Proper body alignment: New yoga classes offered

A local Ritzville resident has recently begun teaching a beginner’s yoga class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to help bring fitness opportunities to residents. Pat Tremaine, who moved to Ritzville about a year ago, has been trained to facilitate yoga classes and has practiced yoga since 1999.

When Tremaine moved to Ritzville, she immediately began looking for a yoga class to participate in and when she could not even find one in the Moses Lake area, she decided to go through training to become an instructor.

Tremaine began the training last May, which consisted of attending a two-week retreat and 50 hours of practicum. The retreat that Tremaine attended taught more than just yoga poses, but she studied the history of yoga and the benefits the exercise can have on human body.

For the practicum portion of the training, Tremaine assisted at a yoga studio that focused on yoga as therapy. After working there, Tremaine assisted with a gentle class and a chronic pain class that helped teach how yoga can help all body types and ailments.

Then for six weeks, Tremaine assisted with a course dealing with anxiety and another six-week course that dealt with depression. All of these positions helped to train and teach Tremaine that there is more to yoga than just relaxation.

Currently, Tremaine has 12 individuals who have registered for the class, and each class usually consists of eight to nine people. The first class is free for the participant, and is free in order to help that individual decide if yoga is right for them.

For a drop-in class, it costs $8 but for those individuals who want to schedule with Tremaine what classes they can attend, it is only $5 per scheduled class. Those individuals who want to participate in the class must call Tremaine before attending so she can discuss the background of the class, clothing and what to expect.

Also, first time attendees must arrive 10 minutes before the class in order to sign a waiver for the class. All participants in the class must have a yoga mat, which can be purchased at locations like Wal-Mart and Big 5. Participants are also encouraged to bring long strap or belt that assists the individual hold certain poses.

For those individuals who are unsure if yoga is even a class that interests them, Tremaine encourages those people to stop by a class and observe the nightly work out and activities. The class normally begins with a 15-minute discussion about an aspect of yoga, followed by 45 minutes of pose and a final 15 of corpse pose, relaxation.

“Yoga is not for everybody,” admitted Tremaine. “But it’s like learning how to ski, you have to take that first step. This is just an entry-level class and my goal is to show different poses and alternatives for people to try. Everyone’s body is different, so this class is about finding what works for your body.”

Tremaine knows that mainstream media has helped to promote yoga, but she focuses on offering more in the classes than what people see on television. Tremaine discusses various aspects of yoga at the beginning of each of her classes, each time focusing on a different element of yoga that people can relate to and learn from.

“Some days we might talk about such things as what it means to be a vegetarian, how that can be viewed as not being abusive to your body since you are eating healthy. But it can also be shown as you not being abusive to animals. The class is going beyond the physical and away from the abusive,” said Tremaine.

Tremaine continues to study different aspects of yoga to bring back and teach the class, knowing that each student can relate to certain topics more than others. Tremaine recognizes that the philosophy behind yoga is being mindful about others and yourself.

Tremaine also focuses on keeping the class relaxed and without rigidity, knowing that every one lives hectic lives already, and the class purpose is to help people relax. That is why Tremaine encourages people to schedule classes, so they only commit to nights when they know they can attend.

“This class is there for people to have an enjoyable time and learn about themselves. The class helps with alignment and helps get your body in the proper alignment,” said Tremaine.

The major component of the class is helping individuals learn about their body, and learn how to regain a good alignment in their bodies. It also focuses on building muscle and working those muscle groups that are not engaged during regular day-to-day activities.

“I focus on core muscle work in the class. Even if you walk a lot, it is just back and forth motion. A lot of people sit at a desk all day, and most people don’t work their core muscles,” said Tremaine. “You work a lot of muscles in yoga. In that one hour, you work all of the core muscles.”

Tremaine hopes that more people continue to join the class, and also encourages male participants to at least come see what the class is like. Currently, the class is all female students, but they range in age from their late twenties to late sixties.

The classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 6-7:15 p.m. in the Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ fellowship hall.

The class has a max capacity of 18 participants.

To learn more about the class or to schedule classes to attend, call Pat Tremaine at 206-661-8381.

Contact Tremaine before participating in a class and with any questions concerning yoga or the specifics of the class.