In a hurry?
Click here to view the 2012 brochure with schedule

What's new at the Very Near Yoga Studio?

The tradition of yoga in the culture of Thailand derives from both Ayurvedic Indian healing and traditional Chinese medicine. During 2011 and continuing with studies in 2012, the Very Near Yoga Studio classes and private lessons will incorporate these more partner-assisted stretching modalities. Your experience in our classes will then allow you to share the practice of yoga with family and friends. Kathleen has been studying with teachers Michael (Mukti) Buck (director, the Vedic Conservatory) and Rose Griscom (director, Institute of Thai Massage - USA), both masters of Thai Yoga. Kathleen's focus has always been on Iyengar's style of Hatha Yoga and the study of traditional Thai Yoga is a perfect complement and extension of the discipline of yoga therapy.

This age we live in creates a lot of wear & tear on the mind & on the body. Our classes are designed to teach the average adult (male & female!) how to cope.

In conjunction with National Sleep Awareness Week and the honoring & celebration of National Nurses Week (celebrated in May each year), once again Kathleen has been invited to participate with the staff at St. Francis Hospital and some of candidates for gastric bypass surgery. Yoga as a therapeutic tool demonstrates that issues to do with depression, anxiety and stress related illness can be relieved without the side effects that often accompany the use of pharmaceuticals.

• New Studies from Harvard & the University of Maryland show how Shift workers desperately need FATIGUE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS (Click here to listen to experts discussing - Sleep and the Night Shift radio interview)


• Kathleen invited to address caretakers at Wilmington's ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL during Nat'l Nurses Week (May 2012)


• Theme of these talks (with demonstrations): How Yoga breathing, stretching & relaxation can help BRING RELIEF
  to St. Francis Hospital & other shiftworkers

In all of our classes, RESTORATIVE YOGA is discussed & demonstrated as a TOOL for gaining ground on:

1. refreshing the physical & mental fatigue during the regular workday


2. how to better manage sleep deprivation and insomnia


3. which Yoga Poses specifically address chronic ailments such as hypertension, cardio-pulmonary diseases, glucose metabolism, interrupted sleep cycles, etc.

Are you interested in yoga-based art?

A longtime yoga practitioner, accomplished watercolorist and calligrapher, RIVA BROWN, who owns & operates the LIVING LETTERS STUDIO in Wilmington, has a series of beautiful watercolor renderings of yoga asanas for sale. If you want to have a look, follow this link: www.livingletters.biz

BE SURE TO CLICK ON TO THE INDIVIDUAL POSES to admire the quality and detail of Riva's work and consider what a wonderful opportunity to purchase them (3 different sizes are available) for yourself or as a gift.

Visit my new blog!!

Remedial Yoga learning applies to anyone coming into class with concerns about their flexibility, endurance and or strength. All classes at Very Near Yoga are going to address the disconnect between mind and body as well as common ailments such as low back stiffness, knee problems, shoulder problems, etc. We start with an evaluation of your regular everyday posture and proceed with re-learning simply how to stand!

Economic Hard Times Policy

In keeping with the yogic tradition of SEVA (which means giving of oneself to alleviate the hardships of others), you may pay according to your ability if unable to pay our regular class fees. Please call Kathleen (656-6983) and let her know your personal challenges and when you would be coming.

Many people tell me that they cannot take a regularly scheduled class because their own agenda is so prone to changing. So that you may elect to come on different days/times, you may purchase a punch card good for 3 months for ten classes for $180. This cost is based on $18 per class (90 minutes per class). Seniors over 62 are eligible for a 20% discount. The drop-in fee remains $20 per class.

Astrological Consultations

Most of you know that Astrology (called JYOTISA in Sanskrit) is part of the yogic tradition of bringing the light from within to the conscious mind. I have been a practicing astrologer for many years in the more psychologically based Western tradition and am now studying the more ancient system that came out of India thousands of years ago. Again, in the spirit of SEVA, I am offering non-fee based readings for those who seek solutions to Life issues which can be most amazingly illuminated through a natal chart reading. You may think Astrology is bunk and only read your Sun Sign from newspapers or magazines, but a true natal chart reading based on your birth time/place/date/year can help you understand yourself at a much deeper level.

The Western tradition of astrology shows that currently all who are born in the early weeks of sun signs Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn are NOW being commanded by forces for change and transformation that must be heeded through action, not reaction. (NOTE: every chart contains all twelve zodiac signs, with everyone's chart, each of you will feel the effect to a greater or lesser degree of the changes noted below.)

