Instructors at the Fort Bragg Yoga Studio
Charlotte Richards Yoneda, owner of Fort Bragg Yoga and Pilates Studio
Charlotte Yoneda
Charlotte Richards Yoneda, owner of Fort Bragg Yoga and Pilates Studio, and local fitness and wellness icon passed away November 20 at her home in Sacramento, surrounded by her loving family. For the past few years, Charlotte bravely fought a rare, debilitating illness with courage, grace, tenacity and a positive outlook that touched the hearts of all who knew her.
For close to three decades, she inspired countless people to embrace healthier living. She taught various group exercise classes in Mendocino and Fort Bragg, including aerobics, step aerobics, kickboxing and strength training. Eventually, Pilates work led her to the purchase of the Fort Bragg Yoga Studio. As a Reiki Master, she shepherded numerous individuals to become Reiki practitioners. Through training nurses, she was pivotal in introducing our local hospital to the healing potential of Reiki. As a licensed massage therapist and personal trainer, she taught movement practices to assist in injury prevention and self healing, as well and tending to clients with healing body work. She also assisted clients as a nutritional consultant.
Charlotte whole heartedly loved learning. Her personal commitment to continuing education was constant. Charlotte’s drive in developing the Fort Bragg Yoga and Pilates Studio was guided by her deep love of the Mendocino coast community. Her intention was to make available great classes and workshops in mind-body-spirit wellness. She envisioned the Studio as a whole health center for complementary modalities. This included a supportive environment for the professional fitness providers that allowed them creative oversight of their programs so as to fully bring their passion to their classes and clients. When her illness brought her to Sacramento, she continued with the same vision, and began creating a Healing Sanctuary and Garden through which the Sacramento community could have access to similar classes and workshops.
Charlotte’s vibrant smile, jubilant approach to living and zest for life will burn brightly in all those she leaves behind. She is survived by her beloved husband Tom , daughter Eliana, mother Harriet Richards, sisters Pauli Robinson and Robbie Richards, and extended family Tamara Yoneda, Yvonne, Anthony, Maya and Ariana Donaldson, and Natasha and Levi Saelua.
Restorative Pilates
Natalie Shoptaw
Focus and individualize your workout to accommodate your needs. Accentuate your skills, and achieve goals. Effective movement choices and variations will be offered with training tips to facilitate your journey to a stronger and more supple you.
- Train at your own pace
- No experience required
- mats, weights, bands, balls, and circles provided
- Drop ins welcome
- Start anytime
Beginning and All Level Yoga Classes
Kristan Larsen
Kristan's classes revitalize and strengthen the body while reducing stress and calming the mind. Come enjoy yoga postures and breathing practices with one on one guidance. Kristan is a certified yoga instructor, a registered member of the Yoga Teacher's Alliance, and has practiced yoga for 10 years. She has studied and taught yoga in New York and locally.
Seniors Yoga
Catherine McMillan
Yoga for you. Seniors, folks with physical limitations and special needs. We will work carefully and mindfully to enhance strength, balance, peace and well being. A coast resident since 1972 and a second generation yogini, Catherine McMillan shares the many joys and benefits of yoga through a flowing practice combining breath, movement and reflection. She received her certification through the Research and Education Center.
Restorative Yoga
Magdalena Weinstein
Magdalena is visiting family in Chile. Her classes will resume in April 2010
Restorative Yoga Fridays, from 4:30-6:00 P.M..
$10 Drop-in*, $40 for 5 Classes (*Discount for Seniors)
Step out from your busy life and join us for a journey into tranquility and well-being
Restorative Yoga helps to restore and renew the body and mind. To help ease the body, each pose is done with the use of supports and props like blankets, bolsters, blocks, chairs, and straps. This style of yoga has many benefits for both healthy and health-challenged yogis.
Some of the many benefits from this class include a relaxation of the nervous system, slower heart rate, improved circulation, lower blood pressure and reduced muscle tension.
Originally from Chile, Magdalena's background of yoga comes from extensive studies with her Indian Teacher HS Arun.
Magdalena has been teaching yoga since 2002. She is a registered teacher of the Yoga Alliance and a graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco. In 2005 she spent four months in India that led her to study at the Iyengar Institute Pune (RIMYI) where the Iyengar family teaches and lives.
Magdalena teaches with enthusiasm and a thirst to inspire, align, and deepen the students understanding of yoga and how it affects the mind and body.
All levels are welcome. Make sure to let the instructor know any challenges you are experiencing before joining the class.
Afternoon Yoga
Teresa Waldman
Teresa has been practicing and teaching Iyengar style yoga in a casual way for more than 25 years, and welcomes the opportunity to share her experience.
After school yoga Tuesdays from 3:45
to 5:00p.m. Beginning to intermediate level. $10.00 for drop ins,
$8.00 for prepayment of 4 or more classes.
Classes ongoing.
