Those seeking decreased stress and increased physical wellness can easily find both with Body Kneads’ weekly Yoga classes.Yoga instructor Gina Mabrey guides participants through an hour-long session of exercises that improve strength, balance and flexibility. Techniques that show participants how to manage stress are also taught.
While many people may think of Yoga as a practice done by ancient Eastern monks seeking meditation and inner peace, Mabrey said Yoga is actually a perfect way for any person of any age to get in better shape.
“It’s more involved and more physical than that because I do want to help work on those components of physical fitness, as well as the balance and stress management techniques,” she said.
The class follows what Mabrey calls a “Yoga Fit” structure that focuses on stress management and strength and balance building exercises. The format is an hour-long class of constant movement, taking participants through a flowing routine of a myriad of different positions. It is a low-impact, high-focus workout that does not demand the physical intensity of some other higher energy workouts.
Participants of any age can benefit from Yoga, from senior citizens to elementary-aged children.
Mabrey said seniors garner most benefit from balance and flexibility exercises, which help to prevent harmful falls and other potential physical impairments that come with age.
Younger adults see improvement in their mental health by learning how to “quiet the outside world,” with the help of stress management and breathing exercises, Mabrey said. “Yoga can help you find mental and intellectual acuity a little sooner since we sometimes don’t quite have a grasp of that yet as a young adult,” she said.
Mabrey, who has been teaching Yoga for six years, got involved with the class at Body Kneads because of her role as Jacksonville State University’s Wellness Center director. Mabrey said part of her job is to expose JSU students and faculty to different aspects of physical fitness, and also work to be a community advocate for physical and mental wellness.
Ginger Bunn, Body Kneads owner and licensed massage therapist, said the class fits in perfectly with her business’ ultimate goal of promoting physical and mental well-being. Body Kneads, located at 209 Pelham Road South, has offered Yoga classes for about three years.
Classes are $5 per session or a participant can get 12 class credits for $42. Classes are presently held on Tuesday at 3 p.m., but sometimes change because of Mabrey’s JSU class schedule.
For more information or to confirm class time, call Body Kneads at 782-BODY.
