SELF-CARE SUNDAYS & OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

 Join us at Midland Yoga Collective in fostering community connections during Neighboring Week Sunday 9/27/26 thru Saturday 10/3/26!  Throughout the week we will have a food drive, an activewear swap, as well as select donation-based classes. Sorry, no MYC Community Picnic this year. 

Donation-based classes/events:  We are accepting non-perishable food donations for Midland County Food Assistance Network and/or monetary donations for Shelterhouse in lieu of the usual drop-in or class pass payments for the following classes:

• Mon 9/28 9:00-10:00am Slow Flow with Akiko
• Tues 9/29 9:30-10:30am Yoga for the Chakras with Stephani
• Wed 9/30 5:30-6:30pm Hot Forrest Yoga with Sarah
• Fri 10/2 9:00-10:00am Beginner Friendly Yoga with Julie

Please email the teacher(s) to register for class; class descriptions & registration info here

Food drive:  All week (and beyond) at the studio we're collecting non-perishable food donations for Midland County Food Assistance Network. Bring your donation in when you come for any class.  Food drive ends on Sunday 10/11.

Activewear Swap:  Throughout the week  (and beyond), bring in any of your under-loved, gently used activewear or yoga gear to the studio and browse what others have brought in to find some new favorites for yourself!  Great opportunity to declutter your closet AND make a sustainable choice by giving clothes a second life and keeping them out of the landfill.  You do not need to give something in order to take something, but please be mindful of only taking what you will actually use and wear.  Swap ends on Sunday 10/11.

  A Self-Care Sunday Practice 
NO PRIOR YOGA EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.

Join Julie for a practice that infuses the mindful movement and breathing that you expect from a yoga class with the targeted musculoskeletal techniques that Physical Therapy has to offer.  This class is designed to address tightness in your hips and lower back, as well as weakness in your "core", that contribute to poor posture, lower back pain, and limited mobility.  

Teacher: Julie Pierce

Class format:  60 minute class; in-person at MYC 
Cost: $14 drop-in, or purchase a class pass for Julie's classes (8 classes for $90 or 12 classes for $115).   (Please note that this Self-Care Sunday special event does not qualify for a "first class free" class with Julie.)

Registration:  Pre-Registration Recommended.  Register at julieannpierce69@gmail.com and pay at Paypal https://www.paypal.me/yogapeacewithjulie ;Venmo (Business page: Yoga Peace with Julie); CASH App:  $yogapeacewithjulie; or In Person: Credit/Debit Card, Personal Check, and of course Cash 

 Slow Burn:  In this completely guided class, you will slow down your movement and dive into the muscles by holding poses for an extended period of time (up to 10 breaths).  

You'll be encouraged to connect to your breath to support you as challenges arise and allow you to find focus and strength throughout the class.  This class is perfect for anyone looking to slow down and find a new edge.  Open to all levels.

Guest Teacher: Kelly Roy
Class format:  60 minute class; in-person only at MYC 
Cost: $14 (Please note that classes with guest teachers do not qualify for "first class free")

Registration: Pre-registration required; register by email kelly@kellyroyfitness.com; pay with cash or Venmo 

 BEFORE YOU SAY TAKE A DEEP BREATH: WHAT CHILDREN NEED BEFORE BREATHING BECOMES A TOOL THEY USE FOR REGULATION. 

“Take a deep breath” is one of the most common things we say to a child who is anxious, angry, overwhelmed, or dysregulated. But what if a child hasn’t yet developed a relationship with their breath, or practiced accessing it when they feel safe and regulated?

In this three-hour experiential workshop, we’ll move beyond simply teaching children breathing techniques and explore what helps the breath become a meaningful and accessible tool for regulation.

Through a blend of nervous system science, reflection, experiential practice, and practical application, we’ll explore how breath reflects and influences nervous system state; why awareness, curiosity, and practice matter before we ask a child to “use their breath”; and how our own presence and relationship with breath are part of the process.

Participants will experience several simple, developmentally responsive breath practices and explore ways to introduce them with curiosity and play, before they’re needed in the heat of a difficult moment.

Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and other adults who support children and adolescents. No previous experience with breathwork, yoga, mindfulness, or nervous system concepts is needed.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the relationship between breathing patterns and nervous system state, including how breath can both reflect and influence regulation.
• Recognize why familiarity, interoceptive awareness, and practice are important before expecting a child to access the breath during stress or overwhelm.
• Explore their own relationship with breath and consider how adult presence, modeling, and co-regulation shape a child’s experience.
• Experience several accessible breath practices and identify different intentions for their use, rather than approaching breath as a one-size-fits-all “calm-down” strategy.
• Identify developmentally responsive ways to introduce breath through curiosity and play, and practice outside of stressful moments.
• Apply workshop concepts to real-life situations and identify a realistic starting point for bringing breath awareness and practice into home, school, therapeutic, or caregiving settings.

