Archive for Studio News
Summer Yoga Deals
SUMMER DEALS
Summer tends to be a season of relaxed schedules, road trips, camping and special time spent outside—-walks in the evening after supper, playing out on the lawn late into the night because it is still light out and it is easy to fall out of the routine of your yoga practice.
This summer, we want to help you keep your commitment to your practice by offering awesome deals on unlimited yoga. Our studio is kept to a comfortable temperature with air conditioning and you will enjoy taking an hour out of the sun to refresh mind, body and spirit. Our discounted unlimited yoga packages are valid for ALL classes on the drop-in schedule as space permits. As space is limited in classes, we suggest that you enroll in classes online. This will also help you make and keep your commitment to yoga.
Please note that the schedule is not, in any way, guaranteed. Individual instructors will take vacation time and may miss one or more weeks of a class. Some classes currently on the schedule will not be held over the summer. The studio will be closed for holidays. It is important that, if you wish to take full advantage of these packages, you think that you will take a minimum of 10-classes over the summer and that you are somewhat flexible about which classes you take. If not, then even though this is a great deal, it may not be the deal for you. Absolutely NO REFUNDS and NO EXTENSIONS and packages are not transferable. There are no exceptions to this. No other discounts, coupons or offers apply to these special packages.
Unlimited Yoga from June 1 through August 2012
Purchased before April 1, 2012 $80
Purchased before May 1, 2012 $100
Purchased before June 1, 2012 $125
Purchase your SUMMER UNLIMITED package today HERE.
In addition, we also know that you may drift from your regular practice even if you take advantage of one of the great deals on unlimited yoga listed above. So, we’d like to offer a special unlimited package for September that you invest in now so you can return in September without breaking the bank.
Unlimited Yoga in September 2012
Purchased before April 1, 2012 $35
Purchased before May 1, 2012 $45
Purchased before June 1, 2012 $55
Purchased before July 1, 2012 $75
Spread the word to all your yogi and yogini friends! The more the merrier this summer at The Mat. If you are leaving Pittsburgh for the summer, then we’ll see you in September!
Purchase your BACK TO SCHOOL/UNLIMITED SEPTEMBER 2012 package HERE.
Matrika Prenatal Teacher Training
Yoga Matrika is a Registered School with Yoga Alliance and graduates of our 100-hour Matrika Prenatal Teacher Training Program are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as an R-PYT (you must be at least a 200-hour RYT before you can obtain this specialty registration).
Not able or interested in making the 100-hour commitment? Yoga Matrika also offers an online course that carries 30 CEU credits. Anyone, anywhere can take this course as long as you have internet access and a computer. Study when you can and as you can. With each tuition payment, you get one year of access to the online course—so take your time!
100-Hour Matrika Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training
Features:
- hybrid course combines a unique online course component with five weekend training intensives
- program registered with Yoga Alliance so graduates who complete course and all requirements can register as R-PYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher)
- comprehensive course includes dynamic curriculum in yoga for fertility, yoga and exercise for pregnancy, postnatal yoga and mom and baby yoga
- embodied anatomy (over 18-hrs.) for fertility, pregnancy and infant development facilitated by Mark Chandlee Taylor
- curriculum includes social and cultural anthropological approach to theory, social criticism and the politics of reproduction
- flexible course schedule
- pay as you go for all course components
Curriculum:
- Matrika Yoga for Optimum Fertility: poses and sequencing for yoga classes and private sessions to support fertility
- Matrika Prenatal Yoga and Exercise: poses and sequencing for yoga classes for women in all phases of pregnancy
- Matrika Mom & Baby Yoga: poses and sequencing for yoga classes for moms to share with infants up to one year of age
- Skills for teaching deep relaxation, meditation and visualization for pregnancy
- Working with Students through Disappointment and Grief
- Anatomy of Fertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum
- Energetic Anatomy of Pregnancy: The Matrika
- Embodied anatomy of Infant Development
- Culture and Fertility, Pregnancy and Motherhood
- Ethics and Responsibilities
- Practicum
Who will benefit from this Course:
- Yoga instructors who wish to make working with women from fertility through pregnancy and beyond a specialty
- Yoga instructors who already work with women and infants who wish to professionalize their commitment to this specialty
- Doulas, massage therapists, alternative health care providers, labor and delivery nurses and other birth professionals who want to know how to incorporate yoga into their care of women and infants
- Experienced yoga practitioners who want to commit to learning more about yoga for fertility, pregnancy and postnatal moms while also learning about the cultural construction of health for women and children in the United States. (Please note that ONLY instructors who have their RYT status can register with Yoga Alliance with the R-PYT status. Without the 200-hour RYT registration, you can’t add this specialty.)
