SCHEDULE | CLASS INFO | CLASS DESCRIPTIONS | TEACHERS

To offer a place of solace, to encourage inquiry and support learning is the intention of our  studio!

Our front room is dedicated for Yoga and the Moving Arts and is designed to enhance the exploration of joy and freedom that a moving physical and/or a still meditative practice offers each of us individually. There are decades of study and personal practice represented here, resources that we have to offer through our classes and our privates. Please contact us for info on specific classes.

Schedule

Class INFORMATION

Class Price: $10

One-on-One:
Privates available — contact the studio for more information.

Class Descriptions

Sunshine Yoga
Discover how much fun and inspiration can be packed into one class that's good for you! * Tone Your Body * Reduce Stress * Increase Energy * Build Great Posture * Feel Great! Develop sound principals of alignment, conscious breathing, and mental focus as you build a strong practice. Cultivate strength, flexibility and balance through the mindful action of Yoga postures. Sherry's instruction not only incorporates an excellent foundation in alignment and sequencing but also inspires a sense of lightheartedness and playfulness. Come join us and add a ray of sunshine to your day!

Beginners Basics
Learn the basics of Yoga movement. in a class setting but with very individual attention. Feel absolutely comfortable regardless of age, size or ability. Gain overall confidence and improve the strength, flexibility and balance ratio in body/mind. You will experience the benefits of conscious breathing and mindful movement, preparing you to safely participate in most Level 1 classes anywhere!

Align & Flow
Start the week by releasing the mind and opening the heart. This class is open for all levels and the aim is to adapt for every students' needs. Pranayama and gentle warming prepare and energize the flow. The focus will be grounding and aligning each pose, while tapping into a deeper energy source. The progression ends by holding deeper poses to promote flexibility and release tension in the body and mind.

Flowing and Exploring
A class for those who've had a couple years or more of Yoga experience. This class emphasizes flow, strength, postures for specific parts of the body, self-exploration, theory tidbits, connecting daily life to matt. The held postures and balances evolve from what is revealed through and with the group's energy, whereas the flow can be variations of sun and moon salutations with add-ons, and floor flows.

Midweek Vinyasa Flow
This class brings life to the mid week! It's filled with vinyasa flow, pranayama [breath] cultivation, and infused with a bit of study from the Yoga Texts. A true moving meditation practice enhanced with valuable knowledge of, and focus on, alignment and anatomy awareness.

Afternoon Yoga
This class is open to all shapes, sizes, ages, and levels - come on in and be! I invite you to share where you're at and what you feel like you'd like to work with and towards during class and we move forward from there. A great time of day to regroup and check-in with yourself and unwind from your day. Benefits may include: Anti-oxidizing through breathing and movement;Strengthening & nourishing all body systems; Added strength, toning, awareness, & flexibility; Exaltation!! Exhilaration!! Rejuvenation!!

Yang then Yin
An [Ashtanga] Primary Series based led class focusing on strong fluid movement through the standing and seated postures. Class often finishes with softer Yin work allowing everyone quieter minds and relaxed bodies at the end of class! Great ending for your Thursday!

Teacher Biographies

Nikki Taylor
Nikki Taylor was a competitive runner, cyclist and triathlete for close to a decade and incorporated Yoga asana and simple pranayama as a form of cross training to support her racing. As the yearn for racing began to wane, the love of Yoga was ignited when she met, Zhander Remete in 1997. He introduced her to a style and approach of Yogic teaching  that took her to uncharted depths and opened doors for lovely, often  challenging exploration. She studied several times a year with him for  the following 6 years. In 2004 she began studying Taoist Qi Qong and continued that training for 3 years. She incorporated a Moving Meditation form from the Shaolin Tradition into her work at that time. Ultimately over the recent years, she found her way back to Zhander teachings in her personal practice.  Nikki has completed a total of 7 Teacher Training Courses since 1994 earning her Certified Yoga Teacher Credentials and is a long time member of the Yoga Therapists Assoc. Nikki's father was a professor of Eastern Philosophy and accomplished athlete and her step mother a long time Yoga practitioner and teacher; both infused her at a young age a passion for  inquiry and  movement. This is her second studio in Pagosa Springs.