Therapy for the Body & Spirit
Liz Haapanen
Liz Haapanen has been practicing massage therapies since 1977. She became a C.M.T. at the Institute for Holistic Studies in Santa Barbara, California, in 1986. She has studied numerous modalities, but actively uses Swedish massage and deep-tissue release techniques for musculature, and Cranio-Sacral Therapy for the nervous system. The work she does is deeply relaxing and often serves to unwind old pain/compensation patterns. Being unexpectedly strong, yet sensitive, Liz's work attracts grateful comments such as, "You have psychic fingers," or "You have amazingly smart hands", and, "I feel like a brand new person."
Liz works out of studios at the Caspar Gardens, and she is at the
Fort Bragg Yoga Studio every Wednesday.
She can be reached for an
appointment at 707 964-1674.
Restorative Pilates
Lily Ricardi
Entry level Pilates on the mat for the Beginner in preparation for more vigorous traditional Pilates, this class focuses on education and building core strength through safe, modified Pilates movements. Small class size, individualized attention.
Mat Pilates - Intermediate Level
Heather Stoddard
This class is designed for intermediate level exercisers already possessing some core strength. Exercises developed by Joseph Pilates including safety modifications designed to therapeutically restore and support lower back stability and total body alignment. Attention will be given to Joseph Pilates' principles, with focus on the shoulder and pelvic girdles, as well as neutral spine.
Whole Birth & MOMMAbaby
Sabrina Peterson
Whole Birth: Prenatal Yoga is a on going class and begins Wednesday and takes place from 11:00 to 12:00 P.M.
Drop-Ins welcome $12
or 5 classes/$40
or $4/class if registered for the Mondays workshop.
Whole Birth is designed to specifically address the woman's changing body. It is also a terrific way to connect with other moms-to-be!
Prenatal Yoga is an ideal exercise for the childbearing year. Yoga stretches and strengthens the body, increases body and breath awareness, and is an excellent way to prepare for birth, teaching us to listen and trust our body's own innate birthing wisdom. A consistent yoga practice helps pregnant women to find greater connection with their changing bodies and relieves many common discomforts of pregnancy. Come connect with other mothers-to-be in an environment which is relaxing and supports the changes and treasures of pregnancy and birth.
MOMMAbaby
Bring your baby and connect with other mommas. Enjoy weekly themes and facilitated discussion in a fun, supportive environment.
The yoga portion targets strengthening core muscles necessary for wellness and comfort, stretching those tight spots, and playing with our yoga babies.
Session 4: Feb 8-Mar 15, 2010
No class Feb 15
Session 5: April 19-May 24, 2010
Sabrina's teachings follow her passion for the fascinating abilities of the body and mind. She began studying postural alignment at the Balance Center in Palo Alto, in 1997, and completed the Yoga in Balance Teacher Training in 2001. In 2003, she received certification through Integrative Yoga Therapy, and continued her studies in massage, foundations of Thai Yoga Healing, hypnotherapy, and reiki. She is also an ongoing student of midwifery. Over the years, Sabrina has taught a variety of yoga classes: all levels yoga, vinyasa, partner, gentle, and restorative yoga with a focus on mindfulness. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and prenatal classes.
Music Together
Leslie Kashiwada
New Music Together ® Sessions will start Jan 12th and Run till March 20th 2010. Call before you dorp-in. Pre-Registration is required.
A music program
for families with children
from birth through age five
Songs, rhythm chants, movement and instrument play
Music Together® is a fun family music program full of developmentally
appropriate music activities for children and their parents or caregivers.
Everyone participates, regardless of musical ability
Why Music Together®?
Our children are like tiny piggy banks but, instead
of putting pennies into them, we are flling them
with time and effort and love and learning. Just like
a savings account the initial "pennies" may not
seem to amount to much - you may not see your
child immediately responding to all that you are
offering them - but keep the faith. Know that if you
invest now in their music education, their brain
development, and their bond with you through
quality time, is one of the smartest and wisest things
you can do for them.
Scientifc studies show music enhances so many
areas of the brain AND cross communication
between them, which benefts us in every area of
life. Our classes are 45 minutes of quality time for
you and your child to play together without the
distraction of the phone, work, or chores.
Parents tell me stories of:
- Their child's preschool teacher commenting on how verbally advanced their child is. Through music class it seems the child has developed a keen ear which helps them pick up language.
- Their child saying poems at school with particularly good rhythmic speech. Think of all those chants/songs like "Hey, Diddle, Diddle" that we do in Music Together.
- Their child being the only one singing "happy birthday" in tune at a party.
- A ballet teacher remarking on how easily the Music Together child picks up dance steps and moves to the beat.
All these benefts may be in your child's future if
you enroll your child for the Winter 2010 session
beginning in January. You can do so with confdence
because Music Together is a high quality program
with excellent teachers. It is also a wonderful gift
from you to your child and from you to yourself.
