Yoga

Yoga for Everybody With Ann Deiters
Breathe, relax, feel. Kripalu Yoga is not about forcing yourself into circus-like contortions. Yoga is about, among many other things, learning to make peace with your body and your mind. Join us as we learn to incorporate yoga into our everyday lives, with yogic breathing (pranayama) postures (asanas) relaxation and meditation. Students report leaving class with a new peace, an inner stillness. Please bring a mat and a meditation cushion, large towel, or small blanket to class. Taught by Ann Deiters. Ann Deiters has been teaching Kripalu Yoga in the Ridgefield area for many years. She teaches experienced yogi’s, beginners, and senior citizens as well. She also acts in local theatre productions.

9 Sessions $99 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $50)
Mon., 1/25 - 3/29 (not 2/15) from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.; ERMS

7 Sessions $77 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $39)
Mon., 4/12, 26; 5/3, 10, 17, 24 & 6/7 (not 4/19; 5/31) from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.; ERMS
Mon., 7/12, 19, 26; 8/2, 16, 23 & 30 (not 8/9) from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.; Venus Building

Yoga (Iyengar) for Beginners With Leslie Freyberg ~ day
Iyengar Yoga is a methodical approach to traditional yogic postures and breath regulation according to the teaching of living Yoga Master Shri B.K.S. Iyengar. This method of yoga results in improved alignment, strength, vitality, and serenity for the practitioner. Please bring a yoga “sticky” mat, 2 blankets, a belt, and an empty stomach to class. A yoga block is useful as well. Please do not eat the hour prior to class. Taught by Leslie Freyberg. Leslie Dillingham Freyberg is a Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher and also on the faculty of the American Sanskrit Institute.

6 Sessions $66 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Mon., 2/22; 3/1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

2 Sessions $22 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $11)
Mon., 4/5 & 12 from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

Yoga for Life Energy with Brigitte Pohl-Knijff
Increase your Life Energy, the Healing Power inside you and learn to improve your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being through easy exercises developed by Dr. Robert Fulford and Dr. John Diamond, and through exercises from disciplines such as biodynamics, bioenergetics, acupuncture, and hatha yoga. Please bring a yoga mat or thick blanket to class. Taught by Brigitte Pohl-Knijff, L.Ac. Brigitte Pohl-Knijff has a degree in Healing Arts and is a health practitioner with the Diamond Center in South Salem, NY.
5 Sessions $55 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $28)
Fri., 4/9, 16, 30; 5/7 & 14 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

Gentle Yoga with Frances Goulart
If you’re avoiding yoga’s trees and triangles because you just aren’t flexible, relax and come to this course designed for people who want a slower pace and less strenuous poses. You’ll become stronger, longer, and looser in this slowly paced course just for beginners and newcomers with flexibility challenges. Standing and seated poses, stretching and breathing practices. Bring a mat, pillow and blanket. Taught by Frances Goulart. Frances Sheridan Goulart is is a certified yoga, pilates and yoga-lates instructor who has been teaching in Ridgefield and throughout Fairfield Countyfor over a decade. She is also a certified clinical nutritionist and author of the newly released Super Immunity Foods (McGraw Hill).

8 Sessions $88 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $44)
Wed., 1/27; 2/3, 17, 24; 3/3, 10, 17 & 24* from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; Veterans Park School *3/24 are the make-up for 2/10.
Wed., 4/7, 14, 28; 5/5, 12, 19, 26 & 6/2 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; Veterans Park School

6 Sessions $66 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Wed., 8/18, 25; 9/1, 8, 15 & 22 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; Venus Building

Yoga-lates With Frances Goulart ~ Day & Evening
Yogilates is a unique fusion of yoga and pilates for total body fitness. Develop a stronger more flexible body, longer leaner muscles and toned abs. Improves the strength of the back and the health of the joints. Perfect for complete beginners or veterans. Most of the stretches will be done on the floor, please bring a thick mat, yoga block, and a blanket. Frances Sheridan Goulart is is a certified yoga, pilates and yoga-lates instructor who has been teaching in Ridgefield and throughout Fairfield Countyfor over a decade. She is also a certified clinical nutritionist and author of the newly released Super Immunity Foods (McGraw Hill) and Super Healing Foods (Prentice Hall).