Everyone on the planet is being re-directed in 2012 to the pressing need for change: structurally, in every aspect of life, The planetary positions of URANUS in the sign of ARIES (the urge to be independent, separate and pioneering your own way forward) and the slow movement of the planet PLUTO in the sign of CAPRICORN (the transformation of the shadow side of self and its integration with the Light) in stressful angles to each other (90° square aspect) is creating a pressure for self-examination and a realignment of our core values.

Materially, we are challenged (this means physically & financially) and spiritually we are asked to focus on cooperation and compromise. We all need to participate as a CITIZEN-DIPLOMAT in the change of the governing patterns of all of our political and social institutions. The concept behind Hatha Yoga practice (action taken to alleviate your habitual patterns that create suffering on any/all levels) contributes MIGHTILY to being able to cope with the ongoing changes for the next seven years!

If you are interested in a chart reading, please call the 302-656-6983 number to provide me with your birth time, place, date and year.

See our video clip

When we welcomed WHYY TV 12's DELAWARE TONIGHT reporter, Megan Pinto and her cameraman, Gene Ashley, to the Very Near Yoga Studio to document how we work with our Tuesday and Thursday morning students, WHYY featured in their piece how yoga can help anyone with their balance, strength and flexibility. Click the video play button below to view what we do with props in our studio! (Footage provided by WHYY, Inc.)

The focus at the Very Near Yoga Studio is more and more oriented to therapeutic and restorative yoga. Partially this is because the baby boomer generation is now entering their 60's and needs to pay attention to the onset of predictable physical ageing, but it is also because we all lead a more sedentary lifestyle: too much sitting! If your experience in other yoga classes has left you wondering whether you're are "fit" enough to do yoga, you will find a different experience at the Very Near Yoga Studio that can help you to understand your particular problems such arthritic joints, bad-back syndrome, etc.

Click here to see the Schedule.

You can now create your own private or small group classes: call for flexible times and locations. You can come to the Very Near Yoga Studio for individual one-on-one spot classes (@ $66/hr) or if you want to bring in another person for a 2 person private lesson, your cost is $90 for 90 minutes.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays or Saturdays with flexible times to suit your schedule. Any time slot not on our schedule of classes is open for private appointments.

We will teach you yoga techniques using props to bring pain free movement to any area where you may have weakness or difficulty. We can help you with sports injuries, balance issues, chronic respiratory problems and headaches. The goal of private instruction is to give you the means to be your own therapist. In the long term, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY ON MEDICAL BILLS as you continue the practice on your own at home.

Each private class will focus on different areas of the body: why? ... because everything in the body is connected to your particular ailment. We also use the extremely powerful theraputic tool of deep breathing to benefit the release of the affected areas that are distressing you.

Studio Information

Classes are held throughout the year except during early July and late August. Also we close mid-December until January 2, 2013.

VNYoga Studio classes are held in a quiet, intimate space. Classes are no larger that 8 - 10 students. For this reason, class levels can be mixed with modifications of the poses are sugggested by using props in the IYENGAR YOGA tradition. You can therefore develop at your own pace. All classes include 15 - 20 minutes of relaxation to foster the art of meditation.

What is Iyengar Yoga?

Iyengar Yoga takes the individual student step-by-step to under-STAND the technique of coming alive to one's own balance, strength and flexibility.

Life is rushed and some yoga classes are taught in a fast-paced, rushed manner that does not contribute to learning on a deep level. Iyengar Yoga is slow, steady learning process thats extends your brain from the bottom of your foot to the top of your head. This takes time!

B.K.S. Iyengar developed his system of teaching and learning yoga using unique props to assist the body's transformation.

The use of props, for instance, including blocks and belts to help you stretch when you "just can't reach that far"; bolsters and blankets used to gradually open the back and hips that have become "too stiff to bend that way"; chair, walls and floor to assist the spine in extension eventually will allow all of you who are new to yoga to use it as "the golden key which unlocks the door to peace, tranquility and joy" to quote B.K.S. Iyengar. Return to top

Read about: B.K.S. Iyengar & Kathleen B. Wright

Pricing & Policies:

NEW! You may purchase a punch card good for 3 months for ten classes for $180. This cost is based on $18 per class (90 minutes per class).

NOW! As a regular class member coming same day/time each week you may enjoy a $2 per class discount i.e. $16 per class. This cost is based on a consecutive 8 week attendance.

