Global Mala Event

Saturday, September 18
from 9 am - 12PM

Three Trees is participating, again this year, in a worldwide event for peace. The purpose of the Global Mala is to unite the global yoga community from every continent, school or approach to form a "mala around the earth" through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108 on Sept. 18th or 19thth, Fall Equinox as the yoga world's offering to further the UN International Peace Day. Donations only are accepted for the event and 100% of proceeds go to support Yoga Behing Bars.  Yoga Behind Bars is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Seattle that brings yoga and meditation classes to incarcerated youth and adults in Washington State as well as those at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Their mission is to share tools of self-awareness, healing and transformation with their students.
Sun Salutes begin at 9am with an opportunity each half hour for participants to arrive and depart as they need. The focus of the event is on peace and healing and that begins in one's own body and mind so please participate to the level that feels appropriate and supportive to you.

-donation only; cash or check please

Yoga for the Flexibility-Challenged with Suzy Green-Cindrich
Saturday,September 25 from 1:00 - 2:15 PM

Has it been a while since you touched your knee caps let alone your toes?

The yoga postures developed 5,000 years ago were not created for people who are already flexible, but rather to help people become more flexible.  Yet yoga isn’t just about flexibility— yoga is good for what ails you. Specifically, research shows that yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases. What's more, yoga:

• Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina
• Reduces stress and tension
• Boosts self esteem
• Improves concentration and creativity
• Lowers fat
• Improves circulation
• Stimulates the immune system
• Creates sense of well being and calm.
• Helps to prevent osteoporosis

Pelvic Floor Workshop with Kris Costello
Saturday, October 2 from 2:30 - 4:00 PM

"The pelvic floor makes up a significant piece of your body’s core, the essence of your very being. The foundation for all movement, balance, stability and flexibility begins in the pelvis. And in times of change, such as during pregnancy, childbirth, perimenopause and menopause, we can support our bodies — literally and figuratively — by creating strength in our cores."
- Carrie Levine, CNM,MSN

Learn about the anatomy and functions of the pelvic floor muscles and how to confidently integrate your pelvic floor muscles into your yoga practice. With this knowledge you can manage, cure or prevent common pelvic floor muscle conditions such as:
Urinary incontinence/frequency/urgency     
Male incontinence following prostatectomy or TURP
Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
Painful intercourse
Pelvic pain that can accompany gynecologic/urologic conditions such
as Interstitial Cystitis, Endometriosis, pelvic surgery.

In a group teaching setting you will learn specific strategies and techniques for creating health and stability in your pelvic floor.  This will be geared to both the male and female populations.

Kris Costello has been a physical therapist since 1983 and has been doing pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation since 1990. She is certified through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance in pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. She has lectured on pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation throughout the community and contributed a chapter called Myofascial Pain Syndromes to the Medical Textbook Chronic Pelvic Pain published by W.B. Saunders.  She strongly believes in education as a first line tool for all of her patients and partnering with other health care disciplines to holistically treat all contributions to the patient's condition.

- $25 in advance, $30 at the door as space permits
register here  

Balancing the 1st and 2nd Chakras
with Vibrational Therapy, Yoga & Meditation Workshop
Karen Schwisow and Michelle Thibert

Saturday , October 16th
from 2 - 4 PM

Learn how your chakras affect you and how to recognize when they are out of balance. Practice techniques to bring yourself to greater awareness and harmony.

* Discover and experiment with vibrational energies such as essential oils, flower essences and stones which can be very supportive in helping to find the right balance
* Receive an essential oil sample to use in class and take home with you.
* Practice simple yoga poses specific to these chakras.
* Be guided through a healing meditation that you can use again and again.

The first chakra - root chakra - deals with our sense of security and stability on all levels; our foundation in life.
When out of balance we may have fears about lack, physical decline or other anxieties. We may feel we don't have enough to give, either materially or emotionally. Depression, isolation, addictions, people-pleasing and negativity are manifestations of imbalance here.
When balanced we feel secure and self confident. We have a firm foundation on which to handle life's challenges. We have a strong sense of our own identity and a sense of belonging. We feel connected to the earth, our deeper selves and the world. Our relationships are loving and nurturing.

The second chakra - sacral chakra - the seat of the ability to create, produce, give birth. It relates to emotions, intimacy, pleasure, desire and our ability to be open and flexible in our body and our life.
When we are deficient we may feel dull, lifeless and flat. We may be out of touch with our feelings and resistant to change. An excessively charged second chakra may reveal itself through overly emotional behavior, a need for drama, sexual addiction or poor boundaries.
When the second chakra is balanced we are sensitive and considerate of those around us. We can empathize without becoming enmeshed and losing touch with our own center. We are able to accept our own emotions and love ourselves as we are. We embrace change and feel passionate, adventurous and innovative.

 - $35 in advance, $40 at the door
register here

Seasonal Vinyasa Workshop
with Melina Meza

Sunday, October 17
from 9 am - 12PM

9 - 10:15 am - fall flow yoga session
10:30 - 12 pm - fall ayurveda information session

Seasonal Vinyasa describes an artistic style of sequencing asana and seasonal daily rituals. The main inspiration for Seasonal Vinyasa comes from the Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda traditions, two complementary sciences that promote health in body, mind, and spirit.

This unique workshop emphasizes the importance of sequencing and adapting asanas, dietary approaches, cleansing techniques, daily rituals and lifestyle routines to better synchronize with the seasonal changes occurring in the natural world. Students will learn relevant philosophy applicable to today’s lifestyle, seasonal practices to harmonize actions with nature, specific alignment principles in asana to strengthen the body’s inherent tendencies toward seasonal imbalances and practical tools about how to weave together these principles into a practical daily life routine. All levels welcome.

