Much of the practice of yoga in the Western world focuses on the physical, or hatha yoga, which includes exercises and postures, or asanas. Becky Porter, RN, BSN, CMT is a yoga and meditation instructor at the Battle Creek Holistic Health Center. “I encourage people to develop a greater understanding of postural alignment, using their breath with movement. They can then translate that practice into their everyday life, exercise or other activities,” she explains.
Porter conducts small classes of six to eight people, so she can more easily provide individual instructions while the group practices. The drop-in classes are divided into three types, including an after-work session for relaxation, stretching and physical mobility. Her other two classes at the Battle Creek Holistic Health center feature posture flow and stamina plus a gentle program for those with medical issues or injuries. “My typical class would begin with a progressive relaxation to guide a person down through their body, along with some mental relaxation,” Porter explains. “Gentle stretching is next, then the movement into posture flow, followed by the more vigorous aspects of putting postures together. Then we perform supported postures, relaxed stretching and end with a ten to fifteen minute final relaxation period.”
Becky Porter has personally practiced hatha yoga for 30 years and has taught the discipline for over 12 years. “It's a great fit for me, personally,” she says. “I like the aspect of how hatha yoga affects my whole body and makes me feel great afterward. It's a nourishing practice and I feel a sense of buoyancy from the overall physical fitness. When I am finished with a class, I'm not light-headed. Instead, my feet are on the ground, I'm breathing deeply and I'm ready to go.”
For others, the practice of yoga helps them live in harmony with their fellow creatures on this earth and deal with the stresses of daily life. Gina Greene teaches TriYoga classes at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts (KCHA). Her approach is one of individual awareness. “It's a physical journey for the body, the mind and the spirit,” Greene states. “The practice of yoga helps me connect to my quiet spiritual self and bring that forward into my life. As simple physical exercise, it is very beneficial to the entire body.” Kali Ray, a yogi from California who incorporated traditional static yoga postures into a fluid and flowing system, developed TriYoga.
“With TriYoga, I use more subtle movements which blend into each other,” Green explains. “I enjoy the fluidity which helps me find that quieter place inside and connect with my breath. It's a very individual thing. Others may like a more aerobic aspect or rhythm and it's important to try several forms of yoga to find the right fit.” Green has small classes of approximately six people at KCHA and often sees more women than men. “However, my husband is a yoga practitioner and even took over teaching my classes when I was pregnant,” she notes. The Greenes both make time in their daily schedules for yoga sessions, in between work and raising their family.
“We see an amazing difference in our bodies and our spirits if we keep up with our practicing,” Gina Greene says. “Connecting to your breath helps slow down your nervous system, allows you to let go of tension and stress, creating a stronger sense of spirit. In that quiet space, I personally can listen to what I need, offer gratitude and then move into my life with intention. With the physical aspect of the practice, I can follow through and work out the kinks so it's almost like a massage for my body.”
For more information on yoga classes or instruction, call the Battle Creek Holistic Health Center at 269-963-0932 or visit their website at BCHolisticHealth.com. You may also check out the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts website at KCHA.com or phone 269-373-1000.
