Online fitness classes

What to expect

Yoga First and Wellness’s goal is to create an environment that allows students to focus on themselves, to feel stronger mentally and physically, and develop self-confidence.

The Hatha and Vinyasa mat yoga classes are open to everyone. In the 1 hour class, we will practice asanas (postures), pranayama (breathwork) and specific core exercises in a positive, energized environment free of schedules, demands, deadlines and stress. Spending some meditation time at the end in shavasana (corpse pose) is an essential aspect of class allowing the student to completely calm the mind in a peaceful environment, to help feel centered and focus on positivity and breath.

​

Hatha yoga was developed in India in the 15th century and is believed that one can purify the body and make it fit for meditation. Hatha comes from two words and two forces. Ha- is the active and masculine force of the sun. Tha- is the feminine and receptive energy of the moon. They join together to purify the body. Great for beginners since the pace is slow and gentle as you learn the asanas, breathing techniques and principles of yoga. Vinyasa yoga is derived from Hatha yoga and is also referred to as Ashtanga, which means dynamic concentrating postures. There is a flow between asanas linking the movement of postures to breath. This style has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system as the flowing movement heats up and stretches the muscles of the body.

It’s important that clients feel completely comfortable contacting me with any questions, comments or suggestions they may have.

Virtual Zoom classes with Blue Shores Development Ltd.

Mondays - 10 am Pilates

Tuesday - 9:30 am Gentle Chair Yoga

"Jennifer has been providing yoga classes to Blue Shores for many years - before and during Covid. She is an excellent instructor and coach, always updating her practice and bringing in new ideas. Coming to class (or joining on Zoom) has also provided our community an opportunity to come together and make connections. Thanks for your skill and commitment, Jennifer!" 

⁃ Jocelyn LeBlanc, participant and Blue Shores board member

Interested in private or group classes?

Additional classes are running weekly for private bookings. Book a class for your business groups, parties, or family events via Zoom. Contact me for pricing and booking.

Gentle chair yoga

Online classes via Zoom are available for private or group bookings.

This class is open to everyone and designed for those with physical limitations. You can stay seated in the chair the whole time or work with the chair using it for balance if you choose to stand. The use of the chair helps to create stability while you can freely move your body. We will practice postures, pranayamas (breathwork), and specific core exercises in a positive, energized environment free of schedules, demands, deadlines and stress.

Gentle chair exercise classes help to strengthen arm, core, back and leg muscles and improve body flexibility so day to day movements are easier which contributes to feeling more confident. Work at your own pace and start to feel improved balance and range of motion as you become stronger and more mobile. Awareness of your body posture allows you to make little adjustments which is critical for feeling your best. The meditative quality of this gentle mind/body practice is powerful and can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress creating a sense of calm and tranquility within.

Keep moving, have fun and remember this is your practice. Always listen to your body and move at your own pace.

Pilates

Online classes via Zoom are available for private or group bookings.

Classes begin with some focused breathwork, followed by a light fun low impact cardio warm-up, then onto the mat for specific core work, next we slow down with gentle stretching and finish with some calm and quiet breathwork. Students are reminded that it’s very important to listen to one’s body and to push oneself to a healthy place. Proper technique is emphasized with several variations in order to prevent and heal injuries to
enjoy a lifelong practice. We take time at the end to slow down and focus on breathing as this is a very important aspect of class. This allows the student to completely quiet the mind creating an inner peaceful environment within. The practice of Pilates will help to strengthen your body with a deep focus on your core. When on the mat, most exercises take place on your back or stomach purposely using gravity in this way to correct any unbalance in your body. You will feel how the moves create opposition in your muscles to make them strong and lean. As you develop a strong centre, practicing Pilates will also benefit by increasing your stamina, and your posture, improve your flexibility, increase brain function, improve coordination with control, reduce back pain, decrease illness, improve your concentration and build inner confidence.

Have fun during this energetic class always remembering to practice at your own pace.

Mindful meditation

Online classes via Zoom are available for private or group bookings.

During this class, we practice a gentle warm-up (can be done seated or standing), pranayama (breathwork) followed by a guided meditation. It is nice to have a journal on hand to write any thoughts and experiences you may have after the class.

Meditation is a beautiful ancient healing practice that can be performed by everyone. Simply put, the definition of Mindful Meditation is paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and non-judgment. With our lives becoming faster and more complex, this gentle yet powerful practice can deeply affect our well-being and peace of mind. Practicing Mindful Meditation helps you to become fully present with your experiences, manage stress by learning to slow down, relax and create space within so you become aware, less reactive, learn to turn negative to positive, and improve your energy. We are all unique and through this practice, we can work on cultivating kindness, patience, self-love, heal from challenges stemming from emotional and physical issues and create clarity in our lives.

Please view this video on what to expect from meditation class.

Contact me to book chair yoga, pilates, or meditation classes today!

Common misconceptions of meditation

I wanted to share some common misconceptions about meditation that might ease your mind. I hope this answers questions you may have that are holding you back creating resistance when it comes to trying meditation or continuing with this practice.

My mind should be empty

Mindfulness does not erase thoughts. The practice focuses on becoming more aware. This includes the thoughts we have.
There is no pressure to control or be without them. The idea is to be accepting of every part of your own unique experience.

I should feel ____

There are many ways you may feel. The power of this practice
is that you will learn how to cultivate that compassion for yourself no matter what may arise. A full range of thinking is welcome. This can be very healing and nourishing for your body and soul.

Is there more than just thinking?

Most people lead with thinking but mindfulness is transformative in helping people open up to other ways of perceiving and knowing. Through feeling, sensation and imagination this can be a very new liberating experience.

I can't do this I'm too distracted

 Distraction is 100% part of the practice. There is no reason for feelings of guilt or frustration. It is all about curiosity and building confidence. When the mind wanders, that is ok and just gently make your way back to instruction and begin again.

Meditation is very serious 

 Think of mindful meditation as opening up to what is naturally there. If we put too much pressure on ourselves, then tension and stress will be the outcome. Meditation is concentration with the mentality of lightness, curiosity and non-judgement.

New & exciting classes coming soon!

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know when new classes launch!