Hello

Sunday morning Yoga class will start this Sunday November 2^nd 9:30-12:00. As in past years we will have a general theme to explore with our practice and this year we will be exploring “Opening the Heart and Mind” .  The class includes opening reflection and intention, half hour of warm up, an hour of asana practice, 20 minutes of deep relaxation practice, followed by pranayama, meditation and closing intention and dedication of practice. As always, these classes are offered out of generosity for the benefit of all who wish to attend. Donations out of generosity (Dana) are welcomed to sustain the facility.

I look forward to sharing this time with you.

Cheers,

Bill

Please note the following changes: There will be NO class this Thursday August 14th at 5:00 pm and the Monday morning classes at 9:00 have been discontinued for the rest of the summer.

Stay tuned for Wendy’s fall schedule … :):):)

Pregnancy, Childbirth & Parenting … Moment to Moment

Parenting begins from the moment of conception and childbirth is a milestone: an opportunity to draw on inner resources to experience this time as it is.

This is a prenatal class with a difference.  While the basics covered in traditional prenatal classes are the foundation, mind-body tools are central themes in this practical and experiential series.

The 4-week series includes the following components:

1. Stress response and its impact on pregnancy; birth and parenting; the nature of the “contraction”
2. Stages and phases of labor, pain management options
3. Traditional medical options (including C-section birth)
4. Postpartum recovery and newborn care

Comfort measures will be practiced each class and will include: breathing for “contractions”,  a guided relaxation strategy / labor technique, and mindful movement and labor postures.

This program is offered by Shelley Langmaid, a mother of three children who has been teaching childbirth classes in the Fredericton community since 2000.  Since she began obstetrical training as part of her education at the Bathurst School of Nursing (1993-1995), Shelley has had a particular passion for family centered, holistic care. She received a Bachelor of Nursing degree from UNB Fredericton (2001).  Shelley was certified in 2003 as a childbirth educator by the Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association (CAPPA)  and has been a member of the CAPPA Canada faculty since 2007.  Shelley is also a certified Roots of Empathy instructor and goes into schools with parents and their infants to teach school-age children emotional literacy. A long-time yoga practitioner, Shelley has also undergone training in yoga postures for pregnancy. She is currently enrolled in the on-line Mindful Motherhood professional training course offered by the Institute of Noetic Sciences.  This research-based course teaches families simple mind-body coping strategies for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.  Shelley’s overall education and experience reflect her passion for parenthood and empowerment.

This program will begin Friday May 16th and run weekly for four weeks ending June 6th.  Each session is 2.5 hours from 6:30-9:00 and there will be an optional 5th session specifically oriented to parenting.

As with all Iris Center programs and yoga, this program is offered on a dana or generosity basis, the teacher providing the service and teaching out of her own generosity for the benefit of all.  This program will have a base registration fee of $120 to cover the core operational costs and there will be opportunity for bursary assistance for those unable to meet the base fee. Your generous gift over the base fee is welcomed at the end of the program.

For more information or to register for the program please email Shelley at or call the Iris Center at 457-4747.

Please join us for our classes …

Tuesday a.m. 8:00-9:30   with Wendy

This practice is intended for women to bring balance to the body-mind-spirit and is  and suitable for all ages and bodies. The practice will include gentle, modifiable postures, Gi Gong, and flow and close with guided relaxation and meditation. Please be on time. Ending Dec. 17th and resuming in January.

Wednesday p.m. 6:45-8:15   with Karen Lenehan    March 12th, March 19th and March 26th;  and stay tuned to more classes with Karen later in the spring and summer.  🙂 ♥

Yin Yoga is a series of 14 exercises all done on the floor. Poses are held from 2-5 minutes to lengthen the connective tissues of the body. Lengthening denser tissues in a slow way allows us to achieve greater gains in flexibility than we would in regular Yoga classes. A slower practice allows our minds to slow down gaining greater relaxation and inner peace.

Thursday p.m. 5:00-6:30    Wendy

This practice is open to all and is intended to bring balance to the body-mind-spirit through  gentle, modifiable postures, Gi Gong, flow, guided relaxation and meditation. Please be on time. Ending Dec. 19th. and resume with new schedule in January.

Please Note: The above are all walk-in classes so no registration is required. Please arrive on time, park in the rear parking lot of the Iris Center and enter from the side door.