How to Sign Up:
Register for each component individually.
First, purchase the ONLINE COURSE ($500). You will purchase the online course from our online store and receive a password and registration instructions within one week. The online course is only available to a limited number of participants at any given time. Please register as soon as you are able to make a commitment. If the course is full, please send an e-mail to Sharon indicating your interest and you will be placed on the mailing list: sharon@yogamatrika.com. The online course is available for purchase now and can be accessed starting May 1, 2012. Your purchase gives you access to the online course for ONE YEAR from the date of purchase or May 1, 2012, whichever is the latter.
Second, register for weekend training intensives. Each weekend costs $325*. Each training intensive will be offered once a year. If you miss any weekend training intensive, you should plan on taking the training you are missing in the next year. While you have up to three-years to finish all the requirements, please be aware that Yoga Matrika is not able to guarantee that any individual training session will be offered in any year in the future.
2012-2013 Weekend Training Intensives Dates:
- Optimum Fertility Weekend: September 28-September 30 (Friday evening, Sat. & Sun.)
- Prenatal Yoga Weekend: November 3-November 4 (Saturday & Sunday)
- Mom & Baby Yoga Weekend: January 18-January 20 (Friday evening, Sat. & Sun.)
- The Matrika: Energetic Anatomy of Fertility, Pregnancy and Motherhood: April 13-April 14 (Sat. & Sun.)
- Teaching Practicum: June 1-June 2 (Sat. & Sun.)
*Tuition for weekend intensives includes the following meals (vegetarian) and snacks will be available at all sessions: 9/28 & 1/18 dinner and breakfast and lunch on all Saturday and Sunday training dates. If you have special dietary requirements, please let Sharon know at least 2-weeks before each training.
How to Obtain Continuing Education Credits and Proof of Graduation:
There are TWO different and separate processes for obtaining your Continuing Education Credits and for your Proof of Graduation that you will require if you wish to register with Yoga Alliance as an R-PYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher). You can apply for and obtain your CEU credits as soon as you finish the entire online course with the exception of the practicum requirements. In order to obtain proof of graduation, you must finish all of the training weekends, teach 30-classes (fertility, prenatal & postnatal all OK as long as you have a minimum of 5 prenatal and 5 mom & baby) and complete the practicum section of the online course. Sharon encourages all participants to obtain their CEU credits as soon as they finish the online course component so that, even if you do not complete the entire course, you get the full value from your investment in the online course.
30 CEU credits: How to Obtain Your CEU credit Certificate
You can earn 30 CEU credits by taking this online course (the Practicum section is not required for CEU credits) and by scheduling a minimum of one individual Skype sessions with Sharon Rudyk. After you have finished the entire online course, please e-mail Sharon to arrange for your SKYPE session(s): sharon@yogamatrika.com. After the session, you should send a letter with the following information:
1. Your name, as you wish for it to appear on your certificate
2. The address you wish the certificate to be mailed to
3. The e-mail address you wish for your certificate PDF to be sent to 4. A brief statement regarding your professional use of the course material
Please include a $20 certificate fee. Checks should be made out to: YOGA MATRIKA. Your certificate will be mailed to you within 14-days of the receipt of your letter and payment. Send your letter and payment to:
Sharon Rudyk Principal, Yoga Matrika 1406 S. Negley Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Please note that ONLY certified instructors can claim that they are teaching Matrika Prenatal or Matrika Mom & Baby classes. If you have taken this course for professional development and CEU credits, it is certainly appropriate for you to indicate that you have completed this course and invested in further training in this specialty area. You will not be able to say that you are certified to teach these specialty classes and you will not be able to register with Yoga Alliance as an R-PYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher). If you wish to be able to do these things, then please complete the requirements for certification as outlined below.
