Yoga in the Gardens
Cecily Smith, Yogi
Wednesdays, July 19 and 26 and August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2017 – 6:30 pm–7:45 pm
Join us for our summer series of yoga in the garden with Bali-trained, NC-native yogi, Cecily Smith. Each week will be something new and exciting, as we explore different yogic styles and fun peak poses that maybe you didn't believe you were capable of before. We will be surrounded by Mother Nature in all her glory; vibing off the serenity of life found in this beautiful setting, and also learning from the stillness of the flowers and trees. What better place to find intimacy with ourselves, our practice and our beautiful and expansive planet than here at the Arboretum?
Class Descriptions
Each class is for those of all levels. New to yoga? Start with our Back to the Basics sessions on July 19 and August 2.
July 19 – Back to Basics—Vinyasa Flow
In this class, we will take it back to the fundamental postures and principles that go into a yoga practice. If you are new to yoga but wanting to try, this is the perfect class for you. If you've been to a class before, but found yourself totally lost with all the animal poses and spiritual stuff, this is the perfect class for you as well. We will explore basic poses in a fun way, flowing and moving to the rhythm of our own breath. We will learn some interesting anatomy facts and how to modify poses in a safe way that is suitable for your body and maybe even some Sanskrit along the way!
July 26 – Flying Crow Pose—Vinyasa Flow
In this Vinyasa class, we will be incorporating and workshopping an arm balance as our peak pose. Learn how to balance all of your weight on your hands and fly like a bird—trust yourself, you're stronger than you think!
August 2 – Back to Basics—Vinyasa Flow
In this class, we will take it back to the fundamental postures and principles that go into a yoga practice. If you are new to yoga but wanting to try, this is the perfect class for you. If you've been to a class before, but found yourself totally lost with all the animal poses and spiritual stuff, this is the perfect class for you as well. We will explore basic poses in a fun way, flowing and moving to the rhythm of our own breath. We will learn some interesting anatomy facts and how to modify poses in a safe way that is suitable for your body and maybe even some Sanskrit along the way!
August 9 – Inversions
In this class, we will warm up with a powerful flow and then move into a workshop-style inversion lesson. Learn how to practice headstands, handstands and forearm stands safely, with the hands-on help of myself and others in class. Going upside down can very be intimidating at first, but with the help and support of others, trying new things can be fun and exciting and we can learn a lot more efficiently. Already have inversions in your practice? Awesome! There 's still room to grow, this class is for all levels.
August 16 – Sunset Vinyasa Flow
Come out for a chill flow accompanied by soothing tunes and a beautiful view of the Finley-Nottingham Rose Gardens. We will focus on movement and breath, and listening to the inner voice and intuition of the crazy intelligent vehicles that we move around in everyday and call home (our bodies). Leave your troubles and your ego at the gate.
August 23 – (Hip)py Flow
In this class, we will move in a way that benefits and opens the hips. Most people wouldn't guess that we actually store emotions in our physical bodies, but it's true! And a major storage unit for them is in the muscle tissue surrounding our hips. This Vinyasa flow class will focus on opening and releasing the tension we have built up over time.
About Cecily Smith
Cecily is a North Carolina native yogi who trained in the ultimate yogi paradise—Bali, Indonesia. Inspired by the Hindu culture and traditions, her travels, and her background in gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading, she brings it all to the mat for you in her teaching. She is well-versed in multiple yogic styles and principles including Vinyasa, Yin, and Acro yoga and looks forward to sharing these with her students. Learn how yoga can improve mental clarity and physical health and also how to balance on your hands or fly on someone's feet! Cecily looks forward to inspiring others to embark on their personal journey to a healthy and balanced lifestyle through the practice of yoga.
Notes about Each Class
We will meet at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center and then walk to the location for practice as a group. There are so many beautiful spaces to explore, so we will try to change it up. If you are late, no worries! You are still more than welcome to join us—there will be a sign at the Visitor Center that will have our location for that specific day!
Classes will run about 75 minutes. Please try to arrive on site at least 10 minutes before the start time to account for time needed to park and walk to the Visitor Center.
Please remember to bring a mat and/or towel and water! There are water fountains at the Visitor Center but we will be practicing deep inside the Arboretum, so it's best to bring a bottle of some sort to fill up before we relocate location. If you do not own a yoga mat, a towel or sheet can be used instead, since most of the time we will be in practicing in a grassy area.
- Cost
- Recommended fee: $10.00. Please pay with cash at the beginning of each class.
- Registration
- Advance registration is not available.
- Location
- Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Directions
- Need directions? Click here.
- Parking
- Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
- Questions
- Please call (919) 513-7005 for more information about these yoga classes.