Nancy Finley Studios + Our Yoga Studio and Practice + Class times and Schedule

sticks + stones

flesh + bones

contact

click here for class schedule

click here for class descriptions

nancy finley

Nancy Finley
Nancy was first introduced to yoga and meditation at age sixteen, and later again in Tokyo. Appreciative of second breezes, she began studying with Joan Seow Harakuma in 1995, soon thereafter with Ramanand Patel and in California with Kofi Busia - all teachers from the Iyengar system of yoga. She is certified in the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education and completed teacher-training courses with Kofi Busia and Pranja Yoga. Nancy has been teaching yoga since 1999 and the Feldenkrais method since 2000. Bringing her understanding of structural dynamics and use of imagery to her teaching, students gain a deeper grasp and accessibility in their practice.

Hatha Yoga
Acting as outer guides, Nancy and Steve are on hand to help foster sensitivity to the intuitive language of the body and breath, and to assist the student to reconnect with his or her own sensing of greater vitality and well being. Trained and inspired by wisdom drawn from the best of the traditions; incorporating knowledge of body, movement, alignment, rhythm of breath. Our approach in yoga practice considers a clear anatomical and physiological understanding of the body’s alignment through asana. Both Steve and Nancy, bringing uniquely different personalities, teach with the intention of offering a supportive environment where the student can experience the subtleties found in a sustained yoga practice. Thus the journey to the self, through the study of Hatha Yoga, begins. Schedule [pdf]

Steve Zlatunich
Since 1982 Steve has been guided primarily in the Iyengar system of yoga with John Leebold, Graham Hodges, and Kale Leaf in Australia and with senior instructors, Ramanand Patel and Kofi Busia in California. In 2005, he completed Kofi Busia’s yoga teacher-training course. Steve has been teaching since 1990. His quiet approach and choice of words guides his students towards contemplative focus and depth in their practice.

Nancy and Steve continue to study weekly with Ramanandji in San Francisco and annually with him and Pandit Mukesh Desai in their Yoga and Sound retreats.

Feldenkrais
Ask yourself: are you able to feel at ease from movement enabling more grace less pain, improving in challenging performance, achieving a stable balance and better stature, enjoying the sense of receiving and giving touch, and being with yourself in an overall improved sense of well-being? The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education is a self-learning modality that improves on the ability to sense yourself, your environment and others with increased sensitivity and delightful curiosity.

Habits can define and even fool us like a child who with outstretched hand reaches for a rolling ball, and each time just before contact, finds that her foot kicks it away. If we let them, habits will drive the mind and body. They will decide our movements; usurping us like an automatic pilot that puts us through everyday function. Through practicing Feldenkrais we cultivate mindfulness. Harmful or parasitic behavioral patterns that become habit through past experiences and injury may be replaced by conscious sensing, and by increasing our stronghold of possible and comfortable patterns through gentle innovative explorations. Nancy offers both private sessions and small group series in the Feldenkrais method®. She also offers a public class incorporating Feldenkrais awareness through movement with Hatha Yoga. Schedule [pdf]

Schedule [click here to return to top of page]

		Where we offer practice At our Home Studio in Aptos
		Yoga Within in Aptos, YWI
		Center for Personal Growth and Yoga in Capitola, CPGY

day	class	level	instructor	where
Saturday 8:30-10:15am 10:30-11:30am 10:30-12noon	Hatha Yoga Open Hatha Yoga Open Hatha Yoga Series	2-3 1-2 2	Steve Steve Nancy	YWI YWI Home Studio
Sunday 9:00-10:30am 11:00-12noon	Hatha Yoga Series Hatha Yoga Open	2-3 1-3	Nancy Nancy	Home Studio YWI
Tuesday 10:00-11:00am 5:30-6:45pm 7:00-9:00pm	Gentle Yoga Series Yoga with Props On Standing Series	1 1-3 1-2	Nancy Nancy Nancy	Home Studio YWI Home Studio
Wednesday 10:30-11:30am 5:15-6:45pm 7:00-9:00pm	Gentle Movement Series Hatha Yoga Open Hatha Yoga Series	All 1-3 2-3	Nancy Steve Nancy	Home Studio CPGY Home Studio
Thursday 10:00-11:00am 7:15-8:30pm	Yoga + Feldenkrais Series On Standing Series	All 1-2	Nancy Nancy	YWI Home Studio
Friday 10:00-11:30am	Hatha Yoga Open	1-3	Steve	CPGY

Click for an Updated Schedule [pdf]. For further information please contact Nancy.

steve and nancy

Level descriptions:
1- First time. Introduction to basic standing poses and introduction to breath.

