Yoga

Overview

Our gentle style of yoga taught at the Center for Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine is one that everyone can practice. It has been designed in such a way that anyone, no matter age, physical ability or experience level can participate and enjoy the many benefits that yoga offers. Absolutely no previous experience is required.

Each intimate-sized class allows individualized attention and allows the student to focus on the movement, and learning to quiet the mind. A chair is used as a prop to support the body. When the student is ready, floor poses are offered.

Judi Bar, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Cleveland Clinic's Yoga Program Manager, developed this style of yoga while learning to deal with her own back problems. While specializing in chronic pain and disease, she learned that this style not only helped treat her patients but aided in preventing some of their physical challenges. She further developed this style of yoga for patients who found traditional yoga classes intimidating.

What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga can make a big difference in your life by:

• Decreasing stress.
• Reducing chronic pain.
• Enhancing immune response.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Improving posture and body alignment.
• Increasing muscle strength.
• Providing a sense of joy and well-being.

Community Yoga Classes

The Cleveland Clinic yoga team partners with the community by offering FREE neighborhood class offerings where mindfulness, breathing, and accessible movement can promote peace and relaxation. Too often, our neighbors are not offered the opportunity to experience yoga. We aim to advance wellness equity by empowering wellbeing through yoga, and we envision a world where everyone is met where they are with tools to promote resilience in mind, body, and spirit. Come as you are (no prior yoga experience necessary) and we'll grow together on our journey toward wellness.

Current class offerings

South Pointe Hospital

• 20000 Harvard Road, Warrensville Hts., Ohio 44122 (1st Floor, West Wing Classroom). 
• Main Hospital Entrance. 
• Mondays: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
• Wednesdays: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
• Dates: January 8, 2024 – December 13, 2024.

Langston Hughes Community Health and Education Center

• 2390 E. 79th Street (parking lot is on Quincy Avenue) Cleveland, Ohio 44104.
• Tuesdays: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 
• Thursdays: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 
• Dates: January 8, 2024 – December 13, 2024.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center

• 13944 Euclid Avenue East Cleveland, OH 44112. 
• Conference Room A+B (Second floor). 
• Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
• Dates: January 8, 2024 – December 13, 2024.

These will be the weeks off due to holidays:

• March 25 – March 29: Easter.
• July 1 – July 5: 4th of July.
• September 2 – September 6: Labor Day.
• November 24 – November 29: Thanksgiving.

Would you like to host the Cleveland Clinic yoga team to offer a free yoga demonstration to your group? Let us know by sending an email to yoga@ccf.org.

FAQs

Do I need to have any experience?

No! Come as you are. All bodies are welcome.

Chair yoga?  I'm better than that!

We see the chair as a tool to bring the ground up to us, making it easier to move from sitting to standing, or to support us in other postures. We hope you'll find that a chair yoga class can be just as physically "challenging" as a mat yoga class!

What if I have a physical challenge? Can I still participate?

We recommend checking with your doctor prior to participating in yoga classes.  Once you are cleared, then if you feel comfortable, it could be helpful to inform your yoga instructor prior to class. We carefully teach each class with your abilities and preferences in mind.

Should I bring a mat?

We use a yoga mat for our classes beneath the chair and have a limited supply of mats available for your use.  If you end up liking yoga, then we recommend securing a mat for your regular use at home.

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us at yoga@ccf.org.

Group Yoga - Chronic Pain

Accessible group yoga classes that address chronic pain conditions will be taught by our professional yoga therapists at our main campus at the Center for Functional Medicine. Ask your physician about group yoga or sign up by calling our appointment team at 216.448.4325, option 1.

Program overview

• Accessible Chair yoga will be practiced.
• Patients will part of a cohort for 5 week program.
• New series will restart every 5 weeks.
• Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Parking pass included in patient package for $60.
• No experience or referral is necessary.

