atha yoga

independence day

2009-06-11T15:34:50Z

beloved friends, all classes will be cancelled on Friday July 3 in honor of independence day; kristie will be on retreat in the mountains, meditating, walking the labyrinth, and kissing redwood trees. this means there is no First Fridays Yoga Oasis for July! check out the listing for the mini-retreat the following weekend instead!

gentle yoga for every body, series 2

2009-06-03T18:00:00Z

1701 Divisadero Street at Sutter.
$60 for the 4 week series.
advance registration is requested. details here

this rejuvenating and relaxing class encourages clarity, strength, and ease of body and mind through the exploration of yoga postures, breath work, meditation, and deep relaxation. we aim to build a strong foundation for newcomers and to deepen the awareness and skill of the experienced practitioner. choices will be given for a range of possibilities so that each person can express each practice in a way that suits their unique physical circumstances. anyone interested in deeper well-being, including those new to yoga or facing health challenges, is welcome. level of practice is sweet and gentle.

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props are provided. most of the Osher Center's mats are very thick; if you prefer a regular mat, it might be wise to bring your own.

saturday mini-retreat

2009-06-03T16:37:12Z

In addition to its benefits for the body, yoga also offers profound tools for self-discovery and growth. Our mental and emotional capacities can increase in range and power just like our physical capacities! Come and see how yoga can inspire you to grow. Discover new strengths, support your life and health goals, and work toward becoming a happier, healthier person on all levels. This class is open to all, including those new to yoga or facing health challenges, and will combine deep, gentle asana practice with meditation, self-inquiry, and yogic philosophy.

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1701 Divisadero Street at Sutter.
$35
advance registration can take place here, or you can register that day.

props are provided. most of the Osher Center's mats are very thick; if you prefer a regular mat, it might be wise to bring your own.

gentle yoga for every body, series 3

2009-06-03T15:00:00Z

1701 Divisadero Street at Sutter.
$60 for the 4 week series.
advance registration is requested. details here

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props are provided. most of the Osher Center's mats are very thick; if you prefer a regular mat, it might be wise to bring your own.

first fridays yoga oasis

2009-06-03T14:00:00Z

1701 Divisadero Street at Sutter.
$25.
register here or at class

this luxurious 2-hour class offers a chance to nourish and recharge so you can head into your weekend with more clarity and less stress. strengthen and unwind body with a mindful practice and long deep relaxation. kristie's intention is for this class to be suitable for both folks who attend her gentle and her more vigorous classes. newcomers and experienced practitioners are welcome, as are people living with illnesses or disabilities; this slow, detailed class can grant depth of experience and options for comfort to suit all. come, start the weekend and the month ahead with joy and peace!

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props are provided. most of the Osher Center's mats are very thick; if you prefer a regular mat, it might be wise to bring your own.

new research study

2009-04-12T10:37:12Z

Kristie is thrilled to be participating in research at The Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSF.

Fatigue is the most common symptom experienced by cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, and can negatively impact quality of life an other daily functions. Doctors at UCSF are currently enrolling participants into a pilot study to learn about the effects of ancient yogic breathing exercises (Pranayama) on fatigue and other symptoms.

Study details:

- For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy an experiencing fatigue
- Attend No-Fee Yogic breathing classes taught by Kristie Dahlia Home at the Osher Center
- Complete questionnaires
- Total compensation up to $90 for participating.

contact Steffanie Goodman at goodmans@ocim.ucsf.edu or 415-353-7356

research on yogic lifestyle and healing cancer

2008-08-04T02:08:49Z

before i began to teach one of the communities being studied by Dr. Dean Ornish's Preventative Medicine Research Institute, i visited as a guest. that night, the first person i spoke to gave me an enormous bear hug simply because my request for directions showed her i was new. this kind of warmth is typical of my experience in the sangha (spiritual community) that develops in folks following Dr. Ornish's protocols for healing. research is now showing profound healing on the physical level in people with cancer, too! in reading this, know that the "moderate exercise" component of the protocol is a gentle daily yoga practice.

grounding '09: an atha yoga retreat

2008-03-17T06:52:06Z

yes, our fall retreat will be in the Santa Cruz Mountains at Double Bear, sister camp to Salamander, the sweet little camp beloved by so many of our sangha. Double Bear is just a ways further around the mountain and has the same lovely practice yurt with far more sleeping options! details soon, loves, but save the date and drop a line if you wish to reserve a place in advance.

rising '10: an atha yoga retreat

2008-03-16T06:16:07Z

our annual spring retreat returns to harbin once again. ahhhhh! more details as the event approaches.

exciting coverage!

