INSTRUCTORS

Seated Yoga

Gina Komanac

Gina has a Certificate in Hatha Yoga Teacher Training from Sunshine Yoga May 2011, 200 Hours Meditation, Relaxation and Limbering of the Joints & Glands with the Traditional Hatha Yoga Instruction. Breathing, Mediation and Relaxation along with asana (poses).

Hatha Yoga introducing gentle stretches, deep breathing, relaxation, meditation and limbering of the joints and glands at a variety of Community and Activity Centres including Confederation Park 55+.

Hatha yoga can really help benefit students with all movements including focus on back/core strengthening. The balancing standing poses can help prevent injury. Stretches with ankles, knees, and hips help with mobility and greater flexibility. The standing poses for seniors helps with balance and better mobility. These poses help to prevent injury.

The entire 60 minute class with movements is beneficial to our overall health and well-being. Meditation also helps us to calm our minds, and connect with our own spiritual journey with a beautiful chime bowl ringing sounds.

Please contact Gina Komanac directly at geenyinabottle@shaw.ca or call Gina at 403-462-6004 if you have any questions about her very popular Seated Yoga classes.

Qi-gong

Susan Lennox

Susan Lennox has practiced Spring Forest Qi-gong for over fourteen years, has received her Level Four Certification and completed numerous workshops to further her experience.

Susan has led various classes in senior centres, a care centre, and in workshops for the Arthritis Society. 

Qi means energy, gong means work. 

Spring Forest is a medical form, of Qi-gong. It was developed by Master Chunyi Lyn with the intent to allow anyone to benefit from the practice, no matter their ability. He says it is simple yet profound, "If you believe it, it works. If you don't believe it, it still works."

Spring Forest Qi-gong healing is based on the principle that everything in the universe is energy. You are an energy being. For optimum health, wellness, and happiness, it is important to bring your energy into balance, maintain the balance, and keep the energy flowing smoothly.  In Susan's class, students practice Level One active exercise, guided meditation and harvesting of Qi at the end. 

Susan hopes to see you at the class to reap the benefits of Spring Forest Qi-gong.  Contact programs@yycseniors.com if you have any questions about Susan Lennox's Qi-gong class.

Acrylic Painting Workshops

Sara Monadizadeh

Sara Monadizadeh is a Calgary-based visual arts instructor and illustrator with nearly a decade of experience working with a wide range of age groups, including adults and seniors. 

She currently teaches at the City of Calgary's arts centres and has facilitated a variety of community-based programs. Sara's classes are designed to be engaging, inclusive, and enjoyable, encouraging participants to explore their creativity at their own pace. Her approach blends traditional techniques with playful exploration, making the art-making process both accessible and rewarding.

Creative expression is very therapeutic, it is proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness. The process of engaging in art creates happiness and wellbeing. Creating art can stimulate memories and it promotes engagement and inclusiveness. It fosters fellowship and brings people together and we all benefit from meeting new friends.

For more information about Sara art classes please contact programs@yycseniors.com if you have any questions about Sara's Acrylic Painting Workshops.

55+ Ballet

Frances Bonner-Parker

I can't remember a time when I didn't love ballet and want to be a dancer. It really was my first love.

I stated dancing at age 5 in Victoria and continued when my family moved to Halifax. The dance studio became my happy place where I like-minded people and could work to be a better dancer. It became a huge part of my life. I also discovered Artistic Swimming, after all, it was ballet in the water.

During my teenage years I found another joy, in teaching what I loved. I started teaching ballet to children and  continued to tech higher age group. Through many years of ballet exams and Summer Intensive training, my joy of dancing never wavered. I had great success in both dancing and teaching in all age groups including adults, both men and women. I became a member of the Royal Academy of Dancing and later danced and taught at the School of Russian Ballet.

Life had me moving all over Canada and each place I found a way to dance and teach. As I had my children and they grew, I taught bot ballet and coached artistic swimming. I realized that my joy came from the successes achieved by the dancers and athletes I taught. I became a National level Certified Coach in Artistic Swimming.

I moved to Calgary in 2006 and life changed. Dancing took a back seat to raising a family. Thanks to Confederation Park 55+ I found my joy again and three years ago started dancing here. I will forever be grateful to this facility for those classes and the wonderful women I have met in my classes.

Now, I want to share both my love and experience with others of my age group and help them to find the joy of ballet as well. I hope to see you in class.

Contact programs@yycseniors.com if you have any questions about Frances 55+ Ballet classes.

Line Dance Intermediate

Julian So

Julian began teaching Line Dance in 2018.  She has a total of 24 years dance experience, 7 years in Ballroom Dancing and 17 years in Line Dancing.

Besides showing different dance rhythms, Julian also stresses individual growth.  Ie,  Even though her students are in a group environment, she pays close attention to everyone’s favourite dances, music and needs.  By watching and communicating with her students, Julian find ways to help them to learn the harder dances easier and also the ways to dance safely.  

Dancing helps to relieve stress , improve confidence and memory.  Julian's goal is to help her students enjoy the dances, the music and dance safely so that they can have a fun hour of dance/exercise/work out.   

If you have any questions for Julian or would like more information about our Line Dance Intermediate class, contact programs@yycseniors.com.

   Tai Chi and Qigong 

   Christine Tao

    Christine is a seasoned Tai
    chi and Qigong instructor
    with over 20 years of practice
    in Tai Chi and a decade of
    experience in Qigong.       
    Holding Intermediate and
    Advanced certifications from
    Peter Ng Tai chi for Health, Christine is dedicated to helping students harness the healing power of these ancient disciplines through personalized instruction.

With a decade of teaching experiences, Christine currently leads classes at Sage Hill Retirement, Varsity Community and Woodcreek Community in Calgary. Specializing in Yang Tai chi (10,24 and 108 forms), Chen Tai chi and weapon forms such as Tai Chi fan and swords, as well a Qigong practices like Eight Pieces of Brocade and Five Animals Play. Christine designs programs tailored to individuals needs, ensuring a safe and enriching practice for all skill levels

Know for a warm, inclusive teaching style and strong communication skills, Christine fosters a supportive environment where students can cultivate inner balance, vitality and a deeper connection to their Qi.

If you have any questions for Christine or would like more information about our Tai Chi class, contact programs@yycseniors.com.