Down dog, warrior two, full fold, triangle — wait a minute: Aren’t those yoga poses? I can’t do that! I’m way far from thin and supple, I’ve got arthritis, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis… But Jennifer Benjamin says that yes, I can do them. And, she says, so can you, whatever your level of ability.
In addition to general training to teach yoga, Jennifer is specially trained in teaching yoga to people with physical, mental and emotional difficulties, also known as adaptive yoga.
Jennifer opened her Heart Center Studio at 608 1/2 Commercial Street two years ago with the belief that everybody — every body — can find strength and peace through the union of breath and movement, which happens to be the definition of yoga.
So how, exactly, is yoga going to help the person with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, other invisible diseases? Or the sight-impaired, the overweight, the depressed, the anxious? Or the person with an amputated leg or disabling war injury?
Standing by her belief that yoga is for everyone and every body, Jennifer says, “Since we’re already breathing, we start by focusing on our breath, paying attention to it. Maybe a guided meditation helps us to quiet the mind and relax our body. Anyone can enjoy the calmness and relaxation of meditating. Then we focus on seeing where our greatest need is and bringing that breath to movement. Are we in pain, anxious, stiff?”
“Breath is the very most core part of you,” she says. “When you are aware of your breath, when you pay attention to it, you can bring that breath to all parts of your body, allowing flexibility and strength.” So yoga is bringing awareness of breath to body and using that awareness to hold poses that stretch our muscles and open our lungs and heart to more vitality and that build our strength. Even if we can’t hold poses very long, or at all, we can breathe and, if you think about it, breathing is movement.
Angie Smith has had a difficult several years as she lost 80 percent of her sight over the past decade and has had several surgeries during that time. She had wanted to practice yoga, but was afraid because of her sight-deficit. She went anyway and is now a strong advocate; in fact, she brought family members to the studio and each has found benefit. “I was afraid,” Angie says. “But now I’ve got more energy and stamina.” Parents Sharilyn and Ron agree. Both in their late sixties, they’ve benefitted from the practice of yoga as it has brought them better balance, stability, strength and flexibility.
Ann O’Neill has fibromyalgia and migraines. Sometimes the fibro keeps her from moving into poses, but she can always lie on a mat or sit in a chair and breathe mindfully and with purpose. Guided meditation as she breathes helps her relax. If the fibro isn’t too bad, she does the poses as she is able, modifying as needed.
Breathing and movement can be done lying down, in a wheelchair, on a mat with or without pillows and bolsters — everything can be modified. Your knees hurt? Bend them less deeply. You’re weak in your arms? Do what you can and don’t worry about it. You can’t leave your wheelchair? Stay in it. Just keep your breathing in focus.
And you might feel different day by day or even hour by hour. The point is to discover what you want to feel in this moment. “Yoga is a reflection of what you’re feeling in your body as you build strength and awareness.” One of Jennifer’s most-used statements of encouragement is “The ability you have today might not be same as yesterday’s or tomorrow’s. Whatever it is today, let that be enough.”
And don’t worry about watching yourself in the mirrors — there aren’t any at her studio. Jennifer is adamant about this: “I don’t want people to watch themselves, compare themselves to other people or find fault with themselves as they practice yoga. And it is yoga practice, not yoga perfect. The studio is a place to step away from the world.”
Jennifer’s desire is “to provide a place where no one needs to miss out on the simplicity of feeling better just by breathing, of feeling more peaceful, relaxed, fluid, stronger.” Sometimes that place is the studio. For those of us who can’t step away into the studio, though, Jennifer is bringing the studio to us. On Tuesday, November 19 at 7 p.m., she will offer an introductory class — at no charge — to people with invisible and visible diseases and disabilities at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 828 Commercial, an ADA-compliant facility — without mirrors. People who come will help determine the best day and time for classes, which will be held at the church.
And me, leery of those down dog and warrior poses? I can do them now, though not very gracefully. Mindful breathing is something I can take with me everywhere, including to the nurse for a tetanus shot. I never even felt the needle as I asked her to wait to stick me until I exhaled.
Shape Up, Emporia!, is a weekly fitness and health column aimed at readers of all ages to get off the couch and get into shape. Each week will feature a fitness, health or nutrition professional from around the area who will share some friendly tips on how to improve your overall health. Our goal is to make getting in shape fun and easy to fit into your existing lifestyle and daily routine.
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