Monday Session 1   

This course is geared for those new to yoga, those interested in a slower and more gentle practice, or those recovering from illness or injury. It includes a combination of meditation, breath work, and flowing movement intended for all abilities. Participants will move from seated on the floor (or a chair) to standing and then will return to mats. Participants will experiment with balance, strength, flexibility, and stillness while practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques. 

NOTE: The Gentle Yoga A and B classes are companion courses. Members can just register for both or just one. 

First published in 1922, T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land” is widely regarded as one of the most important English language poems of the 20th century. Lines of the poem have developed lives of their own and regularly appear in books, media, and conversation. But the whole poem can seem quite daunting. This class will guide readers through “The Waste Land,” with the goal of understanding its historical significance and parsing its multiple meanings. Each week, we will examine a section of the poem, considering the multiple references and biographical details Eliot wove into each stanza, and discussing the impact of the poem on readers who stand on the other side of the 20th century.

This gentle form of yoga is practiced using a chair as a prop/stabilizer for support during standing poses or adapted for sitting on a chair. It is especially beneficial for people concerned with balance or coordination issues or those who have felt they are unable to participate in other yoga experiences. The class includes poses for strength training, mobility in the joints, and more relaxing poses to help steady the mind. Modifications will be offered throughout the course so that participants learn to adapt to their personal situations and comfort as well as challenge themselves. The course is appropriate for all levels.  

 

Maintaining a narrow focus within the historical foundations which shaped the experience of religion in the United States, students will have the opportunity to explore both the antecedents and precedents for the 13 colonies as well as the rationale for the phrase "separation of church and state." The course will examine key religious movements in the U.S. such as the Puritan influence, the Great Awakenings, and the paradox of forced slave religion. Participants will also synthesize historic periods within the intersection of today's tensions between religion and politics and society.

This course is a follow-up to the "Geology of America's National Parks" course that was offered in 2023. This course will review the history and geology of an additional 25 national parks that were not covered in the previous course. Members will enjoy this summer virtual geologic excursion across our national parks! Attendance at the first course is not a prerequisite.