Doors will open 15 minutes before the workshop. Come a little early to settle in, grab a cup of tea, and get comfortable before we begin.

Teacher: Jen Wilhelm Rapanos, LMSW, RCYT
Class format:  3 hour workshop; in-person at MYC only. 

Cost: $90
Registration:  Advance registration required & registration limited to 15 participants; register and pay online at: https://www.wellbean.us/classes--workshops.html 

Myo-Yin Yoga is a mind+body+spirit practice consisting of 90 minutes of deep passive stretching in yin yoga stillness combined with soothing self-myofascial massage with therapy balls ('myofascia': myo = muscle, fascia = connective tissue), ending with an extended savasana (often with a guided yoga nidra meditation) for deep rest.

This class can help you to:

• - increase flexibility
• - reduce muscle tension
• - find freedom in your fascia
• - soothe your nervous system
• - work on your skill of meditative mindfulness
• - feel overall more relaxed and at ease in both body and mind

Expect to learn techniques for self-myofascial release using Yoga Tune Up therapy balls both independent from and in combination with yin postures, which are held passively with little to no effort or movement for between 1-5 minutes each).   Options are always given for all bodies and abilities, and beginners are welcome. 

The room will be warm and dimly lit; dress for comfort.  You're welcome to bring your own therapy balls and yoga props, but some will also be available to borrow or purchase.

Teacher: Sarah Nelson

Class format: 90m event; in-person only at MYC.  
Cost: $18 (sorry no class passes or "first class free" promo)

Registration: Pre-registration required; register and pay online at sarahnelsonyoga.com or email sarahlissanelson@gmail.com to pay cash, check, or Venmo

 AN IMMERSIVE GATHERING OF SHAKTI CHANT, LUNAR PRANAYAMA & FEMININE SOMA PAN TEA

As the cosmic veil thins, step into the sacred temple of the dark moon. 🌑🐍 In the ancient spirit of Samhain and Tantric Shakti devotion, join our intimate sisterhood sangha for an intoxicatingly restorative 90-minute immersion designed to awaken your inner priestess, honor the ancestral matriarchs (Pitru Paksha), and anchor deep into the sacred vessel of your womb.

Facilitated in Senta's signature devotional ritual style, together we will weave our intentions into the fertile dark:

🥀 Awaken the Portal Within: Align with the cosmic mother through Yoni Mudra (sacred feminine womb seal), deep sacral chanting (VAM – Om Mata Kali), and a soul-stirring meditation to surrender old fears and awaken your primal intuition

🌙 Gather the Nectar: Soothe autumn's wild Vata air and melt your nervous system with hypnotic, cooling lunar pranayama

👑 Surrender to the Earth: Sink into luxurious, pelvic-opening restorative Yin yoga to untangle tension stored in the hips and open channels of flow

🍵 Drink the Alchemy: Nourish your body and spirit with a warm, velvet Ayurvedic Soma Pan tea ceremony—a botanical nectar of Shatavari, rose petals, and grounding adaptogens crafted to restore your vital liquid essence (Soma)

Come wrapped in soft, cozy layers, bring your open heart, and rest deeply in the arms of the Divine Mother where all rebirth begins. 🕯️🌹✨

Guest Teacher: Senta Gonzalez (Ascension-Senta's Spirit, Mind & Body Studio)

Class format:  90m event; in-person at MYC 
Cost: $55 Cash at Door

Registration:  Register online here: https://book.squareup.com/classes/lvm5dw11frsqfq/location/F5NHXS15T39T9/classDetails/clssch_fclswc7qkvg1g3?dateStart=1792249200

 NO PRIOR YOGA EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.

Because caring for physical bodies involves being flexible AND strong, Julie has created a slow paced "hybrid" yoga practice to step up the intensity of your familiar practice.  This class will incorporate light hand weights with traditional yoga poses to target all major muscle groups, challenge balance, and keep your bones strong.  Rest assured, you can also expect plenty of gentle stretches and relaxation, too!
*Please plan to bring a pair of 2-5 lb hand weights, if you have them.*

Teacher: Julie Pierce

Class format:  60 minute class; in-person at MYC 
Cost: $14 drop-in, or purchase a class pass for Julie's classes (8 classes for $90 or 12 classes for $115).   (Please note that this Self-Care Sunday special event does not qualify for a "first class free" class with Julie.)

