Live music joins yoga class

Live music joins yoga class

Sam Radecki teaches yoga weekly at the Harris Building. Courtesy Sam Radecki

In a unique spin on the traditional yoga class, an area instructor is adding live music to her classes.

On Thursday, Samantha Radecki is kicking off a series of Kripalu-style yoga classes at the recently renovated Harris Building, 111 South Division Ave.

Radecki will be offering five, six-week yoga classes, two of which will be accompanied by live music.

Music and movement

The Music and Movement classes will feature performances by musicians Will Springsteen, who is a singer, songwriter and guitarist; John Nowak, who is a pianist and member of the Desmond Jones band; and Chris Bota, a guitarist and member of the Desmond Jones band.

While music is a common element of yoga, Radecki said live music allows for even greater immersion in one’s yoga practice and will help guide practitioners more deeply through the movements.

Radecki said during the pilot phase of the Movement and Music classes, students enjoyed the experience and shared positive feedback.

She said the Harris Building space is particularly conducive to live music, because it allows sound to vibrate through the space.

Self-compassion

Radecki said “Kripalu” is a Sanskrit word for compassion and Kripalu-style yoga focuses on self-compassion and self-love.

All yoga classes are being held in the second floor Art Gallery of the Harris Building. Classes are open to people of all ages and abilities. Several mats are provided.

Radecki plans to offer another six-week series of classes at the Harris Building following the conclusion of the first series.

Radecki also teaches yoga at Inspire Yoga in Jenison, Spectrum Health and Family Fitness on Alpine.

Weekly classes

Thursday

Basic: 5-6 p.m.

Music and Movement, gentle: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Friday

Gentle: 10-11 a.m.

Slow Flow (moderate level): 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sunday

Music and Movement, slow flow: 1:30-3 p.m.

Pricing

Music and Movement classes have a $15 drop-in rate or $72 for a six-class package, while one-hour classes have a $10 drop-in rate or $48 for a six-class package.