Yoga with Hillary

Mobility for every day

Hillary’s Teaching Schedule

Group classes: Yoga and movement for body awareness, strength, and flexibility:
For weekly public group classes, I highly recommend the live (Berkeley, CA) and online streaming classes (plus subscription video content library) offered by Ada Lusardi.
Please check-out Ada’s wonderful classes at www.adayoga.com

I regularly substitute teach group classes (see below) and offer private, customized 1:1 or small group sessions in Yoga and day-to-day mobility. In your private session, I can help refine and enhance your physical therapy assignments, help you improve your daily movement, and guide you/teach you self-myofascial massage/release to improve overall mobility and help you know how to take good care of yourself to feel better. We can work via Zoom, in my Oakland CA home studio, or in your home. Please contact me for more information or to schedule a session.

Upcoming 2026 Substitute Teaching:
Mondays, September 28, October 05, and 12,
7:30-8:45am (via Zoom),
Early Riser’s Yoga, for Sandy Zirulnik.
Register for these classes by contacting Hillary.

Thursday, October 01, 12:30-1:45pm
Midday Mixed Level Yoga class, in person,
for Ada Lusardi at Berkeley Yoga Center.
Register for this class at the website for Ada Lusardi.

Friday, October 02, 12:30-2:00pm
Functional Body Lab class, in person,
for Ada Lusardi at Berkeley Yoga Center.
Register for this class at the website for Ada Lusardi.

Saturday, October 03, 10:00-11:15am
Mid-Morning Mobility Yoga class, in person,
for Ada Lusardi at Berkeley Yoga Center.
Register for this class at the website for Ada Lusardi.

About Hillary
Contact Hillary
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Recent Past Substitute Teaching:
Thursday, July 23, 12:30-1:45pm
Midday Mixed Level Yoga class, in person,
for Ada Lusardi at Berkeley Yoga Center.
Register for this class at the website for Ada Lusardi.

Friday, July 24, 12:30-2:00pm
Functional Body Lab class, in person,
for Ada Lusardi at Berkeley Yoga Center.
Register for these classes at the website for Ada Lusardi.

Saturday, July 25, 10:00-11:15am
Mid-Morning Mobility Yoga class, in person,
for Ada Lusardi at Berkeley Yoga Center.
Register for these classes at the website for Ada Lusardi.

Mondays, June 01, 08, & 15, 7:30-8:45am
Early Riser’s Yoga, for Sandy Zirulnik (via Zoom).
Register for these classes by contacting Hillary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Classes

June 14, 2016 By raoulamanda

yogaprops1Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for class, to allow time for parking (in person only), and to set-up your mat and props. Class begins on time.

What to wear to class:
Wear comfortable clothes that are not baggy. (Form-fitting clothing is best; so, the teacher can see your postures and help you with alignment.)
Start with a t-shirt or supportive tank and longish shorts or leggings. Wear layers, to stay warm in the resting poses. No footwear is needed; we practice barefoot (although it’s nice to have socks for the final resting posture).

What to bring to class:
Bring your open-minded and curious self and a mat (if you have one). If you don’t have a mat, the studio has some. If you don’t have an open mind, come build some mobility there!

What if I have special concerns or physical problems?
Yoga and movement classes are open to people of all abilities. I will gladly help you work within your personal range of movement and assist your practice. That said, this class may not be appropriate for some acute injuries or illnesses. If you are not sure about your specific condition, ask your doctor and message me, in advance.

If you have injuries or illnesses, are menstruating, or are pregnant, please let me know before the beginning of each class, so I can help make the class comfortable and appropriate for you.

If you are ill with a cold or flu, it’s best to stay home. I can offer poses that may be helpful, but it’s best to not attend class when you may be contagious.

What about food and drink?
It does not feel good to practice exercises with a full stomach. If you ever felt that a class was too difficult for you, it may have been that you had eaten too close to the start of class; it makes a big difference! Avoid eating a meal within two hours before class. If you do need a snack before a class, have something light and small.

Fees and registration:
Please contact me to set up a private session in a rented studio, my home studio, or possibly in your home. Sliding scale fees for a 1:1 private session is $85-175/session (plus the cost of a rented studio, if we cannot meet online, at my home, or at your home). Please do not let the fee stop you; we can discuss a scholarship fee that’s accessible to you.
To attend a class I am substitute teaching, please contact me in advance and register through the website of the teacher for whom I’m subbing. Fees for those classes are determined by the teacher for whom I substitute.
If you want to make an additional sponsorship contribution beyond a class fee, that’s welcome and applied to offsetting scholarships I offer to low/no income students.

How often to attend class:
It’s fine to drop-in occasionally, however class concepts are progressive; it’s best to attend regularly. It’s also helpful to practice on your own, even if just for a few minutes. My classes always include simple poses to practice between classes. Feel free to ask about specific poses or issues you seek to address using your practice. I’d be happy to encourage you to practice between classes or address your specific requests in a class.

Private classes:
I teach private sessions for one or more students in my home studio, at your location, or in a rented studio space. I’d be happy to discuss your needs. Please contact me.

Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to ask!

Recommended Yoga and Related Links

June 7, 2016 By raoulamanda

    • Yoga with Ada Lusardi www.adayoga.com
    • Berkeley Yoga Center, Berkeley, CA www.berkeleyyoga.com
    • Oakland Yoga Studio (JinSung, instructor) www.oaklandyoga.org
    • The Yoga Room, Berkeley, CA www.yogaroomberkeley.com
    • Piedmont Yoga Community, Oakland, CA piedmontyogacommunity.org
    • Yoga with Sandy Zirulnik www.sandyzyoga.com
    • Ellen Mossman Craniosacral Education, Richmond CA www.craniosacralwork.com
    • Yoga U online www.yogauonline.com
    • Jim Donak, Bodywork, Education, and Awareness www.divingbuddha.com

 

Hillary Russak

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After originally studying Yoga in the 1990s at the California Yoga Center in Palo Alto, Hillary returned to consistent Yoga practice in 2009 to ease discomfort associated with work as a Technical Writer/Editor in biotechnology and other science-based corporate America.

Her style is influenced by the Yoga teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, author of "Light on Yoga." This method emphasizes proper alignment and develops body awareness, strength, and flexibility. 

A graduate of the 500-hour Advanced Studies Teacher Training Program at The Yoga Room, in Berkeley, Hillary has RYT-500 certification with Yoga Alliance.

RYT 500 Yoga Alliance Logo

Her continuing interests in Yoga and science include study in human anatomy, kinesiology, plant medicines, meditation, breathing practices, ceremonial singing, and restorative Yoga.

Hillary continues her studies primarily as a student of Ada Lusardi (Berkeley, CA), with additional influence by JinSung (Oakland Yoga Studio), Vickie Russell-Bell, Richard Rosen, Yoko Yoshikawa, and other amazing instructors in the SF Bay Area and beyond.

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