Yoga and Pilates

The Yoga and Pilates Center at the RAC is a self-contained studio within the club. It has its own entrance and provides an environment for the best teachers in Fort Collins to instruct our member and non-members. The RAC also has private instruction rooms for one-on-one instruction.

Class Schedules Click for links to downloadable PDF's

• Advanced Vinyasa Workshop
• Yoga Facts for the Beginner
• Finding your Emotional Balance through Yoga Workshop
• Silent Light Workshop
• YPC Membership YOGA Schedule - September

Raintree Members - To see the Raintree Membership Yoga Schedule please go to Group Fitness and click "Links to downloadable PDF" schedule.

Class Descriptions

Click a title below to reveal descriptions

TAI CHI

Tai Chi, which originated in China as a martial art, is a mind-body practice in complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Tai Chi is sometimes referred to as “moving mediation” because practitioners move their bodies slowly, gently and with awareness, while breathing deeply.

HATHA YOGA

Hatha Yoga guides us into physical postures (asanas) that enhance flexibility and strength, creating comfort in the body. Through postures and a variety of breathing practices, we can become more mindful of present moment experience, which allows our consciousness to move toward a meditative state.

PRANA VINYASA FLOW

A breath inspired journey to dynamic music where movement and breath are synchronized. This whole body experience will offer a complete spectrum of rhythms from meditative and rejuvenating to the challenging and empowering. Transform your body as you learn to center your mind in this energetic class.

GENTLE/RESTORATIVE YOGA

Restorative Yoga is a relaxing style of Yoga that uses passive postures that restore energy rather than deplete energy. It is beneficial to those needing relief from stress, recovering from illness or injury, needing support during periods of life transitions or just simply want to relax. The class focuses on: (1) Pranayama work – breath techniques that increase lung capacity and help recognize and release tensions held in the body; (2) Gentle repetitive movement – increase circulation to the larger superficial skeletal muscles and to the major joints creating length and space to the structural body and bringing attention to the functional needs of the body; (3) Restorative postures – poses that use props to relax without effort. The more the body is supported with props the deeper the sense of relaxation; (4) Savasana – a final deep relaxation. Join us - body will thank you by gaining an awareness that helps you practice the art of letting go and staying in the present moment.

YOGA FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CANCER

The Raintree Athletic Club is happy to share with the Fort Collins Community Yoga for People Living with Cancer. This class is free to all people at any stage of treatment or recovery from any type of cancer. Each class will be adapted to support individual physical needs and will focus on the strengths of each person. Students will have an opportunity to inward, reflect, and reconnect with their very own being. this practice offers a time and space where students can experience the present moment and develop a greater knowledge of their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves. For more information, contact Faith Brandt at 970.308.4378

PILATES

Pilates develops every aspect of physical fitness: strength, flexibility, coordination, speed, agility and endurance. Focus on the core, fine tune body awareness, and enhance body control by teaching correct muscular activation. Benefits result in keeping musculature and bone structure in an optimal state as well as distributing body mass more aesthetically.

YIN YOGA

In this class, we will explore how the slow steady stretching of deep connective tissue can increase flexibility and gradually create more depth in poses. We will focus on developing sensitivity to our body’s subtle cues by quieting our minds and looking inward. Join Faith Brandt in the calming atmosphere of the Yoga Center as we explore how stretching and releasing our ligaments, tendons and fascia can promote an increased energy flow through the body.

VINIYOGA

Viniyoga is not a style of yoga but rather an approach utilizing its tools. Ideally, each student would have their own practice separate from anyone else taking into account age, job or occupation, strengths and weaknesses of both body and mind. Taking a student right where they are and developing a yoga practice suited for them using viniyoga methodology is the ideal way, but because we are in a group setting we practice a developmental approach using the viniyoga principles through the application of Asana (postures) and Pranayama (breath work). Through stretching and contracting we find that repetition increases circulation making our muscles stronger and more flexible. This prepares us for holding postures. Most postures are suited for all levels of students and can be modified.

BEGINNING YOGA

The beginning yoga class is suitable for students who are curious about yoga and have little or no experience with the practice. In class students will explore various asana’s (postures) which increase range of motion and flexibility. Asana practice increases self awareness and provides students with a deeper level of comfort in their physical body. Self awareness will also be explored though different mindfulness practices which may include various breathing techniques, visualizations and centering practices.

ANUSARA INSPIRED YOGA

Anusara means flowing with grace, following your heart, stepping into the flow. This unique style of hatha yoga celebrates the artistic expression of the human heart with the scientific principles of biomechanics. Using John Friends eloquent Universal Principles of Alignment and life affirming philosophy of intrinsic goodness, each student is offered the opportunity to step into and celebrate their own unique gifts from the inside out.