Note: Financial difficulties...? Please let us know and we can work together so that you can regularly attend classes.

If you are a Drop - In student, the cost is $20.00 per class.

Drop - In students who do not wish to register for a Series are permitted in any class, if there is space (first come, first served).

Drop - In students may come for a first class & decide to become a regular part of ongoing classes.

You may commence your Series mid-term, by permission of the teacher.

THE SCHOOL YEAR: Please note changes for 2012

Classes run Monday - Saturday every week from the day after Labor Day til the end of the second week in December.

This year, 2012, the Studio will go on summertime hiatus at the end of June (last class will be Saturday, June 30th). Since we will be running two weeks in mid-July and two weeks in early August of Yoga for Shift Workers, we may run regularly scheduled classes during that period. The second two weeks in August, we will be closed and reopening on the first Tuesday (September 4th) after Labor Day Monday.

All Series are based on 8 - 9 week classes which are paid for at the beginning of the 2 - month period. For example, September/October classes are paid for at the first September class, November/December classes are paid for at the first November class.

MISSED CLASSES:

Continuing Students are allowed to join ANY class to make up one of the 8 classes which were pre-paid. All make-up classes must be completed before the end of that 8 - week period (you may therefore come more than once in a given week).

REFUNDS:

The Lump Sum payment for a 2-month Series is non-refundable. Every effort to accomodate a special circumstance will be made, however, you must bring the situation to the teacher's attention immediately.

GIFT CERTIFICATES:

Attractive gift cards with envelopes are available for you to give an individual participation at $18/class in group classes or private classes at $66 / hour. Gift certificates are valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Return to top

CLASS SCHEDULE: All classes are not in the same location. Take time to scroll to bottom of the box below for further details. Call Kathleen at 302-656-6983 for further information.

Click here for a printable schedule.

FYI - Menu

VERY NEAR YOGA STUDIO

The dedicated space of our studio is on the ground floor at the rear of the building. It is a quiet, intimate space that allows for 8 -10 students per class. We have natural light, greenery and blue sky views for a harmonious experience... Often you can hear the birds singing and the sound of wind chimes during your relaxation period.

We are located in a residential apartment building, therefore there is no commercial signage. You will see "GILPIN PLACE APARTMENTS" on a plaque on the front of the building at 1301 Gilpin Avenue at Franklin Street (click here for map).

Placed at the entrance to the studio in the hallway is a shoe bin, so that you may remove your shoes before entering onto the wood floors of our practice space. If the shoe bin is not yet outside in the hall space, please have a seat in the lobby.

There is a dressing room for changing and for keeping your personal effects. We provide all props, however, you may choose to bring your own yoga mat. If you choose to use a studio mat or any of the studio props, Chlorox wipes are available for hygiene. There is a bathroom on the opposite side of the practice space.

The studio is normally opened a half hour before the beginning of class. Please come on time for classes, but you may come as early as 30 minutes before. Help yourself to any reading materials, take the time to warm-up or relax before we get started together.

PARKING:

Street parking is easily available on the surrounding one-way streets in the neighborhood. Students should be aware of a two hour street parking limitation increasingly more enforced during the day by the City of Wilmington.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Generally, all classes are going to give you the experience of your body/mind's current level of balance, strength and flexibility. THIS IS APPLICABLE FOR SENIORS!

When you are unfamiliar with the workings of the individual body parts, you will be challenged to address muscle & joint stiffness, poor posture and shallow breathing. THIS IS APPLICABLE FOR SENIORS!

IYENGAR YOGA is about learning the body's anatomy...YOUR BODY's anatomy. We start with FEET/ANKLES/KNEES. The 8 week series, will progress to develop thorough knowledge of how the lower limbs work in the HIPS/LOWER BACK. Later the UPPER BACK/SHOULDERS/NECK are addressed so that your anatomy is improving both through experience and practice of yoga. Your breathing receives the advantage of all the above and you begin to have more energy in general because the body & brain are getting more oxygen. THIS IS APPLICABLE TO ALL AGES!

CLASSES FOR SENIORS & PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

You may want to do CHAIR YOGA with us at the VNYoga Studio class on THURSDAY morning @ 11:30 am. It is a good place to start with others in the 55 years plus age range.

You do not have to be a senior to attend the 11:30 am class. You may be simply a person with special needs.

