Living Well Center Yoga Series

What is yoga and what are the benefits?

Yoga is a combination of artful body movements and breath work that can bring deep relaxation to the body and improve sleep, digestion and provide stress relief. 

Program Details

• Classes: Ten weekly classes held on Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm. For more information, please call our office at 314-514-3565. The next session begins on April 4, 2024. View our events calendar for the full class schedule.
• Cost: $100

What to Expect

The initial series of six classes will provide building blocks to inspire and assist students establishing a home practice. The practice of yoga means “to yoke” the union of two opposites to create equanimity and balance. When we move our bodies with breath-centric awareness to calm the anxious mind, it has a profound effect on our nervous system, reducing stress, improving digestion, better sleep and connecting to ourselves.  

This class will feature breathing practices, meditation and asana (standing postures). The sequencing can blend various elements that have been known to improve our over-worked, stressed out state of mind, build strength and tone our foundation from feet to hips. We will explore extensions and contractions to help improve posture in the spine, and elongate tight muscles and gain flexibility along with stability while exploring ways to develop our practice. We will work with the diaphragm, the main muscle of breathing, to assist in refining breath work – vital for all bodily functions – energy, restoring equanimity and toning the core for spinal stability.

This class is open to anyone of all ages and athletic ability.

Tips for participants: 

• Please arrive 10 minutes early for the first class. There will be registration and release forms that need to be completed.
• You are welcome to bring your own yoga mat and props. If you don't have a yoga mat and props (blocks, strap, etc.) we will have some for you to share.
• Wear comfortable clothing you can breathe and stretch in easily (no sweat pants).
• Bare feet are required.
• Chairs will be available if you have any issues with balance.
• Bring positivity into class, and explore the art of yoga with an open mind and heart.
• It is important to note that yoga should not be painful. If you are not use to being physically active, listen to your body and give it the care and support it needs as you gain more experience and build your self-reliance.

About the Instructor

Mary Bouse is a Licensed Massage Therapist at STAR Physical Therapy and a Certified Yoga Teacher. She began her yoga journey while living abroad in Australia in 1998 while going through a challenging and stressful time in her personal life.

When she returned home to Missouri, a friend gifted her a yoga mat and a Rodney Yee video on Yoga for Strength. She sought out a local yoga teacher and began to practice. After three weeks of detoxing from stress and bad lifestyle habits, she found home in her yoga practice. Eventually, she attended a workshop with her yoga teacher and five other women in Nashville, TN, that was taught by Rodney Yee himself. It was an intense 12 hours that change the course of her life.

In early 2001, she attended yoga teacher training in the beautiful Berkshire mountains of Stockbridge Massachusetts. Over the course of five months and 400 hours of training and practice, she evolved into a teacher with aspirations to connect with all who were willing to give yoga a try. With over 2000 hours of training, she continues her studies and practice over the last few decades, and enjoys working with preschoolers, teens and adults.