STACEY JACKSON-FLAMMIA (she/her)
How can we respond to ourselves and to the world with love?
This question has guided my practice of yoga and meditation both on and off the yoga mat for more than 20 years. I have benefitted from practicing a variety of yoga styles in different moments of my life. For many years my practice has been grounded in Iyengar Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and meditation. I am thankful for the wisdom and adaptability of these particular practices now as I navigate the ever-changing terrain of perimenopause.
I completed both my foundational and advanced trainings with Boston Yoga School. My knowledge of and love for Restorative Yoga is guided by the teachings of Judith Hanson Lasater, Roger Cole, and Dr. Gail Parker. I completed a second 200-hour training specific to Yin Yoga, and am also trained in prenatal yoga at the RPYT level.
What You Can Expect From My Classes
I strive to facilitate yoga practices that are welcoming and create a safe space for everyone. I am interested in the intention of each pose and exploring how each practitioner can work with this intention in their own unique body. I walk around the room so that I can see and work with everyone, and I try to talk as I move so that there are no surprises about where I am. I do not play music. I approach each shape with curiosity and ask questions. I prefer to offer props and support instead of hands-on assists.
In Yin Yoga we put the physical body in shapes that result in a mild, moderate, and sustainable stress or sensation. This approach supports the health of the fascia, a connective tissue that wraps and integrates everything in the body. My approach to Yin Yoga is to set up the physical body in a shape that is completely supported by props so that no muscular effort is required anywhere. I am constantly inspired by Yin Yoga’s ability to increase my experiences of interconnectedness, mindfulness, and bodyfulness. I appreciate its constant challenge to respond with compassion.
In Restorative Yoga we use props to support the physical body in poses where our intention is not to stretch, but to rest. Restorative Yoga is a practice that can cultivate acceptance, and celebrates the experience of simply being, instead of doing. My approach to facilitating a Restorative Yoga practice includes demonstrating several options for each pose, taking the time to make sure practitioners have the support they need, and creating and holding space for healing. My goal is to talk enough to give a useful amount of instruction, while being quiet enough to give practitioners the space they need.