Yoga classes at Orrville YMCA provide healthy lifestyle habits
Members of the Orrville YMCA yoga class, which meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 45 minutes.
Yoga classes aren’t just for those who are young and limber. Almost regardless of age, yoga can be an important part of one’s exercise routine and a healthy lifestyle.
“Our Orrville YMCA yoga classes are the perfect complement to the more vigorous group workout classes offered at the Y,” said Abbie Getz, one of the yoga instructors at the Orrville branch of the YMCA of Wayne County. “Keeping our bodies moving, keeping joints pain-free and muscles flexible is the best self-help for my body I can think of.”
What is yoga?
Yoga is a centuries-old guide to healthy living developed in India, combining physical exercises, psychological insights and philosophy to help practitioners bring one’s body, mind and spirit into balance. Yoga focuses on bringing together proper exercise, breathing, relaxation, and positive thinking and meditation for a holistic approach to exercise.
While there are many different styles of yoga, the classes at the Orrville Y primarily incorporate the most common and popular style of yoga known as hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is best known for its practical aspects, particularly its poses (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama).
The poses promote health by increasing the range of motion in the joints, helping to keep the body mobile and aligning the posture. The breathing exercises and reminders to breathe throughout the exercises not only facilitate good yoga practice, but also those breathing exercises and benefits can extend into other areas of life including public speaking, singing, and other exercise classes or activities. The breathing exercises also are important tools for relaxation and stress relief. In this way yoga is not only an exercise regime, but also a way of life.
“Yoga makes you feel better in so many ways,” said Orrville resident Susan Rufener, one of the class members. “It removes stress and relaxes you. The stretching, the calming moves, the final relaxation all leave you feeling regenerated. Yoga has so many benefits.”
The Orrville Y has been offering yoga classes for many years. Instructors are required to have completed yoga teaching training classes in order to teach the class. Instructors often offer suggestions or accommodations if a class member is unable to do a certain pose or technique. However, class members also are reminded to listen to and know their own bodies and any limitations or health conditions they may have.
The class does not require you to have any special equipment. A yoga mat, blocks and other equipment are provided if a class member doesn’t have their own and wishes to give yoga a try. Classes at the Orrville Y are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:15-11 a.m. The class also uses music to create a warm environment. A blanket also is available for final relaxation.
Class members should plan on wearing loose, comfortable clothing. New members are always welcome.