Melina has been exploring the art and science of yoga and nutrition for over 16 years. She combines her knowledge of Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda, whole foods nutrition, and healthy lifestyle promotion into a unique style called Seasonal Vinyasa. She is the author of the Art of Sequencing book and recently created the Yoga for the Seasons video series, which premiered in September 2009 with the release of the Fall Vinyasa DVD. You can find Melina at 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle, where she has been teaching full time since 1997, and is the Co-Director of the 8 Limbs Teachers’ Training Program.
Read more: melinameza.com

- $30 for one session, $50 for both - preregistration price
- add $5 at the door as space permits
register here

Kid's Yoga
Workshop
(Ages 3-9) With
Amy Tangen
watch for dates

This class will be inspired by the warmth and playfulness of summer.  We will start off with a fun, gentle yoga practice followed by an invigorationg meditation. We will end with a fun, summer craft and a nutritious snack.

Benefits of Yoga for kids:
• Improves Motor Skills
• Improves Balance and Coordination
• Increases neuromuscular development
• Helps to strengthen the immune system
• Promotes healthier sleep
• Increases concentration, focus and attention span
• Stimulates auditory processing and responsiveness
• Balances energy
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Develops discipline and self-control
• Enables social interaction and self expression
• Encourages a fit and healthy life style
• Its fun!

Click here to read an in depth article on yoga for kids in Yoga Journal magazine.

Parents are invited to wait in our reception room and sip hot tea or water during class. We have found that if the parents remain in the room the kids tend to perform for their parents and the child misses out on having an internal experience. 

Children have limited attention spans so please arrive no more than 10 minutes early for class so your child is fully present and ready for yoga.  You are encouraged to bring a water bottle for your child.  They work up a thirst in class and this will limit the time needed for water breaks.

Restorative Yoga with Karen Schwisow
1st Friday of Every Month
NEW TIME
from 6:00 -7:15 PM 
NOW A DROP IN!

This class involves only the most delicious yoga poses. It includes very gentle stretching as well as relaxing postures that are held for several minutes. The body is invited to release and let go
while the mind is encouraged to be quiet and awake.

You will experience a variety of poses that help to: * relieve anxiety and nervousness * treat and prevent head aches * soothe the nervous system *combat insomnia * relieve depression and foggy thinking * improve digestion * reduce symptoms of PMS * refresh and rejuvenate the entire body.  
Dim lights, soft music, bolsters, blankets and lavender-scented eye pillows will assist you in releasing tension from the body and the mind.  Float home and enjoy the rest of your week end in peace.
No previous yoga experience required. All props are provided although you are encouraged to bring your own if you have them.

- $15 or use your class pass
Preregistration strongly recommended as class size is limited.

Register for a class from here
or call 253-815-YOGA (9642).

Meditation with
Karen Schwisow
2nd Friday of every month
6:00 - 7:00 PM
NOW A DROP IN

Meditation is an invaluable tool for self inquiry and insight as well as a pathway for releasing obstacles to health and well-being. As always, we will play with different techniques to aid in your process of developing awareness and inner peace.  Give yourself this hour to cultivate a quiet place with in. 
No experience necessary.

- $15 drop in or use your class pass

Register for a class from here
or call 253-815-YOGA (9642).

Yoga with a Beat with Bryan Michel
3rd Friday of every month
from 6:00 - 7:15 PM
NOW A DROP IN!

This class is inspired by the play of yoga rather than the study of yoga. Students must be familiar with alignment of basic poses as there is little instruction on fundamentals. It is an energizing vinyasa class for those yogis who understand their limits and are not working with an injury or health limitation. This flow style class is accompanied with some great tunes to keep us moving. Come play!

-$15 drop in or use your class pass
Friday Night Workshop passes still valid (those can now be used for yoga drop in classes as well)

Register for a class from here
or call 253-815-YOGA (9642).

Yin & Yoga Nidra 
with Janice Sack-Ory
4th Friday of Every Month
NEW TIME!
from 6:00 - 7:15PM
NOW A DROP IN

This practice begins with yin yoga; a simple, quiet practice that explores the connective tissue and joints of the body. The major differences between a yin and a traditional yoga practice are that yin postures are passive and done with the muscles relaxed. The poses are held on the floor, for a length of time. The regular practice of Yin yoga frees areas of chronic tightness primarily in the hips, legs, and lower back. The yin aspect of yoga, therefore, is vital for a balanced approach to our physical and mental sense of well being. The practice is quiet and passive; it has a quality of stillness. Learning to be still and to enjoy that stillness, helps us to find calm amid the chaos of our daily lives.  

Then you are invited to snuggle in with blankets, bolsters and an eye pillow and listen to a guided meditation that systematically relaxes and releases each layer of the body and mind.  Yoga Nidra leads you gently to a place of quiet with in and with out and offers an opportunity for both insight and inquiry.  It is so nourishing and restful that it considered to be equal to over 4 hours of sleep.
Come and experience this deceptively simple meditation practice.  

-$15 drop in or use your class pass
Friday Night Workshop pass still valid

Register for a class from here
or call 253-815-YOGA (9642).

Partners Yoga with Jeni and Rocky Martinez
watch for future dates

This is a fun class that is designed to bring two people, either life partners or fitness buddies, together through yoga and touch. We explore new and creative ways to do traditional yoga postures, modifying them to fit the unique needs of each couple. Increase your level of fitness, release tension, and deepen your relationship while having a good time. All participants are invited to go out to dinner afterwards to complete the evening of fun.

- $30 in advance, $35 at the door
Pre registration strongly recommended, space is limited and fills early.