Margaret Burkesmith
First and foremost, I want you to know that it would be my honor to ‘hold space’ and support you during your own self-exploration into self realization; whether that be in a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Session or in a Private or Group (traditional) Yoga Class.

Just prior to having my second son, Connor (now 14), I was introduced to Yoga, or it to me, not sure which. Being a runner and biker, I was excited to find Yoga because I had a sense that it would assist me in balancing my body within these sports and would create a sense of vitality. At that time, I could not even come close to touching my toes, while sitting or standing.

Today, I continue being dedicated to my own practice and discoveries within it, moving beyond the physical benefits - which initially attracted me. I continue to enjoy teaching, having been doing so for over nine years (children and adults), yet am now a little more challenged with how to approach teaching this subtle, yet profound practice which has changed my life. I am learned in and have taught mostly Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtaanga Yoga. I am filled with gratitude to also be a Certified Practitioner of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. Please see my website @ www.pryt.com/margaret or call 970-264-yoga

Kyle Rickert
Kyle Rickert began seriously studying yoga in 2004, after moving to Los Angeles as a fashion designer.  Her primary focus was vinyasa flow, studying with influential teachers Micheline Berry, Shiva Rea, Hala Khouri, and Marlize Joubert.  Initially seeing yoga as a balancing force between surfing, running and biking, this connection gradually deepened into a source for mental and spiritual clarity.  After gathering creative influence by traveling extensively in Morocco, Southeast Asia and Central America, she moved to Pagosa Springs to start rooting her energy.  Kyle received her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certified training from Shambhava School of Yoga in Nederland, Co in 2010.  Other influential teachers have been Annie Pace, Kyra Haglund, and Sofiah Thom.  Kyle's classes are driven by a love for music, balance and opening to accepting yourself and others around you.

Sherry Ponder
Sherry has extensive training from senior Anusara Yoga instructors  and has acquired hundreds of hours of Iyengar and Viniyoga training, as well as other styles of Yoga. She has studied structural and therapeutic principals and has been certified as a Fitness Instructor since 1999. Her instruction incorporates excellent foundation and sequencing while inspiring a sense of lightheartedness and playfulness. Her technical knowledge combines with her compassion, encouragement and communication skills in such a way that her students can truly benefit from her sessions.

Elly Heitkamp
Elly Heitkamp grew up in Pagosa Springs, CO and has traveled extensively but has never lost touch with her roots.  Elly possesses a devotional teaching style, encouraging students to connect with their spiritual hearts finding their inner truth and self. Yoga has been a part of her life for over ten years. Elly has been fortunate to fully immerse in yogic life through a trip to Bali where she attended a 200 hour teacher training from Frog Lotus International, a Yoga Alliance registered school. She is extremely grateful to be a student of Jacqueline Heisel.  Her classes are filled with Asana, vinyasa flow, pranayama and study from the yogic texts.  With an extensive anatomy background, developed from her massage therapy training, Elly offers a moving meditation practice with emphasis on Ashtanga alignment and philosophy. 

Courtney King
Courtney King, an architect by training and LEED AP by profession has been studying and practicing Yoga for over ten years. She brings the Ashtanga Primary Series to Ecoliving, gently infusing at the end of class the principals from the Yin Practice. Courtney's continuing dedicated personal practice, her exceptional communication skills, and her kind and engaging nature provide her with solid tools for the skillful guidance of the Ashtanga Yoga practice.  Visit her portfolio website at courtneyking.us

EcoLiving Pagosa
280 Pagosa Street
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
970.749.1600

ecolivingpagosa@gmail.com