BEGINNERS:

Learn the Fundamentals by attending, if your schedule permits:

VNY Studio class on MONDAY @ 5:30 pm

EXPERIENCED STUDENTS:

IF YOU HAVE NEVER LEARNED IYENGAR YOGA, please consult with the teacher before choosing a class.

A delayed onset problem with some of the fast-paced yoga practices is chronic injury stemming from repetitive strain. If you are a POWER YOGA, ASHTANGA YOGA, BIKRAM YOGA, VINYASA YOGA practitioner...you NEED IYENGAR classes to help understand your body's anatomical mis-alignments & weaknesses. Students in IYENGAR YOGA classes at all levels of proficiency are constantly reaffirming the power of proper alignment and refining their understanding of the individual yoga postures.

You can start mid-term, you do NOT need to wait for the beginning of a 2 month series.

PRIVATE LESSONS:

If you are uncertain about joining a class, it is useful to book a one hour private lesson
($ 66 /hour) that will give you the fundamental understanding of what condition your body is in and how yoga postures and breathing will help. If you want to bring in 2 or 3 students for a group private lesson, your cost is $90 for 90 minutes. By arrangement with the teacher, the venue can be other than at the Very Near Yoga Studio.

PRIVATE GROUP INSTRUCTION:

You may want to arrange to have a series of on-site classes at your workplace or elsewhere. Please inquire. Return to top

PROTOCOLS:

Arrive on time or earlier. If you do arrive late, please take your mat as quickly as possible to the floor and catch up with where the class is at. No gum chewing! You CAN make SMART comments! AVOID making small talk with your neighbor. LET US ALL hear what you're saying.

WATER BOTTLES:

Iyengar Yoga is not done in an overheated room and you do not bring your water onto the studio floor. Bring what you need to hydrate yourself before & after class or, talk to the teacher regarding special circumstances.

WEARING APPAREL:

Noting that your body's shape will allow you to understand how the postures look when alignment is correct, we ask that you wear form-fitting clothing that will not hang away from the body. If you choose leggings (ankle-length, or what is called "bicycle" shorts or any length in between), there should be relatively no "flare" to the bottom. Your top should hug the shoulders and fit snugly aroung the hips/waist.

FOOD:

Having undigested food in the stomach does not allow you to move with ease. HOWEVER, you need energy to work through the class without being distracted by hunger.

TELL THE TEACHER:

When registering prior to class participation, it is important to inform the teacher in advance of any physical disabilities that may impact your ability to undertake this yoga practice. The studio is wheelchair accessible.

When coming into class, OR, during class, TELL THE TEACHER IMMEDIATELY if you are experiencing:

Headache
Sinus problems
Sore Neck/Shoulder/Wrist, etc.
Menstration
Pregnancy
Heart Palpitation
Dizziness/Nausea/Shortness of Breath
Insomnia
Aftermath of: Surgery or Accident: Minor or Major
Any condition that requires a physician's care

Take time to consider that YOGA is both FUN and SERIOUS. Your challenge is to meet your SELF, warts and all, and believe that there is more to do than just let age take its course. The human mind loves to learn! The body is its own pharmacy...let the therapeutic benefits of yoga become your best medicine and your own mind become the best physician you could possibly consult.

Practice makes perfection in the moment...that's all you have do!

Note: Newcomers can join at ANY TIME. Preferably, begin a series of classes with each 2 month period, i.e. Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun.

Friday Night Fun with Props & Partners

For Friday night Yoga for Partners, you must let us Know IN ADVANCE that you are coming since our space at VNYoga is limited to about 5 couples. It'll be FUN, instructive and a really easy way to get acquainted with yoga.

On the 4th Friday (Sept/Oct/Nov) & (Jan/Feb/Mar) for Adult partners we will meet at 7 pm for an extended two hour session. The length of the class is longer to allow beginners to feel at ease in the learning situation. Classes are not held on holidays.

Everybody will learn to help each other! We will take a slow and easy approach with our partner to experience restorative yoga. We will also be incorporating the principles of Thai Yoga, partner-assisted stretching. The traditional props that Iyengar Yoga introduced decades ago have specific therapeutic uses to help with common ailments.

Bring a family member, your mom, your friends, your significant Other...

Cost is $45 per couple at the door.

Registrations are being accepted in advance by calling: 777-3484

In case of cancellation, all pre-registration fees will be refunded.

Wear comfortable clothing but Nothing Oversized and No dangling jewelry. Return to top

What to expect at the end of each yoga class:
Total relaxation!