Karuna is Compassion
The essence of the Karuna Body is an integrated approach to physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Private sessions can be offered in any of these modalities alone, or can be worked together to offer a unique blend of movement, mindfulness, relaxation and healing.

Hatha Yoga group classes
My approach to teaching is compassionate and nurturing. I find that most people are moving too fast, in daily life as well as Yoga class. I encourage my students and I remind myself to slow down; to feel what is happening; to notice the subtle and not so subtle qualities of energy; to watch these qualities change, leaving just as quickly and mysteriously as they came. All the while, we rest in the midst, breathing in and breathing out.

I believe the goal of Yoga, if there is one, is simply to relax into things as they are. If your awareness is completely absorbed in what you are doing at any moment, wheather practicing an asana(pose), meditating, walking or cooking, you are doing Yoga.

I have been teaching Hatha yoga since 1999. The flow, alignment, and use of music from my dance training still influence my Yoga classes. With a focus on mindfulness, influenced by Vipassana meditation, we traverse through a with range of dynamics. We begin with a slow and steady warm up of meditation, mantra, breathing and stretching. The class builds to a more vigorous Vinyassa (or flow) series of standing and seated poses, and finishes with long inversions or restorative poses. Finally we finish as we began, with some meditation and mantra.

Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal Yoga and Support Classes are based on the Whole Birth method. These classes provide a unique space for pregnant women to learn movements and yoga asanas to relieve many of the common discomforts associated with pregnancy. Through experience they can develop a sense of trust in the wisdom of their body for pregnancy and birth. Using challenging poses, we practice effective pain management and stress reduction skills.  With consistency, expectant mothers make supportive connections with other pregnant women and discover resources in the birth community.  Women are encouraged to acknowledge the challenges and celebrate the joys of pregnancy, to fully experience the rite of passage into motherhood. Classes are suitable for all stages of pregnancy. 

Private Yoga
Private Yoga sessions are appropriate for all levels. They can be especially valuable for those with limitations, when group classes seem overwhelming or inadequate in addressing specific needs. They are also an excellent opportunity to delve more deeply into the subtle aspects of Yoga practice such as the breath, patterns and movements of energy within the asanas (poses), meditation, mantra (chanting), history, and context. The chance to work one on one is a priceless opportunity for me to serve students in a detailed and individualized way.

Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is based on the Conscious Bodywork^TM method taught at Alive and Well. This is a professional, therapeutic, non-sexual massage. It is a Swedish style, focusing on relaxation, circulation and releasing tension. The work is done on a massage table, using massage cream or oil on bare skin. The body is always modestly draped in sheets and blankets. Any concerns you may have regarding health or injuries are addressed prior to beginning.

Somatic Education
Somatic Education methods can be woven into Yoga and/or massage sessions. Soma refers to the body and Somatic Education involves working with the wisdom of the body to repattern unhealthy movement, recover from injury, and confront fears or beliefs that may be holding us back from healing.

photos: copyright 2004, Lori A.Cheung