LIVE Classes, Workshops & Series with Kristin
In-person classes offer you connection with your teacher and other beings, which play an important role in our collective well-being. Here you'll find the in-person classes held in Kristin's Think Somatics Studio in Waynesville, NC, plus special community classes.
(If you are outside the area, please join us as a Think Somatics Online Community Member!)
(If you are outside the area, please join us as a Think Somatics Online Community Member!)
Somatics Classes with Kristin
Somatics with Kristin
Thursdays • 10:30-11:30am
Fridays • 9:00-10:00am
Think Somatics Studio • Lower level on backside of Grace Church. Parking/entrance is off Miller St, use 317 Miller St on Google Maps to find your way.
Somatic movement classes provide a gentle, safe way to release muscle tension and pain plus lower stress and anxiety.
Most classes are done lying on the floor, but many moves can be done while seated in a chair.
Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.
Click the button below to reserve your spot.
Thursdays • 10:30-11:30am
Fridays • 9:00-10:00am
Think Somatics Studio • Lower level on backside of Grace Church. Parking/entrance is off Miller St, use 317 Miller St on Google Maps to find your way.
Somatic movement classes provide a gentle, safe way to release muscle tension and pain plus lower stress and anxiety.
Most classes are done lying on the floor, but many moves can be done while seated in a chair.
Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.
Click the button below to reserve your spot.
If you choose a discounted package below, purchase it first, then apply it when reserving your place in class.
Community Somatics Classes with Kristin
Mondays •5:30pm | FREE or pay what you like | Registration Required | Reserve Your Spot
Grace Church of the Mountains • Thatcher Hall (enter through front doors) • 394 N Haywood St, Waynesville NC
These classes are offered to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene. No matter if you lost everything or nothing at all, we have all been impacted by the devastation here in WNC. Stress and pain feed off each other, which impact our well being and ability to persevere through trying times. Kristin is honored to share the gift of Somatics with you. Come learn simple, gentle techniques to help you calm, center and stay resilient through our collective recovery.
All are welcome! Come for free or pay what you like. Thank you for your support!
Grace Church of the Mountains • Thatcher Hall (enter through front doors) • 394 N Haywood St, Waynesville NC
These classes are offered to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene. No matter if you lost everything or nothing at all, we have all been impacted by the devastation here in WNC. Stress and pain feed off each other, which impact our well being and ability to persevere through trying times. Kristin is honored to share the gift of Somatics with you. Come learn simple, gentle techniques to help you calm, center and stay resilient through our collective recovery.
All are welcome! Come for free or pay what you like. Thank you for your support!
Nordic Walking Series
WHERE: Waynesville, NC (exact location sent with registration)
DATES and TIME: TBA (feel free to email Kristin with your interest!)
Take Your Walking to a Whole New Level!
Studies show that caloric burn while Nordic Walking is higher, while stress on the joints is lower than regular walking.
It also improves coordination, balance and muscle tone throughout the body while taking pressure off hips, knees and feet. You'll learn how to use the poles effectively plus how to blend fitness, mobility and flexibility exercises into your Nordic walking routine.
WHAT: Four-week Nordic Walking Series
WEEK 1 : 1.5 hours
5 Reasons you Should Try Nordic Walking
Turn a regular walk into a full-body, calorie-burning workout!!
Who is it for?
Nordic walking is great for most bodies! If you walk regularly, nordic poles will take your workouts to a whole new level. If you are less active, maybe due to aches and pains, nordic poles help take the stress off your joints, hips, knees and feet so you can walk with more ease.
What is Nordic walking?
Nordic walking was designed for cross country skiers to train in the off season. You use specially designed poles to mimic skiing motions. The poles are very different from trekking/hiking poles. The poles are a great investment if you want an easy-to-incorporate-into-your-life activity. No gym membership, bulky equipment, or storage space required.
Benefits of Nordic walking
1. Better workout overall
Instead of just your legs doing the work, nordic walking engages more muscles in your body. Expect to workout your back, core, shoulders and arms, gluteals. Nordic walking can also boost heart function.
2. Burn more calories (during and after)
Since you are exercising more muscles you also burn a lot more calories! Various studies estimate that Nordic walking burns anywhere from 18% to 67% more calories than traditional walking. Plus as you gain more lean muscle mass, you can raise your metabolism, which means you burn more calories at rest. Sweet!
3. Less stress on your lower body
As you push off with the poles, it turns you into a quadruped (like you have 4 limbs working vs just your two legs), which reduce overall wear and tear on your feet, ankles, knees and hips.
4. Better balance, coordination and brain health
A big concern for folks as we age is falling. Nordic walking poles offer added stability to help keep your balance. Compound that with the strength building, Nordic walking can help with overall balance in daily life. You also develop greater coordination as you simultaneously work your lower and upper body, which is also good for brain health.
