Battle of the Dojos Personalized learning

11 MONTHS FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Yoga?
By Isabelle Southcott • isabelle@prliving.ca
This is the second in a series by Powell River Living publisher
Isabelle Southcott where she tries different fitness modalities in
her quest to a healthier lifestyle.
Yoga is not a discipline that I had practiced in my first, almost
50 years on earth, and so, I was somewhat apprehensive the
day I sat on a mat across from Penny Gelber at The Yoga Garden.
I knew that yoga was about stretching, being quiet and contemplating,
but beyond, that I was at a loss. If I had a theme
song it would likely be I’m in a Hurry to Get Things Done, which
is probably why I’d never felt the magnetic pull of yoga before.
We begin but sitting on a mat with our bums on bolsters.
Relaxing music plays quietly in the background and I close my
eyes and listen to Penny’s soothing voice asking us to relax and
breathe deeply. I find my mind wandering and I am thinking
about all the things I need to do at work and at home.
Penny brings us back to the present asking us to concentrate
on the breath which is easier said than done if you have a mind
that is constantly checking out your to do list.
Penny demonstrates different stretches, or are they poses? I
try to do the same but soon learn that it isn’t as easy as it looks.
There is more to stretching than is seems. What looks easy is
really, really, really difficult. I could feel my thighs cry out for
mercy as I squatted with my back to the wall and hands held
high overhead. “Stop torturing me,” my body cried. I looked
across the room at Penny who was smiling and saying something
that I couldn’t process at that moment because I was too
busy concentrating on maintaining my pose.
Penny is a 50-something woman with the body of a 20-yearold.
She took up yoga over 30 years ago to alleviate back problems
and has never looked back (pardon the pun).
Although we do lots of stretching and none of this bouncing,
sweating and getting your heart rate up, that doesn’t mean that
yoga is easy. Far from it. As we age we become less flexible and if
we don’t work at it, our muscles aren’t as pliant as they once were.
Some of the stretches hurt good, if you know what I mean.
It kind of feels like there is some release happening there and
sometimes we do an exercise or pose at the beginning of the class
and the same one again at the end of the class. It’s amazing how
much better I can do the same thing at the end of the class… it
feels like my balance has improved and I am more flexible!
Yoga is relaxing and I certainly feel more peaceful when I’ve
finished a session with Penny. It is good for the soul.
Raucus raven
Ink drawing by Lowell Morris • www.LowellMorris.com
Ravens are wonderfully intelligent birds that are commonly
seen around the forests and shorelines of Powell River. Their
repertoire of unusual and sometimes humorous vocalizations
are almost orchestral in its scope.
Looking for a
quality academic program
that also provides spiritual character development?
Check out the Powell River Christian School
✞
✞
✞
✞
Experienced, Caring Teachers – BC Certified
High Teacher/Student Ratio means individual
attention for maximum student acheivement
Focus on community service
Option of full or half-day kindergarten
Have an exciting goal
of home ownership?
Come & talk with me.
I can help.
GriffithsProperties.com
val@griffithsproperties.com
direct line: 604 483-6930
4766 Joyce Avenue 1-877-485-4231 toll free
“Equipping children for Christlike service in community”
Now accepting registrations Pre-School to Grade 9
604 485-0006 • www.prcschool.net
POWELL RIVER LIVING • march 2012 • 23