There are many physical benefits to practicing Yoga. However, Yoga is more than a form of exercise. Yoga is an ancient Indian art, science, and philosophy. The word “Yoga” comes from Sanskrit and is usually translated to mean union because Yoga unites the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga is a spiritual practice, but it is not a religion. Yoga can be practiced by anyone regardless of religious beliefs, or physical limitations.

In the first written account of yogic philosophy, The Yoga Sutra, Indian sage Patanjali defines Yoga as a vehicle for stilling the mind. Focusing on a single point can silence our thoughts and calm the mind. One of the most common focal points is the breath. Patanjali describes “eight limbs” of Yoga. Hatha Yoga traditionally focuses on only two of these: Asana, or the physical postures, and Pranayama, or yogic breathing.

Hatha Yoga

The breathing techniques and postures of yoga increase strength and flexibility, essential for both a healthy body and mind. Discover a profound sense of relaxation and wholeness unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. 

Call the Morton Community Center in West Lafayette (765) 775-5120 for more information.

Classes offered at the Morton Community Center in West Lafayette

Location: Morton Center Room 200
Ages: 14 & older (*Instructor permission required for those under age 14.
Sam Royer would like his students to be age 18 or older.)

 

Summer 2009 Class Schedule

Most class periods are one hour and fifteen minutes.

Class sessions are generally five or six weeks per session.

 

Continuing Yoga

Prior experience is preferred.

Location: Morton Center, Room 200
Ages: 14 & older (Instructor permission required for those under age 14)

Date	Day	Times	Cost	Instructor
May 6-27	Wed	10:00-11:15 am	$40	Gass
May 6-27	Wed	5:30-6:45 pm	$40	McConville
Session 2
Jun 1-Jul 6 (no class 6/22)	Mon	7:15-8:30 pm	$50	McConville
Jun 3-Jul 8 (no class 6/24)	Wed	5:30-6:45 pm	$50	McConville
Session 3
Jul 20-Aug 17	Mon	7:15-8:30 pm	$50	McConville
Jul 22- Aug 19	Wed	5:30-6:45 pm	$50	McConville
Aug 5-26	Wed	10:00-11:15 am	$40	Gass

All Levels

This class is appropriate for all levels of experience.

Location: Morton Center, Room 200
Ages: 14 & older (Instructor permission required for those under age 14)

Date	Day	Times	Cost	Instructor
May 6-27	Wed	1:00-2:15 pm	$40	Gass
May 6-27	Wed	7:15-8:30 pm	$40	McConville
May 12-Jun 9	Tue	5:30-6:45 pm	$50	Royer
Session 2
Jun 3-Jul 8 (no class 6/24)	Wed	7:15-8:30 pm	$50	McConville
Session 3
Jul 22-Aug 19	Wed	7:15-8:30 pm	$50	McConville
Aug 5-26	Wed	1:00-2:15 pm	$40	Gass

Gentle Yoga

For students who have difficulty getting up and down or holding poses. Suitable for all levels, and appropriate for prenatal.

Location: Morton Center , Room 200
Ages: 14 & older (Instructor permission required for those under age 14)

Date	Day	Times	Cost	Instructor
May 7-28	Thu	10:00-11:15 am	$40	McConville
Jun 4-Jul 9 (no class 6/25)	Thu	10:00-11:15 am	$50	McConville
Jul 23-Aug 20	Thu	10:00-11:15 am	$50	McConville

Inner Peace Yoga & Meditation

Traditional yoga poses, relaxation techniques & meditation.

Date	Day	Times	Cost	Instructor
May 21-Jun 18	Thu	6:00-7:15 pm	$50	Jarori
Jun 1-22	Mon	5:30-6:45 pm	$40	Jarori
Session 2
Jun 25-Jul 23	Thu	6:00-7:15 pm	$50	Jarori
Jun 29-Jul 27	Mon	5:30-6:45 pm	$50	Jarori
Session 3
Jul 30-Aug 27	Thu	6:00-7:15 pm	$50	Jarori
Aug 3-31	Mon	5:30-6:45 pm	$50	Jarori

 

Flow Yoga

Experience preferred.  This class will move at a faster pace.