PRE-NATAL YOGA

Designed specifically to guide you through your journey of pregnancy. Linking yoga postures with the breath will lead you to new discoveries, bringing awareness to your mind, body and spirit and the spirit of your baby. The class will strengthen the uterus & pelvic muscles, improve circulation, aid in digestion, exercise the spine and increase overall comfort.

ANJALI RESTORATIVE YOGA

Anjali restorative yoga is a mindful practice that invites the student into a series of classic spine-lengthening poses supported by soft blankets and bolsters. The poses are held within an atmosphere of poetic and affirming language, aromatherapy, and soothing music—all of which open and align breath, body, mind, & heart, inducing a profound sense of well-being. A deeply healing practice, Anjali restorative yoga is the perfect counter-balance to our busy lives. Connect with the deepest expression and wisdom of the body, the mind, and the heart.

Level I Yoga and Pilates Classes are appropriate for beginning students. Level II-III are intermediate to advanced classes and are appropriate for more seasoned practitioners.

Yoga and Pilates Center Pricing

RAC members can add unlimited access to the Yoga and Pilates center for $15 per month/person

• Yoga & Pilates Center Membership | $50 

• Drop in | $14 per class

• 10-pass punchcard | $110 

• 20-pass punchcard | $170 

• Senior or Student drop in | $9 per class

• Senior or Student 10-pass punchcard | $85

• Senior or Student 20-pass punchcard | $150

For more information on the change please contact the Front Desk or Faith Brandt at faith@raintreeathleticclub.com.

Our Instructors:

• Faith Brandt specializes in Yin, Partner, Adaptive, Beginning and Intuitive yoga. Faith offers support and stability to students, balancing serenity and peace with a playful, light heart. Faith is experienced in teaching a wide range of people with various abilities. She enjoys the nurturing interaction that allows the uniqueness of each individual to blossom. Guiding others toward their own inner knowing, through the exploration of body movement, is Faith’s passion.

• Lee Cooper enters her second career as a Pilate’s instructor after performing and teaching in the dance field. She has devoted a large part of her life to dance education at Colorado State University, The University of Northern Colorado and Mesa State College. Past experience includes being the founder of The Dance Connection, a modern dance company based on body/mind modalities as well as presenting to the National Dance Education Organization as an arts education advocate. The study of Pilates inspired a new passion and a new path for teaching, which has culminated in a personal quest to bridge the science and art of human potential as it applies to each individual. She believes that Pilates, when taught as healthy movement, enhances every aspect of life and encourages people to live their lives for the better.

• Kathy Kenney has been practicing yoga for 17 years and in September 2010 will be certified as an Advanced Viniyoga Instructor.Through Asana (postures), Pranyama (breath techniques) and Meditation (inner reflection), her unique classes focus on bringing   attention and awareness to the breath as it connects to the movement of the spine. “It is so exciting to observe students as they discover the power of their breath and experience how it can change their lives!” Her classes are perfect for any (body) at any age and can be adapted to the individual and their special conditions.   

• Jenny Powelka has been active in athletics her entire life. Before adding Pilates instructing to her wide base of knowledge, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Coaching Minor. That education started a strong belief between the mind and body connection. After competing in Cross Country and Track at the college level, she started her career as a Coach and Fitness Instructor. After 9 years of teaching group fitness and personal training to wide ranges of ages and abilities, she found another way to challenge herself and her clients through Pilates. Her training and certifications from Balance Body® University, has enabled her to teach traditional Pilates Mat and Reformer classes. Since her training she has put her own touch on things offering classes’ specific to athletes, retirees, and all ranges in-between. Her dedication and enthusiasm bring people back to her classes to learn and improve themselves more.            

• Helene Kelly Frucci completed her B.S. in Dance Education, from Western Michigan University and then attended Colorado State University to complete a M.Ed. in Dance. She taught at CSU for 16 years in the Dance area of Physical Education and then in the Dance Program which moved to the Department of Music, Theater and Dance. She has been actively involved in the performing arts community for 27 years and has enjoyed every minute. She first encountered Pilates in the 70’s, then the 90’s and now has embarked on a journey full time to become certified in Mat and Standing Pilates. She will finish her Peak Pilates PPS1 training in November.

• Jim Vassallo, CYT has been a student of yoga for 12 years, teaching since the year 2001. Since then, he has taught over 2,000 yoga classes. He was trained at the top two yoga schools in the country; The Kripalu Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, and the Ananda Center in Nevada City, California. Jim teaches a strong, meditative style of traditional Hatha Yoga. He was featured in the March, 2006 edition of Yoga Journal Magazine in the article “Yoga Saved My Life.” 

