my morning routine, I decided to include a little yoga. After about a month it suddenly dawned on me: “Hey, I have a home yoga practice!”
One of the keys to my clueless success was that I only do 10 to 20 minutes of yoga most mornings. While I know that an hour and 10 to 20 minutes would be even more beneficial, that commitment is beyond by current level of willingness. But 10 to 20 minutes a day – that I can do and do consistently.
I always let my body be my guide. What will feel good this morning? Sometimes I only do cat-cow, prayer pose, Annie’s trademark opening sequence, and a downward dog. Other mornings I feel inspired to add some standing poses like Warrior 2, or Trikonasana. Though it’s not much, I can attest to the difference a dog a day can make!
My mood is elevated – I find myself smiling just a little more easily, feel a bit more patient at work, and feel generally more open to people. At my weekly Two Dog yoga class, I find I’m more fully able to embody my practice. I’m stronger, more resilient, and less up in my head.
But one of the most delightful benefits of my little home practice was completely unexpected: I have a new yoga buddy! When I get down on all fours, he shows up like clockwork, pulled in by some invisible force that only kitties can perceive. He walks under me, purring like a chainsaw, rubs against me, throws himself on the floor beneath me and ecstatically rolls around. When I trace an arc lightly from my fingertips to my toes, I skim my hand across his fur. When I drop down on my elbows inside my bent knee, I kiss him on the head.
Now most mornings, I invite my new yoga friend to join me, saying, “C’mon Cooper…time for yoga!” Come to think of it, I don’t know if it’s the dog a day that’s making my heart more light, or the cat a day I share it with. Either way, it’s all good.

 

I have taken yoga classes in Seattle on and off for 30 years, and have experienced a variety of yoga instructors and studios, but my experiences at Two Dog Yoga top it all.
— Catherine Barrett