WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Beginner Yoga Series
Tuesday, October 7th - 28th (7:15 - 8:15 pm)
Being new to something can be challenging and intimidating. It's hard to know where to start. One of the biggest barriers to entry for new yoga students is walking into a class where everyone else knows what they're doing and what to expect. If you have always wanted to try yoga and are confused about where to start, we have an awesome opportunity for you! Begin at the beginning.
This four-week series is designed specifically for beginners. We will meet from
7:15 - 8:15 pm every Tuesday in October, and begin to lay the groundwork for your yoga practice. The course is organized in a way where we will build off of concepts, breathwork, and movements from the previous class. You will gain an overall understanding of the basics of traditional yoga postures so you can continue to build off of a safe, sustainable, and skillful foundational practice, as well as have the confidence to explore any of our regular yoga offerings.
The topic and format for each class will include:
Class 1 (Oct. 7) - Foundations of Breath, Movement, & Standing Postures.
Class 2 (Oct. 14) - Strength & Integrity in Your Core
Class 3 (Oct. 21) - Mobilizing Your Spine with Twists
Class 4 (Oct. 28) - Putting It All Together
Please Note: This is a movement practice that will require students to navigate up and down from the floor unassisted. We encourage those with more limited mobility to check out our Chair Yoga and Gentle Yoga classes offered on a weekly basis. The intent of this series is to prepare students for Yoga For All, Vinyasa, and any flow-based classes we offer at the studio.
The investment is $60/student and will include handouts, optional reading assignments between classes, and four-week beginner-focused movement practices.
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 12 students. All yoga mats, props, etc. are provided.
No refunds, transfers, or partial enrollments. The cost includes all 4 classes. If you miss any class in the series you will not be refunded the portion for the class missed.
The Eight Limbs: Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice
Sundays, October 12th, 19th, & 26th (2:00 - 4:00 PM)
Join us at Yoga Spot Meadville for The Eight Limbs: Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice workshop series on Sundays from 2-4 pm, October 12th, 19th, and 26th. This is a three-part series led by Jennifer Hellwarth (YACEP, E-RYT 500). Students will have the option to enroll in the entire series or register for individual sessions.
Yoga has deep roots in Indian philosophy. Understanding the main tenets of that philosophy can bring new dimensions to the way we practice yoga on the mat and bring more ease, spaciousness, and peace into our lives as a whole.
This series of workshops will focus on the Eight Limbs of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which were written nearly 2,000 years ago. Each session will focus on elements that we can apply to our postural practice and to our lives.
Session I: (Sun. October 12th: 2:00-4:00 pm)
Yamas & Niyamas
The Yamas (“restraints”) and Niyamas (“observances”) are the foundational tenets and observances of the eight-fold path of yoga. They include such general principles as nonviolence, truthfulness, and letting go (or non-grasping). We’ll explore some specific ways that observing these principles can help strengthen our practice, prevent injuries, and bring new life to our real-world relationships.
Session II: (Sun. October 19th: 2:00-4:00 pm)
Asana & Pranayama
Many people do not realize that Asana (“movement” or “posture”) is only one of the eight limbs. Much of what we call “yoga” in the West is inspired by asana philosophy, but it has been shaped and changed both in India and abroad. In fact much of it has been invented comparatively recently! This session will give a deeper context to our understanding of postural and breathing practices, which will in turn have immediate ramifications for the poses we bring our bodies into and our motivations for doing so.
Session III: (Sun. October 26th: 2:00-4:00 pm)
Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi
The final four limbs of yoga are more subtle, focusing on our relationship to our minds and to our senses. To gain an experiential understanding of them requires that we cultivate stillness, focus, and concentration – qualities that can be in short supply in our busy lives! Yet when we begin to recognize the quiet but powerful relationship between our minds and our bodies (and our lives), we can see how small shifts in attention can bring large changes in how we act both on and off the mat.
This series is specifically designed for those students looking to deepen their practice. Some previous yoga experience is recommended to take full advantage of this offering. Workshops will include a combination of lecture, movement/asana, pranayama/breathwork, and meditation.
Investment: $35 per workshop or $90 for the entire series.
No refunds or transfers. Space is limited to 15 participants. Pre-registration is required.
Slow Flow & Yoga Nidra
Sunday, October 19th (10:00-11:15 am)
In this class, we pair a focused and deliberate slow vinyasa flow with relaxing yoga nidra. We will begin class with a slow, intentionally paced yoga flow in which we pause to explore some postures for several breaths. The slow and fluid pace allows for mindfulness while cultivating a stable, self-centered energy. We complement our movement practice with a short yoga nidra toward the end of class. Nidra is a guided meditation practice designed to create a sense of wholeness and balance through a state of deep but conscious relaxation. Nidra employs a range of techniques, including guided imagery and body scanning, to promote relaxation and foster healing in both body and mind. This class is for all levels of experience. Beginners are welcome!
Class passes or memberships can be used to attend. Space is limited. Please pre-register.
Kids Yoga
Friday, October 24th (6:00-7:00 PM)
Join Yoga Spot for a Kids Night Out for children ages 5-10. Parents and guardians can enjoy a Friday evening in downtown Meadville while their kids learn about yoga. Class size is limited to 10 children so please pre-register your child on the MINDBODY app (liability waiver must be signed by parent/guardian) or by clicking the button below.
Yoga Spot Kids will be introduced to a thorough yoga practice where they will learn breathing techniques, meditation, yoga poses, and deep relaxation through games, stories, songs, props, and crafts. This month will be Halloween themed! Please bring a water bottle.
$15/child
Yoga at Davenport Cidery & Winery
Friday, November 7th (6:30-7:30 PM)
Join Yoga Spot Meadville as we jumpstart the weekend with a Friday evening yoga class at Davenport Cidery & Winery! Admission includes a 60-minute yoga class suitable for all levels inside Davenport's event hall, followed by a beverage (cider, wine, or beer) of your choice in their beautifully restored rustic barn-style tasting room. Food will be available for purchase.
We encourage each participant to bring their own mat. If you would like us to provide a mat for you, please email us at yogaspotmeadville@gmail.com, and we will be sure to have one available for your use.
Davenport Cidery & Winery is located at 13124 Townline Road, Meadville, PA 16335. Please park in the lower lot located across the street from the event hall on Hobbs Rd. If that lot is full, there is additional parking located between the event hall and the tasting room, and excess parking along Townline Rd.
Pre-registration is required.
$25/person
No refunds or transfers.
Gratitude Flow & Meditation
Thursday, November 27th (8:30-9:30 am)
Gather together with community on Thanksgiving morning for a special gratitude-themed class. Jennifer (E-RYT 500) will lead a slow flow, followed by a short grounding, restorative sequence, and guided meditation. Spend time on your mat to set the tone for the day by focusing on the yogic concept of santosha, a principle that highlights the importance of contentment and gratitude.
Leave feeling both invigorated and grounded, set up to spend the rest of your day with a light body and rooted mind!
$15/person.
Yoga Spot members or those with class packages can use either to attend. Space is limited. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.