Already signed up? Parking and walking instructions are as follows:

• Directions: Find directions to any Cleveland Clinic location (Enter the address or choose from the offsite locations menu).
• Walking directions: Center For Functional Medicine at Main Campus is located in Q Building, Desk Q2. Find walking directions.
• Parking: Parking pass is included in price of admission. If you are parking at Main Campus, we recommend parking in the P2 parking garage located on the corner of Carnegie and E. 100th Street. Find more information on parking.

Well-Being for YOU

Wellness Daily Tools for YOU

Wellness & Preventive Medicine now offers FREE virtual classes to support your health and well-being. A virtual event, also known as an online event, is an interactive gathering that happens on the internet. Attendees, like you, can join and participate from anywhere in the world, if you have access to the web. Google Chrome is the recommended browser.

Join weekly for a 30-minute, live event on your computer or mobile device. Available for adults of any age and ability. Register to receive instructions and link.

• Tai Chi, Level 1 – Mondays at 8:15 a.m. - 9 a.m. EST (this is a 45 minute session).
• Tai Chi, Level 2 – Mondays at 7:15 a.m. - 8 a.m. EST (this is a 45 minute session).
• Meditation – Mondays at 12:15 p.m. EST.
• Therapeutic Chair Yoga, Level 1 – Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. EST.
• Therapeutic Chair Yoga, Level 2 – Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. EST.
• Therapeutic Chair Yoga, Level 3 – Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. EST.
• Fitness – Fridays at 10 a.m. EST.

School of Yoga

School of Yoga program is on pause at this time, please contact yoga@ccf.org to be added to the communications list for when program is restarted.

Our Team

	Judi Bar, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500 Lead Yoga Therapist and Yoga Program Manager
	Vonita Burke, C-IAYT, RYT 500 Yoga Therapist
	Paula Brown, MBA, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500 Yoga Therapist
	Renee Warren, MS, C-IAYT, RYT 500 Yoga Therapist
	Holly Wilgus, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
	Piper Tate, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
	Johanna Goldfarb, MD, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
	Therese Reyman-Kerns, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
	Cathy Boyle, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
	Brittany Teems, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
	Valerie Anita Williams, E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor and Reiki Master

Resources

Please visit our patient resources for instructional and informational videos:

• General Yoga Videos
• Yoga – Come as You Are
• Yoga – Flow
• Tai Chi
• Relaxation for Chronic Pain
• Relieve, Relax, Recharge

Try a DVD

Judi Bar designed two instructional DVDs with yoga techniques to release muscle tension, improve posture and balance, and breathe deeply and de-stress. It's gentle and user-friendly is perfect for beginners or experienced yoga practitioners. A chair is used for standing and seated postures, no need to change clothes or get on the floor.

• Come As You Are: YOGA - Gentle Yoga Anyone Can Do Anywhere (Total Running Time 55 minutes)
• Come As You Are: NATURE - A Variety of Postures for Beginners and Intermediate Practitioners (Total Running Time 60 minutes)

Stop by one of our stores to purchase your copy.

Start using yoga at home or work

Yoga on the Go	A printable handout with of 8 easy poses you can do while sitting or standing. Hold each post for at least 2 to 5 deep breaths to release tension and stress.
12 Yoga Poses You Can Do Wherever You’re Working	Yoga is a great tool for lowering stress and relieving tension. Take a quick break from your chaotic work day and do these 12 yoga poses at your desk to get through your day.
Energizing Yoga Poses to Start Your Day Right	Yoga is a great way to stretch your body and get moving! Try these energizing yoga poses in the morning and get ready for the day ahead.
Think You Can’t Do Yoga? You Might Be Believing One of These 8 Yoga Myths	The benefits of yoga range from stress reduction to improved balance and better self-awareness — and nearly everyone can do it. A yoga therapist debunks common things people get wrong about yoga.
Can Yoga Make You Taller?	Wish you were a little bit taller? Find out whether or not yoga can actually help from a yoga therapist.
Mindful Moments Guide	Being mindful during the day will help to keep us in the moment. Use this guide to help breathing, movements and other mindful suggestions.