YogaFit RYT-200 & ACE Certified Personal Trainer
R-CYAT Registered Christian Yoga Association Trainer
KATHY SCHICK
YogaFit RYT-200
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
BA Psychology Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids MI
R-CYAT Registered Christian Yoga Association Trainer
I became an ACE certified personal trainer in 2010 and have loved the opportunity to inspire others and teach in both personal and group class settings. In 2013 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the experience left me with a mild symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. I tried yoga for the first time, and was shocked at how different yoga was from any physical activity I had experienced. Yoga is the only form of physical fitness that activates the parasympathetic nervous system. I had been living a life that required me to constantly throw myself into high energy states, living too often in fight-or-flight. Yoga not only brought me into balance and increased my flexibility, but it strengthened my body in a new and different way. I experienced first hand the benefits of proper breathing, and the increased ability to focus has brought me to a place of living life so much more "on purpose". Each individual has their own, unique path to follow. I've discovered my own eclectic style of teaching that incorporates a variety yoga styles. I hope you'll check out my classes, and I'll even give you your first class free.
ABOUT OUR CLASSES
Our class list includes a range of levels and techniques that are both dynamic and meditative, letting you move your body as well as still the mind.
Worship Vinyasa Flow
Mondays 6pm-6:45pm
• Summer Session: *No Evening Classes
• Fall Session: August 31 -October 5
• Holiday Session: Nov 2 - Dec 14
Worship Vinyasa pairs Vinyasa yoga flows with upbeat Christian worship music. Kick your week off with this 45 minute joyful flow that will keep you moving throughout most of the practice. The vinyasa style of yoga is a sequences of movements we refer to as "flows" that are repeated while holding poses for no more than 3-5 breaths. Vinyasa is particularly good at flushing out the lymphatic system to strengthen immunity, in addition to boosting the mood, improving flexibility, improving circulation to the heart and surrounding muscles, and improving balance. This class will increase core stability through sequential flows that include side bends, backbends, planks, and twists. Participants will be reminded to power from the core as we move from pose to pose - and I hope my voice reminders will start to ring through our head as move move through the rest of our day as reminders to engage the core with all movement. Time will also be spent improving balance and proprioception (ability to move in space through our sense of location- aka, how we walk forward without watching our feet.) Worship Vinyasa is an energetic way to kick off the week; you'll relieve joint stiffness and sleep better- and set your mind on things above before encountering whatever life hits you with in the upcoming days. Click here to view my background & education
Prayer & Pose Gentle Flow
Thursdays 8:15am-9am
• Summer Session: June 1 -July 27
• Fall Session: August 31 -October 5
• Holiday Session: Nov 2 - Dec 14
Prayer & Pose is a full yoga session with prompts for prayers of gratitude, praise, confession, and stillness. The practice consists of gentle flows then moves into restorative or yin poses and deeper stretching. Draw near to God with heart, soul, and body in this meditative flow. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Class begins with a Christian meditation. The Yin style of yoga targets deep connective tissues such as the joints, ligaments, and fascia as we find sensations of lengthening or rotating and hold for long periods of time. These long holds not only increase flexibility but allow for extra attention to breath and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system causing a release of tension and stress, plus increased ability to focus. Restorative poses are similar to yin because we hold them a long time, but sensations we reach for are more about letting go and allowing props to do the work. Restorative yoga lowers cortisol levels, blood pressure, and helps adrenal glands function properly. It balances hormonal levels assisting women with pregnancy, menstration, and menopause. Studies show restorative yoga to better assist with fat loss than more vigorous forms because when the cortisol in the body is lowered, the amount of glucose being created in the body decreases. Glucose creates fat, especially belly fat, which can lead to other diseases as well. (Restorative yoga for Life, Grossman 2015) Click here to view my statement of faith