2- Practice in standing poses, twists, chest opening, backbends and preparation for inversions. Introduction to pranayama.

3- Practice includes sirsasana (headstand) series, sarvangasana (shoulder stand) series. Longer duration in poses, pranayama.

All- any level is welcome.

Description of classes + series + clinics [click here to return to top of page]

Hatha Yoga, open vs. series classes:
Open classes can be purchased in sets, and accommodate those students with uncompromising schedules. Open classes are valid for a limited time: 4 class set is valid for up to 6 weeks; 6 set for up to 8 weeks; and 8 lasts up to 12 weeks. Drop-ins are available.

A series is a set of classes to be attended consecutively on a monthly basis. A series encourages commitment to practice, and brings many benefits: trust between practitioners and teacher, depth, focus and greater self-understanding. On a try-out basis, drop-ins are available.

Gentle yoga series:
Introduces basic asana and breathing awareness. Restorative poses are used for connecting us to our breath.

Gentle Movement series:
The intention here is to gain easier movement and alignment while synchronizing to our breath. We do this by exploring our range of motion with gentle yoga poses (with props as needed) and Feldenkrais(tm) awareness through movement technique. Eurythmy is also incorporated. Sessions allow for participants to bring up specific issues to be addressed in our small group in a spirit of collective support.

On Standing series:
We explore our foundational connection to the ground. Learn how to align and move through your skeleton by sensing the forces of gravity and rebound in your body. Learn how to support your body from your bones, and how your muscles assist your skeleton giving the internal organs the rest they deserve. Gain better understanding on how to stand, move and rely more on the dynamic interaction between your legs (feet, calves and thighs) and your pelvic floor. Learn your way around the pelvis and creating a stronger foundation and supple core, with benefits both on and off the mat. Class work draws from hatha yoga, Feldenkrais (tm), therapeutic and mindfulness training.

Yoga+Feldenkrais series:
We investigate the subtleties of movement in our bodies through a parallel application of Hatha Yoga and Feldenkrais(tm). Learn how to refine the force of our constant companion - gravity - by understanding how rebound can move through our skeleton. Our time together offers both gentle and challenging insights in the most delightful way. Prepared to be astonished by the magic of your own ability in this study.

Yoga with Props series:
Ever wondered how to use props in your yoga practice? No matter how strong or flexible you are or aren't in yoga, learn how to use the mat, blocks, belts, bolsters, blankets, chairs, sandbags more effectively. If you have never tried yoga with props, what are you waiting for? Whether you enjoy an ongoing practice or are new to yoga, informed use of props allows you to deepen in your poses, and opens your potential to a greater vitality through increased stamina and the ability to release. Learn also the benefits of working with a rope wall, and to feel the fundamental nature of the poses. Enjoy a deeper more complete rest.

Body and Health Care Clinics:
Offered over a weekend every other month. These clinics present practices in personal care, hygiene and techniques for calming the parasympathetic nervous system as well as our continued practice of asana and breathing to refine our understanding and function of the physical body and nature of the mind. Topics offered in the past: prenatal yoga, pelvic floor and abdominal organ health, strengthening our immune system, liver and kidney health. Contact Nancy

Home Studio practice:
Our home studio classes are Series classes set on a monthly basis. These ongoing series are for those students who prefer a quieter more intimate environment. This is the setting for you, if you know yourself to be dedicated and committed in your practice, or if you are in recovery and/or desire directed guidance. Classes are intentionally limited in size.Contact Nancy

Privates and semi-privates:
We offer classes to companies, professional organizations and community groups at our settings and at off-site locations. If you would like to have Yoga at your office or company event, please let us know. We also offer private one-to-one personalized yoga sessions. For more information please contact Nancy or contact Steve