New yoga studio helps people find freedom in their own bodies
By Kristin Majcher
March 10, 2008
Most people would not think to find inner peace below the Pita Pit, but then again, Athens is full of hidden gems. Inhale Yoga, a studio with seven teachers, now has a permanent home at 8 S. Court St., right below the restaurant.
Michelle Stobart, a Marietta College graduate and Meigs County native, became interested in yoga in 1997 when a friend introduced her to the practice in San Francisco. She became a yoga instructor in 2003 and taught classes at ARTS/West and Ping Recreation Center before opening the space Monday.
Stobart was hesitant to lease the space at first, as its black walls painted a depressing mood. But she decided to transform the space into her dream yoga studio, which now has a sky painted on the ceiling and room for gardens under the space’s glass-block windows.
The space itself is sustainable, and includes a cork floor, environmentally friendly paint and sustainable wood. Environmental awareness is related to the peaceful philosophy of yoga.
According to the studio’s Web site, “Yoga is an ancient system of body movements, breathing and meditation techniques designed to give the doer an overall sense of freedom within the body, mind and spirit.”
While related to ancient Hinduism, yoga is not a religion. Instead of teaching religious beliefs, yoga promotes the principles of kindness, compassion and love, Stobart said. Teachers may quote from ancient Hindu texts, but use the passages to help students bring peace into their daily lives.
“The goal of yoga is to find freedom in one’s own body,” Stobart said.
Doing yoga involves a mental commitment, and teachers challenge students to stray away from multitasking mindsets to achieve a sense of peace.
New students typically need to practice two to three times a week for two weeks to enter this peaceful state of mind. Prospective students should not worry about being physically flexible, but rather keep flexible minds, Stobart said.
Inhale Yoga is offering a beginner’s package for new students, which includes two weeks of unlimited classes at a low price. The studio is also offering a new four-week introduction class for beginners, which will stay on the regular schedule.
“I think beginners are overlooked quite a bit,” Stobart said. The course starts this Saturday but students can sign up now. All classes at the studio are limited to 18 people.
The studio offers 24 yoga classes a week, each focused on different aspects of the discipline. The beginner workshop is a new course, as well as Lighten Up Lunch Time, a 40-minute class designed for students to squeeze in a quick session in the middle of the workday.
Stobart teaches a style of yoga called Vinyasa, which involves fluid movement and a single breath for each movement. Her classes are the most physically rigorous of any at the studio.
Boaz Ramos teaches a class focusing on Kripalu, a less-vigorous type of yoga that uses a sequence of postures to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. “My class is about making yoga fit the person,” Ramos said. “We believe yoga is for everyone.”
The studio also offers classes in Nidra, a style gentler than Vinyasa or Kripalu. Nidra involves gentle postures and focuses on deep relaxation.
Along with specialized classes, Inhale offers a free community class on Wednesdays that accommodates students of all levels. A full course schedule is available at www.inhale.org/classes.htm
Stephanie Smith, instructor and sophomore at Ohio University, said the studio helps make yoga accessible to everyone in Athens.
“A lot of people in Athens don’t go to Ping, so it’s readily available,” Smith said. “There are a lot of special packages to make it more affordable for community members and students alike.”
Stobart encourages yoga enthusiasts to practice every day, regardless of how often they come into the studio.
“Its great to come to class but you should have a home practice too,” Stobart said. “It should be done on a daily basis.”
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