2008-02-03T04:18:39Z

one of my students in the Gentle Yoga for Cancer Patients class that Jnani Chapman and i teach at UCSF was interviewed for an article on the growing popularity of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) in the January 21 issue of U.S. News and World Report

"Yoga, a physical activity, has understandable benefits for cancer patients, in whom it helps restore strength and flexibility to muscles weakened by treatment. Alicia Chin has been taking a weekly yoga class for cancer patients at the Osher Center. 'Yoga reteaches the muscles how to work, and it makes me feel good,' says Chin, a 46-year-old San Franciscan. She had a lumpectomy and had two lymph glands removed last March, followed by radiation, and now is enrolled in a clinical trial of a new chemotherapy regimen. 'You get all these drugs pumped into you, you don't want to do anything,' says Chin, a paralegal. She still doesn't have the strength to reach up and paint a ceiling, as she puts it, 'but it really makes a difference.'"

thai yoga massage

2007-12-30T11:48:25Z

Thai Yoga Massage is an extraordinary healing art. in the words of Kristie's teacher, Saul David Raye.

"The healing art of thai yoga massage is an ancient and sacred system of healing with roots in Yoga, Ayurvedic Medicine and Buddhist spiritual practice. It is a unique and powerful system of Yoga Therapy, which combines rhythmic massage, acupressure, asanas (Yogic stretching exercises), gentle twisting, energy work and meditation. Thai Yoga Massage stimulates and balances the flow of healing energy within the body, opening the areas which are blocked bringing the person deeper into balance and harmony for health, happiness and wellness of being. This system creates a powerful release of stress and tension, an increase in vitality and well-being and it deepens the connection between mind, body and spirit in both the giver and receiver."

Kristie delights in incorporating bits of thai massage into her group classes and private sessions. full sessions of thai massage offer profound goodness and last 2 hours. currently Kristie is sharing thai yoga massage sessions for $120-$160 for a 2 hour session in her studio. shorter sessions are available for $60-80/hour. at your home, her usual rate would apply.

]]> folks are saying this about Kristie's thai yoga massage sessions:

"one of the best massage treatments i've ever received (and i've received a lot). kristie's touch is attentive, penetrating, and energetically engaged... i feel balanced, energized, clear. all through the session i felt... filled with a child-like happiness."

"the session with Kristie was phenomenal - she obviously already carries with her a tremendous body of knowledge about touch and the body as a system. what i found most amazing about this session was the way that Kristie addressed my physical and energetic body so fully and completely. she was always very aware of making me comfortable so i could go deeper into the stretches and very in tune with my unfolding, knowing when to keep pushing and when to back off. overall excellent!"

"it was a thoroughly relaxing experience. I was put deeply at ease by Kristie. she felt in tune to how my body was responding to her work. i was in a trance throughout."

"it felt like a more holistic experience than a different sort of massage -- the stretching adds so much!"

"I came into the session tired, stressed out, and fighting a cold. after two and a half hours (it seemed like less than an hour!) of Kristie's careful attention, I was delightfully non-verbal and relaxed. I was surprised by the quality of her awareness of the structure of my musculature. I am looking forward to my next session."

reiki

2007-12-29T11:53:53Z

Reiki is a simple and profound form of hands-on healing with roots in ancient Tibetan Buddhism. many modern scientific studies have demonstrated the power of Reiki. it is particularly useful for the relief of pain, encouraging healing, and emotional integration. Reiki can be an excellent for preparing or recovery from medical procedures and surgeries. Kristie offers Reiki in private sessions, and as a Reiki Master also offers training in Reiki in group and private formats.

private sessions

2007-01-01T20:00:00Z

individual Yoga instruction is organic and meets you on your ground. it grows with you when you are ready and coddles when you need it. Thai Yoga Massage offers deep release and healing. Reiki promotes integration, eases pain, and speeds healing. meditation brings peace of mind. guided visualizations offer deep healing and inner growth. chanting harmonizes the bodymind, cleanses, and opens the heart. any session can draw on any or all of these tools! fee is generally a sliding scale; regular weekly bookings are discounted.

in Kristie's Castro Home studio:
$80-100/hour

at your home:
$80-100/hour, including travel
availability and cost for outcall sessions varies; to discuss please email Kristie, or call 415 863 1821.

Kristie has a 48 hour cancellation policy; payment in full is due for sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice.

