Sundays – April 22, 29 and May 6 11:00-1:00

Do you find yourself up at 3:00 in the morning unable to fall back to sleep?  Are you sometimes erratically moody when everything is seemingly fine?  Is your cycle changing in some way?  You may be experiencing the hormonal shifts that are associated with the perimenopausal years.

Join us for a 3-week series to learn techniques necessary to assist you in the challenges of your 2^nd puberty.  In this insightful and honest class we will:

• Practice yoga postures, including restorative yoga poses, that help support the hormonal rollercoaster of “the change”.
• Experience mindfulness meditation and breath work as a way to connect to the  present, keeping us grounded in what may feels like shaky times…not to mention using these techniques for the “3:00 a.m. Club.”
• Share “congenial commiseration” regarding our changing bods!  Gone are community berry-picking days and quilting bees – we need a place to share our experiences of change and transformation – join in with the topic of the week or be a fly on the wall and observe the discussion with amusement.

Bring your energetic surfboard and Ride The Change as a way of staying sane as you enter into your “middle-ground” years with grace, strength and a good dose of humor.

P.S. You do not have to be perimenopausal to be experiencing high levels of stress and general discomfort about the fast lives we lead-any woman that feels the need to deeply nourish her body and create a mindful way to balance the hormones may join us.

Instructed by Jnana Gowan – night sweater and Certified Yoga Instructor, teaching since 1999.

$25 per class

for more info:  www.powerhed.com or to speak with Jnana personally, call 510-734-4122.

Jnana Gowan is the founder and director of Powerhouse Education; a company dedicated to health & well being. A teacher since 2000 she enjoys students of all shapes, sizes & skill levels. As an instructor, she has the unique ability to make people feel at ease and encourages each student to explore their true essence.  She finds it is highly gratifying to share her knowledge of yoga and celebrates the wonder and excitement of a body in balance. Her studies are Iyengar influenced but have softened with age, insight and injury.  Another component of influence is her experiences as a shamanic practitioner and healer – her classes are infused with a connection to the earth and its wisdom plus an invitation to be open to the spirit realm that surrounds us.  All this delivered without new-age woo-woo, but stated with direct intention and a bit of humor to boot.  She has taught transformational workshops at Noetics Sciences, Esalen and the San Francisco Zen Center. She has written chapters for two books Executive Stamina and Mindful Motherhood lending her understanding of asana in the fields of motherhood and corporate America.  In 2003 she developed the Bunny Head Yoga Program for kids – and it continues to grow with the monthly Girl Power Craft Days and Camp Bunny Head Yoga summer program.  To her, the kids are the proverbial cherry on top! www.powerhed.com

Wednesdays & Fridays 4:30-5:45 p.m. (starting April 4th)

(drop-ins welcome, or purchase a class card)

Qigong is a technology that applies ancient wisdom, modern science and the mind’s creative power to transform our lives from dis-ease to health and well-being.  Using standing movements, breath awareness, creative visualization, and sounds, qigong harmonizes the flow of life energy in your body creating greater well-being.

Matthew Anziani  transmits this practice with permission from his teacher, Master Mingtong Gu. Matthew is a sound/music therapist who used the power of his voice to heal from tetraplegia (paralysis affecting all four limbs).  At the age of 23, after experiencing a traumatic fall, which shattered two of his neck vertebrae, Matthew used his knowledge of sound, music, and the healing power of the voice to completely recover from an injury that should have kept him wheelchair-bound for life.  Matthew has a degree in Jazz/World music performance from San Francisco State University and is certified in Sound, Voice, and Music Healing from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Imagine, laying down your yoga mat, reclining over bolsters and blankets, closing your eyes and being serenaded by healing chants, and beautiful instruments like harmonium, acoustic guitar and crystal bowls. In the depth of bliss, a fragrant essential oil anointing takes you further into peace. As a moment of silence comes, it is so full of contentment, your mind is effortlessly peaceful. This is Pratyahara.

