Learn to unwind during Zen Night at the Navarre YMCA
Lauren Janson, front, Beth Alban, left, and Judy Matey strike a yoga pose at a recent class at the Towpath Trail YMCA in Navarre. The Y is hosting a Zen yoga night Feb. 25 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Urban Zen may sound like an oxymoron, but the Towpath Trail YMCA in Navarre is out to prove otherwise. The YMCA is hosting a Zen Night Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. where people can try two different forms of yoga, one of which is Urban Zen Integrative Therapy.
Those attending can about a dozen vendors, enjoy refreshments and possibly take home a door prize, all for a $5 ticket price.
“Our event is going to focus on stress, pain and anxiety reduction,” said Beth Alban, associate executive director for the Towpath Trail YMCA. “We want to show people that there are options out there, get them to try a little gentle yoga, and see if it’s an option for them for stress reduction and as a way to become grounded in stressful times.”
Alban said both of the yoga instructors hold regular classes at the Y and said, if the courses explored during Zen night prove popular, they may be added to the regular schedule.
A Relaxation Yoga and Reiki class begins at 6:15 p.m. with Urban Zen Integrative Therapy starting at 7:15 p.m. Shirley Tucker will described the Urban Zen class. “It combines assorted yoga poses, essential oils Reiki, body and breath awareness, meditation and some mindful movements.” Tucker, who is a registered nurse, has been a certified yoga instructor since 2015.
Vendors that night represent everything from skin care, cosmetics and nail art to joint care and facial and reconstructive surgery. The list includes Rodan & Fields, Omni Orthopaedics, Epothekari holistic medicine, Neora, Color Street, Mary Kay, DoTerra Essential Oils and Fine Arts Skin and Laser.
Benefits of yoga
Lauren Janson attends the Moderate Yoga class on Wednesday evenings at the YMCA. The Dalton resident doesn’t mind driving to Navarre. “I’ve been looking for a yoga class that fits what I like and need, and I finally found one here,” Janson said.
A yoga practitioner for the past eight years, Jason said she does yoga every day, using the Apple Fitness app every morning, and said she enjoys the benefits. “It definitely stretches my muscles and really relaxes me,” she said.
Judy Matey, who attends the same class, said she uses yoga for relaxation, but also for improving muscle strength. “I’ve been all over and I’ve tried yoga everywhere,” said Matey. “I like this class. When I first started doing yoga years ago, it was mostly poses on after another. Now it flows from one to the other better and it’s more enjoyable.”
They’re not just imagining the benefits, either. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website credits yoga with a number of health benefits, including improved strength, balance and flexibility, back pain and arthritis symptom relief, better sleep and relaxation, improved mood and energy levels, stress management and improved heart health.
“Zen Night was designed to be a simple evening of self-care for anyone,” said Alban. “For me, the yoga class I take is my favorite hour of the week, because it takes me from a place of stress to no stress. I really believe in it and want to share that information with others.”
Other opportunities to try yoga
The Towpath Trail YMCA holds a variety of yoga and other gentle fitness classes at various levels throughout the week, including:
—Chair Yoga on Mondays at 1 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
—Yoga on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a/m/
—Drumming for Fitness on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
—Aqua Jogging on Fridays at 9 a.m.
The Towpath Trail YMCA is located at 1226 Market St. in Navarre. For more information on Zen Night or other activities available, call 330-879-0800.