Date	Day	Times	Cost	Instructor
May 7-28	Thu	12:00-1:15 pm	$40	Gass
Session 2
Aug 4-25	Tue	5:30-6:45 pm	$40	Gass
Aug 6-27	Thu	12:00-1:15 pm	$40	Gass

 

Teen Yoga

Ages 15-19

Date	Day	Times	Cost	Instructor
Jun 2-16	Tue	10:30-11:45 am	$30	Gass
Jun 4-18	Thu	10:30-11:45 am	$30	Gass
Session 2
Jul 14-21	Tue	10:30-11:45 am	$20	Gass
Jul 16-23	Thu	10:30-11:45 am	$20	Gass

Class Policies

• Make-Ups are encouraged. If you miss a class, you may make it up within the current session at one of the other regular classes. Or a friend could come in your place or join you for another class. You may attend any of the current yoga classes offered. Check with the instructor of the class you wish to attend for space availability. Guests under age 13 need instructor permission to attend.
• Show consideration for the other students. Should you be late please come in quietly. Should you have to leave early please leave before final relaxation (approximately the last ten minutes of class.) Turn off cell phones.
• Yoga should not be practiced on a full stomach.
• Wear layers and be able to have bare feet.
• Yoga is not competitive. Be patient and compassionate with yourself.

Class Registration

Registration for all Yoga Balance classes is easy! Classes are held at the Morton Community Center, part of West Lafayette Parks and Recreation. All registrations are done through West Lafayette Parks and Recreation. Call (765) 775-5120 for more information. Mail-in registrations are given first priority each session.

 

Instructors

Lisa Nail

Lisa began studying and practicing Yoga in 1986. She apprenticed for three years with her principal teacher, Janet Bhuyan, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, before becoming a Yoga teacher. Lisa continued to study with Janet while teaching in Kalamazoo, until 1991 when her family moved to West Lafayette.

She taught Yoga at the YWCA for one year and then began teaching at Morton Community Center, where she remains. Lisa also studied teacher training with Erich Schiffmann and Judith Lasater. She belongs to both the Indiana and Michigan Associations, and continues her education by attending several workshops a year. She describes her style as an eclectic blend of all her wonderful teachers combined with her personal practice.

Lisa obtained a Bachelors degree in Biology from Purdue University and her Masters degree in Science Education from Western Michigan University. She was a high school Chemistry teacher and a Research Assistant before pursuing teaching Yoga as her true vocation.

Susanne McConville

Susanne is a certified yoga instructor from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago and a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, and is also a Certified Massage Therapist.   She strives to help students cultivate an awareness of the body, thoughts in the mind, feelings in the heart, and freedom of the spirit.  The goal of her practice is to integrate the Brennan Healing Science with the Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga.

Here is what she has to say:  "What I love most about yoga is its adaptability and it’s wide range of purpose.  It can be practiced in order to improve the health or appearance of your physical body, to clear blocked emotions and help balance your emotional state, or to cultivate mental clarity.  But the highest form of hatha yoga is a spiritual path: in it’s most pure form, it connects us with the Divine.  In my teaching I strive to create an ever-deepening awareness of the dimensions of our being, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.  Through asana and the breath, we can experience our own inner essence, and our creativity can come forth, from our inner source, through the levels of our being, into the physical."

Shari Gass

I look at yoga as a journey to be approached in a joyful way. I like to teach in a light-hearted style. My approach is an eclectic blend of Hatha yoga influenced by a variety of styles and teachers.

I love the people drawn to yoga.Sharing and experiencing the transforming effects of yoga asanas (postures), with others provides the motivation for my teaching and continued study.