• Paige Ryan began practicing yoga eleven years ago. Through the inspiration and encouragement of her teachers she completed teacher training, as a Structural Hatha Yoga instructor, in June 2002.  Paige's teaching style is influenced by B.K.S. Iyengar. After using a series of poses to warm up, an indepth treatment of a pose or series of poses will follow to provide better understanding of the internal dynamics. The practice is slow paced focusing on balancing flexibility and strength as well as building endurance.  Props such as blocks, straps, bolsters and blankets are used to obtain the benefits of otherwise inaccessible postures and/or internal actions. 

• Beth O'Brien has been teaching yoga since 1998. She became certified through Inner City Yoga Teacher Training in Denver. Her specialty areas include Vinyasa and Restorative yoga. She offers private yoga lessons, and encourages her students to feel alive and joyous in their yoga practice. Beth is a licensed Psychologist and has a private practice focusing on the mind-body connection. Clients often come to her with relationship and health-related concerns. In her free time she enjoys hiking with her family, biking, and riding horses. 

• Tomi Simpson stepped into her first yoga class over ten years ago and has never looked back. At that moment, she knew she had found her life's passion both as a student and a teacher.  In 2003, she was drawing into the magical world of Anusara ® Yoga founded by John Friend. As an Anusara Inspired ™  teacher, Tomi endeavors to help each student step into the flow of their heart using Anusara's elegant Universal Principles of Alignment™ and life affirming Tantric philosophy.

• Colleen Hoffman is certified in Structural Hatha Yoga. She is strongly influenced by the teachings of TKV Desikachar, Mukunda Stiles and the Yoga Sutras. Colleen's teaching style involves working with the structure of the body, joints, and muscles by using unique props and traditional postures (asanas) while developing an inner strength both of body and mind. 

• Marsha Killpack has a 200 hour level Yoga Instructor Certification. She currently studies asana, pranayama, and meditation under the teachings of River Cummings and is in a 500 hour advanced Viniyoga Instructor program. Her emphasis is on the breath, the function of the posture, and the sequencing of postures that gives the qualities of order, harmony and efficiency for the practice. Her intent is to help each student bring balance and awareness to the mind, body and spirit.

• Mansing Li has been teaching Hatha yoga since 2002. He places heavy emphasis on breathing and combines his Hatha yoga classes with Iyengar and Ashtanga approaches. Mansing's primary focus of study is classic Ashtanga Yoga in the lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, through the guidance of Richard Freeman. 

• Kimberly Bearden began yoga in 2004 and fell in love with the practice immediately. Having been a dancer for years her body was yearning to leave the weight room behind and fulfill its need to flow, twist, bend and turn upside down. Kimberly received her yoga teacher training from world renowned Shiva Rea, the originator of Vinyasa Flow yoga. Her music filled classes guide students through a whole body experience that is meditative and rejuvenating as well as challenging and empowering. Kimberly also has a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from CSU. "It has always been my desire and my pleasure to help others and I believe that instructing yoga is just another vehicle that I can use to serve the community."

RAC FAQs

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What do I wear?

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that will allow you to bend and move to your fullest capability.

How early do I need to arrive?

Arriving five to 10 minutes before the scheduled start time will allow you to check in and set up your mat. We do provide mats for first-time users, but we ask that repeat students bring their own.

How long is the class?

Yoga classes run for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Pilates classes run for an hour.

How difficult is this class?

We have tried to gauge the difficulty levels of each class and the higher the level, the more difficult the poses and activities will become. Please look at the schedule and check the levels before jumping into a class.

Yoga facts for the Beginner

1.) In yoga class we use sticky mats to create stability in poses. We invite you to remove your shoes and socks creating a better connection between your feet and the mat.

2.) We provide all props needed for class. Your teacher will tell you what props you will need for that particular class. We have several mats available but encourage students to buy their own.

3.) Wear comfortable clothing. You may wish to wear layers.

4.) If this is your first class with a teacher you haven’t worked with before please introduce yourself and share any information that might be useful to the teacher, such as injuries, medical problems, physical challenges, experience, etc.

5.) Listen to your body’s inner teacher. Use awareness and your body’s inner guidance to decide how long or how deeply to get into a pose. Only stretch to the point of gentle tension, not pain!

6.) Yoga is for people of all religions and spiritual practices. Yoga is not associated with one specific religion and can deepen your connection to whatever you believe.

7.) If you’re not comfortable doing a specific pose feel free to watch or ask the teacher for a modification for that pose.

8.) Please feel free to ask questions during class.

9.) Savasana is a period of relaxation at the end of every class. You can put socks on, a sweat shirt and grab a blanket to enhance complete relaxation and comfort.

10.) Each teacher has his/her own particular style. We recommend trying all the teachers to see what best suits your needs.