About Yoganize

A unique combination of Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Pilates and specialized toning exercises to invigorate the mind, body and spirit.

Combined with a healthy eating plan and walking, it will improve your quality of life.

Yoganize originated in South Africa and was developed by Karen Noonan.

About Karen

Karen Noonan is the owner and sole member of Yoganize LLC.

Karen is registered as an Experienced Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500), a qualified Physical Educationist with certifications in Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Pilates , Aqua, FITCO (ACE equivalent), prescriptive back care, REIKI, Touch for Health and has achieved her Black Belt in the ‘Tang Soo Do’ style of martial arts. Karen is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).

Karen has been studying and teaching movement and yoga since 1984, in South Africa and the USA. Her background in Physical Education, participation in various individual and team sports; gymnastics, karate, swimming and continued studies in Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology, Yoga, Pilates and Yoga Therapy are the reason behind the prescriptive nature of Karen’s yogic practice and teaching style. She owned a fitness studio in South Africa for 7 years.

Karen received her Yoga Therapy certification with distinction, in India.

Benefits of Yoganize

Yoga practice is associated with unlimited benefits that encompass the physical, emotional, and ultimately the spiritual. The following is a limited list of benefits that one can obtain with a regular yoga routine:

1. Improved flexibility and suppleness
   

2. Increased strength
   

3. Increased stamina
   

4. Improved breathing - this leads to clarity and stillness of mind
   

5. Stimulation of the Central Nervous System
   

6. Stimulation of the Endocrine System
   

7. Stimulation and toning of the internal systems - assists with cleansing and conditioning
   

8. Enhancement of bodily processes - e.g. digestion, elimination
   

9. Assists in the elimination of toxins from the internal organs
   

10. Reduces anxiety, depression, emotional tension and mood swings
    

11. Enhancement of balance - very important as we age
    

12. Improves agility and grace
    

13. Improves bone density thus helping to prevent osteoporosis
    

14. Assists in alleviation or elimination of certain physical symptoms, e.g. headaches, backaches, PMS, asthma, stress, IBS, and insomnia
    

15. Assists in the management of, or recovery from arthritis, HIV, cancer - and other degenerative diseases
    

16. Promotes a generally more positive disposition as you enter a path of self-discovery and self-acceptance
    

17. Yoga is a tool of transformation
    

Yoganize is taught in an atmosphere of love and compassion. Every student is treated as an individual with individual physical and emotional needs.

Classes are suitable for men and women of ALL ages and fitness levels. So forget about your age. Forget about your fitness level and let go of your pre-conceived idea of what yoga is about. Yoga is a non-competitive, personal and enjoyable activity that can produce truly amazing results. With commitment, time and effort, yoga can change you as much or as little as you desire.

At Yoganize, classes are prescriptive in nature. In other words, you will be educated in exactly how to work around any issues or physical limitations you might have. This takes time, attention to your own body - and patience, but if you learn to listen to the needs of your body, you should be able to eliminate pain and build up the strength necessary to overcome the physical issues we are trying to treat.

You will be encouraged to :

1. Work at your OWN pace - there is no need to compete or keep up with anyone else. We are ultimately working toward achieving the strongest and most flexible body that we are capable of developing within the restraints of our individual physical limitations
   

2. LISTEN to the needs of your body IN THIS MOMENT (our bodies change daily due to fluctuations in our bio-rhythms, sleep-quality, stress levels, etc.) So, it is necessary to understand that what we are able to do one day, is not necessarily what we will be able to accomplish the next day. In this way you are your own best doctor and you can prevent injuries to your body
   

3. STOP whenever you need to, for whatever reason
   

4. Honor any restriction within the body - if there is pain - STOP - there will be another exercise that will take the place of the one that is causing you pain
   

Ultimately we are aiming to grow old as gracefully and beautifully as we possibly can - and as naturally as possible. By toning and treating the internal organs as well as by working at a physical and emotional level, we ultimately increase our capacity for compassion, love and joy.