Thanks for stopping by my website and for thinking about taking the classes I offer. They are easy-going and designed to facilitate physical and mental wellness and community. All are invited to attend these classes - adults of all ages, teens, and younger children who are interested. I hope you find something that's useful to you!
I draw on over 40 years of teaching and studying yoga, meditation, dance, tai chi, and fitness to students of diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities. My intention is that my classes facilitate a sense of community, decrease stress, increase creativity, and improve mind-body wellness, using a variety of mindful movement and meditation forms. My focus is on teaching participants how to modify movement to address their personal needs and goals.
This includes:
Anyone who wants to move with awareness that decreases stress and improves functional fitness for everyday life.
Anyone impacted by traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury who is mobile and ready to explore TBI-friendly community movement classes.
Anyone impacted by arthritis and looking for a gentle movement class.
Anyone recovering from injury/illness who is mobile and ready to explore gentle community movement classes.
If you are a beginner or someone returning to exercise, you may look forward to gradually building strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, agility, and confidence in your physical and mental abilities.
If you are a more experienced mover, you might appreciate these classes as an addition to your existing training schedule, an option for your "easy-day" workout, or a chance to slow down and reflect on your movement/mind in the name of wellness maintenance and/or injury prevention.
Everyone may notice that a single class brings a feeling of rejuvenation. However, please note that more profound benefits come from consistent practice over time. With that in mind, I encourage you to cultivate a variety of enjoyable movement and meditation forms to keep your body and mind healthy for the long haul...in my classes or elsewhere.
Please be sure to consult your medical professional for exercise safety guidelines specific to you, as needed. I am not a medical doctor.
Do you have questions/concerns about any of the classes offered? If so, please email me for clarification and guidance in selecting the right class for your current needs.
Jeanne
(Pronounced"Jeannie", she/her)
Jeanne-Marie Hughes, Ph.D.
Special Thanks - For your support over the covid years - Alex, Jeff S., Jan, Jenny, Lynn H., Lynn R., Pat, Pauline, Phil, Tai, Yinn, Sophia, Fiona.
Please Note - I maintain this website myself and appreciate feedback about anything that needs fixing!
Explore the mind-body connection, decrease stress, and increase fitness (strength, endurance, balance, coordination) while exploring a variety of somatic, fitness, and dance modalities, including: chair and standing yoga; Tai Chi Chih; movement meditation.
Gentle movement, designed for older adults, all ages welcome, TBI-friendly.
Hosted by the YMCA and funded by The Dignity Fund, SF Department of Disability & Aging Services.
Mondays, 1-2:30 pm, in-person
We will write together, responding to selected prompts for specific times, starting with 10-minute timed writings. No experience needed...it is practice time! No goals except to keep writing without editing your writing or your mind. You will not be put on the spot to read your work. Inspired by the teachings of Natalie Goldberg. To me, this is a form of meditation.
30 or 60 minutes, via Zoom
An introductory class to explore movement and self-care practices aimed at relieving chronic (ongoing) pain.
Each meeting will include movement, breathing exercises, relaxation, meditation, and discussion.
Common conditions caused by muscular imbalances will be addressed, such as: tension headaches, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, fibromyalgia, sciatica, hip pain, headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, knee pain, TMJ, thoracic outlet syndrome, and muscle strain. Special attention will be given to conditions that impact members of our class. Be sure to consult with a health professional for acute (sudden) pain, and as to whether this class will be safe and effective for you.
Recommended book: Live Pain Free by Albert Lee. Available at public libraries and book sellers.
30 or 60 minutes, via Zoom
A beginning-level aerobic workout that encourages an awareness of breath and safe movement. Guidance in how to adapt intensity and range-of-motion according to your needs. Can be adapted to a chair workout..contact me to arrange a free private orientation for this.
60 minutes, via Zoom
Designed to complement the Mindful Cardio class, this gentle floor workout addresses core (abs/pelvis/back) and leg work.
30 minutes, via Zoom
A mellow class featuring instruction of classical poses and variations for beginners and those with experience who would like a relaxed practice. Warm-up, poses, breathing exercises, and meditation. Modifications to make poses easier/harder are offered.
