Evolution Yoga - Burlington, Vermont » Kelli Mae Willis

Spring CircusYoga with Kelli Mae

Evolution Yoga — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:43:26 +0000

I’m really looking forward to the next session of CircusYoga in our Young Yogis program. Our past sessions have been 5 weeks long, and we’ve gotten to explore little bits of all of the elements of CircusYoga: partner acrobatics, thai massage, juggling, games, breathing, balance… Starting April 15th, our CircusYoga session will be 8 weeks long, which means we’ll be able to go deeper in the practice and into developing our skills and relationships.

In this session, we’ll focus on communication and community by breaking out in smaller groups. We’ll start to play with supporting, teaching, and learning from each other. We’ll also explore clowning and experiment with performing. Students can choose a few skills to practice consistently and sharpen. We’ll also work on our spotting techniques so that we can support one another in partner acrobatics. I hope to have some parents flying as well!

I hope to hold a few classes outside where we can to play with new circus toys. My partner, Sam, will be a guest at least once throughout the session, and will set up his slack line for us to practice our balancing skills. A slack line is similar to a tight rope, but flexible. We have worked with kids on the slack line dozens of times in the past. It is amazing to see even the most energetic children zooming in to focus when they are walking on the slack line. I also plan to make some large hula hoops so that we can learn hoop tricks.

One of the foundations of CircusYoga is the idea that everyone has something to offer to a group, and every group is stronger because of each individual within it. I would love to begin to create a space where everyone feels they are valued, and where each person can start to think about what they love and want to learn. The age range of 7-10 is such an amazing time for children. They are really starting to define their identities, but still maintaining those endearing qualities of childhood that keep them from taking themselves too seriously. This is such a fantastic time to show your kids, and to remind yourself, that being open, present, and playful are good things, and that having fun is a noble goal!

I can’t wait to share this practice with you. The class meets every Thursday from 3:30-4:15 at Evolution. It runs April 15th- June 3rd. And we’ll be taking a break for the summer, so this is your last chance to play before next fall! We need at least 5 teams of parents and kids to run the class. So sign up and encourage your friends! Register Now!

- Kelli Mae Willis

Teacher Feature: Kelli Mae Willis

Evolution Yoga — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:37:40 +0000

Teacher Feature of the Month: Kelli Mae Willis

Watch a video of Kelli Mae Willis! Visit Kelli Mae at the studio!

Kelli Mae’s Classes:

Circus Yoga: Thursdays: 3:30- 4:15 pm pm (pre-registration only) | Flying Yoga: Thursdays: 7:30- 8:30 pm | Vinyasa: Wednesdays: 5:45-7:15 pm

1. evo: how did your yoga journey begin and what has yoga come to be or to mean for you?

kelli mae willis: For many years, yoga was on the fringe of my life. I studied philosophy, belly dance, meditation, and Eastern religions in college, and yoga was always offered alongside these practices. As time went on, I took classes in Bikram, Hatha, Kundalini, and Iyengar yoga, and enjoyed the practice tremendously. Then by a very random sequence of events, I found myself traveling to India in 2007 with the family of a 90 year old Punjabi guru.
In India, I thought, why not find a teacher training course? And so I completed a training in Nasik where I learned more about the depth of the yogic lifestyle beyond asana practice. At the end of 2007, I was blessed to attend an AcroYoga immersion with my partner Sam in Big Sur, California. This practice completely exploded my worldview. Since then, AcroYoga and anusara are my primary practices, along with CircusYoga, a practice much like AcroYoga but designed for kids and parents working together.
In each class, immersion, and training, I’m reminded that my own practice has come so far, and yet there is still so much more to learn. This is the heart of the practice to me. Yoga is not a school subject you can master in a certain period of time. It is an entire shift in the method of living your life. Today, yoga is my spiritual driver. I know if I am making choices that support my practice and give me time to move forward in my learning, then these are the right choices in my life.

2. evo: what do you teach and evolution and what is your style like?

km: I teach Flying Yoga, CircusYoga, and Vinyasa all levels classes at Evolution. I like my classes to be playful, challenging, and intuitive. Yoga is a practice of learning your own truth, so I encourage students to take time to relax in postures, and tune in to the intelligence of the body. I like to draw from cognitive psychology and establish the habits of breath awareness and conscious relaxation to create mind-body practices that will serve students beyond the yoga studio. And when it is appropriate, I love to challenge and support my students to break out of their perceptions of what they can or cannot do, and break the limitations the mind has placed on the body.
We do this with the support of the knowledge of our teachers and the energy of the community, and the end result is absolutely profound.

3. evo: whom or what influences & inspires you?

km: The practices of AcroYoga, CircusYoga, and Thai Yoga Massage are some of my greatest inspirations. Each of these practices integrates the wisdom of the East with the energy of the West. We are not ancient Indian monks, and yoga is not a dogmatic, rigid system. It is a fundamental perspective shift that underlies any activity that brings us into our bodies, into the present moment, and into a place of peace.
AcroYoga and CircusYoga encourage play, which to me is so essential yet so easily missed in our modern culture. They and Thai Massage also bring back the vital elements of physical human connection, pieces of our nature that keep us healthy and happy far more than the virtual world. Having a partner on your feet or receiving massage means you must be present and full of compassion. I’m inspired most when students discover abilities or ideas that haven’t come from me. This means that I have succeeded in creating a space for them to explore their own truth. These experiences teach me that the most growth and creativity comes from a humble teacher and empowered students.

4. evo: what is one thing you want your students to walk away from class knowing or feeling?

km: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!

Try Flying Yoga with Kelli Mae & Sam

Evolution Yoga — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:14:10 +0000

Join Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga teacher Kelli Mae and her partner Sam, for a short flying yoga sequence. This video will give you a taste of how flying yoga class feels and some yoga to try at home.

Catch Flying Yoga on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. here at the studio. $5-10 donation only! No partner is necessary to attend.

If you’re new to yoga, join Kelli Mae’s beginner class, called “Fundamentals” for foundation and basic understanding- Wednesday nights: 5:45-7:15 p.m.

For full length classes visit us in person at Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga