FITNESS
BENEFITS OF YOGA: 7 REASONS TO TAKE A YOGA CLASS! 1. Increase flexibility and reduce back pain: Tight muscles can restrict joints. As we stretch muscles and move our joints, fresh nutrients flow more freely throughout the body. 2. Increase bone density and health: Weight bearing postures for the arms and legs strengthens bones, and can help reduce osteoporosis. 3. Increase circulation and blood flow: Whether you build heat through sustaining postures or get the heart pumping through faster cardiovascular movement, yoga gets your blood flowing. In addition, relaxation helps relax the nervous system thereby increasing circulation, while breath work brings oxygen to your cells, which helps them function more efficiently. 4. Activate the lymph and bolster the immune system: Yoga movements aid in draining the lymphatic system, allowing it to better fight inflection, fight diseased cells, and rid toxic waste in the body. 5. Improve balance: Regular yoga practice increases your body awareness of how you move through space. Balancing postures help to focus your mind and your breath, and pulls your awareness down into the earth. This could translate into fewer falls, and more ease of movement with aging. 6. Calm the nervous system/ reduce stress/ better sleep: Stimulation in our modern society can stress our nervous system. Yoga and meditation encourage turning inward to take a break from constant stimuli, providing much needed downtime for the nervous system to recalibrate and in turn create an environment for better sleep. 7. Increase a sense of peace and joy: The ancient yogi’s practiced breath work to calm the mind, and feel more connected to the present moment. Did they know the secrets to a more happy life?
MEET THE TRAINERS
Paula Hanke Paula received her Yoga certification in Spectrum yoga, with an Advanced 500 hr Certification in Kripalu Yoga in 2005. Her classes are well rounded with a focus on breath work, stretching, yoga postures and flow. Paula gives attention to detail while offering variations for all levels of practice.
Grayson Cooper Grayson is from Greenville, South Carolina and graduated from Anderson University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. She has worked for Prisma Health Upstate as The Life Center Conditioning Specialist in addition she is a CrossFit Level One, Beast Mode Instructor and has offered a wide range of programs at the Eastside & Caine Halter Family YMCA. She will be continuing the HITT training class here at CCA in addition to offering personal training sessions. In her free time she loves to compete in CrossFit and spend time with her husband and dog. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and is excited to help you reach your fitness goals!
THE HICKORY STICK
STRETCH & BREATHE A Valentine’s Gift to yourself! February 5, 12, 19, & 26 8:30am-9:30am A 60 minute yoga class focusing on stretching and breathing exercises with the opportunity to hold the poses for longer periods of time than our regular classes. $15 for drop/in or $50 for a 4 week series. Registration is required and can be done online.
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