Overview

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

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 Chair Yoga
    • Mondays, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
    • 7/10/2023 - 12/15/2023 (No class on Labor Day, 9/4/23)
    • South Pointe Hospital, 1st Floor, West Wing Classroom
  • Langston Hughes Chair Yoga
    • Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
    •  9/12/2023 - 12/15/2023
    • Thursdays 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
    • 7/13/2023 - 12/15/2023 (No class on Thanksgiving, 7/23/2023) 
    • Langston Hughes Center
  • Vel's Purple Oasis Garden

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 the 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

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 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 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:

Well-Being for YOU

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

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

Our Team

Yoga therapists

  • Judi Bar, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
  • Paula Brown, MBA, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
  • Renee Warren C-IAYT, E-RYT 500

Yoga instructors

  • Holly Wilgus E-RYT 200
  • Piper Tate E-RYT 200
  • Tyler Coy E-RYT 200
  • Johanna Goldfarb MD, E-RYT 200
  • Therese Reyman-Kerns E-RYT 200
  • Cathy Boyle E-RYT 200
  • Brittany Teems E-RYT 200

Fitness instructors

  • Aleena Beskur, BS, ACSM
Resources

Resources

Please visit our patient resources for instructional and informational videos:

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.