I teach Flying Yoga because this experience was profound for me: the impossible became possible!  I cannot express what a tremendous impact this had on my confidence, my yoga practice, and my entire world view.  Because of Flying Yoga, I now see difficulties as exciting challenges to be overcome with diligence and practice.  Now I know that I CAN achieve whatever I set out to accomplish with the help of experienced, compassionate teachers to guide me on the way.

There are so many elements to Flying Yoga (yoga, acrobatics, thai massage, partner and group yoga…) trying to squeeze a little bit of everything into an hour class was impossible!  With the 5-week series, we can delve deeper into every aspect of the practice and spend more time playing and learning.  Each class will be able to build from the foundations we’ve taught in previous classes, and by the end of the five weeks you’ll be able to base, fly, and play with confidence!

So if you are on the fence, or you hear a voice in your head saying you’d love to be able to do that, but it’s impossible…try our five week series this fall.  We will teach you to fly!

Sundays from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm beginning September 19th! So sign up, tell your friends, join us, and get ready to fly! Register Today!

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 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.

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