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, former Yoga Program Manager at Cleveland Clinic, developed this style of yoga while managing her own back issues. While specializing in chronic pain and disease, she discovered that this approach not only supported her patients' treatment but also helped prevent some of their physical challenges. She further refined the style to accommodate individuals 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 empower 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
CentroVilla 25
- 3140 W. 25th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44109
- Fridays 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Dates: April 4, 2025 – December 12, 2025
- 18901 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, Ohio 44119
- Tuesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Dates: January 7, 2025 – December 9, 2025
- 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 6, 2025 – December 10, 2025
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 7, 2025 – December 11, 2025
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, 2025 – December 10, 2025
These will be the weeks off due to holidays:
- Easter: April 14 – April 18
- Memorial Day: May 26 – May 30
- 4th of July: June 30 – July 4
- Labor Day: September 1 – September 5
- Thanksgiving: November 24 – November 28
All classes end the week of December 8, 2025.
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.
Prenatal Yoga
Gentle Mat Yoga for your Prenatal Wellness Journey
Join us for a free, weekly prenatal and postnatal yoga where you will learn how to cultivate peace and relaxation throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
South Pointe Hospital
20000 Harvard Avenue
Warrensville Heights, OH 44122
Class will be held on the first floor of the main hospital in West Wing Classroom 1 + 2.
Time: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Beginning April 8, 2025 - December 9, 2025
No experience is necessary. No registration required.
Limited supply of yoga mats available, please bring your own.
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.
- Therapeutic Yoga, Level 1 – 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
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Vonita Burke, C-IAYT, RYT 500 Yoga Therapist |
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Paula Brown, MBA, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500 Yoga Therapist |
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Renee Warren, MS, C-IAYT, RYT 500 Yoga Therapist |
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Holly Wilgus, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor |
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Piper Tate, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor |
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Johanna Goldfarb, E-RYT 200, YACEP Yoga Instructor |
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Therese Reyman-Kerns, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor |
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Cathy Boyle, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor |
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Brittany Teems, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor |
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Jenny Grin, E-RYT 200 Yoga Instructor |
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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
Start using yoga at home or work
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A printable handout with 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. |
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Being mindful during the day will help to keep us in the moment. Use this guide to help breathing, movements and other mindful suggestions. |
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Yoga is a great tool for lowering stress and relieving tension. Take a quick break from your chaotic workday and do these 12 yoga poses at your desk to get through your day. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Wish you were a little bit taller? Find out whether or not yoga can actually help from a yoga therapist. |
