Yoga

Warm Up with Green Street

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After the rush of the holidays and the start of the New Year, January settles down to be a nice, quiet month, right?

Not at Green Street!

This month is filled with classes, events, and workshops that are sure to bring you out of hibernation and warm you up.  The bright lights of Green Street will shine into the night beginning January 18th when the After School Program and Winter Session classes begin.  And then the days and nights are filled with workshops in Flamenco and Social Media, a Salsa Social and Family Fun Day, classes of all kinds, and more.  Check it all out below.

Winter Registration
Ongoing
 Register online here or by calling 860-685-7871 for one of our
great winter classes. Here is a sampling of our offerings to tempt you:

Women Playing with Hair by Meredith ArcariSalsa Dance with Cori Presutti
Mondays | 7:30-8:30pm

Figure Drawing Open Studio with Elena Grossman
Tuesdays | 6:30-8:30pm

Writing in Motion with Christine Woodside
Tuesdays | 6:30-7:30pm

So You Got a Digital Camera with Shawn Hill
Wednesdays | 6:30-7:30pm

Yoga with Gia Khalsa
Thursdays | 6:15-7:15pm

Writer’s Out Loud with hosts Cocomo Rock & Al Bower
Thursday, January 20 | 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm
Regular: $5; Member: $3

Prose writers are invited to share works-in-progress, socialize, and seek out constructive comments. Presentations are limited to prose short stories or excerpts under 10 minutes. Sign-up begins at 6:30pm, readings begin at 7pm.

Salsa Social
Saturday, January 22 | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Salsa SocialRegular: $8; Member/Student/Senior: $5

Overcome the sub-zero temperatures with one of Green Street’s acclaimed Salsa Socials.  Salsero Jason Pepin hosts an evening of hot music, open floor, and the best dance crowd in Connecticut.  Admission includes refreshments and free instruction from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

¡Viva Flamenco! A Demonstration and Workshop with Marta Torres
Friday, January 28 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Regular: $8; Member/Student/Senior: $5

Marta Torres of Madrid will a demonstrate flamenco dance, and explain its history, concluding with a question and answer session.  The final half hour will allow audience members to try flamenco for themselves – participation encouraged, but not required.

Using Social Media – A Two-Part Workshop
Instructor: Eric Lopkin
Saturday, January 29 | Part 1: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and Part 2: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Regular: $30 per session; $50 for the day | Member: $25 per session; $40 for the day

Social Media WagonPart 1 covers the basics, including the different social media platforms (Facebook, Linked In, Blogs, etc.,) and how to get started with the right settings to protect yourself.  Part 2 explores more advanced functions of all forms of social media, and prepares you to launch or enhance your home business, creative writing or political action.

Family Festival at Green Street – Come in from the Cold!
Saturday, January 29 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | FREE

Kids having funJoin us at Green Street for a day of family activities for all!  Activities include Community Music Initiative, Creative Arts Workshop, Storytelling, Early Childhood music for parents with children aged 9 months to 5 years, Hip Hop and Breakdance for kids aged 7-13, and more!  All ages are welcome; children must attend with a parent or caretaker. This event is free, but your donation of $8 per family will help us hold future events.

With all these activities, why stay at home?  Call us at 860-685-7871 for more information or to join one of these events.  We hope to see you soon at Green Street!

New Perspectives: Green Street’s Managing Director Practices What She Preaches

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As Green Street’s Managing Director, I spend most of my days, and even some nights, working behind the scenes. I’m usually writing grants, soliciting support for programming, balancing budgets, managing operations and staff, and spreading the word about all of our offerings.  I love what I do, and am even more passionate about this incredible organization for which I work, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t sometimes stressful.  One of the best parts about working at this extraordinarily special arts center is that I can relieve my stress without ever leaving the premises.

About two years ago, instead of just working to market Green Street’s course catalog, I finally found the time to take advantage of some of the incredible classes that were listed in it.  The first class I decided to try was Gia Khalsa’s Gentle Yoga.  I had never taken a yoga class before, my knowledge limited by brief images seen on TV or other advertisements.  The description of Gia’s class really grabbed my attention.  “Gia’s gentle yoga” seemed immediately inviting, instead of intimidating.  Her description went on to say, “perfect for those who want to get in shape or gain a little experience.” I wanted to get in shape, get familiar with yoga, and find a new way to unwind.

Gia teaching Yoga

As soon as I laid down my yoga mat at the first class, I was hooked.  Gia’s presence is warm, inviting, and motivating.  She mixes traditional yoga postures with light stretches and relaxation throughout the class hour, focusing on all areas of the body, including breathing and stress relief.  In one hour, Gia’s routine energizes, relaxes, reinvigorates, and motivates.  Gia is encouraging and caters to all of her students’ needs, making everyone in the class- no matter their ability- feel welcome, engaged, and inspired.  Yoga has not only helped me relieve stress, but has also played a large role in my quest for a healthier lifestyle.  In addition, yoga at Green Street has been a bonding experience for me.  I’ve been fortunate enough to take the class with my colleagues and enjoy meeting new friends. More recently, I am loving the quality time I get from taking yoga with my mom.

Yoga Class

Even after working at Green Street for nearly four years, it is still evident that walking through the front door has the power to transform.  I see it in my professional self each day, in our After School students’ eyes, and in the inspirational and passionate stories I hear from the families and adult students who make up the true fabric of the organization.  Now, as a student myself, I have been transformed in a whole new way, and I encourage you to join me.

Gia is offering a Summer Yoga class beginning in July.  To learn more about it and all of Green Street’s other summer offerings, visit us online at www.greenstreetartscenter.org.  There are so many fantastic opportunities awaiting you…I hope to see you in Yoga, or Hip-Hop too!  It’s another fabulous class that I’ve been involved in and it’ll be back this summer as well.  Can’t decide what to take?  Give us a call at (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu and we would be happy to assist you.  Make sure to sign up for one of our great summer classes.  I look forward to seeing you then.

Submitted by Jessica Carso, Managing Director and Green Street Student