I love introducing yoga to new students and sharing the journey of continuing students as we discover the benefits for each individual. I continue to devote myself to the study of yoga, both physical and spiritual, by attending workshops and teacher trainings.

When I began taking classes twelve years ago, I loved learning the asanas and moving my body in different ways. I was attracted to the physicality of yoga.As I have moved along my yoga path, I have also learned to love the wonderful benefits of working with pranayama (breathing exercises) and the value of creating awareness about my body, my mind, and my feelings.

During the past three years, I have been teaching in the Lafayette area at Newtone, SIA Fitness Center, The Morton Center, and privately. Two years ago I began the yoga program at McAllister Center in Lafayette.

I am happy to announce that I just received by certification in the Living Yoga Program. This is a 200 hour teacher training program. This program has helped to shape my philosophy and style of teaching and has exposed me to many styles of yoga. It also has given me an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of yoga and its physical benefits. During the program, I met some great people who share my love of yoga!Through the Living Yoga Program network, I now have the experience of a whole yoga community at my fingertips.

Whether you take classes with me or anyone else, I would encourage you to develop the practice of yoga in your daily life. I am convinced of the positive spiritual and physical benefits of yoga. Yoga has enriched my life beyond expectations and can do the same for you.

Sam Royer

Sam took his first yoga class in January 2000 and was amazed at the demands the postures required both mentally and physically. For a year he attended student/teacher training sessions with Jyoti Hansa in Indianapolis, IN.

In November 2002 he completed YogaFit Level 1 Certification. He has also attended workshops with Gary Kraftsow, Steve Jacobsen, and Kriota Wilberg. He has taught beginning yoga for the past 5 1/2 years.

The body awareness from practicing yoga has carried over into his everyday living. He has realized that yoga is about being more aware of yourself with regard to what you do to your body (mentally and physically).

Manju Jarori

I began studying and practicing yoga in 1996 from Yoga Vidya Niketan, in Mumbai, India. Over the past year, I have been conducting Yoga and Meditation classes at Purdue. I have attended many yoga workshops and studied Sudarshan Kriya through the Art of Living and Integrated Meditation Techniques from IAM (Integrated Amrita Ma Meditation). I believe in providing a comfortable and noncompetitive environment for learning different techniques. Students can explore the connection of the mind, body and spirit through learning yoga postures, pranayama and meditation. Various Yoga techniques have been proven to improve physical health, mental well being and reduce stress. Meditation helps improve clear thinking and concentration. I have personally experienced that regular practice of yoga and meditation has greatly improved my lifestyle and helped me achieve my career goals as well as improved my interpersonal relationships. My goal is to provide my students with these tools so they can lead a more satisfying, fulfilling and healthier life. I obtained my master’s degree in resource management from India. I taught undergraduate classes at Mumbai University, Mumbai, India for 10 years before moving to West Lafayette.

Morton Community Center Morton Community Center West Lafayette Parks and Recreation 222 North Chauncey Ave West Lafayette, IN 47906 (765)775-5120 The Morton Community Center is conveniently located in the heart of the Chauncey Village neighborhood adjacent to the Purdue University Campus. On the National Register of Historic Places, the two story red-brick building was the site of West Lafayette's first public school. The school remained in use until 1976 until town's population outgrew the building. Sold to West Lafayette Parks & Recreation in the 1980's, the Center has gradually become a focus point for recreational activities in the community. Yoga is one of the many classes offered in recreational wellness classes. Art and dance classes, along with community club meetings and low-cost meeting spaces are all offered to the public. Directions The Morton Center , located at 222 Chauncey Ave. West Lafayette , IN. 47906 can be reached easily from either Salisbury Street, Northwestern Avenue , or State Street . Enter a starting address below to get specific directions using Google Maps. Links Indiana Yoga Association West Lafayette Parks and Recreation/Morton Center Contact Please contact us through the Morton Community Center at (765)775-5120.