Stretch Your Limbs and Limits with Yoga

Have you ever heard the phrase, “just breathe?” So much of our life is consumed by work, chores and time management, making it hard for many of us to unwind, ignore the clock and just focus on breathing. That’s what yoga helps you to do.

The history of yoga goes back as far as 5,000 years in India, according to the Body Tech Total Fitness website. While it began as a method of reaching mental, physical and spiritual enlightenment, in Western cultures, it has evolved into a form of exercise that increases strength, balance and flexibility.

Anyone can try yoga at any time in their lives. Julie O’Leary, owner of Mindful Movements in Mokena, didn’t become involved in yoga until she turned 30.

“I was at the height of my fitness career and was diagnosed with breast cancer,” O’Leary said. “Yoga was a way I could stay active and continue to work, as I couldn’t keep up with the classes I would typically teach, like boot camp and cardio kickboxing.”

O’Leary said the imagery and meditation involved in yoga helped her through her cancer treatments. She added that yoga is different from other forms of exercise because it’s taught in low lighting with softer music and a more relaxed style.

“The benefits of yoga include muscular strength, increased range of motion in the joints, increased balance and flexibility, and a general sense of peace and well-being,” O’Leary said.

At Mindful Movements, a variety of yoga classes are available, including Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, gentle yoga and a yoga and Pilates fusion.

Many yoga classes are also offered at Body Tech Total Fitness. Hatha yoga combines the mind, body and spirit into one while enhancing strength, flexibility and reducing stress, according to the website. This is achieved through simple stretches and deep breathing.

Power yoga, on the other hand, incorporates more strength, intense postures and flows. Hot yoga, a special class that is offered once weekly and costs extra, is performed in a room with a temperature of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows deeper stretching and toxins to be sweated out of the body.

Jennifer Brenner, one of the many yoga instructors at Body Tech, got involved with the exercise eight years ago.

“I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I kept wanting more and more as it made me feel so rejuvenated afterwards,” Brenner explained. “I felt very connected with my body and close to my breath.”

Brenner also said that while off the yoga mat, she became more aware of how she was treating her body, such as tensing her shoulders while she drove.

Some of the perks you can receive from yoga, Brenner said, include spine elongation, detoxification and cleansing, improved digestion, increased energy, calmed nervous system, improved posture, a sense of liberation and stress reduction.

At Body Tech, Brenner teaches Hatha yoga. “I teach a slower-paced class that focuses on alignment and listening to your body,” Brenner said.

Still not convinced that yoga is for you? Brenner explained it this way:

“I always say to treat your bodies and your breath as if they are your very best friend.  The body and breath were with you the moment you entered this world and they will be with you till the end.”

Mokena residents should have no problem finding a yoga class suited to their tastes. Aside from Body Tech and Mindful Movements, yoga classes or fitness classes that incorporate yoga moves can be found at Street of Dreams Dance Studio, and at .

“My goal is to have people feeling energized, yet grounded, and to let go of whatever they need to let go of at that particular moment,” Brenner said.