Registration:  Pre-Registration Recommended.  Register at julieannpierce69@gmail.com and pay at Paypal https://www.paypal.me/yogapeacewithjulie ;Venmo (Business page: Yoga Peace with Julie); CASH App:  $yogapeacewithjulie; or In Person: Credit/Debit Card, Personal Check, and of course Cash 

This class will start with 30 minutes of restorative yoga poses followed by 30 minutes of sound/vibrations from the crystal bowls to invite therapeutic and restorative processes to the body, mind, and spirit.

Wear comfortable and layered clothes as we will be laying still the last part of the class.  Please bring a blanket and pillow to aid in your relaxation.

Teacher: Stephani Kolevar

Class format: 60 minute event. In-person at MYC 

Cost: $20; (Please note that this special event does not qualify for "first class free")

 
Registration: Pre-registration is recommended. Please email Stephani at kskolevar@gmail.com to register.
Payment options: cash, check or Venmo (@Stephani-Kolevar) 

 Single class for October:  10/26/26

New monthly session begins in November

Pre-registration required.
A single class drop-in is welcome if there is space available. 
Please contact Akiko for the availability.

We'll explore foundational poses with creative, mindful movement in this gentle and slow paced yoga session. The class focuses on building flexibility, strength, agility and balance, and promoting better health. 

Teacher: Akiko Dykhuizen
Class format: 60 minutes class. In-person at MYC & Zoom recording share options. 

Cost:  $14/single class drop-in or use your class pass with Akiko
 *Please note that this monthly session does not qualify for a "first class free" class with Akiko.

Registration: Pre-registration required. Please email Akiko at akikodyk@gmail.com to register.
Payment options: cash, check, Venmo and PayPal *please email Akiko for details. 

8-week session: 8/7-10/2

New session coming soon in November or December

8-week session format with a prerequisite requirement in order to drop in to individual classes: you must either have previously taken this series, or watch/practice this video before attending individual classes.  Attending all 8 weeks is encouraged, but not required; click on "register for single event" for individual classes.

This yoga class series is an exploration of whole core care: learning proper deep breathing for core pressure regulation, increasing abdominal strength, unraveling excess tension and unconscious gripping in core & PF, de-stressing mind+body with nervous system calming strategies, understanding functional pelvic floor health, gaining better hip mobility to support PF, and more.  This is a relatively gentle and mindful practice for anybody with any body, although it can be particularly helpful for: hip or back pain, building/rebuilding strength in these areas (including but not limited to post-partum), and addressing pelvic floor dysfunction. Please note I am NOT a doctor; always discuss yoga with your healthcare team first!

Expect a uniquely blended yoga practice with functional mobility work, soothing Body by Breath techniques, self-myofascial massage (using the YTU Coregeous ball and other therapy balls) as well as breath-integrated Forrest Yoga and Yoga Tune Up core strengthening exercises.

Each week's class will have a specific theme that builds on the information from the previous weeks:

1. 8/7: Breath 101 & Core Stack
2. 8/14: Pelvic Awareness & Mobility, w/ guest co-teacher: pelvic floor therapist Sierra Miller, OTRL (Pelvic Wellness)
3. 8/21: Core Strength 101
4. 8/28: Hip Mobility & Strength to Support Pelvic Floor
5. 9/4: More Core: Obliques & Lateral Movement
6. [NO CLASS on 9/11]
7. 9/18: Mastering the Hip Hinge & Foot Connection
8. 9/25: More Core: Rotational Movement
9. 10/2: Bonus Topic & Series Review

The work we do in this class is a great complement to whatever your usual movement practices are, with a positive ripple effect through your whole body and nervous system - and truly, your life.  You'll leave this class with a more embodied understanding of your own body, better breathing and movement habits, a core that is both strong and supple, and your whole being feeling centered and more calm!

Teacher: Sarah Nelson
Class format:  60 minute class; in-person at MYC only.

Cost: $14 single class drop in, or purchase a class pass (10 classes for $120 or 5 classes for $65)

Registration:  Pre-registration required; register and pay online at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes or email sarahlissanelson@gmail.com to pay with cash, check, or Venmo

 6 week session: 9/22-10/27
 

Yoga for the Chakras will be a slow vinyasa class targeting a different chakra each session: Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart/Throat, Third Eye, and Crown. Each session will help clear any stagnant energy associated with that particular chakra.

Teacher: Stephani Kolevar
Class format: 60 minute event. In-person at MYC 
Cost: $14/class or $80 for all 6  (Please note that this class series does not qualify for "first class free")

Registration: Pre-registration is recommended. Please email Stephani at kskolevar@gmail.com to register.
Payment options: cash, check or Venmo (@Stephani-Kolevar)