An Introduction to Local Yoga Studios (Part II)
by Mary Leonard

In my article on mindful yoga in the spring issue of AboutTown, I discussed Frank Boccio's concept of "mindfulness yoga" (explained in his new book of the same title), and briefly touched on the wide variety of yoga styles and instruction available in the mid-Hudson Valley. In this follow-up I'd like to offer the following brief summary of my interviews with teachers at some of those yoga studios along the "right" and "left" banks of the Hudson:

• Kari Rieser, owner of Everyday Wellness for Women in Red Hook, says that her instructors use an integrated menu of Hatha Yoga that includes Iyengar and Ashtanga, although many of her instructors have trained with Ana Forrest, who stresses the vinyasa flow, the coordination of the postures and breathing. Everyday Wellness is an integrated fitness center focusing on yoga, strength training, and diet.

• Continuing along what I call the Right Bank, or Dutchess County side of the river, I spoke with Kathleen Foster who teaches yoga at Reflexions in Red Hook. Reflexions blends Hatha Yoga, which emphasizes the asanas, or postures, with the cleansing breathing techniques of Kundalini, and integrates some chanting into the practice. The students at Reflexions are mostly in their thirties, forties, fifties, and include beginners as well as experienced practitioners. Kathleen, who until recently ran the YogaOne studio at the Chocolate Factory in Red Hook, began practicing yoga when she was an adolescent and is now certified in interdisciplinary yoga. Kathleen says that a good yoga experience should leave the participant with awareness, listening to her own body and observing the experience on the mat. Reflexions is more than a yoga studio, but Kathleen offers at least three classes a week.

• In Hudson, I discovered the Sadhana Center for Yoga and Meditation founded by Sondra Loring, a former New York City dancer and a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Sondra told me that Sadhana in Sanskrit means conscious spiritual practice. Sadhana is also a meditation center, having a formal Buddhist "sitting" once a month — although one does not have to be a Buddhist to meditate at Sadhana or in any other group! Sondra has also studied Ashtanga Yoga with Sri Pattabhi Jois in India and worked in the Iyengar tradition in NYC. In her studio and classes, she stresses a synthesis, placing an emphasis both on the flow of movement and breath. Sondra's advice to the new student: look beyond "paper credentials," since a 200-hour certification can be gained quickly, and make sure you feel good about both the classes and the teacher.

• I was predisposed to like Moksha, or the Hudson Valley School of Yoga in Rhinebeck, since I had heard a very good review about the studio from one of my teachers at Fitness Unlimited, Rebecca Ossorio. When I finally spoke to the manager, Lauren Zittle, I was not disappointed. "Moksha offers the perfect space to practice yoga," says Zittle, "because it's light and beautiful." She also added that the teachers are experienced, certified, and that many have been trained at the Jivamukti Center in New York City; these teachers offer a Vinyasa form of yoga. Other instructors, however, work with the Ana Forrest method that emphasizes strengthening the abdominal area, relaxing the neck, and activating the feet — basically moving the "stuck" energy through the body. Lauren stresses that yoga is for everybody: Beginners should not be intimidated by the photographs of the 5,000 poses, because modifications are always offered. Also, Moksha holds basic classes, good for the beginner.

• Now I want to survey the Left Bank or Ulster County, where I myself have studied yoga. I studied first at Fitness Unlimited, with Gina Bassinette, who co-owns the Jai Ma Studio in New Paltz and was one of the first teachers to bring yoga to this area. I am still attracted to her classes because of her clarity and humor. Just recently, when we held the upward facing dog asana with our thighs off the mat, she laughed, "Not too shabby. I will have to find a new form of torture."

• Humor can be an integral part of the practice and this is also true in Paula Hanke's classes who catches herself in some absurd direction and then lets out a huge belly laugh. Besides Fitness Unlimited, Paula teaches at fitness centers, studios, and community centers throughout Ulster County and she brings grace and personality to her classes which stress the vinyasas or flows.

• I have also taken classes with Debra Albright at The Yoga Studio in downtown Kingston and the last time I attended, Debra was very excited about her work in Kundalini Yoga, which stresses repetitive movement and powerful breaths that cleanse.

• Just this fall, I discovered The Duck Pond Studio in Stone Ridge, owned by Donna Nisha Cohen who advertises her studio as a center for self-discovery through yoga. What I love about Duck Pond is the simplicity and beauty of the space. I can focus on the birches through the skylight and feel very personally attended to by all of the instructors. I also feel an inclusive spirit in the room and that's how I connected with Marie Lumholtz. Marie really interested me in Anasura Yoga and John Friend, who, it is said, combines "a deep knowledge of bio-mechanics and yoga philosophy with a hilarious sense of humor." I am finding that in my studies with Marie, I am becoming more aware of my spiritual practice, bringing more intention to the class, yet working on alignment and form in ways I didn't think possible.

• Finally, Frank Boccio's classes, which I have taken both at Fitness Unlimited and the Jai Ma Studio. Frank has a metaphoric style in giving directions, while still being clear and exact about the anatomy. When doing downward facing dog, for instance, he tells his students to pretend their arms are straws sucking energy from the ground, or in the standing posture, Frank said recently, "Be like Carmen Miranda and balance a basket of fruit on your head."

I don't think I can describe all the variations on yoga practice here in the Hudson Valley nor name all the studios and teachers. However, Yoga is available and dynamic in this area and many of the studios also offer prenatal and Kids yoga. As the Buddha said, "Come see for yourself."