Class Descriptions
Personal Development and Somatic Practices
Total Body Connectivity with Lucille Dyer.
Start with undoing tension from bodily mis-alignment, and progress to moving freely with strength, endurance and fun! This gradual healthy movement simply feels good, encourages whole-life wellness choices, and sparks the simple enjoyment of how we are 'meant' to move - from the center. The class includes Pilates and Bartenieff Fundamentals along with standing balance and coordination practices that are the cornerstones of healthy movement. (55 Minutes)
Total Body Connectivity Plus Ballet Barre:
Everyone 'understands' body language — here is a place to explore how to speak more clearly... how to listen to what your body is telling you, how one might better 'know thyself'. Come to class and learn about meaning and self expression for the creative tools, strength, alignment, and endurance to move with meaning, elegance, and style. Classes are taught by Lucille Dyer and include teachings of masters of movement, ballet, and expression: Pilates, Delsarte, Balanchine, Vagonova, Laban, and Bartenieff for balance and harmony in the mind, heart, and body. Saturdays: 11:00am-12:15pm. Ballet or soft jazz shoes recommended.
Integrate thinking, emotion, creation, and
physicality, and what do you get?
For the most consistent personal and professional development, regular attendance is recommended, though periodic 'drop-ins' are welcome! Every class is different, and throughout the course of this class we explore:
- Somatic Awareness
- Space Harmony: The Laban Frameworks
- The Question of Meaning
- Fundamentals of the Delsarte System of Expression
- Movement Notation
- Ballet Basics
- Modern Dance Technique, Improvisation & Choreographic forms
Adult Ballet
Ballet Barre and Pilates I and II Experience elegance, personal growth and fun while shaping, toning, and aligning your body to move with ease and grace. Perfect for beginning-level students, our classes draw upon the wisdom, traditions, and the feeling of inner beauty of classical dance for good health and a balanced physique. One of the best ways to condition the body for any eventuality, this class draws upon the wisdom and traditions of dancers for a balanced physique.
Energizing Dance and Open Floor Movement Classes
Modern Dance Technique and Improvisation
The Modern Dance Program aims to provide a rewarding modern dance experience with dance phrases which explore movement with ease and specificity while still challenging the dancer's technical strength.
Marly Schneider will teach a Modern Dance starting Wednesday, February 8, 5:15-6:45pm. It is an intermediate to advanced technique class which incorporates a lot of improvisation and choreographic experimentation.
Tai Chi Foundations with Payton Swick:
Ever thought about trying Tai Chi? If you've ever taken a class, you may have found a lot of choreography with a form that is long and complicated. While this style of teaching is useful, it often postpones answering the question of why you're going through all that work in the first place.
Payton Swick is teaching a new Tai Chi class, and would love to show you how Tai Chi is about much more than performing a set of moves and how it can have a direct influence on your every activity.
In the course of the session, you will learn the eight movement foundational postures of Wu Tai Chi. These postures are a container for the Neigong principles that develop internal power and relaxation and can be used for many different purposes.
No previous experience is required. See www.greenleaftaichi.com for more information and call Burlington Dances: 802 863.3369 to sign up!
About the instructor: Payton Swick has trained extensively in the Wu Style of Tai Chi Chuan and Energy Gates Qigong. He started Green Leaf Tai Chi to focus on making the underlying principles of these arts accessible and applicable to the daily activities of the casual student. He is an Energy Arts certified instructor.
This 8-Week Session Mondays, Jan. 9 — Feb. 27, 6:45-8pm
Sliding scale: $10-$20 / session. New beginning students welcome until Jan. 16, and then again for the next session starting in March.
Belly Dance with Gail McKenzie:
Experience the movement, music, and tradition of Modern Egyptian belly dance, along with contemporary interpretations of this ancient dance form. (1 Hour)
Tuesdays in February, 6:45-8:00PM
$14 single class. Drop-ins and beginners welcome.
