Yoga has been shown to have vast health benefits for people of all body types and fitness levels. If you can stretch your muscles, you can do yoga! This six-week series will introduce basic yoga postures (along with modifications) and healthy alignment with some breath work and relaxation/meditation sprinkled in. We will play with linking postures together into a gentle ‘flow’ sequence that will stretch your muscles and relax your mind. As this will be in a virtual format via Zoom, verbal instructions will be replacing any hands-on adjustments. Participants should have a yoga mat or towel and wear clothes that allow for unrestricted movement. Some props that are helpful to have are two yoga blocks, a yoga strap (or scarf, belt or other long piece of fabric), and a folded blanket. A folding chair would be helpful for modifications or balance poses, and wall space nearby can be useful as well. Participants should have the ability to get up and down from the floor fairly easily, and be cleared by a medical professional if there are chronic health issues such as high blood pressure. Wendy McLoon-Waterman is a certified yoga instructor (RYT500) and a member of Yoga Alliance. She is also a certified Yoga Therapist working with individuals with physical and/or psycho-emotional challenges, and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

This yoga class allows us to check in with our bodies and get moving in a way that can help us lower stress, release stagnant energy, and strengthen our mind-body connection. Andrea will bring the focus on strength, balance, flexibility, relaxation, meditation, techniques for stress management including better sleep. She will offer a variety of breathing techniques to calm and relax the body and clear the mind. All levels are welcome! Andrea has been teaching Group Fitness classes since 2013 from Zumba, Aquatics, Seniors, Kids (including Special Ed) and is a NASM certified Personal Trainer. She became interested in the healing process of Yoga and is a registered 500 hour Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance. She is always attending workshops and trainings for continued education to bring high quality classes to her community. Andrea has a passion in helping others to get active and stay active. Her one of a kind classes are fun, welcoming and focused on functional movements. It’s all about creating a healthy lifestyle!

Join New England Watercolor Society signature watercolorist Michael E. Vermette for a painting journey that focuses on 5 different technical and compositional approaches in painting the Maine landscape. Each lesson is taught over a two weeks block of time. The first week is devoted to instruction and the week that follows is devoted to artists painting in the studio classroom. Each class is 2 1/2 hours long with two classes devoted to each of the 5 lessons.

Michael will demonstrate his sheer enjoyment of painting no smaller than half sheet size watercolors and no larger than 18 x 24 inches to the create exciting landscapes. He describes painting as a place where he can let go, have fun, yet still be in control of the medium. From painting lost and found edges, to floating washes wildly to create interesting treatment, watercolor is perfectly approachable in representing visually what the artist sees and experiences. The course will show artists how to set up a home studio and will provide studio space in a classroom environment.

A supportive group critique will happen each week to help develop the power for artists to talk about and represent their landscape paintings. No previous experience is needed for this class and yet experienced artists will benefit as well with Michael’s friendly and open style of teaching. You will love just how much this inspiring course will teach you about painting larger watercolor Landscape paintings, while developing a full and interesting portfolio.

Watercolor Supply List The instructor will go over materials on the first class.This is what I would suggest you think about purchasing for the workshop, although you may want to bring what you have and add what you don’t have after the first class.

1. Watercolor Paper, buy a minimum of 5 sheets of 22” x 30" or a block no larger than 18”x 24" (they hold 20- sheets or so). I have used Arches, Fabriano and Gemini watercolor brands. For handmade papers I’ve used Twinrocker, Indian Village and vintage Whattman all 140 lb to 300 lb press (cold press is preferred, but you can also experiment with hot press or rough).

2. Watercolor paints in tubes or cakes/pans- a warm and cool statement of each primary color plus secondary, grays, blacks, white for a total of no more than 12-14 colors. I use Holbein, Grumbacher, Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith and Old Holland watercolors because I love color. Only Holbin has no ox gall in the paint, just pure gum arabic as the binder. It is more affordable than most brands. I recommend the following colors: Cadmium Yellow Light Cadmium Yellow Deep Cadmium Orange Yellow Ochre Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson Chinese White Burn Sienna Viridian Green Hue Cerulean Blue Cobalt Blue Ultramarine Blue Deep Manganese Blue Prussian Blue Permanent Magenta Ivory Black Indigo.

3. A large Studio Palette, with mixing areas separate from the paint wells.

4. Three watercolor brushes, I use the Balmoral Kolinsky brand, but cheaper Langnickel brushes will also do. Choose a small round no. 6 or 8, a no. 12 and a Large 1" to 2 “ Flat.

5. Cotton Rags or roll of paper towels.

6. Painted light weight board or light weight plexi-glass or formica board that is Waterproof and no smaller than 20 x 26 inches.

7. Portfolio, large enough to fit your paper and painting board. No smaller than 20 x 26 inches(You can make your own portfolio out of cardboard).

8. Graphite Pencils, 6B or HB or H depending on preference and how much you want the graphite line to be seen in your work.

9. Paint Box, to hold all of your paint tubes, brushes, and miscellaneous supplies.

10. Miscellaneous Supplies: Sketch book, a roll of 1" masking tape (I use white Artist Tape), a sponge (natural are the best), 2 collapsible cups for holding water, a kneaded eraser, ex-acto knife, and extra media to add to watercolor such as ink, liquid watercolor or watercolor pencils and even watercolor pastels.

This is a continuation of ASL I. No class on Febraury 18.

This course will teach the basics in the ballroom dance styles of Salsa and Rhumba. These dances are partner dances, so participants must register with a partner. This course will also teach timing, leading and following skills necessary to succeed in all partner dances. Each couple will progress at an individual pace. No previous dance experience is necessary. Sneakers are the recommended foot attire. Price is per person. No class on February 19.

Interested in learning sign language to communicate with a family member or a member of the community? If so, you will find this class a "hands talking" experience. Learn basic ASL such as baby signs, family signs, and visual gestures. Realize why many people who previously struggled to learn a second language are perfect students for this class. Dawna Marie Thorpe has taught ASL for several years. Dawna attended Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and The University of Maine. She has strong ASL skills and also has experience with SEE (Signed Exact English). No class on February 19.

Jim Lagasse will take you on a fun journey with watercolors. In this ongoing class, beginners will explore different watercolor painting techniques, styles, and tricks in watercolor painting. Beginners will learn basic steps to painting watercolor landscapes, animals, and abstracts. You don't need any experience at all. Please join us for the fun. Experienced watercolor painters are welcome. No class on February 19.

This is the third part of the Spanish II class.