Grace Cottage offering a variety of wellness classes for the fall

TOWNSHEND- Grace Cottage will offer a variety of wellness classes for a range of fitness levels and personal preferences. Class choices are yoga, tai chi, and Strong Bones. Class fees are subsidized by the health care center so that more people in the community can afford to attend. They range in price from free to $5 per class.
On Tuesdays, from 4:30 to 6 pm, Grace Cottage offers yoga in the Viniyoga tradition. In this class, participants build strength, balance, and endurance as they move through basic postures (asanas) in fluid motion with coordinated breath work. Gentle music and centering meditation are incorporated in this class. Students of all ability levels are welcome. No preregistration is required. Mats and blocks provided. Instructor is Crystal Mansfield, Grace Cottage’s Director of Rehabilitation Services and Wellness Programs. She studied yoga at the Kripalu Institute and has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. Cost is $5 per class.
Fridays, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, enjoy yoga in the Hatha tradition. This class takes participants through a series of standard yoga poses with coordinated breathing exercises for the benefit of mind, body, and spirit. Mats and blocks provided. Registered yoga teacher Rebecca Griswold is a physical therapy assistant at Grace Cottage. Cost is $5 per class.
Wednesdays from 1 to 2 pm is a chair yoga” class. Beginners to yoga are welcome, as is anyone with limited flexibility or an inability to practice on the floor. Students will flow through an eclectic blend of seated and standing poses while incorporating breathing techniques into their movements. In this class, participants will open their hips, move shoulders and neck, and find length in the spine. A goal is to experience peaceful relaxation as well as gentle invigoration. Led by Griswold, cost is $5 per class.
Starting September 20, there will be a new Tai Chi for Fall Prevention six-week class series offered on Fridays from 9 to 10 am. Classes focus on developing balance and flexibility. Certified instructor Ruth Fleming is a physical therapist at Grace Cottage. A Level 2 class is offered on an on-going basis on Wednesdays from 9 to 10 am. These classes are free.
Strong Bones classes are offered at Grace Cottage throughout the year. These are popular strength and balance classes for older adults. Participants generally go two times a week on a regular basis. Call for class times. Suggested donation is $3 per class.
All classes are held in the Grace Cottage Community Wellness Center, Heins Building, 133 Grafton Road.  Note that classes may be canceled due to bad weather, holidays or scheduling conflicts. Prior to first attendance call (802) 365-3649. For a list of all classes visit www.gracecottage.org.