Shree Signature Therapeutic Yoga Classes

Gentle Therapeutic Yoga

Our unique approach: Gentle Therapeutic Yoga is a class where people in almost any physical condition can move and do yoga safely. Geared towards those who need a very gentle yoga practice including seniors, people with physical challenges, cancer patients and survivors, and anyone looking for a careful and sensitive approach, these small classes include: gentle yoga poses, breathing, and stretching, as well as supported yoga poses done with a therapeutic approach that open the joints and safely stretch muscles, while also building strength. Our teachers are highly trained and will personally attend to each student’s individual needs.

If you thought you could never do yoga, this class will work for you. We welcome you in whatever physical condition you may be in and look forward to working with you. Call ahead if you’d like to discuss your situation with us before class: 201-822-1131.  A number of local chiropractors highly recommend our studio and this class was recently mentioned in the Bergen Record.

Restorative Yoga & Meditation

You will leave class with a sense of deep relaxation and calm on every level and with a feeling of balance in your mind and body.

Have you been wanting to learn to meditate? Do you want to release stress?  Then this approach is for you.  It is by far our gentlest class and specifically designed for those who wish to find healing and recovery physically and emotionally, and to learn to release chronic tension and stress.  It includes: slow gentle stretching, breathing exercises, and restorative yoga poses in which the body is supported with blankets and bolsters for deep relaxation, and finishes with a period of guided seated meditation.  The focus of this class is to create an experience for you of deep relaxation and mindfulness.  No prior meditation or yoga experience needed.

Yoga for Strong Bones

“Forty-four million Americans suffer from low bone mass. Osteoporosis leads to painful fractures due to loss of bone mass; yoga strengthens bones without endangering joints: it stands to reason that yoga is the perfect therapy for osteoporosis. Drugs and surgeries can alleviate pain, but study after study has shown that exercise is the best treatment, specifically low-impact, bone-strengthening exercises―hence, yoga.” (Yoga for Osteoporosis by Fishman MD and Saltonstall)

This class teaches poses to strengthen bones, improves bone quality and increase bone mass. Studies show that with consistent careful yoga practice, Osteoporosis can be arrested and even reversed.  Even 10 seconds in a yoga pose can help trigger chemicals in the body that build bone mass.  With yoga, you can protect and lubricate your joints safely for an increased range of motion while building strong bones.  Let’s halt the aging process, and strengthen your bones while you are healthy and mobile.

If you are concerned about your bones and would also like to reduce stress and move with more freedom, this slow therapeutic class is for you.

Chair Yoga

In this class we will do modified gentle yoga poses while seated, standing and supported by a chair. The chair helps make yoga accessible to most people.  With the support of a chair, students can do versions of twists, hip stretches, standing poses, forward bends, and mild backbends. Students will build strength and stamina which may improve their overall balance.

In addition to a good stretch, chair yoga participants can also enjoy other health benefits of yoga, including improved muscle tone, better breathing habits, reduction of stress, improved proprioception, better sleep, and a sense of well-being.

Chair Yoga Plus

In addition to a good stretch, chair yoga plus participants can also enjoy other health benefits of yoga, including improved muscle tone, better breathing habits, reduction of stress, improved proprioception, better sleep, and a sense of well-being.

Yoga for a Healthy Back

Focusing on the development of posture, balance and body alignment and a strong, deep inner core, you will be guided through specific yoga poses that can lengthen your spine, stretch and strengthen your muscles, and help return your back to its proper alignment. Did you know that most back pain is related to postural issues?  We’ll use time tested principals of alignment to help you learn how to better align your body and avoid the onset of posture related pain. 

Benefits you can expect:

• Muscle strengthening 
• Increased flexibility and ability to relax
• Better posture, balance, and body alignment
• Increased body awareness: understanding of your physical limits, and motions you should avoid

Gentle Pilates Mat Class

Gentle Pilates:  Pilates can be taught as a method of gentle exercises that helps strengthen, stretch and bring balance to the body.  In this class you will be taught precise, purposeful, slow strengthening movements.  Our goal is to strengthen core muscles, increase stability and balance, increase flexibility and improve posture.  We welcome students who have challenges including injuries, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, or are recovering from surgery or an accident.

Whitney Speer is certified a Pilates instructor, studying under the late Romana Kryzanowska, and has been teaching Pilates for 18 years.  She has further certifications for the Pink Ribbon Program (for Breast Cancer recovery) and Westside Dance Physical Therapy’s Rehabilitation program. If you have questions about the suitability of your situation to this class, you can email Whitney at: essentialmovement@msn.com

This class is designed to make you feel better and facilitate your fitness goals.

Click here for schedule

Radical Rest: Restorative Yoga by Candlelight

Join our resident restorative yoga expert, Karon Shovers, for a monthly Friday evening “slow down and recharge” Restorative Yoga practice.  Take time and refresh your energy and your attitude with a mix of gentle stretches, supported postures, breathing and meditation.  Karon will guide you through a series of restorative yoga poses, using bolsters, blankets and belts.  Each pose will be held to encourage a safe, deep opening and a soothing release by candlelight.  See the workshops link for dates and times.  Bring your yoga mat and an eye pillow if you have one.

This class will calm and energize organs and muscles and heal the effects of chronic stress, leaving you with a greater sense of well-being, deep relaxation and balance. 

Click here for schedule.  Reservations required.

Ageless Grace Chair Class for Cognitive Health

Practiced while seated in a chair, Ageless Grace is a cutting-edge brain fitness program based on neuroplasticity that activates all 5 functions of the brain – analytical, strategic, kinesthetic learning, memory/recall, creativity and imagination – and simultaneously addresses all 21 physical skills needed for lifelong optimal function. The program consists of 21 simple exercise Tools designed for all ages and abilities. These exercises, based on everyday movements that are natural and organic, focus on the healthy longevity of the body and mind set to great music.

The 21 Tools have creative, imaginative names, so they are easy to remember. They are simple to do at home. The movements are designed to be performed seated in a chair, yet they can be done on a bed, standing near or behind a chair, down on the floor, or standing. Almost anyone can do them, regardless of most physical conditions.

It’s never too late to begin. It’s never too early to start! ™  If you’re looking to enhance brain function and physical movement, balance and mobility while having fun, give this new class a try. Read more about Ageless Grace here.