TangoFlow® with Cathy Salmons:
Explore the energy, sensuality and passion of Argentine Tango . . . while getting a great whole-body workout! Rhythmic, expressive, sweaty and FUN! No partner needed.. Drop-in for classes ... call for more info — we are happy to help!
Wednesdays in February, 7:00-8:00pm
$12 single class. Drop-ins and beginners welcome.
Natural Bodies Pilates
Pilates Circuit Class, Fun with variety and all the benefits every body loves! Designed the way Joe Pilates built it, this class includes Mat, Cadillac, Reformer, and Standing Weight Bearing and Coordination exercises essential for body, mind, and heart. Classes are limited to six students, so you get the attention you need to know you are doing the exercises for the most benefit! Good Health, Happy Body, Great Prices! (55-minutes)
Prime Time for Seniors: Support muscle mass, balance, flexibility and independence with essential full body exercise for health and wellness. Learn mat, seated, and standing versions of muscle building Pilates exercises you can do at home. Designed for ages 50 Plus, and everyone is invited! (55-minutes)
Pilates Mat (Open Level): The 55-Minute Mat class is a series of strength and flexibility exercises practiced on a mat - mostly lying or rolling on the back, side, or front of the body, with some standing exercise for balance and coordination. Sometimes we use stretch bands, light weights, or other portable equipment. Some of the exercises are similar to yoga or ballet stretches, and are more "movements" than "postures".
In addition to strength and flexibility the exercise relieves stress, promotes whole body health, restores awareness, and results in a general sense of well-being. These sessions include Basic, Level 1 and Intermediate Pilates Exercise (or Advanced, depending on the level of the class as a whole). Though not required, private introductory sessions are available with a certified Pilates instructor prior to joining a class, and many people feel that it is very helpful, especially to learn personalized modifications ($45). (55-minutes)
Reformer 1: Deepen your body-mind connection and enhance your coordination, flexibility, and strength in this combination of Reformer, Cadillac, and Mat exercises. Please note: An average of 3 private sessions are required prior to joining Reformer classes. These sessions familiarize students with the equipment and the Classical Format Pilates sessions. (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Reformer All Level, with Lucille Dyer. Taught to the level of those attending the class, the exercises include both fundamental building blocks for deeper awareness and a relaxed inner approach, to preparations for advancing students into classes with more demanding challenges. (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Reformer 2, with Lucille Dyer. Enjoy the benefits of challenging exercises that advance strength, coordination, balance, and lung capacity. (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5 (Special 2-Session Private Package rate available to prepare for this level)
Reformer 3, with Lucille Dyer. This class will return to the schedule in May! Get ready! Challenge your whole-body endurance, mental focus, timing, efficiency, balance, and coordination with advanced exercises in Classical Pilates. (Special 2-3 Session Private Package rate available to prepare for these challenging and advanced Mat, Cadillac, and Reformer exercises). (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Mat & Cadillac Combination: Challenge your strength and coordination with Classical Pilates Mat exercises combined with the 'Half-Cadillac' (tower) at the head of the Reformer. Allows greater control for some exercises, and more challenge in others. A basic familiarity with Level 1 Mat exercises and studio safety guidelines required prior to registering for this class. (55-minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Yoga
Morning Yoga for the Spine
Join Sila Rood for an exceptional start to the day by building an internal fire through Kundalini, breathing, and Vinyasa. Set your intentions and carry this heat with you throughout the day as fuel for your journey. Sila’s classes are designed to awaken the serpent spine. Support your spine through a series of exercises designed to strengthen the core and teach the body to move and undulate naturally, in its animal form. We will recognize the blockages in our energy that cause pain and stagnation. Pay close attention to our body habits and posture in a safe environment, and give love to those places in our body that we so often neglect.
Slow Yoga: with Jill Mason
Slow Yoga is a great tool for slowing down in a sped-up world and for deepening your practice. In addition to increasing strength, balance, and flexibility, it gives you time...
