The Infinity Studio
he Infinity Studio is located below Portraits by Dawn. The entrance is in the rear of the building.
Yoga beginner and intermediate classes are drop-in on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-9 a.m. and 7-8 p.m.; and Wednesdays 12:15-1 p.m. Prepaid sessions offer a reduced rate.
Tai chi classes build upon each lesson, with 45-minute classes on Monday and Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Classes are offered on a six-week basis.
For prices and more information, call Cathy at 214-5187, or Tai Chi of Monroe at 558-5559. More about the studio is available online at www.theinfinitystudio.com.
MONROE - Cool, calm, serene, with energy to spare, The Infinity Studio, "where limitless health begins," brings to Monroe everything about Eastern meditation and health.
Yoga instructor Cathy Hauck and Tai Chi instructor Angie Dombkowski opened the studio doors to a unique experience on June 16.
"Two forms of exercise, from two cultures, in the same space," Dombkowski said.
Dombkowski met Hauck last fall.
"In the first five minutes, we knew we wanted to work together," she said.
Hauck teaches yoga at Parkside School, the Monroe Arts Center and Behring Senior Center. Dombkowski is the Wellness Specialist at the senior center, where she has taught tai chi.
As both relaxation techniques and physical exercises, yoga and tai chi offer flexibility, balance and coordination, as well as breathing awareness and being present in the moment.
But after meeting and comparing the similar ideas in their different practices, the women knew they wanted to offer them to a larger community.
Talking one day with Dawn Meier, owner of Portraits by Dawn on the Square, Hauck said she mentioned that someday she'd like to have a space of her own.
Hauck said Meier jumped out of her chair and said, "Come here."
The basement level of Meier's store was used for storage and hadn't had much attention in a long time, but Hauck "could see the potential." The space had "good energy," Hauck said.
With some carpet and fabric, special sitting spots and lighting accenting the rustic limestone blocks, a space of infinite possibilities was created.
"It's exactly how I pictured it," Hauck said.
Lynnette Miles, Monroe, was at the grand opening to sign up for classes. She described the space as "peaceful."
"As soon as I walked in, I could feel it," she said.
The name of the business came almost too easily - the infinity symbol, like the number eight laid on its side.
"I wanted it to be endless what we could do here," Hauck said.
In balancing the body, mind and spirit, yoga is believed to calm the nervous system, and thus promote heart health in several ways, including regulating high blood pressure and improving resistance to psychological stress. Yoga has been used to improve coordination, flexibility, concentration, sleep and digestion.
Research has found that long-term tai chi practice promotes balance control and flexibility and improves cardiovascular and respiratory function. It also reduces the risk of falls in elderly patients.
Tai chi's gentle, low-impact movements can burn as many calories as any exercise. There also have been indications that tai chi might have some effect on reducing LDL levels, and on noradrenaline and cortisol production with an effect on mood and heart rate.
"I know how great it was for older adults ... but it's not for a particular age group," said Dombkowski, a level III certified instructor. Dombkowski learned her art at the Tai Chi Center in Madison from instructor Tricia Yu, who has been teaching it for 40 years.
Clients were signing up quickly at the grand opening, each with different purposes.
Jean Baumgartner, Monroe, said she took tai chi courses at the senior center for a while, but with the snow this winter, she got out of the routine.
She's taking the tai chi classes at The Infinity Center to increase her balance.
"My doctor recommended it," she said.
Even though she's at the senior center a lot, Jocelyn Kline, assistant director of the center, said she could fit the classes into her work schedule.
She came to the studio for her classes because, she said, "I know what kind of instructor Angie is."
After listening to Dombkowski describe the benefits of the exercises, Barb Burggraf, Monroe, signed up "to de-stress and tone my body," she said.
Lynnette Miles was seeking Qi energy, or life force.
"It works through you, enhancing your well-being," she said about the practices.
Yoga instructor Cathy Hauck and Tai Chi instructor Angie Dombkowski opened the studio doors to a unique experience on June 16.
"Two forms of exercise, from two cultures, in the same space," Dombkowski said.
Dombkowski met Hauck last fall.
"In the first five minutes, we knew we wanted to work together," she said.
Hauck teaches yoga at Parkside School, the Monroe Arts Center and Behring Senior Center. Dombkowski is the Wellness Specialist at the senior center, where she has taught tai chi.
As both relaxation techniques and physical exercises, yoga and tai chi offer flexibility, balance and coordination, as well as breathing awareness and being present in the moment.
But after meeting and comparing the similar ideas in their different practices, the women knew they wanted to offer them to a larger community.
Talking one day with Dawn Meier, owner of Portraits by Dawn on the Square, Hauck said she mentioned that someday she'd like to have a space of her own.
Hauck said Meier jumped out of her chair and said, "Come here."
The basement level of Meier's store was used for storage and hadn't had much attention in a long time, but Hauck "could see the potential." The space had "good energy," Hauck said.
With some carpet and fabric, special sitting spots and lighting accenting the rustic limestone blocks, a space of infinite possibilities was created.
"It's exactly how I pictured it," Hauck said.
Lynnette Miles, Monroe, was at the grand opening to sign up for classes. She described the space as "peaceful."
"As soon as I walked in, I could feel it," she said.
The name of the business came almost too easily - the infinity symbol, like the number eight laid on its side.
"I wanted it to be endless what we could do here," Hauck said.
In balancing the body, mind and spirit, yoga is believed to calm the nervous system, and thus promote heart health in several ways, including regulating high blood pressure and improving resistance to psychological stress. Yoga has been used to improve coordination, flexibility, concentration, sleep and digestion.
Research has found that long-term tai chi practice promotes balance control and flexibility and improves cardiovascular and respiratory function. It also reduces the risk of falls in elderly patients.
Tai chi's gentle, low-impact movements can burn as many calories as any exercise. There also have been indications that tai chi might have some effect on reducing LDL levels, and on noradrenaline and cortisol production with an effect on mood and heart rate.
"I know how great it was for older adults ... but it's not for a particular age group," said Dombkowski, a level III certified instructor. Dombkowski learned her art at the Tai Chi Center in Madison from instructor Tricia Yu, who has been teaching it for 40 years.
Clients were signing up quickly at the grand opening, each with different purposes.
Jean Baumgartner, Monroe, said she took tai chi courses at the senior center for a while, but with the snow this winter, she got out of the routine.
She's taking the tai chi classes at The Infinity Center to increase her balance.
"My doctor recommended it," she said.
Even though she's at the senior center a lot, Jocelyn Kline, assistant director of the center, said she could fit the classes into her work schedule.
She came to the studio for her classes because, she said, "I know what kind of instructor Angie is."
After listening to Dombkowski describe the benefits of the exercises, Barb Burggraf, Monroe, signed up "to de-stress and tone my body," she said.
Lynnette Miles was seeking Qi energy, or life force.
"It works through you, enhancing your well-being," she said about the practices.