Requirements for Certification
Step I: Complete Online Course, including Quizzes and the Practicum Section (the completion of the Practicum includes teaching at least 30-classes of some combination of fertility, prenatal/min. 5 and postnatal/mom & baby yoga/min. 5).
Step II: Attend All Five Training Sessions (Yoga for Fertility, Yoga for Pregnancy, Matrika Mom & Baby, The Matrika: Energetic Anatomy, Practicum)
Step III: Complete requirements for CEU Credits as listed above
Step IV: Send a letter with the following information to Sharon
1-Your name as you wish for it to be typed on your Graduation Certificate
2-The mailing address you wish to have your signed certificate mailed to you and the e-mail address that you wish to have the PDF of your certificate mailed to (you will need this PDF to register with Yoga Alliance as a R-PYT)
3-A brief statement regarding your professional use of the course material
4-How you wish to be listed in the Matrika Prenatal Instructor Guide, including your personal website, links to where you teach, e-mail address and/or telephone number. If you are also a doula, midwife, nurse or have other professional identities that you wish to have indicated in your listing, please also state these in your letter.
Please include a $50 Graduation Certificate fee. Checks should be made out to: YOGA MATRIKA. You will receive your documents within 14-days of receipt of your letter and fee. If you wish to register with Yoga Alliance, that is a separate fee and you will need to do so directly with Yoga Alliance.
Mail your letter and fee to:
Sharon Rudyk Principal, Yoga Matrika 1406 S. Negley Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Once you have graduated, you have the right to indicate that you are certified to teach yoga for fertility, prenatal yoga and postnatal yoga. You are encouraged to indicate that you are teaching the following courses and to distinguish what you are offering from other styles, but it is not required that you use the Matrika name if it presents an obstacle for you or your employer or if it is not appropriate for any reason:
Matrika Fertility™
Matrika Prenatal Yoga and Exercise™
Matrika Mom & Baby Yoga™
When you receive your graduation certificate, you will also receive full class descriptions for the above classes that you will be certified to teach. These can be used to promote your classes.
Registering with Yoga Alliance as an R-PYT
Your graduation from this course and fulfilling all of the listed requirements also makes you eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as a R-PYT. Your registration with Yoga Alliance is not managed by Yoga Matrika and it is not required. It is a personal and professional decision that you must make if you wish to align yourself with this professional organization or not. Please be aware that Yoga Alliance requires that all R-PYT are already registered RYT at the 200 level or greater. If you are not an RYT or eligible to register as an RYT, you will not be able to register as an R-PYT even if you finish this course. These are the regulations of Yoga Alliance and Yoga Matrika has no control over these requirements. If registering as an R-PYT is important to you and you are not currently eligible to register as an RYT, please consider Yoga Matrika’s 200-Hour Teacher Training Program. We have scheduled this program so that you can do both at the same time.
This course is registered with Yoga Alliance and graduates who meet all of the requirements (including already having graduated from a 200-hour program with RYT status and meeting all of the graduation requirements of this program) can register with Yoga Alliance as R-PYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teachers). This course includes fertility yoga, culture and reproduction, over 18-hours of embodied anatomy training with Mark Taylor, prenatal yoga, postnatal yoga and Mom and Baby yoga. You will be fully qualified to teach Matrika Yoga for Optimum Fertility, Matrika Prenatal Yoga and Exercise and Matrika Mom and Baby classes upon graduation. This course has a significant online course component and five required training weekends. This program exceeds Yoga Alliance requirements and is intended to offer the highest quality of professional training available.
Training Weekend Details
We welcome pregnant women and women with children in our program and hope that you will discuss your needs with us before registering. We are happy to provide more frequent breaks, allow you to keep a nursling with you at all times and coordinate on-site or off-site childcare for children. You have up to one year to complete the online course (from whenever you start) and up to three-years to finish the training sessions.
Are you coming from out of town? Yoga Matrika highly recommends the Marriott Spring Hill Suites in Bakery Square. This hotel is convenient to Trader Joe’s supermarket, a Coffee Tree Roasters coffee shop and is approximately 2.5 miles from the yoga studio. There are also myriad restaurants within walking distance and an awesome natural fibers yarn and knitting shop (if you are into that kind of thing…..). If you are coming with family members, Pittsburgh is an awesome place for all ages for a weekend with world class museums, performances, restaurants and more. Sharon can provide referrals for childcare. If you are coming to the Burgh solo and wish to find a roommate or maybe even a home stay, please let Sharon know and she can connect you with others who are traveling alone.
