Sarah Monarca

Chair Yoga  This is for those of you who feel like a regular yoga class might be just a bit too much.  Maybe you’re feeling super tight all over, stuck or stagnant, lacking strength for any reason, recovering from an injury, struggling with balance, are having a hard time sitting on the floor for long periods of time and/or getting back up, or are just wanting to be very gentle with your practice.  This is great for older folks, but also good for any age!  We use chairs provided for adapting yoga postures you’ve probably seen in other classes – like warrior poses, downward dog, forward folds, seated stretches we might otherwise do while seated on the floor.  We also use them to hold on to for support while standing and practicing balancing postures.  We will be using and moving our arms, legs, torsos…  all of it!  You won’t miss a thing!  It’s going to be gentle, yet you’ll still be challenged physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.   No experience necessary. Note that the class is only 60 minutes, and only costs $15/person or bring a friend for $5 more (not available with other classes), + $3 per person ACC fee. Cash, check, or Venmo only.

Crystal Yoga  Class is 50 minutes, and open to all levels. We will begin with some gentle movement and breath awareness. We will then incorporate standing asana, followed by fun floor stretches, and finally a few minutes of savasana. Basic, simple, and a great way to keep up with your yoga practice! Single class cost is $15, paid to Crystal Mountain. Other payment options and packages are available through Crystal Mtn. Pre-paid packages purchased with Sarah do not apply. Please reach out to Sarah if you have any questions.

As much as we play hard and work hard, it is important to take time to take it easy.  Our bodies and our minds need gentle attention and care.  We will spend some time warming the body with mellow movement, shift into some gentle stretches, and finish with a supportive Restorative pose and finally Savasana. Beginners, tight bodies, tired bodies, men, women, all welcome!

Please remember to RSVP in advance to Sarah directly call or text 269-719-6022

Single class sliding scale $15-$25. Packages available.

Be gentle with your sweet little self and your sweet little heart. Bring awareness to the Anahata Chakra at the center of your chest and practice with LOVE. On the soft and gentle side of things, with a focus on heart-opening Pranayama and Asana.

Hatha simply refers to the practice of physical Yoga postures (Asana), mindfulness, and Pranayama (breathing techniques). Hatha Yoga practices are designed to tone and lengthen muscles; align and calm the body, mind, and spirit.

Each class is designed to create a well-rounded experience, including all or some of the following: conscious breathing, meditation, seated postures, standing poses, inversions, arm balances, and standing balancing poses. Flow, or Vinyasa, sequences through Sun Salutations warm the body and focus the mind. Some experience necessary, and we will meet and honor ourselves where we are today.

A regular Hatha Flow class, while pausing periodically to bring more depth of awareness to a posture or aspect of practice. This class invites you to focus a bit more! We will cover details you may never have really learned about some of the postures and practices you’re already using.

A supple spine is a healthy and youthful spine! We’ll focus on twisting postures, adding a greater level of detoxifying, toning, and stretching effects for the spine, organs, and mind.

Thai Yoga Therapy is an ancient and sacred system of healing with roots in Yoga, Ayurvedic Medicine and Buddhist spiritual practice. It is a system of Yoga Therapy, which combines rhythmic massage, acupressure, assisted Yoga stretching exercises, gentle twisting, energy work and meditation. Thai Yoga Therapy also integrates other techniques and practices of Yoga and Yoga Therapy, including restorative Yoga, breathwork, pranic healing, meditation, and deep relaxation to make this system complete, balanced and deeply therapeutic.

During a session, the practitioner guides the client through a series of Yoga postures, while palming and thumbing along the body’s energy (‘Sen’) lines and pressure points. As a healing modality, it helps to create space for energy to move throughout the body; and in order for healing to occur, energy must MOVE!

Some benefits of Thai Yoga Therapy

*Releases stress and tension

*Increases flexibility and muscular suppleness

*Deeply relaxing

*Increases blood and lymph flow

*Brings the systems of the body into balance

*Releases emotional blockages

*Deepens the connections between body, mind and spirit

All clients remain fully clothed (except socks may be removed); and are asked to wear comfortable clothing such as sweats, Yoga clothing, active wear, etc. with at least a short sleeve (no tank tops, please).

People with certain injuries, conditions or illnesses such as high blood pressure, pregnancy, hypertension, communicable illnesses or diseases, etc. may not be safe candidates for TYT. Always check with your doctor to be sure that you are healthy enough to receive this type of work.

Wind down from your day and consciously rest. Let your body and soul soften. Find spaciousness through completely relaxing into the support of the bolsters, straps, blankets and pillows. Let go of your agenda, worries, or tensions as you prepare your body for a truly restful night’s sleep. Please provide your own props. Great for all levels, including beginners!

You don’t have to be “good” at Yoga to practice Yoga! We progressively prepare each student to comfortably and confidently step into almost any Yoga class. We will cover basic postures, exercises, and observances often seen in many classes through discussion and practice. Release anxiety and demystify this whole Yoga thing everyone keeps raving about! Each series is 4 consecutive Sundays unless a holiday weekend lands in there. Each series requires at least 4 students to pre-register for launch. $60 payment is required in advance and is non-refundable.

Sorry ladies, this one’s for the guys! A practice geared toward helping release tight muscles, strengthen and develop muscles; increasing stamina and endurance, enhancing body awareness, and expanding ease of mind, body, and spirit in a setting supportive of a man’s unique tenderness and strength.

We start with movement and don’t stop until the end! This class moves almost constantly through Surya Namaskara A and B, incorporating various standing and balancing poses. A fair amount of focus will be placed on your intention and breath. Little time is spent on the finer points of each pose or individual instruction, so prior experience is highly recommended.