Leslie Kashiwada (director/teacher) is a mother
and a marine biologist. She and her husband have
lived in Fort Bragg since 1999 and have a 7 year-old
daughter. From a young age Leslie loved music and
dance. Leslie took the Music Together® teacher
training following four semesters of being a "Music
Together mom," and has been teaching Music
Together classes since September 2003.
Yoga Flow
Mike Ehlers
Mike Ehlers has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. In 1993 he completed his Yoga Teacher Training at Ananda. He has been exposed to a wide variety of yoga styles through retreats, workshops classes and travels over many years. Originally from the Mendocino Coast, Michael has recently returned from Edmonton, Canada.
Mike has been a musician for over 25 years and also leads Kirtan (call and response chants from India) at yoga retreats, yoga studios and in other venues. He is a recording artist and Licensed Massage Practitioner.
Yoga Flow: Open to all levels, this class combines breath and movement to create warmth in the body as we move through a series of traditional yoga postures. Concentration is enhanced by staying deeply connected to the breath as we move through the poses. Give yourself the gift of health and peace. Join us for a deeply centering and rejuvenating practice:
Every Monday: 5:30 – 7:00 PM
$10.00 per class, $40.00 for 5 classes Introductory special: $5.00 for 1st class
Gentle Yoga and Toning
Melinda Filer
Melinda Filer draws from her years of experience in many body/mind disciplines including ballet, massage, yoga, and meditation. A coast resident since 1998, she received her yoga certification from Synergy Yoga Center in Encinitas, CA in 2003. Her intention is to gently lead her students in the yoga poses and to empower each student to really listen to their own "inner wisdom" as to how far to take each posture or whether to modify a pose. Teaching yoga is a joy for her as she knows how life-changing hatha yoga can be on all levels--physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Gentle Yoga & Toning - In this one hour whole body work-out you will practice basic, simple yoga postures, alternating with toning exercises to strengthen the abdominal core and pelvic region. Breathing to calm the mind, stretching to lengthen muscles and toning to keep the integrity of the joints strong are blended into a class that will leave you feeling de-stressed and relaxed.
Viniyoga Therapy For Your Back
Kym House
Yoga For Your Back
Learn basic anatomy and Viniyoga sequences combined with dynamic lumbar stabilization to help relieve chronic back pain, stiffness, tension, correct postural and/or structural imbalances, create stability and promote healing. Breath awareness and breath and movement of the spine will be integrated into all class sessions. Classes are focused on but not limited to back health.
About Kym...
I am an American Viniyoga Institute certified yoga therapist and teacher (500hr) with a B.A. in dance from San Francisco State University. My practice of yoga started as teenager in Santa Cruz, CA and continued to support me in my dance training. I began teaching yoga in 1999 after completing my basic 200 hour certification at the Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA. Since that time I have been blessed with opportunities to teach in Massachusetts, Vermont, Hawaii and Canada. After a severe back injury I was lead to the therapeutic applications of Viniyoga which is based on the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar. Viniyoga helped me heal my own injuries and is still the foundation for my path to overall, health, balance and self realization. Viniyoga integrates yoga and ayurvedic principles and can address all levels of your being; physical, energetic, mental, emotional and spiritual. Viniyoga is "yoga for healing" and only requires you to start where you are. I am excited to share this intelligent and comprehensive approach to yogic practice with all whom desire it.
Om Shanti
You can learn more about Kym at her website www.YogaWithKym.com
Osho Kundalini Active Meditation
Dance Of The Breath
Chetana Lauren
Chetana has been facilitating meditations since 2002, is a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1998, and a Certified Breath Therapist since 2005. She has studied internationally a variety of modalities and philosophies from around the globe which began in New York City in 1992. Her studies continue and include teachings in Italy, India, Africa, and the Pacific Northwest. She feels gratitude and love for all whom she has met, and continues to meet, along this journey.
Osho Kundalini Active Meditation
A one hour, 4 stage meditation designed for the late afternoon/evening to facilitate letting go of accumulated physical, emotional and mental stress of the day. The invitation is to allow shaking and free form dancing to move these energies towards a place of authentic stillness and silence. This meditation is accompanied by music directly guided by Osho for Deuter.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Bring water.
Price: $10/class; drop-ins welcome.
The first class is offered as a gift. Come experience this powerful technique.
Dance Of The Breath
Breathing The Joy Into Your Life
In a sacred, nurturing, and fun environment you will be supported by energy awareness exercises, free-style movement, gentle touch, and meditation to explore breathing as a bridge to your Inner Healer.
Open to your natural life energy and integrate this energy to create enormous inner/outer expansion, ecstatic and/or cathartic release, and renewed sense of self free of inhibitions. Experience a deep cleansing process which fosters new vision through this dynamic self-exploratory journey into your body, mind and heart.
Please bring plenty of water and a thick mat (i.e. thermarest) if you have one.
The sliding scale drop in price is $12-15 per class; bulk rate available - see instructor for details.