30-60 minutes, via Zoom
A brief yoga-movement warm-up is followed by deep relaxation, breathing practice, and meditation. Have a place to lie down, a blanket to cover up with, a pillow, or 2, as needed.
30, 45, or 60 minutes, via Zoom
A combination of beginning yoga and yoga nidra (see descriptions above).
60-75 minutes, via Zoom, approximate time breakdown:
-20-30 minutes of postures
-20-30 minutes of yoga nidra/relaxation
-15-20 minutes of breathing exercises, meditation
OK to join for only the portion of the class that suits your needs and schedule. Please email me to arrange this.
Practices to calm the mind and body.
Seated or lying down.
15-60 minutes, via Zoom.
Gentle short classes designed for all abilities. Perfect for a short yoga break, or as recovery from illness/injury. Warm-up, poses, breathing exercises, and meditation. Some classes will include self-massage and strengthening exercises.
Choose one of these classes (not all are offered year-round)
Chair - Have a sturdy, stable chair available.
Bed - Yes, you can do a yoga workout in bed!
Chair and Standing - Have a sturdy, stable chair available for seated exercises and to assist in standing balance.
20 minutes, via Zoom
Studies have shown Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention to be effective in relieving pain and improving health and balance. It is a safe and easy-to-learn program, recommended by the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), National Council on Aging (NCOA), and by Arthritis foundations and health departments all over the world.
Each class consists of gentle, slow movement and is done standing, with small steps forward, back, and sideways. Chair variations of movements are available.
Gentle, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - friendly, for those ready to experiment with the practice.
Taking 16 hours of instruction over a period of weeks, accompanied by daily personal practice by participants is the recommended "dosage" for the program developed by Dr. Paul Lam of the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Ongoing practice will assure ongoing benefits.
20-60 minutes, via Zoom. Also taught in Mind Body Health class.
A gentle movement meditation practice, under the umbrella of qi gong, that can be done in a chair or standing. Usually offered as part of the Mind-Body Health classes, but sometimes I offer a separate TCC class.
45-60 minutes, via Zoom
Dance concepts, steps, and choreography are taught slowly. For true beginners and those with experience who would like to dance with us.
90 minutes, in-person
Salsa/Latin Dance - Intermediate/Advanced (Couple)
Includes a 30-minute solo warm-up suitable for all levels.
Study couple dance combinations and technical details to help them work well!
90 minutes, via Zoom.
City College of San Francisco (CCSF)
Beginning Yoga
Salsa and Latin Dance, Ballroom Dance
Tuition is Free for SF residents; just pay a small student fee.
Apply and register: ccsf.edu
Kin. 257: Fitness, Wellness, and the Global Perspective (3 units, hybrid online/in-person)
This undergraduate general education survey course introduces students to human anatomy and physiology, the basic principles of exercise and wellness, the use of the scientific method to create and refine knowledge, and the benefits and limitations of wellness practices around the world. This course blends physical movement and fitness training with academic skills such as critical reading, research, and scholarly presentation. Movement forms studied include yoga (poses, breathing, meditation), tai chi chih, walking meditation, international folk/ethnic dance, various approaches to fitness, and forms of movement students undertake. Design, implement, and evaluate your own 8-week Wellness Plan. Research a wellness topic of interest to you.
Fitness & Conditioning
Individualized Weight Training
Apply and register: sfsu.edu
Yoga, mind body health and healing, meditation, breathing, fitness, and tai chi chih.
Dance lessons and choreography: Social partner dance - Ballroom, Latin, Swing, wedding dances; international folk dance; modern dance; dance composition; performance coaching.
Wedding Officiant: I work with couples to create individualized vows and wedding ceremonies.
Social partner dance parties, with an emphasis on Salsa and Latin Dances, with some line dances, guest teachers, absolute beginner lesson, and if we're lucky, intermediate lesson and some live music. Masks required.
All parties are from 2-5 pm in CCSF Wellness 301.
Lesson for each party 2:30-3 pm in CCSF Wellness 307.
$10.00 in advance ($12.09 with processing fee), $13.00 at party.
· Saturday, March 18
· Saturday, April 15
· Saturday, May 13