8 Sessions $88 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $44)
Thur., 2/4, 11, 18; 3/4, 11, 18, 25 & 4/1* from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Veteran’s Park School * 4/1 is the make-up for 2/25.
Tue., 4/6, 13, 27; 5/4, 11, 18, 25 & 6/1 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Branchville School
Thur., 4/8, 15, 29; 5/6, 13, 20, 27 & 6/3 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Veteran’s Park School
Tue., 6/8, 15, 22; 7/6, 13, 20, 27 & 8/3 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Venus Building

6 Sessions $66 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $33)
Thur., 6/17, 24; 7/8, 15, 22 & 29 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Venus Building
Tue., 8/17, 24, 31; 9/7, 14 & 21 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Venus Building
Thur., 8/19, 26; 9/2, 9, 16 & 23 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.; Venus Building

Yogalates with Laurie Mayper
Combine yoga and pilates in this 60-minute fusion class. Strengthen the core muscles: abdominals, low back, and buttocks, with mat pilates. Stretch and strengthen the whole body, while promoting balance and relief of stress with a variety of yoga poses. Leave feeling invigorated for the rest of your busy day. Work at your own pace. Beginners are welcome! Avoid eating the hour prior to class. Please bring a yoga mat. Taught by Laurie Mayper. Laurie Mayper is certified by YogaSpirit Studios, YogaFit, and the Aerobics and Fitness Assoc. of America and teaches Yoga and Pilates in Fairfield County.

7 Sessions $77 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $39)
Fri., 2/5; 3/5, 12, 19, 26; 4/9 & 16 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Venus Bldg. *4/9 & 16 are the snow make-up for 1/29 & 2/26.

5 Sessions $55 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $28)
Fri., 5/14, 21, 28, 6/4 & 11 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Venus Bldg.

Meditation

Meditation Workshop with Thai Meditation Master
Achan Da will lead another seminar similar to those that have been so well received in past years. Mahasati meditation is a form of vipassana, or insight meditation, practiced for years in Southeast Asia. It uses both walking and seated meditation. It is experiential in focus and does not rely on the acceptance of any religious doctrine. Since it is performed with the body in motion and eyes open, it is more easily carried into daily life than other forms of meditation. Suitable for both new and experienced meditators, the workshop will combine lecture, demonstration, and actual meditation practice. The second session provides attendees the opportunity to ask Achan Da questions regarding their practice after trying the technique for a week. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Meditation Master Achan Da is a Theravada monk in the Thai Forest Tradition. He was abbot of the Thatkong Monastery in Northeastern Thailand and has been teaching meditation for over 30 years. This is a chance to learn from a true master.
2 Sessions $22 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $11)
Wed., 5/5 & 12 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Redding Meditation Center, 9 Picketts Ridge, W. Redding (1/2 mile east of Route 7).

Practical Buddhism and the Search for Self
Based on contemporary Buddhist bestseller The Buddha in Your Mirror (www.middlewaypress.com), this class will introduce a simple daily ritual that you can apply to relationships, career, health, and the unique environments you encounter in normal life. Unlike monastic traditions, this 700-year old Buddhist philosophy and technique can be practiced anywhere (not recommended while driving!) and can be completely integrated into your daily life (without redecorating, investing in a new wardrobe, or leaving for long weekends). Instruction will take place in English. Team taught by Charles Greenberg and a guest speaker. Charles Greenberg is head reference librarian at Yale Medical School Library. He team-teaches Practical Buddhism.
1 Session $19 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. 10)
Sat., 6/19 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.; Venus Bldg

Medical Questions:

We expect students to have consulted with their doctor before starting any new exercise program.