Matrika Prenatal Teacher Training program is registered with Yoga Alliance™ and all graduates are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as R-PYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teachers).
Professional Development: 30 CEU credits
An Online Course for RYT Yoga Instructors in Yoga for Women for Optimum Fertility, Pregnancy and Beyond
Online Course Tuition: $500
45-Minute Skype Session with Sharon Rudyk: $40
CEU Credit Certificate Fee (one time fee): $20
Total cost: $560
This online course discusses anatomy, culture and yoga techniques, modifications and sequencing ideas for fertility, pregnancy and mom and baby classes. This is a wonderful way for 200-hr. RYT instructors to explore an interest in working with women through all phases of reproduction and earn credits towards maintaining registration with Yoga Alliance. Experienced teachers may find that this online course provides all that they need to be better able to serve their existing clients who are pregnant or become new parents. If you decide during or after the online course that you wish to pursue certification, you have up to three-years to complete all of the weekend intensive trainings after starting the online course. Upon completion of the online course and all graduation requirements, you will receive a certificate of completion and 30 Continuing Education credits valid for your professional registration with Yoga Alliance. The costs of this course is $500 and there are additional costs for SKYPE sessions ($40 per 45-minutes) and/or private sessions ($60 an hour) and professional mentoring and a one time certificate fee ($20) to cover administrative processing.
Pay Online Course Tuition HERE:
Please note that you can pay for the course at any time, but you will get an access code for registration on May 1st, 2012 or if you pay after May 1st, you will receive an access code within one week of payment. It is recommended that you send Sharon an e-mail: sharon@yogamatrika.com and/or call (412) 855-5692 after you make payment to confirm it has been received.
30 CEU credits: How to Obtain Your CEU credit Certificate
You can earn 30 CEU credits by taking this online course (the Practicum section is not required for CEU credits) and by scheduling a minimum of one individual Skype sessions with Sharon Rudyk. After you have finished the entire online course, please e-mail Sharon to arrange for your SKYPE session(s): sharon@yogamatrika.com. After the session, you should send a letter with the following information:
1. Your name, as you wish for it to appear on your certificate
2. The address you wish the certificate to be mailed to
3. The e-mail address you wish for your certificate PDF to be sent to 4. A brief statement regarding your professional use of the course material
Please include a $20 certificate fee. Checks should be made out to: YOGA MATRIKA. Your certificate will be mailed to you within 14-days of the receipt of your letter and payment. Send your letter and payment to:
Sharon Rudyk Principal, Yoga Matrika 1406 S. Negley Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Please note that ONLY certified instructors can claim that they are teaching Matrika Prenatal or Matrika Mom & Baby classes. If you have taken this course for professional development and CEU credits, it is certainly appropriate for you to indicate that you have completed this course and invested in further training in this specialty area. You will not be able to say that you are certified to teach these specialty classes and you will not be able to register with Yoga Alliance as an R-PYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher).
Practice What You Preach
For a couple of years now, the book I have used as a reference when planning Matrika Flow classes and that I consistently refer to my students that wish to develop their home practice is Rodney Yee’s text, Moving Toward Balance: 8-Weeks of Yoga with Rodney Yee. I am very familiar with this book and feel that it has wonderful pictures, very clearly written instructions and well-conceived sequences. I’ve always felt confident when I refer students and other teachers to this book.
But, if I’m going to be completely honest, I’ve never actually done the eight-week program. So, it’s time for me to step up to the mat and practice what I preach. My excuse has always been that I have a wonderful daily practice of yoga and meditation that I enjoy and I have never wanted to disrupt it. Why would I change a good thing? Well, there are LOTS of reasons why shaking things up a bit might be a good thing and I am going to make a commitment to this 8-week program. My intention is to blog my experience and hope that you might join me on this two-month journey either by reading along or trying the program yourself and commenting on my blog entries with your own experience.Who knows, maybe I will read the Guide to Career Education
and get a start on writing my own book!