Sunday 9:30 -12:00 (starting November 10th) with Bill

As in the past, this is an eclectic mindfulness oriented yoga intended to provided an exploration of our physical, energetic, psychoemotional, mental and spiritual domains.  Classes are on Sunday morning from 9:30-12:00 and flow through opening centering and intention setting, to warm-up, asana, relaxation, integrative pranayama, meditation and closing dedication and intentions for daily living off the mat. All levels of experience welcome. This year we will focus on the basics of yoga in all its dimensions and work predominantly with an exploration of what might be possible.

Since this is an ongoing class and exploration regular attendance rather than drop in is encouraged and please leave an email contact so we can let you know of any unplanned changes or cancelations. Classes will end Dec. 15th and resume in January.

Please Note:  With all our classes, the teaching is offered freely for the benefit of all. Gratitude and generosity are wonderful gifts to yourself so donations (Dana) to support the offering of the teachings to others are graciously welcomed.

Several people have expressed an interest in coming together as a community of practitioners of Mindfulness – Insight – Meditation to enrich our living.  The Iris Center is pleased to offer our space for this opportunity and invite any who might be interested to come join us the first Sunday each month from 7:00-8:00 p.m. starting January 5th, 2014.  At the each session we will introduce ourselves and have some discussion around peoples’ interests and then spend some time in meditation together. The following structure for the practice will be (loosely) followed:

• Choosing of “Time Keeper” followed by Grounding/Centering practice
• Introductions and expressions of interests
• 20 minutes meditation
• 10 minutes movement meditation (walking, Yoga, Tai Chi, Gi Gong etc.)
• 20 minutes meditation
• Reflection & conversation

You might find the information on meditation provided by Tara Brach useful in your practice http://www.tarabrach.com/HowToMeditateForPDF.pdf

We are located at 160 Sunset Dr. on the river side of the street opposite Dramen Street.  Please park at the back and come in the door at the far end of the building.

All classes are in the studio on the lower level.  Please park in the parking lot behind the building and enter through the door at the end of  the building under the deck.  Mats, blankets, pillows and bolsters are provided. For directions and contact information, click here

Sunday morning Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation with Bill will start up post Christmas break Sunday January 5th from 9:30-12:00.  As in past years this is a continuous exploration of one or two themes from Fall through until the end of June.  If you are interested please call the Iris Center at 457-4747 to inquire. All classes are by donation, that is, Bill offers the teachings out of generousity and invites you to contibute out of generosity to enable others to recieve the teachings too.

Please check-in with the What’s New blog periodically for updates, schedule changes etc.

Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation with Wendy

Tuesday Morning Class  will start up post Christmas-New Year’s break on Tuesday January 14th 8:00 -9:30 a.m.

Thursday Evening Class will start again on Thursday January 16th 5:00-6:00 p.m.

All classes are by donation, that is, Wendy offers the teachings out of generousity and invites you to contibute out of generosity to enable others to recieve the teachings too.

Hi All,

I am cancelling yoga for tomorrow Friday June 21st and Tuesday June 25th. Also, I will be away next weekend so there will be no class Friday June 28th.

A new summer schedule will start July 2nd outside under the tent down by the pond!

This practice is intended for women to bring balance to the body-mind-spirit and is  and suitable for all ages and bodies. The practice will include gentle, modifiable postures, Gi Gong, and flow and close with guided relaxation and meditation. Please be on time.

As with all our classes, the teaching is offered freely for the benefit of all; donations (Dana) accepted to support the offering of the teachings to others.

This is a walk-in class so no registration is required. Please arrive on time, park in the rear parking lot of the Iris Center and over the summer depending on the weather, classes will take place outside on the yoga deck under the tent down by the pond, so please dress accordingly. :>)

I am wondering if a class at 9 or 10 am would interest anybody? or even an afternoon or evening class!?

I would love to hear from you …

Thank you Goddesses!

Love ,
Wendy

Please see this poster for details of this Ceremony celebrating the gifts of Water and River being held at the Iris Center on the lunar eclipse May 25, 2013.  The Iris Center is honored to co-host this event and looks forward to your participation in sharing our gratitude for Water and the gifts of life it brings.

Thank You to all who attended, despite the cold and rain we had a wonderful ceremony and celebration. … And we did get the stuck truck out of the mud! :):):)

Hear the peepers now 003_C_012_Dr. William A Cook_Spring peepers_2013_05_01