Yoga is an excellent restorative exercise, both physically and mentally. It helps to restore peace and energy, and to build flexibility and strength.
There are many yoga classes and studios around the bay area, many which advertise in local newspapers. The average fee seems to be about $12 per class.
There are many different kinds of yoga, some more strenuous than others. One of the most popular forms today seems to be Ashtanga, which is quite vigorous and you will work up a good, cleansing sweat. Remember, never force yourself to do a pose that overextends yourself and causes you injury, however it is good to stretch yourself as much as possible within reason. It is better to gradually work your way into some of the more demanding poses.
Here is just a sampling of some of the yoga studios/classes around:
Monkey Yoga Shala 3215 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, CA 94610 510-465-6357
www.monkeyyoga.com A very popular studio, so get there early. The room itself is very pleasant, with hardwood floors, a high ceiling, and windows, on the second floor. Plants and twinkling lights give it a fun atmosphere. It's demanding yoga, but you can go at your own pace.
24 Hour Fitness 2050 Webster St., Oakland 510-433-1140 Instructor Juliet is very soothing and gentle. Her form of Yoga is especially suitable for beginners. 24 Hour Fitness is an excellent value when it comes to fitness clubs. It is open virtually 24 hours, and offers many excellent classes, all included in a very reasonable rate. There's probably one just a short distance from where you live, as they appear to be everywhere.
7th Heaven Body Awareness Center 2820 7th Street (off Ashby), Berkeley 510-665-4300 www.7thheavenyoga.com Offersa wide variety of classes in a very nice space.
Sometimes it is great to take a class on something that might enhance your career, or change your career, or just for fun, like learning more about wines or how to cook up some Indian cuisine.
Here are a couple of excellent suggestions:
UC Berkeley Extension offers over 200 professional and college level courses on-line and many more in actual classrooms (imagine that!) I took one course called Software Product Marketing to get up to snuff on high-tech marketing and to find out what all the fuss was about, and I was very impressed with the quality of the teacher, and the students and the special speakers from the industry who came to talk to our class. It was fascinating and extremely worthwhile. On the lighter side, I have a friend who has taken just about every course they have on wines of the world and also the one on champagnes, and she thought they were all great fun and learned alot. You can call for a free catalog 510-642-4124 or go to their website at http//learn.berkeley.edu
For little quickie classes that usually are only 3 hours on one night, The Learning Annex has a wide variety of fun classes to take. From seeing Deepak Chopra and hearing his latest philosophy on making life better, to ballroom dancing to computers, and everything else in between is offered. I have taken many interesting, informative classes there including: a class on what venture capitalists look for in start-ups given by none other than Ann Winblad of Hummer Winblad, writing and illustrating children's books by very successfully published Bruce Balen, screenwriting for movies by well-known Lew Hunter and many others. You can register on-line at www.learningannex.com or by phone at 415-788-5500. Their free catalogs are readily available in newspaper boxes on street corners throughout the Bay Area.
Just the idea of going to a luxurious spa to get pampered brings a smile to one's face. It is truly a luxury that you deserve to be treated to once in a while. After all, when you're happier, you tend the spread the good vibes around as well. So go ahead, and treat yourself!
The best three that I can think of are the following:
The Claremont Resort & Spa 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley 510-843-3000 or 800-551-7266 www.claremontspa.com Housed in the beautiful Claremont Hotel, a white Edwardian "wedding cake" of a place perched in the verdant Berkeley Hills, I went there recently and had a 50 minute deep tissue massage. It was heavenly, although my feet were too sensitive! I was totally relaxed afterwards, and luxuriated in the Jacuzzi as well as the dry sauna. There's a steam room as well. You are given a white terrycloth robe and flip-flops and a key for your private locker. Fresh fruit, water and tea are there for the taking, as well as plenty of white towels stacked conveniently near the showers and Jacuzzi. The showers and adjoining dressing rooms are fully equipped and stocked with everything you could possibly need. Oodles of shampoo, body gel, conditioner, Q-tips, moisturizer, etc. There are close-up mirrors and hairdryers. Forgot your comb? No problem, they provide some. You are also given a bag full of complimentary goodies such as Mop shampoo and conditioner, moisturizer and even a romance novel! They offer many kinds of spa packages and therapies including the latest "Grape Seed Body Polish", as well as salon services such as haircuts and styling, manicures and pedicures, make-up and more. Soon they are moving to a newly renovated area of the resort. My experience set me back $100 plus tip, yet I felt great, so I believe I came out ahead!
77 Maiden Lane Salon and Spa 77 Maiden Lane 2nd Floor, San Francisco, 415-391-7777 www.77maidenlane.citysearch.com This spa is reputed to be one of the premiere spas in the United States, although I haven't checked it out personally. I guess I have my "work" cut out for me! Anyway, conveniently close to Union Square, a wide variety of services are available here in an elegant environment, including massages, manicures & pedicures, hairstyling, facials, etc., etc.
Spa Nordstrom San Francisco Shopping Centre, 5th floor, 865 Market Street, San Francisco 415-977-5102 After you've wearied yourself walking around and shopping, what better way to relax than go to a spa for a massage, or a facial or a manicure. They offer all the usual amenities, plus some such as the Hot Stone massage, for one. Call to get their brochure. I took a peek up there and it did look inviting from the little I saw. A very soothing atmosphere.
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