I am going to start my eight-week practice journey on Sunday, April 15th and end on Sunday, June 10th. If you want to join me, please obtain a copy of the book before April 15th. Want to let me know you are joining me? Just comment on this post so I know I am not alone. I’ll blog about my experiences and hope you will keep me company by posting about your experience with these practices or this 8-week program in general.
Meet you on the Mat!
Posted by Sharon Rudyk, the fearless juggler mamma at Yoga Matrika, an intimate space for the exploration of yoga, meditation and generosity of spirit in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The New Yoga Happy Hour
Yoga Matrika now offers two classes each week at 4:30pm:
Mondays
4:30 to 5:30pm
Hatha Yoga with Angela Scardina
Tuesdays
4:30 to 5:30 pm
Yoga I with Sharon Rudyk
This is a real gem of a time to do yoga if you can make it. First, these classes are a sweet one-hour in length. Second, as they start before 6pm, our discount package for daytime classes (4-pack for $32) applies. Third, you can have your day, get in a quick yoga practice and then have a relaxed dinner and a walk on a fine spring or summer evening rather than rush through dinner and force yourself to run back out the door for a night class. We know that not everyone has the option to take a class at 4:30pm, but if you do, then give one or both of these classes a try. It’ll be a treat!
Angela
Oh, and, it is my great joy to introduce the Yoga Matrika community to one of our newest instructors, Angela Scardina. Angela is originally from the rural hills around Kittanning PA. Her college and graduate studies focused on psychology, language and religion. She spent several years in NYC working to help young people and their families build communication skills and cultural understanding. Excited by the many reasons to integrate the discipline of yoga with her work, she was drawn to further her own practice and learn to share her love of yoga. She completed a 9 month certification course at Integral Yoga Institute in NYC. In addition to private instruction, she taught with Life in Motion, NYC Parks and Bent on Learning (a non-profit group that delivers yoga class to urban school teachers and students). She recently moved to Pittsburgh and now joins Yoga Matrika to deliver Hatha Yoga.
So, you might ask, what IS Hatha Yoga? Angela is a trained Integral Hatha Yoga practitioner and teacher. Integral Yoga is a slow, gentle practice for anyone of any age or condition. A unique sequence of poses that tone and strengthen, followed by deep relaxation, breathing practices and meditation. The class works with awareness and breath, and allows students time to get comfortable in a pose; fostering an individual experience that takes each student to her own limits, yielding maximum benefit and preventing injury.
The practice calms your body, breath, and mind, and leads you to realize the self within. Loving guidance from the instructor, helps you to you walk away after class, feeling peace and serenity.
This post was written by Sharon Rudyk, team leader at Yoga Matrika and a seeker of serenity wherever it might be found. Angela’s Hatha Yoga class is sounding pretty good right about now! The next time you are looking for a healing and wonderful yoga class and are in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, please come and join us at The Mat.
You Can Dance if You Want To
Alexis
Yoga Matrika is delighted to introduce Alexis Shaw, a new instructor in the Yoga Matrika community.
Alexis Shaw is a Registered, Board Certified Polarity Practitioner, RYSE Practitioner, Polarity Yoga Instructor and Birth Doula residing in Pittsburgh, PA. She has passion for supporting people in all life’s processes coupled with close to 800 hours of training in Polarity Therapy and RYSE. Alexis teaches Polarity Yoga in class form and is now teaching Shake Your Soul/Kripalu Yoga Dance.
Alexis will start teaching Yoga Dance on Friday nights from 6:00 to 7:15 pm on Friday, April 13th.
What is Yoga Dance? Fitness for the whole being; for our body, mind, emotions and spirit. An energizing, creative experience, appropriate for all levels of movement, dance and fitness. Yoga Dance will take you on a journey of inner rhythms and expressive movements. I will have to ask her if you need a
mfa degree in order to teach yoga dance. Explore the various sounds and sensations of world music. Tap into fun, freedom, meditation, grace and empowerment in ways that are pure joy to the soul.
Please use our web scheduler to pay for class and enroll online. We love when you enroll online! This way, we know to expect you and you know you have a space in class. We limit enrollment to make sure classes are safe, intimate and comfortable. Enrolling online is the only way to be sure you’ll have a spot.
This blog was posted by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk, the big cheese at Yoga Matrika, an intimate space for personal exploration of yoga, meditation and mindful movement. The next time you’re in Squirrel Hill, please come visit. New student? Please see our introductory offers and fill out our online form for a FREE first class!
