Sarah Sobanski
It may be time to hang up that swim suit as summer comes to a close, but don’t let a lack of incentive steer you away from the benefits of regular exercise. Keep the routine from getting repetitive with a new class – fresh faces and finding muscles you didn’t know you had could be just the motivation you need. September is National Yoga Awareness month and there are local yoga instructors who can help bring out your inner yogi.
Gerolamy practices Acu Yoga with her students in her studio. Photo: Supplied.
Wendy Gerolamy of H.A.R.T Yoga has been teaching yoga for 16 years. Her studio in Fraserville is a good stop for beginners. Instead of just standing at the front of the class and having students follow her in poses, Gerolamy leads her class in a circle, paying close attention to each individual. She teaches popular Hatha yoga which incorporates slow stretching and breathing techniques for relaxation and to work towards a better posture, a better attitude and inner peace.
“After your first class you feel great,” says Gerolamy. “People think their first time that they will end up hurting the next day. They might feel their muscles, but we go slowly so that doesn’t happen.”
Yoga isn’t just for muscles however; it can also focus on the physical inner-you including your respiratory system, digestive system and mental health. Gerolamy also offers restorative yoga which she says is taken at a slower pace, working on deep breathing that triggers the parasynthetic nervous system. Acu-Yoga, another of Gerolamy’s classes, combines acupressure and yoga to target trouble areas in the body, healing the body in ways similar to the ancient practice of acupuncture.
“I teach from beginner to intermediate classes,” says Gerolamy explaining she never does a class the same way twice. She says even after so many years as a teacher she continues to learn new things. “I love yoga because it goes forever and ever. I continue my education with my teacher every Thursday.”
Stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new world of exercise can be intimidating. Luckily, yoga is an ancient practice meant for healing and the promotion of well-being, a worthy aspiration for anyone. Gerolamy will be starting a new session of classes September 15. For more information on Gerolamy and her classes, visit www.hartyoga.ca.