Pratyahara: Harmonizing the Senses
Mondays 7:30 – 9 p.m. | March 26, April 30 (attend one or both)
Instructors: Nicole Becker & Matthew Anziani
Step into a healing sanctuary for the senses. Rest comfortably while being ministered to with soothing vocals and instruments, anointed with pure plant essential oils, and guided into relaxation with healing imagery meditation. A unique offering from two devoted healers and teachers. Enjoy an individual class or take as a series.
Click here for full details and to pre-register.
(Space is limited so pre-registration is recommended since we cannot guarantee drop-in space on the day of.)

Yoga Nidra is a specialized guided meditation practice. Practiced while laying down, the student is led through a series of relaxation and imagery practices to calm the mind, reduce stress, and heal the body. Yoga Nidra has been researched by major medical universities for it’s profound stress reduction and trauma recovery benefits.

 $18/class or $64 series. Recommended for women in their 2nd & 3rd trimesters

During pregnancy exercise benefits you and baby through increased energy, strength, and stamina. Specific movements encourage the baby into optimal positioning and help the cervix open more easily and labor progress smoothly.  Baby and mama marinate in oxytocin while tuning inwards for the deep transformational dance of childbirth.

Topics in this class include:
       *  Connecting with your baby through specific practices/exercises
       *  Body mechanics and pregnancy posture
       *  Preparing the body and mind to work together (the mind-body connection)
       *  Relaxation, breathing, visualizations, & more
       *  Positions for labor & birth (optimal fetal positioning)

“pelvic motion is really important to many women if they want to give birth with a minimum of pain and discomfort… every pregnant woman should practice exploring the range of motion of their pelvis” (Ina May Gaskin).
Gingi Allen www.mamababyconnection.blogspot.com
ChildBirth Doula, WombWellness Educator, Mother

Day/Time: Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Free Intro Session: Tuesday, January 10 | 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Winter dates:   Jan. 17 – Feb. 14th
Cost: $15 drop-in, $50 full series

Instructor: Lisa Klein is a yogi, storyteller, theater artist, and educator. She’s been an artist/educator (pre-K – university) for 18 years, teaching yoga, movement, improvisation, poetry, creative writing, storytelling and theater arts. Lisa is a certified Yoga Ed instructor, (Yoga Ed Instructor Training, Pre-K – High School, August, 2009), and a certified Yoga Alliance instructor (200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification, May, 2010.) www.dolphintalesyoga.com

“Lisa’s love for teaching, story telling and Yoga is obvious in her class for children. She mixes story telling and asanas to create an inviting environment for children to learn and explore yoga.”

(Ojas members receive 10% off workshops and special events) – details at the bottom of class schedule page

Thursday, August 4  -  7:30-9:00 p.m. : Free Info night and meditation for “The Art of Living”  Course with instructor, Satinder Grawal.  Meet the instructor, get info and ask questions about the upcoming course Aug.11-14th, and enjoy a 45 minute guided meditation. (full info about the course in Aug. 11 event link below)

Saturday, August 6th 1:00-4:00 p.m.:  Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) with Brooke Deputy
Practice seven simple exercises that release tension in the muscles, which in turn relaxes the anxiety of our minds. Deep held tensions can be a result of difficult life circumstances, immediate or prolonged stressful situations, or traumatic life experiences. TRE can restore a sense of peace and calm to the body and mind. Click here for more info or to pre-register

August 11-August 14th:  The Art of Living - Relieve stress and anxiety and learn breathing, meditation, low-impact yoga & philosophy as developed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Instructor: Satinder Grewal. Click here to learn more about the Art of Living Course and Foundation. Ojas membership discount does not apply to this event.

Sunday, August 21 1:00-5:00 p.m.  The Pelvis: Foundation of movment, Fountain of Life with Deane Juhan and Nicole Becker. Misalignment of the pelvis during standing, sitting and moving can result in chronic hip and low back pain, sciatica as well as dysfunction in the digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. Join experts Deane Juhan and Nicole Becker for the first of the “Structure of Movement Series”. Includes movement, hands-on techniques, and discussion. (click event title above for full details and/or to register)