One of the consistent and wonderful things about practicing yoga is that we always feel different at the end of a yoga class than we did at the beginning. And that difference is positive…we feel calmer, more grounded, and settled.
While we often think of the primary focus of yoga in terms of physical exercise (with its inherent benefits of increased flexibility, strength, and endurance), the practice itself is only really yoga when we connect our breath to our movement. According to current understanding of the autonomic nervous system, we can use diaphragmatic breathing (“the yogic breath”) to down-regulate stress responses. In short, yoga takes us out of the stress mode. And, moving out of a state of stress allows us to reconnect to the present moment, reconnect to others, and reconnect to ourselves. What could be better?
Yoga classes can be part of your routine whether on a regular weekly basis or when time allows. See the First Street Yoga Class Schedule for weekly classes, monthly restorative yoga and upcoming fall workshops – THIS MONTH ON SEPTEMBER 22 – “Pranayama and Meditation” with Carol Daly.
Ahhhh, the beginning of fall…all of a sudden the days are a little shorter, the horizon that was lush and dark green just a few weeks ago is taking on the slightest tinge of yellow, and there is that subtle sweet smell as the leaves begin to fall and pile up. Like every change of season, fall reminds us of transitions and the opportunity to shift our thought patterns and our behaviors.
Transitions are ever present in our yoga practice where they appear as the space between postures when we move through a sun salutation, and more subtly, as the “space” between the inhalation and exhalation in our breath. Taking the time to be fully present during times of transitions isn’t necessarily something we think about doing in our day to day lives. But, according to nurse, journalist, and yoga teacher, Carmella Cattuti, the way that we approach transitions in yoga “reveals how we approach those undefined, ambiguous areas in our lives.”
Take a deep breath and enjoy the space of transition that THIS fall presents to begin or renew your yoga practice! Our regular schedule includes early morning, evening, and daytime classes. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Following the transition theme, this website will soon be changing from Elliott’s Uptown Fitness to First Street Yoga We will be posting yoga information, current updates on classes and workshops. Please revisit often!
Congratulations to Carol Daly for completing her 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training this past fall.
Carol completed 200 hour yoga teacher training with Fannie Hungerford in 2015 and an additional 300 hours of teacher training at the Himalayan Institute in 2018. Carol’s approach to teaching yoga draws from traditional yoga theory and contemporary knowledge of the mind and body.
You can benefit from Carol’s instruction in classes offered at the First Street Community Center on Tuesday evenings 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Thursday mornings 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM or Saturday mornings 10:00 to 11:00 AM.
Saturday Yoga is back – starting Saturday, January 12th at 10:00 AM
Work towards your personal goal of a healthier lifestyle by participating in weekly yoga classes. Join us for a Hatha Yoga class that includes gentle flow through classic postures combined with mindful breathing (pranayama) to help you develop a healthy body and calm mind. Appropriate for all student levels.
Where: First Street Community Center, 2nd Floor – Studio A end of hall.
When: 6 week session begins Saturday, January 12 to February 16.
Instructors: Carol Daly and Mariah Andrews
Fees: $12.00 drop-in, $60.00 for 6 weeks, $120.00 for 12 weeks
January 2019 – see Class Info – Yoga Classes for details and to pre-register
What sets yoga at First Street Community Center apart from yoga at other studios? The answer is our yoga teachers!
Collectively our teachers, Jen Zimmerman-Bronder, Ann Fleckenstein, Devon Olberding, and Carol Daly, have over 1300 teacher training hours, 10 years of teaching yoga, and experience teaching at local yoga studios in Iowa City, Solon, North Liberty, and Cedar Rapids and nationally/internationally at yoga retreats in Colorado, Costa Rica, and Indonesia.
Elliott’s Uptown Fitness hosts yoga classes at the First Street Community Center (FSCC). Yoga classes at FSCC range from Kids Yoga to Gentle Yoga to Hatha Yoga for all ability levels. The setting at FSCC is spacious with room for up to a dozen or more students to fit comfortably. Yoga mats and props are provided on site as well.
Devon Olberding – Photo by Lisa Lewis from Envisage Studios
Devon Olberding: Devon has been a spinning instructor at Elliott’s Uptown Fitness for over five years. She has also taught fitness and dance classes for several years in the Mount Vernon area.
As a mother of four active kids, she is passionate about mindfulness at a young age. Her kids yoga classes focus on movements, postures, and breathing that integrate mind and body in a fun and engaging way. She is certified in KAY Kids Yoga, TRX, and is also nearing completion of her Holistic Nutrition and Health Coach Certification.
Devon loves inspiring people of all ages to live happier, healthier lives.
Jen Zimmerman Bronder- Photo by Lisa Lewis from Envisage Studios
Jen Zimmerman Bronder, RYT-200: Jen teaches Hatha yoga which is influenced by two trainings, one in the Anusara Yoga style and the other in the Para Yoga style.
Her classes blend the physical poses with breath work and meditation. She continues to expand her knowledge by attending workshops and trainings that focus on the healing, therapeutic aspects of yoga.
Ann Fleckenstein – Photo by Lisa Lewis from Envisage Studios
Ann Fleckenstein, RYT-200: Ann specializes in Hatha yoga which focuses on physical exercise for flexibility, strength, balance, concentration and relaxation. Breathing techniques and meditation are also part of her class offerings.
Ann is a registered yoga teacher and completed her yoga instruction through the California based Cloud Nine Yoga Teacher Training (RYT-200). In addition to the practice of hatha yoga, Ann also brings insight and instruction into Patanjali’s eight limb path of yoga which offers guidelines for “yoga as an entire lifestyle”.
Ann enjoys teaching and learning, and being able to bring yoga to the community in a way that makes yoga attainable for all levels of students.
Carol Daly – Photo by Lisa Lewis from Envisage Studios
Carol Daly, DPT, RYT-200: Carol grew up in a home where her mom practiced yoga and meditation. Those early experiences influenced her own personal practice of yoga and established yoga as a life-time strategy for health and well-being.
As a licensed physical therapist, Carol has combined her understanding of movement science with the ancient teachings of yoga to help her clients learn and relearn how to move again. Carol completed yoga teacher training with Fannie Hungerford in 2015 and is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200). She will complete an additional 300 hours of teacher training and receive her RYT-500 designation at the Himalayan Institute in October.
Carol’s yoga teacher training draws from traditional yoga theory and contemporary knowledge of the mind and body to encompass the complete scope of yoga. Carol’s strongest held belief is that yoga is accessible to all who are interested in giving it a try.
