BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.2//EN TZID:America/Los_Angeles X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6005333@anandaportland.org DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261002T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261002T113000 DTSTAMP:20260730T232337Z URL:https://anandaportland.org/events/gentle-yoga-with-melissa-2026-01-09- 2026-01-16-2026-01-23-2026-01-30-2026-02-06-2026-02-13-2026-02-20-2026-02- 27-2026-03-06-2026-03-13-2026-03-20-2026-03-27-2026-04-03-2026-04-10-2026- 04-25-2026-10-02/ SUMMARY:Gentle Yoga with Melissa DESCRIPTION:\n\nThis class is ideal for beginners\, those recovering from i njury\, or anyone seeking a deeply restorative practice. It’s less about “doing” and more about “being\,” with props acting as companions to guide the body into ease.\n\nClass Atmosphere\n\n Lighting &\; Ambi ance: Soft\, warm lighting with calming music or silence to encourage rel axation.\n Pace: Slow\, mindful transitions with long holds to allow the body to settle.\n Focus: Creating comfort\, stability\, and spaciousnes s in each posture.\n\n\n\nProps &\; Supports\n\n Bolsters &\; Pillo ws: Used to support the spine or to cushion knees in seated poses.\n Bla nkets: Folded for extra padding under joints or rolled to elevate hips.\n Blocks: Provide height and stability in standing poses or gentle forwar d folds.\n Straps: Assist in reaching without strain\, especially in ham string stretches or shoulder openers.\n Chairs: Offer support for balanc e postures or seated variations.\n\n\n\nFlow of the Class\n\n Centering:  Begin by focusing on breath awareness.\n Gentle Warm-Up\n Ananda Poses : supported standing poses like warrior variations with a chair or block. \n Relaxation: Savasana with props.\n Guided meditation with visualizat ion\n\n\nBenefits\n\n Physical: Relieves tension\, supports joints\, enc ourages gentle mobility.\n Mental: Reduces stress\, cultivates mindfulne ss\, enhances body awareness.\n Emotional: Creates a safe\, nurturing en vironment for release and renewal.\n\n\n\n\nDrop-ins are welcome! Mats and gear are provided\, but you may bring your own. Ananda Yoga is for all bodies and can be modified for your needs.\nTaught by Melissa Heart\, AYT \n\nMelissa Heart has been teaching Ananda Yoga since 2012 as a certified Ananda Yoga instructor. She’s been with Ananda Portland since 2007 and h as served in many capacities at the temple. Currently she serves as a memb er of the ministry team\, manager of the temple and coordinator for Educat ion for Life Outreach Programs.\n\n\n\nAnanda Yoga® is inherently gentle and our instructors encourage and support appropriate modifications so all bodies can participate safely. Come early to class and speak with the ins tructor about your needs. \n********************************************* *********************\n\nPurchase a 10 class package and save!\n(packages must be purchased on site)\n\n$15 per drop-in / 10 class package $135\, ge t 1 class free/$13.50 per class) good for 1 year.\n\n$10 Senior rate (10 c lass package $90\, get 1 class free/ $9.00 per class) good for 1 year.\n\n *************************************************************************\ nTestimonial from Lori Arveson\, student:\n"I have been practicing Ananda Yoga for several years\, and it has become a deeply inward and centering e xperience for me. The postures are held with mindful awareness\, each acco mpanied by a silent affirmation that gently guides my attention within. As I move through the poses\, my mind settles and the practice becomes a for m of moving meditation.\nMelissa brings a soft\, grounded presence to each class. She begins by inviting us into stillness\, seated in meditation wi th uplifting Ananda music\, and gently leads us through pranayama. The cla ss closes with a few moments of silent meditation\, allowing everything to integrate. By the end of each session\, I feel both deeply relaxed and qu ietly energized\, carrying a sense of calm with me beyond the mat."\n  \;\n\nReview of Ananda Yoga – Beaverton OR.\nFrom: Rick Cady - Tualatin\ , OR. \n\n"As a current student of Ayurveda\, I had been looking to comple ment my studies with a Yoga tradition that would support the ideals espous ed by the ancients related to the Yoga sciences. Given that the Western mo del of Yoga tends toward only a focus on the physical aspects of the pract ice\, I was happy to find a more traditional practice of Hatha Yoga throug h the Ananda Temple here in Beaverton\, OR. Teacher Melissa Heart brings t his practice to life with her unique and effective teaching style with an emphasis on being conscious and still as we move into poses\, hold the pos e\, and come out of the pose. This practice emphasizes utilizing the poses to relax the body and be aware of our state of mind to ultimately prepare for meditation. Melissa is a gem that I am grateful to have met\, as you can feel her love for the practice and desire to share it with others. On a physical level\, I had been diagnosed many years ago with a Lumbar spine defect that had given me significant pain and limitations for several dec ades\, and this practice has made me virtually pain free in about 3 months . A true miracle. I am forever grateful and will be a lifetime supporter o f Melissa and Ananda Yoga." ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://anandaportland.org/wp-content/uploads/20 25/12/yoga-props.jpg CATEGORIES:Classes,Yoga LOCATION:Ananda Portland Temple\, 4855 SW Watson Ave\, Beaverton\, OR\, 970 05\, United States X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=4855 SW Watson Ave\, Beaver ton\, OR\, 97005\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Ananda Portlan d Temple:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR