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about

Our Story

Center City Studio classes feature a mix of yoga and other assorted gentle movements.  Located on the Ashman Circle, Center City Studio shares a studio space with Jazzercise Midland.  Our goal is to maximize the use of the space by offering yoga and restorative stretching classes. We believe that incorporating gentle restorative movement into your regular routine will improve flexibility, strength, mobility, and balance – and ultimately improve your quality of life.

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It’s essential to move every day.  It’s just as important to protect your muscles and joints by maintaining flexibility through stretching.  It’s all about setting aside dedicated time to stretch and restore. 

We often focus on working out and neglect the recovery.  

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If you're ready to experience a more flexible body, come see us!  Whatever brings you in - a desire to improve relaxation and decrease stress, reduce muscle and joint pain, improve athletic performance, or maybe just to experience a nice stretch - a regular stretching routine will tone your muscles and increase your flexibility.  And when you’re flexible, you’re less likely to be injured, you can safely be active,

and you will feel better in your body.

Let us help your body move more freely

Meet Your Teachers

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Jill Ahearn

Founder  - Center City Studio and Owner - Jazzercise Midland

Jill (she/her/hers) loves to move!  She has been dancing since she was a toddler, beginning formal lessons at the age of four!  She used her dance training as a collegiate cheerleader and began to Jazzercise after graduating from college. 

 

Jill has been a certified Jazzercise instructor since 2000 – and she has owned the Midland Jazzercise Center for the past seven years. Jill always shares her positive energy and love of movement with members – inspiring them to have fun while they sculpt and tone.  Jill loves to restore with a mix of yoga and gentle stretching.  You might also find her on the golf course, walking the rail trail, or spending time with family and friends. 

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Kelly Jeska

Certified Yoga Teacher

Kelly (she/her/hers) has been practicing various styles of yoga for over a decade and has been teaching since early 2019. She specializes in anatomically focused yoga classes designed to strengthen and support vitality. With her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Kelly loves the written word and enjoys sharing poems, stories, and wisdom of the yoga tradition. She is an E-RYT-200 and Continuing Education Provider with Yoga Alliance, a certified yoga teacher from OmBodies Yoga, and a prospective Yoga Medicine Therapeutics Specialist. A lover of all things yoga and creative technology solutions, Kelly's "day job" supports professionals in the yoga, health, and wellness industries in online business, technology, marketing, and customer care.

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Jennifer Yancer

Certified Yoga Teacher

A lifelong lover of movement, Jennifer's (she/her/hers) classes are grounded in a firm understanding of biomechanics and how it relates to yoga, while leaving room for curiosity and exploration. Her students can expect accessible classes that incorporate the best of mobility, strength, and breathwork. Jennifer has been teaching since 2017 and is a registered 200-hour yoga teacher. She makes it a priority to create an open, supportive, and welcoming class space for all.

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Karrie Bixler

Certified Jazzercise

and Yoga Instructor

Karrie (she/her/hers) has been a fitness instructor for over 20 years and has taught many different formats to keep students interested and committed to their fitness goals. What started as a group Aerobics teacher in college has evolved into being a certified Jazzercise instructor, RYT 200 Yoga and RYT 100 Kids Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance, and Barre Above, Pilates, Zumba and PIYO instructor.  Karrie believes that enjoying exercise can be for everyone and should be fun - which she shares in every class.

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Melinda Shriner

Certified Jazzercise

and Stretch Instructor

Growing up with two sisters before Title IX afforded girls the same school-based opportunities to compete in team sports as boys, Mindy (she/her/hers) took ballet from her neighbor and tried out for cheerleading with her friends. Ever since then, dance-based movement and loud talking (LOL) have shaped her fitness life. Min has been a certified Jazzercise instructor since 1990, including stints as class owner and associate sub instructor, Junior Jazzercise instructor, and quality monitoring assistant for Jazzercise Inc. Throughout three decades of teaching, she tends to favor strength training and stretching – so much so that she supplements her Jazzercise workouts with Essentrics, pilates, yoga, and barre classes near her “big girl” office in Saginaw. Why? Because it works! Growing stronger and more agile has helped her weather a total knee replacement, a return to snow skiing, and continued fun at Jazzercise. In her spare time, Min runs The Barckholtz Group in Saginaw – where she happily works as a public information consultant, crisis communicator, and reputation management specialist for a variety of clients.

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Kathy
Yocca

Certified Yoga Instructor

Throughout her adult life Kathy has tried many forms of exercise to maintain health and fitness. She was an avid aerobics participant in the 80s and added weight training and running in the 90s. After numerous injuries, she was forced to give up running. She had dabbled in yoga for nearly 15 years, however, it was only after stepping into a studio that she found true delight in the practice. Yoga became her calm place allowing her to focus her mind and body simultaneously. Her love of yoga manifested itself into a desire to share the joy with others through teaching. She completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher training at Breathe Yoga Atlanta under the guidance of Lauren Reese. Throughout her career as a Yoga Instructor, Kathy has continued to learn and grow. -200 hour YT -Registered Yoga Detour Instructor -Certification training to become a Yoga Tune Up Instructor. -Four Day Intensive in Melbourne, Australia with Yoga Detour creator, Cecily Milne -DMO – Detour Method Online with Cecily Milne -Detour Method Synthesis with Cecily Milne Mindful Strength training with Kathryn Bruni Young She has also taken several anatomy courses to compliment her training and make her a more well-informed instructor. Kathy remains fascinated by the movement of the human body and continues to add to her training at every opportunity.

  • What are the benefits of the Center City Restore classes?
    Increased range of motion Improved flexibility and mobility Improved posture Decreased odds of injury Promotes anti-aging Improved relaxation Decreased stress levels
  • Yoga vs. Stretching - what's the difference?
    Stretching can help you recover from an injury, become more flexible, improve your athletic performance, or target a particular problem area. Yoga includes the added benefit of mindfulness and breathing techniques along with flexibility, mobility, strength, posture, and balance.
  • What should I expect from a yoga class?
    While every yoga teacher has their own unique style, you can generally expect the integration of mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, yoga postures to promote flexibility, mobility, and strength, along with a focus on relaxation and stress reduction.
  • What types of yoga are offered?
    Center City Studio is proud to offer several different types of yoga, including (but not limited to): vinyasa flow, yin, prenatal, hatha, chair, and more!
  • What might I expect from a restorative stretching class?
    Think of this as your "cool-down" after a workout.
  • I'm not flexible. Can I join?
    Yes. There are plenty of props and modifications to accommodate for any body type; be that flexible, stiff, tall, short, small, medium, large, and everything in between. Every body can do yoga. And every body is welcome.
  • Where can I learn more about the Prenatal Yoga series?
    You can learn more HERE!
  • How is prenatal and postnatal yoga different from “regular” yoga?
    Prenatal classes offer the same benefits of a “regular” yoga class, but tailored to a pregnant woman’s needs. Poses are designed to support your pregnant body, and mindfulness exercises help to prepare you for labor, delivery, and beyond. Postnatal yoga classes are tailored to women who have given birth by focusing on recovery as well as building strength at a sustainable pace. Also, building a community of women going through a similar experience is a key part of these classes. Being in the same room as other pregnant or postpartum women is especially valuable at these stages of life.
  • How early in pregnancy can I start taking prenatal yoga classes?
    As soon as you and your medical provider say it’s okay, you can attend prenatal classes! That being said, the first trimester can be tough and many students wait until the second trimester to begin yoga classes.
  • How late into my pregnancy can I start taking prenatal yoga classes?
    As long as you feel good and your medical provider gives you the green light, you can take prenatal yoga classes right up to delivery. Many of the poses we’ll practice can be helpful during delivery. Plus, the calming breathwork can help ease your nerves on the big day.
  • When can I begin postnatal yoga?
    You can begin postnatal yoga once you have been cleared by your physician and/or medical provider to resume physical activity. Postnatal yoga is open to anyone who has given birth, no matter if it was a c-section or vaginal delivery.
  • What if I’ve never taken a yoga class before?
    No problem! Prenatal yoga is a great place to start your wellness journey. New students and experienced practitioners can both benefit from prenatal yoga, and classes are created with all students in mind.
  • What should I bring to class?
    A water bottle, comfortable clothes, and a yoga mat are all you need. If you don’t have a mat, we have a few at the studio you can borrow. If you have a favorite blanket, bolster, or blocks, please feel free to bring those, too! Otherwise, we have plenty of props at the studio.
  • Can I come to just one class instead of the six-week series?
    Our mission is to help you feel empowered, strong, and confident as you prepare for the arrival of your little one with prenatal yoga, and as you focus on recovery with postnatal yoga. A six-week series is the ideal way to learn these skills. We also strive to build a community of local women you can lean on during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. These series allow you to make connections and build your support network!
  • What is your phone policy?
    You can bring your phone in with you but please leave it with your belongings and turn it off or put it on SILENT upon entering. You are more than welcome to ask for pictures or take pictures after class.
  • What do I bring to class?
    Bring a water bottle and your own mat if you have one. There are mats and other props available for use if you need them, but you may want to consider purchasing your own mat for personal hygiene and regularity of practice. Ask your teacher for recommendations!
  • What should I wear?
    Comfortable clothing that you can move around in: exercise pants that feel secure but allow for movement, shirts that allow for full coverage but don't restrict your range of motion. Shoes are not allowed during yoga. Socks are not traditionally worn in yoga, but you can if they make you feel more comfortable. There are socks with grippy bottoms that are nice for yoga!
  • What about eating or drinking before class?
    Hydration is key. It is a good idea to come to class hydrated and with your own water bottle. Eating large meals before class is not recommended, you should give yourself a few hours after eating before attending yoga.
  • What etiquette and behaviors should be followed during class?
    Please be mindful that these are public classes. We all arrive to the mat with our own energy based on what is happening within our lives - while it is important to honor those feelings, it is also important to honor the collective energy in the room. Please minimize disruptions and save concerns or comments for private discussion with your instructor before or after class times. We strive to make this a welcoming and comfortable space for all!
  • Do I have to register for class online?
    No. You are more than welcome to come to class without signing up online. You can pay with a cash or card upon arrival, and we will ask for your information (name, email, etc) to create an online account for you so you are able to track your purchases and class attendance. *Keep in mind that space is limited and those who register online will have priority.
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