]]> Kristie's clients have offered these words of gratitude:

"my session was so amazing; it really grounded me in ways i can't even understand/explain. I'm still feeling intense equilibrium and wellbeing in reaction."

"when practicing yoga following a video tape aggravated some shoulder pain that had been on and off for a few years, I asked Kristie to take a look. on close inspection she was able to identify that I had been cheating through a position with incorrect shoulder posture (probably the original source of my pain). Kristie taught me the correct posture, repositioning my shoulders and shoulder blades, which activated under-used muscles of the arms, chest and back, real strength! the effect of these adjustments was instantly felt in almost every pose of my practice. the adjustments also applied to my posture in everyday life which freed up a constant tension in my neck and provided better support to my middle back, especially sitting. one position correction, 3 aches gone! thanks, Kristie!"

"Kristie tailors each of our sessions to my state at that moment. this morning, after last night's six hour plan flight, Kristie created the perfect decompression for me, and what a great day I had."

"Through Kristie's generous spirit, I have learned how to let life bring my its gifts rather than forcing them to come to me. I believe this is the reason I have not had an episode of MS since I started my practice with her."

group classes

2007-01-01T19:00:00Z

sharing Yoga can help any community to be more harmonious, efficient, healthy, and joyful. Kristie has taught in situations as varied as corporate offices, yoga teacher training programs, gyms, a hospital, an ashram, and a women's shelter. she has worked with small children and elderly people. she trains teachers, works with people with cancer, teaches women's pre- and post- natal classes, and recently delighted in teaching in the blind and visually impaired community. chances are if you have a special interest, she'd love to try to meet it. groups of up to 6 can be accommodated in Kristie's Home studio in the Castro. fees for group instruction vary with the situation.

]]> Kristie's clients have said:

"Kristie was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, reliable, caring, communicative, and creative throughout her tenure with us. teaching in an office setting presents different challenges than teaching in a yoga studio: encouraging busy workers to take time out to nurture their bodies, working with students with a wide variety of aptitude and flexibility, and recognizing that the classes are presented within the greater framework of the office environment. in our case, this was doubly challenging, as Kristie has helped to support our staff through our public stock offering, 10 mergers/acquisitions, 2 layoffs, various changes in management, and other various impacts of the Internet roller-coaster ride of the past few years. Kristie was consistently able to provide a centering and creative environment in our office."

"Kristie has worked with all ages within the Hamlin community, ranging from kindergarten classes to the faculty. Kristie shares her love of yoga with her students and inspires, excites and motivates her pupils. the students love and respect her and the community has embraced the teachings that she has offered."

- Danny Meyer, After School Academy Director, The Hamlin School

"we hired Kristie to teach twice-weekly yoga classes at my company, and it proved to be an excellent decision; she is a wonderful teacher. Kristie is very responsive to the needs and abilities of whomever is in a particular class and also to the changing needs of a class itself as a unit."

"Kristie's sessions helped our team of two to be more at ease with each other. by sharing the physical poses and meditation, my colleague and i became better attuned to one another, and our writing project flowed much better."

"Kristie is truly an outstanding teacher, one whose generosity of spirit inspires students in amazing ways. her teaching is nurturing as well as challenging. while Kristie easily articulates the physical aspects of the practice, she also weaves in the philosophical in a seamless and lovely manner. she has clearly studied yoga from myriad perspectives and is deeply rooted in traditional teachings. at the same time, she is quite comfortable with improvisation and can be quite adaptable and flexible depending upon the class and what challenges the students present. Kristie is an individual with deep integrity. she is inspired and inspiring to work with, on every level.

Kate Randall, Art Department Chair, The Urban School of San Francisco

"in our program Kristie leads special workshops that focus on the subtle aspects of Hatha Yoga. these workshops focus on challenging students to search within their own experience so they can teach from an authentic and compassionate place. over the past few years I have come to rely upon Kristie’s expertise. not only is she a great resource for my own questions, but I know that our students are being enlightened by her teaching. I cherish Kristie’s addition to our program."

- Reverend Jivana Heyman, Teacher Training Coordinator, Integral Yoga Institute.

mondays, from 10-11:30am

2007-01-01T12:00:00Z

1701 Divisadero Street at Sutter.

$15 per class.
register here or at class

mats and props are provided.

we will use gentle seated and, if appropriate for you, standing poses to increase comfort, strength, and flexibility. deep relaxation, breathing, and meditation will help to build the skill of relaxation and relieve stress. chair yoga is appropriate for those who cannot comfortably practice on the floor, or anyone who prefers a very gentle practice.