- to explore what feels best as you go into a pose
- to notice what’s going on in your body and make adjustments
- to allow your muscles to relax and gravity to do its work
- to find your own best expression of each pose in the moment
These classes are designed particularly for people age 50 and up, but everyone is welcome.
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:45am: starts Jan. 24, ongoing.
$14 Single class
$12 on the Take Any Class card (10 Class card available for "Yoga Only" students, $120).
Past offerings scheduled to return - let us know if you are interested in teaching or taking classes such as these!
Morning Mindful Vinyasa Yoga with Sarah Austin.
Explore the connections of all the different layers of being through a mindful Vinyasa flow practice. This class pulls from several yogic practices to allow participants the opportunity to be mindful of how we can take what we learn on our mats into everyday life. At any level of practice, this class can help guide beginners as well as experienced yogis as we collectively expand our awareness.
Restorative Yoga with Julie Peoples-Clark. Restore and renew, and promote deep restful sleep.
Enjoy the early evening light and resonant sound in this calm and peaceful studio. Restorative Yoga sessions restore and renew, promoting deep and restful sleep. Purify, align, reduce stress and improve energy while connecting to your inner self. Julie guides students through a series of physical postures, breathing, and relaxation to bring a state of balance within.
CardioBLAST! with Vanessa Ament. This high intensity fitness class will get your heart rate going in addition to toning your body with high repetition low weight exercises, all to the rhythm of upbeat tunes to keep you motivated! It's a great way to get in shape while having a BLAST!(60 minutes)
Modern Dance Technique and Improvisation
The Modern Dance Program aims to provide a rewarding modern dance experience with dance phrases which explore movement with ease and specificity while still challenging the dancer's technical strength.
Foundations of Modern Dance: Explore, define, observe and refine how you move your body. Appreciate the Language of Dance through a combination of Modern Dance warm-ups, somatic awareness practices, guided improvisation, and fundamentals of Dance Notation. Learn about the techniques of the early Modern Dancers, and apply them to the development of your personal choreographic process. Designed for ages 14 to adult, this class is fun, informative and creative, and helps to build confidence as a dancer and choreographer.
Adaptive Yoga Designed for adults with varying abilities, this class adapts the practice of yoga with appropriate support, adjustments and transitions while allowing for the practice of breath, alignment, and relaxation. Continuing students; to better help us prepare for your classes, please let us know when you are planning to attend. New students: Please call to reserve your space in class, and arrive early to register. (1-hour, 15 minutes) Maximum class size: 8.
The Art of Hoop Dance with Sam Resnicow, the Hoop Master from the International Competitions Hooping Idol. "Join us as we connect body and mind, transforming a childhood toy into an instrument of flow and movement."
Great for all ages and open to all levels!
Kids are welcome in this class: Parents, use your judgment about appropriate age and coordination - it looks like kids as young as seven or eight would have a lot of fun! Hula Hoops are provided during class!
Life at Play with Zubin Mistri:
- Balance work life with fun and play
- Connect with your creative and expressive body
- Relax and Reenergize through playful fun
- Feel more freedom and confidence to express creatively and spontaneously
- Practice being present to your life with an open mind
- Bring your introverted self out into community in a safe and welcoming space
Improvisational acting requires us to be in our bodies, let go of the critical mind, and say yes to the unknown. In this class we'll use games from theatrical improvisation to help us live with more aliveness and freedom, and to learn something about ourselves along the way. We'll create a safe atmosphere that encourages fear to transform into laughter, and creative impulse to move to expression without inhibition. You don't need to be an actor. And introverts are especially welcome!
Most of our classes are designed for generally healthy students with no chronic bone, joint or health issues or current injuries. Private sessions designed to teach practice of safe modifications are highly recommended, and in most cases may be required for students with these concerns. Some students may be asked to provide a "Physician's Clearance" (recommendations and/or specific limitations) provided by their primary care physician or physical therapist prior to beginning any session.