I’ve Got a Booty, How About YOU?
I’ve got a booty, yes I do.
I’ve got a booty, how about you?
And my booty reflects the fact that I spent the winter of 2012 on my butt, watching Downton Abbey and nursing a baby. A noble cause, without question, but it has taken its toll my dear readers. A toll that has taken me one step closer to needing to wear sweatpants every day. What does your booty reflect?
Enough my readers! Take charge of your springtime booty and let Aleta whip your entire body into shape with one of her delightful, fun and serious calorie spending Yoga Booty Ballet (YBB) classes at Yoga Matrika. We call them YBB: Cardio Yoga classes because all practices include:
- Setting an intention for your practice
- A warm-up yoga-based kriya
- An aerobic workout to music
- A yoga flow sequence
- Savasana (final relaxation/corpse pose)
No Orange or Hot Pink Pants Required. But, wouldn't it be fun?
Absolutely no experience with yoga, ballet, dancing, aerobics or anything else is required. You may find that the movement sequences take a while to pick-up, but Aleta says that it takes just a month of practice at least once a week and then you will remember them all. If you are not in good physical shape, have any health condition or have any questions about whether or not this class is appropriate for you, please check with your doctor first—-explain that it is a cardio workout combined with yoga-based stretches.
Yoga Matrika is committed to providing a wide
Aleta Howard
variety of classes in an intimate, non-judgmental, inclusive and non-competitive environment. This class is no exception. Aleta is a very caring and fun instructor who loves to teach and share this joyful practice with her students. Please do not be shy if you are worried about not knowing what you are doing—-it will be ok. Promise.
Bring a water bottle and an open mind! Prepare to hip, hop, shake and groove your way to a shapely body and a fine looking booty for all your more revealing spring and summer wardrobe favorites.
When?
Every Thursday evening 5:30 to 6:45pm
Every Saturday afternoon 12:00 to 1:15pm
Where?
Yoga Matrika, 1406 S. Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Why?
It’s fun, you will feel great and you will become stronger and more flexible. As heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, taking the time to exercise your heart and mind while relieving stress is a great investment in the quality of your overall health.
How much does it cost?
If you’ve never been to Yoga Matrika before, then fill out our welcome form and receive a FREE first class. Are you already a regular or have you been to the studio before? Then it is $15 to drop-in, $50 for a 4-class pass and $80 for an 8-class pass.
See you soon and often at The Mat!
Red Lotus Photography
I don’t like having my picture taken because the way I see myself reflected in photographs is not generally how I think of myself—-is my hair really that gray? Are those four folds in my neck skin? You get the idea.
Yesterday, Sandy Yetter of Red Lotus Photography came to take individual pictures of Team Matrika and she’s changed my mind forever about being photographed. It seems that, with a talented photographer, it is possible for me to see myself in a photograph and have it resonate with how I feel about myself. Sandy is incredibly talented working with a diverse group and managed to get my exhausted, hungry and seriously cranky daughter to smile and cuddle with me on camera. It seems that all ages feel the great power that is Sandy! Just from the previews, everyone on Team Matrika really felt that Sandy captured their personality and took photographs that were complementary, warm and pleasing.
Red Lotus Photography and Yoga Matrika are partnering up to support both great yoga and capturing your most significant moments on film. Sandy specializes in pregnancy and infant photography, but she also does weddings and, obviously, adult portraits. More about this partnership to come, but in the meantime, I am just delighted to share this wonderful resource with the greater Yoga Matrika Community. If you are looking for a wonderful photographer, you could not find a more professional or talented artist than Sandy Yetter. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see some of Sandy’s amazing work on our websites and at the studio.
Thank you Sandy!
Posted by Sharon Rudyk, Grand Poo Bah-ess of Yoga Matrika and Matrika Prenatal, a unique boutique studio tucked into a quiet residential street in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. Come visit us!
Spring Meditation Series with Bhante Pema
Believe it or not, Bhante Pema’s Spring Meditation Series at Yoga Matrika is almost full already and it is not even February! This is a very special opportunity for all adults who are interested in meditation in Pittsburgh to gather in this intimate space and learn from this most wonderful teacher. If you are interested in practicing with Bhante Pema on Monday nights, please register soon to save your place in this series. If space is available, we will open the class to drop-in students, but please do not count on this. Pregnant students are welcome to attend as meditation is a beautiful and supportive practice while you are expecting. Chairs are provided for anyone who would be more comfortable sitting in a more supported way during class.
