By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer Updated 12:43 PM Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Debbie Stirsman had her doubts about yoga.
“A physician really pushed me to do it and I resisted for a long time,” Stirsman said. “After I took my first yoga class, I wept the whole way home, it had such a huge impact on me.”
Fourteen years later, the former dancer is the owner of Inner Dance Yoga Center in Oakwood. She has been operating the yoga studio for 13 years.
Kathi Kizirnis was hooked after taking her first prenatal yoga class.
“I felt an immediate benefit,” Kizirnis said. “It eased my aches and pain and it didn’t take long before I felt different — more focused, more relaxed and more stable.”
Kizirnis owns and operates Practice Yoga in the Oregon District.
According to the latest “Yoga in America” study, the number of people practicing yoga is close to 16 million. The most commonly recognized aspects of yoga are the physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation. Those recognizable postures, however, have led to some common misconceptions.
“People tend to think you have to be really flexible or in fantastic shape to get into the pretzel poses,” Stirsman said. “They are a little intimidated by it.”
“But saying you are too inflexible to do yoga is like saying you are too dirty to take a shower,” she said. “If you can breathe, you can do yoga because it begins with breath.”
Take a breather
“One of the biggest benefits of yoga is learning how to listen to your body,” Kizirnis said.
Chris Klepacz spends lots of time on the soccer field, but his 44-year-old body needed another kind of workout.
“As I’ve gotten older and a little more worn down, I was looking for something that would help me with strength and flexibility and even relaxation,” Klepacz said.
The Washington Twp. man took an introductory course before settling on a style that matched his needs. Klepacz has noticed a difference on the playing field and in his day-to-day life.
“I definitely have more flexibility and my breathing and lung capacity have also improved,” he said. “It has also been great for stress reduction.”
No limits
The age range at Inner Dance Yoga is 20-somethings to 80-year-olds and there are several grandmothers who are regulars at Practice Yoga.
“And they can do some things a lot of the younger people can’t,” Kizirnis said with a smile.
Stirsman has seen a growing number of people referred to her from physicians.
Arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia as well as neck, shoulder and back issues are some of the common ailments that she sees.
“Anyone can do yoga,” Stirsman said. “You can do yoga from a hospital bed.”
While yoga helps increase strength and flexibility, the principles of alignment, breath work and meditation are also central to the practice.
“And every person gets a different experience. It’s your unique little journey,” Stirsman said.
Getting started
Yoga requires little in terms of equipment as most studios have mats, bolsters, sandbags and other basics. If you prefer having your own mat, they can be purchased inexpensively at sporting goods stores and superstores like Target.
Comfortable, lightweight clothes are a must.
Baggy clothes can obscure body alignment so leggings or shorts and t-shirts or tank tops can be good options.
You can get a good idea of what to wear by going to an introductory class.
Many yoga studios like Inner Dance Yoga (innerdanceyoga.com) and Practice Yoga (practiceyogadayton.com) offer a beginner series of classes to help familiarize new students with various yoga styles and basic principles.
Drop-in passes can afford flexibility and enable you to try a variety of classes.
Local recreation centers and some gyms also offer yoga classes.
“Yoga is really coming into its own in the Dayton area,” Stirsman said. “And it’s still growing.”
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