My role as a yoga teacher, is to shine a light where it is needed, and to help to unveil the truth. We practice this mindfulness on our yoga mats, and hopefully it spills over into our daily lives. Today, I am writing this in order to shine a light on your local Auburn Hills Community Center; to reveal one of our community’s hidden gems: Community Yoga. Our yoga class is so much more than just an exercise or a yoga class; it is an integral piece of the Auburn Hills Parks and Recreation mission:
“Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Auburn Hills by providing quality parks and recreation opportunities with a variety of year-round programs, special events and facilities for people of all ages and abilities.”
Our yoga classes embrace this mission. Our small, but growing yoga community exists to improve the quality of your life. This healthy, life-enhancing opportunity is available to all, whatever your age or ability. We are friendly and fun! Our classes are offered year-round. All you have to do is show up to benefit!
As a teacher who has taught in many settings, including studios; if I am completely honest, I have to say that teaching a Community Center yoga class is the most rewarding. I get to meet the nicest people that I may not have otherwise met; it’s like teaching a roomful of my next-door neighbors. The Community Center staff are neighborly too; and will do absolutely anything to help me or my students.
The one and only downside of Community Yoga is the eye rolls I sometimes get when a yoga person asks me where I teach, and I inform them that I am a Community Center yoga teacher. I know my students have probably encountered the same misconceptions, as if a Community Center teacher or the class, is somehow something “less”. I am hoping this article will help to dispel this myth.
True, my Community Center yoga room is not specifically designed for yoga; it doesn’t have bamboo floors, yoga-themed decor, nor is it filled with incense. We use a multi-purpose room, that is clean, spacious and beautiful. Come and see it for yourself! It is an awesome space. For that magical hour, I transform it into a yoga paradise, complete with yoga props, candles, music and singing bowls.
Our yoga students may not walk in sporting the latest in yoga fashion; they more likely dress in comfortable sweats, leggings, pants or shorts. We like to be comfortable!
Our friendly class has a nice mix of ages and backgrounds. I would love to see our class become even more reflective of our very diverse community. All are seeking the same restorative, relaxing, health-enhancing, self-care experience as any other yoga student anywhere. I make sure that I provide that experience! To receive this “yoga magic”, all you need to do is to show up and participate, according to your abilities. Everyone is truly welcomed. We would love to have you here with us!
If you are apprehensive about trying a Yoga class, you may discover the Community Center classes can be less intimidating than studio classes. You can always drop in or even ask to observe a class before signing up. Our class fees are very reasonable. There’s no pressure to purchase an expensive package and no membership needed. Whether or not you are a resident of Auburn Hills, you are welcome to take a class. Our yoga class fee structure is truly a “perk” of residing in Auburn Hills. Non-residents pay a little bit more to take our classes. Registration is also easy! You can register in person at the front desk at the Community Center, or online at the Auburn Hills website: http://auburnhills.org/departments/parks_and_recreation/recreational_programs/index.php
If cost is an issue, please do contact the Auburn Hills Parks and Recreation Department, to inquire whether there are currently any scholarship opportunities available.
Our Community Center also offers several opportunities each year to participate in free pop-up classes and events where we collect donations to benefit more needy members of our community. We often collect books for Rogers Elementary School and we collect hats, gloves and scarves for those who need warmth in the winter.
Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned yogi; we welcome you to join us! Our Fall 2 session begins the week of November 4th. So…what are you waiting for?!
In selecting a yoga teacher, your Auburn Hills Parks and Recreation department has your back. They verify our experience, certifications, licensing and do a thorough background check. However, this is only one part of it. It is important to understand what kind of yoga class your prospective teacher offers and how much training and teaching experience your teacher has. Personal referrals are also quite helpful, so be sure to ask if you can speak to someone who has taken one of our classes!
Yoga Alliance is yet another resource. It is a national, professional registry where you can view information and credentials regarding your prospective teachers. Your yoga teacher should have a Yoga Certification, and should also be registered with Yoga Alliance; as this also documents teaching and training experience. There are yoga certifications out there where a teacher can get certified in a weekend course, so not all yoga certifications are created equal or provide the same level of training.
Here is the Yoga Alliance link to Find A Teacher : https://www.yogaalliance.org/Directory?Type=Teacher
If you search for me, Lisa Calice, it will provide my certification level and Yoga Alliance designation:
E-RYT® 200, YACEP® First Registered – June 2006
This means I am a Yoga Teacher with a 200 hour certification and beyond that, I have obtained my Experienced Yoga Teacher designation, and am a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. I have well over 2,000 hours of teaching experience. I teach Eischens Yoga and YogaMedics Yoga. Both are alignment based, and tend to be slower moving, gentle and yet challenging. I recently attended another 200 hour certification course with YogaMedics, allowing me to obtain more skills in working with and modifying for injuries or illness. Other related skills and training are: Silver Sneakers Yoga Certification, Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Certification and Chair Yoga Training.
You may wonder, what is a typical class like? We typically begin and end in a supported restorative pose. This is usually accomplished in a reclining pose, but can easily be adapted into a seated pose. We practice a series of poses that include some supine (on your back), prone (on your stomach or hands and knees), standing and seated. Any of these options can be easily be modified to accommodate your needs. If you come to a class, you will see students doing just that!
It’s all about community! You can support our mission by joining us. Your participation in our class offerings and willingness to “shop local” also helps to support the livelihood of your friends and neighbors who work for the Auburn Hills Parks and Recreation Department, so that we can continue to offer more fantastic life-enhancing services! Together we can make our community an even more amazing place to live and work!
Sincerely,
Lisa Calice E-RYT 200
Can you even believe it? I’ve been teaching yoga since 2003! I can say with complete sincerity that I believe this is my life’s work. More than anything, I love helping people feel better. I am fascinated with the healing process. I am encouraged and grateful for the sense of community in the places that I teach.
Life with Lisa Yogini 