Spring Series:
Monday Nights from 7:30 to 8:45 pm
March 12 through May 28th
12-classes in the series for $130
REGISTER HERE
Join Bhante Pema, the current Abbot of the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center, for this 12-week mediation course. The cost for the series of 12-classes is $130. Everyone is welcome—from absolute beginners to more experienced practitioners—to this course that will cover a variety of meditation techniques, how to find your seat, movement, breath and ways to face common challenges in meditation. Although the instructor is a Buddhist monk, the meditation techniques that will be taught are secular and are appropriate for all adults regardless of your other beliefs or religious affiliations. Please note that there are no make-up classes, refunds or tuition transfers. If you know you will miss multiple classes in the series, please know that a portion of your tuition is donated to the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center to help maintain their efforts to share the healing power of meditation in Pittsburgh. We ask that you bring your own meditation cushion, bolster, pillow or blanket to sit on for your comfort. We are happy to provide folding chairs to students who are not able to sit on the floor.
Finding Comfort in Commitment
Yoga Matrika drop-in classes require pre-registration. Just like we can’t force you to eat Kale, we can’t make you do it. If you decide that you are not able to enroll online for any reason, as space is available, we will still warmly welcome you. In addition, if you have a printed deal or a GROUPON, you will not be able to register online for your first class. But, we would like to hope that most students will use our online system to pay for their class tuition and enroll in classes.
Yes, we are aware that, for most studios in Pittsburgh, you just “drop-in” and that is the way that they work. Yoga Matrika is not like “most studios.” We are an intimate space and try to keep our classes small with maximum class sizes of 10-13 students. This keeps our classes safe and allows your instructor to get to know you and you to get to know your instructor.
When you pay your tuition online, your account is automatically updated to reflect your purchase. When you pay for classes at the studio, we do not have any way to make change and appreciate checks or cash in the exact amount. Additionally, it can take up to 10-days for your purchase to be manually entered into our system and you may have trouble enrolling in classes online.
When you enroll in classes online, we know to expect you! This way, if there is a weather related cancellation or an instructor emergency, we can contact you to inform you of the class change. If you are running a few minutes late, if we see your name on the attendance sheet, we’ll wait a few minutes to see if you arrive. When student enroll in classes online, instructors can prepare appropriately to meet the needs of his or her students and plan a class unique to that group.
You may not want to enroll in classes online because you wonder what the penalty is if you do not actually show up for class. We check our online attendance sheets against the sign-in sheets for classes. If you do not actually take class, your enrollment is cancelled and that class is automatically returned to your package. There is no penalty for enrolling online even if you do not take that class. In other words, you have nothing to lose by enrolling in classes online. We do ask that, if at all possible, you cancel your online enrollment if you know you can’t make it to class. This will free up the space for someone else. There are some classes that are over-booked and we hate to turn people away if there really is space in a class. If you can’t cancel your enrollment, we understand.
In this day and age of Facebook, Twitter and a constant stream of ideas and activities and communications from friends, it might feel better if you don’t tie yourself down. What if you register for a Saturday afternoon workshop and, come Saturday morning your friends all message you that they are planning an afternoon outing you would like to attend? I would like to suggest that making a commitment to your practice is actually a part of the practice. It means that you set aside time for your practice and keep your commitment. You might have to say no to something else, but every yes to something or someone is a no to something else. We may have multiple social networks, but we only have one body. Take your body with you to brunch and you can’t also get to class. Take your body to class and you might have to miss brunch. Either way, something is gained and something is lost.
When you buy a four or an eight class package, we encourage you to enroll in all the classes on that packages at that time. Just sit with your calendar and sign-up for your classes. If you end up changing your mind or something comes up, you can always change your registration. But, if you set your intention and schedule all your classes, it is less likely that your package will expire before you take all of your classes. Our online system will allow you to print out your yoga schedule for the week or you can view it on your smart phone or an iPad. So, if you schedule all of your classes, you can more easily keep track of your yoga commitments.
