To sign up for all classes, please call Center Coordinator, Suzie Simpson at 614-930-2260 or contact us.

The Mind and Body Connection

Depression, stress, insomnia, and anxiety decrease our quality of life. While there are many causes for these conditions most members of the medical community agree that exercise and relaxation techniques may lessen these problems. In a recent LGBT survey conducted by the United Way of Central Ohio and community partner organizations, many participants indicated that they suffered from anxiety and depression but did not have the funds to seek help.

Responding to the community need to combat these problems Stonewall Columbus is creating a Healthy Minds, Healthy Body Series at the Center on High Two classes: Hatha for Beginners and Energy Work and Meditation will be offered free to up to fifteen participants. This series is made possible with a generous grant from the Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation.

Hatha for Beginners

This Class is now full. We will be adding additional dates soon. Please check back for more information. 

Six Classes

Saturday, February 16, 23, March 1, Sunday March 9, Saturday, March 15, March 22

Studio One, Center on High
1160 North High Street
Cost: FREE

This course will be suitable for those who have never done yoga before to those who have some experience. It will introduce body awareness, basic yoga poses and their components, breath work and relaxation techniques. Students will discover newly developed strength, flexibility and mind/body awareness at their own level in a relaxed, lighthearted atmosphere. This class is most appropriate for those who can easily get up and down off the floor.

Instructor: Vanessa Schumm Welch

Vanessa has been practicing yoga for 13 years. Originally a certified aerobics instructor, she was invited to attend a yoga class with a friend, falling in love with yoga during that first class and never turning back. Her first class was taught by Marcia Miller, one of the Yoga on High founding partners, with whom she still studies today. Vanessa was skeptical at first about yoga, being that her background was in aerobics where alignment and the proper do’s and don’ts were applied. She was astounded and delighted that the yoga practice involved such attention to the body awareness, its placement, breathing and at a pace geared toward the individual’s ability. Her teacher was knowledgeable about the anatomy of the body and how that applied to everyday movement, individual limitations and injury prevention. Vanessa currently studies at Yoga on High with the founding partners, Marcia Miller, Martha Marcom and Linda Oshins and attributes them with her continued knowledge and growth in her practice. She has also studied with several of the guest teachers at Yoga on High including Rodney Yee, Tom Myers, and Jean Couch. Vanessa is a student of both the Hatha and Ashtanga styles of yoga and currently teaches both for Grandview Parks and Recreation. Vanessa is a certified yoga instructor through NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association).

Energy Work and Meditation:

One Class

Saturday March 29, 2008 at 11:00 am

Studio One, Center on High
1160 North High Street
Cost: FREE

Using the mind body connection, Kathleen Lewis will teach the class to obtain deep relaxation levels. She calls her meditation process a “mind vacation.” She will also teach the class to relieve stress using pressure points on the body and foot reflexology. A brief description of energy work using Reiki will also be included in this one time one hour class on March 29 at 11:00 am in Studio One at the Center on High, 1160 North High Street in the Short North.

Instructor: Kathleen Lewis

In 1983 Kathleen made a commitment to change her life for the better and so she began my journey. Since 1985 she has been practicing/teaching the healing arts of Yoga, Reflexology, Reiki and Acupressure. She has always felt that the right people, workshops, music, books, tapes, etc. are placed in front of her and it continues to happen as she travels on her spiritual path. Kathleen is fulfilling her life’s purpose of sharing what she loves with others. The end result of whatever modality she practices with others is peace, tranquility and a sense of well-being.

Train with a Trainer to Increase Your Core Strength

Six Classes

This class will be rescheduled. Please check back for additional information.

Studio One, Center on High
1160 North High Street
Cost: $60 for 6 Weeks

Click here to purchase your registration online

(Each participant will need to purchase an exercise ball and bands so an additional $30)

This class will be focused on strength training and muscle toning, using stability balls, therabands, and your own body weight. Together, we will have fun building core muscle strength, as well as gaining balance and coordination.

Instructor: Lyen Djakov

Lyen Djakov got her start in personal training as a result of her own transformation from a couch potato to a marathon runner. Not always an avid fitness buff, she has successfully completed 4 marathons since 2005. She plans on completing another marathon in 2008. She also enjoys practicing ashtanga yoga in addition to running. Lyen’s goal as a personal trainer is to help her clients make the most of their bodies and physical fitness, by identifying physical activities that they enjoy.

Lyen has a master’s degree in counseling from The College of William and Mary, and has worked with various populations in prevention and intervention settings. She is a certified personal trainer through the World Instructor Training School.

All classes are open to all ages and fitness levels. You are encouraged to consult a physician before beginning any fitness regiment. Instructors will individualize workouts to accommodate those seeking to “get in shape” and those seeking to “peek their fitness levels.”

To sign up for all classes, please call Center Coordinator, Suzie Simpson at 614-930-2260 or contact us.