sandy williams yoga

Sandy has been teaching yoga in Portland, Oregon since 2018 at Sunset Yoga Center, first at its Cornell Road site and then under its new ownership at PDX Sports Center. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting need to physically distance, Sandy transitioned to teaching her classes online. With the subsequent permanent closure of Sunset Yoga Center, Sandy has chosen to continue teaching online via Zoom. Her teaching style is slower-paced with an attention to detail, actions and alignment. She employs a variety of props to help make the experience of being in a particular pose more accessible. She enjoys seeing her students attempting new things, making new connections, and growing and progressing in their yoga practices.

Announcements

**New Beginner Series!  See below.

**CLASS CHANGE:  The Wednesday class will be changed from a 90-minute class to a 60-minute class beginning 10/14/2020.  Please see cost changes below.  

special classes

Beginner series: Saturdays at 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on 11/21, 11/28, 12/05 and 12/12.  Cost is $40 for the series.  Refunds will not be issued except in the case of hardship.  See series description below.  Email me if you are interested.

class schedule

Day Time Time Class Description
Wednesday
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Level 1
Sunday
8:00 – 9:30 am
Level 1

Class descriptions

Beginner Series:  This is an option offered to students with no prior yoga experience.  It is a set, four-week series that will start with the basics.  Each class will build on the previous ones and the same students will progress together as a group.  This series will be offered periodically.  You do NOT have to do the Beginner Series to start a level 1 class.

Level 1:  This is the level to start with for students with little or no yoga experience or students who are returning to yoga.  Fundamentals such as basic alignment and actions will be introduced and practiced.

Level 2: This is for students with at least six months of level 1 experience and who feel they have a basic understanding of the poses offered in level 1.  Basic poses are explored more deeply and more complex poses are introduced.  Inversions are done more regularly.

– If you find yourself wishing there was a class on another day and time, let me know.  If I find there is enough interest, I will consider it.

– If you have a group of people who would like to have a special class together as something fun/interesting to try, let me know and we’ll see if we can arrange that.

– If you would like to have a private lesson, contact me.  I will be charging $40 for an hour-long private session.

how to sign up for classes

NEW STUDENTS TO SANDY WILLIAMS YOGA:  

  1. Download a copy of this Waiver Form, read and sign it, and email a copy back to me.  If you would like to mail it, email me for details.  You will not be able to start without this.
  2. If you have not taken classes with me before, please email me before signing up for a class so I can get some details from you or perhaps set up a time to chat.
  3. For the Beginner Series, email me by two weeks before the start date to sign up (unless you have already spoken to me).
  4. Once you have signed the waiver, registered for a class and made your payment, a Zoom meeting number and password will be emailed to you.
  5. See “Preparing For Class” and “How to Take a Zoom Class.”

ESTABLISHED STUDENTS:

  1. Pick your class and email sandywilliamsyoga@yahoo.com at least 24 hours before class.  In the subject line of the email, type your name and the class you want to take (eg. “Thelma W.  Wednesday 12:00”).  If you also have a message or a question for me, include in the subject line “Please read email”.  Otherwise, I will just view the subject line and put you on the class list.  If you sign up but find you are unable to attend, please email me.  If you find you are coming regularly, we can switch to having you just email me if you’re NOT coming to class.
  2. Once you have signed the waiver, registered for a class and made your payment, a Zoom meeting number and password will be emailed to you.

cost and payment information

  • Level 1 and level 2 classes are $12.00 per 90-minute class and $10.00 per 60-minute class.
  • The four-week Beginner Series is $40.00. No refund will be issued except in the instance of hardship.
  • One-hour private lesson is $40.

You can pay for classes either through PayPal or by check.

PayPal: https://paypal.me/sandywilliamsyoga121?locale.x=en_US

Check: Email me for details at sandywilliamsyoga@yahoo.com.

preparing for class

  1. Find a quiet place with enough room for your mat plus some room around it.  If possible, have it near a wall.  If possible, have enough room so you can turn your mat if desired.
  2. Have enough light directed toward you so I can see you.
  3. Gather your props:
    • Two blocks (or books).
    • Two to four blankets (or towels).
    • One strap (or belt, bathrobe belt, rope, if possible, 6 feet long).
    • One chair, preferably without arms.
    • One bolster (or cushion).
  4. Have an empty stomach (don’t eat for 2-3 hours before class).
  5. Wear comfortable clothes that aren’t baggy.  We will practice barefooted.
IMG_0336
Standard Yoga Props
IMG_0335
Household Equivalents

how to take a zoom class

  1. Go to www.zoom.us and download the program for MAC or PC.  If you have a smartphone, you can download the app for Android or iOS.  The program and app are free.
  2. Create an account.  This is also free.
  3. Open the Zoom program or app and log in.  Click on the blue “JOIN” button, then enter the meeting number and password.  Click on the bar labeled “JOIN”.
  4. A window will pop up saying “To hear others please join audio.”  Click on “Call using internet audio.”
  5. Make sure your video is turned on by clicking on the little video camera icon that is located somewhere around the periphery of your screen.  To mute yourself, click on the little microphone icon.  If the class is small, we can stay unmuted.
  6. Start in Gallery View so you can say hi to the others in class.  Once class starts, switch to Speaker View and I will spotlight myself so the largest image you see will be of me.  At the end of class you may go back to Gallery View to say goodbye, if you choose to.
  7. To leave the meeting, click on the red “Leave” or “End” button.
  8. Practice with your device to try and find the optimal distance away from you and height off the floor that allows you to see me on your device and allows me to see you.  It won’t be perfect!  When we do standing poses, attempt to include your feet and at least your head in the view I will see.  You can tilt or move your device if needed, when we come down to do seated poses.  Feel free to move your device around as needed.
  9. During class, you’re welcome to walk up to your device to better see me when I am demonstrating something, and then walk back to your space to do the pose.
  10. There are many informational videos available on YouTube to help you learn how to use Zoom.  If you’re new to Zoom, just email me and we can set up a test run and I will help walk you through it.

Zoom is not perfect and can’t compete with in-person classes.  I am not able to see you as well and can’t walk around and see you from different angles and cannot intervene.  But……this situation does set the stage for establishing your own home practice which requires that you be mindful and practice with intelligence and care in order to avoid injury.  It has some other advantages, too.  It makes yoga available to us in this time of physical distancing.  It allows us to practice in a private, safe place……our homes.  And there is no traveling!