Finally, learn to find comfort in your commitments. Allow your yoga classes to become a rhythm that you can come to count on and let others count on you. Become a “regular.” There’s nothing wrong with being regular.
We hope to see you soon and often at The Mat!
Enroll in Drop-in Classes Here
Check the Status of your Account Here
Add or update your phone number or e-mail address Here
Forget what classes you enrolled in? Check your schedule Here
Do you need assistance with our online system? Please do not hesitate to call Sharon for help (412) 855-5692. Once you get the hang of it, we hope you’ll find it convenient and comforting to use.
This post was written by Sharon Rudyk, Director of The Mat and Matrika Prenatal programs. She’s always delighted to know that she’ll see you in class!
Cardio Yoga
I am absolutely delighted to announce that Aleta Howard will be joining the Yoga Community and offering her unique YBB (Yoga Booty Ballet) classes starting February 2nd and through the spring. What is YBB? On the schedule, we are calling it Cardio Yoga. If you think that “yoga” means traditional asana, then you might feel that YBB is more of an exercise class and wonder what it is doing on a yoga studio schedule.
Well, first of all, YBB combines some elements of Hatha yoga that will be recognizable to yogis who do have experience with more traditional yoga classes that are based on asana. Second, YBB includes yoga kriya from the Kundalini tradition and the creation and support of a personal intention is an important part of each and every class. Third, what is yoga? While this is a deeper issue that would require both a lifetime of examination and certainly a much more respectful examination than I can offer here, I would like to suggest that expressing the body with joy, opening and strengthening the heart and learning to hold an intention through an activity are most certainly yoga. It may not be what you have come to expect, but it might be just what you need!
Here is the official description of Yoga Booty Ballet from the creators of this style:
Yoga Booty Ballet is a fun, sexy and spirited workout that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Work your body, engage your mind and lighten your spirit as you practice this East-meets-West amalgam of meditation, cardiovascular dance, ballet, Kundalini and hatha yoga.The results are immediate and long term. Students consistently complete class feeling better about themselves than when they arrive.
The meditation element serves to focus busy minds as well as awaken dull ones. The dance portion improves cardiovascular endurance, promoting weight loss and improved body composition. The ballet section increases strength and agility, building muscle and bone density. The yoga sections promote flexibility, balance and inner wellness. Classes are fun and easy to follow, designed to draw out individual self-expression in a comfortable, non-competitive environment.Various dance styles explored include jazz, hip hop, burlesque, Latin, Bollywood, go-go, and more.
Really, try one of these classes, at least once. For those readers who know me, you know that I am both directionally challenged and learning patterns of body movements is difficult for me. The first time I tried Aleta’s class, I was really nervous because I was truly afraid that I would get lost and not be able to fully participate. About 10-minutes into class I was having the time of my life. I was smiling and moving and sweating and truly enjoying the music and the joyful movements. Was I going right sometimes while everyone else went left? Yes, but, the truth is that it just didn’t matter. Aleta does not even suggest that there is a right or wrong way to do anything and she provides enthusiastic support for participating in this class in whatever way you are able. Once I released the pressure I was putting on myself through my own ego, this is when I started having fun.
Yoga Matrika provides a non-competitive and intimate environment where you can feel safe trying something new. If I didn’t think that Aleta was wonderful or that these classes weren’t a fabulous addition to our current offerings, then I wouldn’t be putting them on the schedule. Especially if you are looking for a class that will help with weight loss or weight management or you need to combine your yoga with your cardio workouts, then you are going to love this class.
When can you try our new Cardio Yoga classes with Aleta?
Friday Night Yoga Dance Parties
Friday, January 27
7:00-8:15 pm
Friday, February 24
7:00-8:15 pm
Friday, March 23
7:00-8:15 pm
Thursday nights, Starting February 2, 2012
5:30 to 6:45 pm
Saturday afternoons, Starting March 3, 2012
12:00 to 1:15 pm
Classes are $15 to drop-in or you can use your current class package. Packages are 4-classes for $50 or 8-classes for $80. We also offer a discounted student package of 5-classes for $35. Please enroll online to save your space. These special classes are going to be very popular and you don’t want to miss out!
Posted by Sharon Rudyk, Director of Yoga Matrika, an intimate space for yoga and healing work in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA. Come join us!