5. Go faster and farther with less effort
Again, since you have 4 points of contact on the ground as you nordic walk, your walking becomes quicker and your stride a bit larger so you travel further. With the propulsion from the forces off the ground you reap more benefits of walking, yet it feels like less effort at the same time. Ya just gotta try it!
*Choosing Nordic Poles
Nordic poles are not the same as trekking or hiking poles. If you have trekking poles you can start the series with them on the first day, but the technique is different and can only be done well with nordic poles.
Kristin is not affiliated with any nordic pole manufacturer. She uses Exel Poles.
This site is a good source for quality nordic poles. Be sure to order one-piece poles, not the collapsible ones! The collapsible ones are flimsy, hard to evenly align with each other and vibrate more which can stress your arms, shoulders, wrists and hands. Trust me, one-piece poles will be your best friends!
Additional Information
DATES and TIME: TBA (feel free to email Kristin with your interest!)
Take Your Walking to a Whole New Level!
Studies show that caloric burn while Nordic Walking is higher, while stress on the joints is lower than regular walking.
It also improves coordination, balance and muscle tone throughout the body while taking pressure off hips, knees and feet. You'll learn how to use the poles effectively plus how to blend fitness, mobility and flexibility exercises into your Nordic walking routine.
WHAT: Four-week Nordic Walking Series
WEEK 1 : 1.5 hours
- history and benefits of Nordic walking
- intro to poles, adjustment for perfect fit, how to choice your poles
- warm up and cool down routines using your poles
- learn the basics of Nordic Walking
- continuation from previous week
- catch and release hand movements with Nordic poles
- continuation from previous weeks
- how to use nordic poles on hills/inclines
- how to run and bound with poles --if desired :-)
- continuation from previous weeks
- boost your workouts with fun, upper and lower body strength exercises using your poles
- increase range of motion and mobility using your poles
5 Reasons you Should Try Nordic Walking
Turn a regular walk into a full-body, calorie-burning workout!!
Who is it for?
Nordic walking is great for most bodies! If you walk regularly, nordic poles will take your workouts to a whole new level. If you are less active, maybe due to aches and pains, nordic poles help take the stress off your joints, hips, knees and feet so you can walk with more ease.
What is Nordic walking?
Nordic walking was designed for cross country skiers to train in the off season. You use specially designed poles to mimic skiing motions. The poles are very different from trekking/hiking poles. The poles are a great investment if you want an easy-to-incorporate-into-your-life activity. No gym membership, bulky equipment, or storage space required.
Benefits of Nordic walking
1. Better workout overall
Instead of just your legs doing the work, nordic walking engages more muscles in your body. Expect to workout your back, core, shoulders and arms, gluteals. Nordic walking can also boost heart function.
2. Burn more calories (during and after)
Since you are exercising more muscles you also burn a lot more calories! Various studies estimate that Nordic walking burns anywhere from 18% to 67% more calories than traditional walking. Plus as you gain more lean muscle mass, you can raise your metabolism, which means you burn more calories at rest. Sweet!
3. Less stress on your lower body
As you push off with the poles, it turns you into a quadruped (like you have 4 limbs working vs just your two legs), which reduce overall wear and tear on your feet, ankles, knees and hips.
4. Better balance, coordination and brain health
A big concern for folks as we age is falling. Nordic walking poles offer added stability to help keep your balance. Compound that with the strength building, Nordic walking can help with overall balance in daily life. You also develop greater coordination as you simultaneously work your lower and upper body, which is also good for brain health.
5. Go faster and farther with less effort
Again, since you have 4 points of contact on the ground as you nordic walk, your walking becomes quicker and your stride a bit larger so you travel further. With the propulsion from the forces off the ground you reap more benefits of walking, yet it feels like less effort at the same time. Ya just gotta try it!
*Choosing Nordic Poles
Nordic poles are not the same as trekking or hiking poles. If you have trekking poles you can start the series with them on the first day, but the technique is different and can only be done well with nordic poles.
Kristin is not affiliated with any nordic pole manufacturer. She uses Exel Poles.
This site is a good source for quality nordic poles. Be sure to order one-piece poles, not the collapsible ones! The collapsible ones are flimsy, hard to evenly align with each other and vibrate more which can stress your arms, shoulders, wrists and hands. Trust me, one-piece poles will be your best friends!
Additional Information
- The class fee is for the entire 4-week series and full registration is required. No partial registration available.
- There are no make up dates unless class(es) are cancelled due to weather, which will be determined by Think Somatics.
- Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate shoes.
- Use a small backpack or fanny-pack for your belongings. No purses.
- Bring a water bottle.
- 1-week cancellation required for refund, minus 5% due to non-refundable credit card processing fees.