In this day and age no health program is complete without a Mind & Body program. Descartes is famous for having artificially split Mind & Body - a politically astute move at the time, but a biological disaster for modern living. Every day more research confirms the molecular underpinnings that demonstrate that the mind and body are inextricably linked. More people are expressing the tremendous health benefits they have received by taking a Mind & Body approach to disease. Some of the more common health benefits reported are an increase in energy, more flexibility, relief from tension and stiffness, strengthening of the immune system and an increase in the ability to concentrate.

The Longfellow Clubs offer a rich variety of Mind & Body programs to explore. In addition to strength and aerobic training, you will find a variety of different yoga, stress reduction/meditation and polarity classes. Support for lifestyle changes can be found in the Weight Masters (Living in Balance), Stress Management and Mind & Body connection programs. If you want to take more responsibility for your health, and take a proactive role in preventing and healing degenerative diseases, these classes are for you.

For additional Mind & Body services in Wayland, please visit The Longfellow Health Center or call (508)358-4900. For additional Mind & Body services in Natick, please visit Integrative Therapeutics or call (508)647-3200.

Yoga Classes

Awareness Through Movement and Yoga
This class is a unique blend of the Feldenkrais method and Kripalu Yoga. You will be guided to listen to your body as you gently and slowly explore patterns of movement and experiment with bringing greater ease and awareness to a basic yoga posture, or to the daily functions of breathing, sitting, walking, and reaching. Benefits include reduced tension and pain, improved posture, flexibility and ease of movement leading to greater self awareness. Students of all levels of ability and experience are welcome. To find out when this class is being offered next, please email The Longfellow Club or call (508)358-6022.

Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga is a vigorous form of yoga which uses the breath to flow to one posture from another. This Mind & Body workout helps to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance while reducing stress. Perfect for both beginner and advanced yogis. Vinyasa Yoga is offered in Wayland on Mondays from 5:30pm - 6:30pm, and Thursdays from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. This class is free to members. If you would like to learn more about Vinyasa Yoga you can email Janine Agoglia.

Yoga for Your Hips
Come explore your hips. Some of our deepest tensions are held in this area. We will release tension and years of holding through yoga postures, stretching and relaxation. Whether you have tight hips or you simply like yoga, you will enjoy this in depth exploration into the realm of the 1st and 2nd Chakras.

Power Yoga
Power Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Vinyasa is a vigorous practice that combines different poses into a continuous flow called Vinyasa. Because of its intense focus in active breathing and attention to both the flexing and stretching muscles involved in each pose, Ashtanga Yoga can be a very intense workout that will develop your aerobic resistance, stamina and strength. Hence, it has become known in the USA as Power Yoga.

Gentle Yoga for All and Seniors
Yoga is about relaxing and opening up, and people who are in their retirement years can usually relax much better than younger people.
Can you lift your finger? Can you smile? Then you can do yoga! Renew, Release and Rejoice through yoga. Slowly and gently at your own pace. Increases your circulation and lung capacity, muscle tone, muscle strength, and energy level. Promotes health and vitality, boosts the immune System, and keeps you feeling eternally young. Think you're too old for Up Dog, Down Dog and Cat Pose? Think again. In fact, your age can even work to your advantage in yoga. Yoga class is offered in Wayland, on Thursdays, from 3:00-3:45 with Sheri in Studio 2.

back to top

Stress Reduction/Meditation Classes

Qigong
Qigong (Chi Kung) is an ancient Chinese healing system that includes movement and meditation, and focuses on detoxification and mastery of subtle energy. It is an excellent regimen to balance more intense aerobic exercise for persons who have been sedentary, or who are healing from injuries. Persons with chronic conditions including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and arthritis benefit greatly. Learn new ways to stretch. Open the spine and your meridians to greater qi (chi) flow. With this practice you can be more flexible, increase metabolic rate, avoid pain killers and sleep better. Principles taught here can improve your tennis, squash and other sports performance and be carried into everyday activities. Qigong is offered in Wayland, late September through July, on Mondays from 7:30-8:30pm and Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30am. Qigong is free to members, $77 for non-members. We would appreciate your signing-up in advance. If you would like to learn more about Qigong you can email Judith Poole, call her at (617)923-8856 or visit her website at www.HealingPoole.com.

T'ai Chi
T'ai Chi is a moving meditation, a very precise essence qigong form. The form we teach at Longfellow is the Yang Style, Short Form. The practice of t'ai chi balances yin and yang forces in the body, improves balance and posture, and helps combat osteoporosis. T'ai Chi is offered in Wayland, late September through July (qigong is a prerequisite) on Mondays from 8:30-9pm and Wednesdays from 9:30-10am. There is a small fee for T'ai Chi and advance sign-up is preferred. If you would like to learn more about T'ai Chi you can email Judith Poole, call her at (617)923-8856 or visit her website at www.HealingPoole.com.

Explorations in Radical Wellness
Explorations in Radical Wellness is an occasional Mind and Body offering at The Longfellow Club in Wayland, which covers the application of elegant transformational tools (healing sounds, breathing techniques, tapas acupressure technique, behavioral barometer balances, PACE balances, Callahan tapping, frontal occipital unwinding, Chi healing techniques, Chi self-massage and more) to help restore vitality and interrupt the disease process. If you would like to learn more about Explorations in Radical Wellness you can email Judith Poole, call her at (617)923-8856 or visit her website at www.HealingPoole.com.

Chakras and the Elements
The Chakras regulate the flow of life-force (ENERGY) into and out of our being. They are directly related to the five elements - earth, water, air, fire ether. As we learn to keep the Chakras balanced, and consciously live our life through the five elements, we discover our ability to truly heal ourselves and others. This workshop is an introduction to the physical and psychological nature of the Chakras and the Elements. Learn Chakra meditations, elemental breath work, and how to apply the principles of the elements to our bodies and lives. You will learn a simple bodywork session specifically for balancing the Chakras, which you may use on yourself, friends, and loved ones.

back to top

Polarity

Energy Healing through Polarity
Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive energy based health system involving bodywork, diet, exercise and self awareness. It works with the Human Energy Field, electromagnetic patterns expressed in mental, emotional and physical experience. In Polarity, health is viewed as a reflection of the condition of the energy field, and therapeutic methods are designed to balance the field for health benefits. Dr. Randolph Stone, DO, DC, ND, founder of Polarity Therapy, found that the Human Energy Field is affected by touch, diet, movement, sound, attitudes, relationships, trauma and environmental factors.

The 3-Day Polarity Cleansing Diet
Periodically cleansing the internal systems of our physical body allows our energy to flow freely. This improves our health, mental clarity and emotional balance. In this workshop, you will learn to use specific foods, juices, herbs and other techniques which form this simple cleansing regime. The Polarity Cleansing Program will help you feel lighter and healthier, cleanse the lymph system and internal organs, strengthen your immune system, reduce addictive eating habits and learn bodycare techniques.