| Stretch Those Muscles and BREEEATHE... |
by Shirley Bethune
December 2003
Yoga has always been, as far as I’m concerned, something other people did.
The reason for this is if there were a competition for the most inflexible bodies in the world, I’d stand a good chance of winning! All the various gym injuries over the years have not exactly helped in the flexibility department, either! However, when something is available just down the road, far be it from me not to try it. So I did. And I’m still going to classes 3 months later. And I’m enjoying the classes. And - miracle of miracles - I’m even starting to become a little bit more flexible! Now I have to admit I’m really into instant gratification and of course would like to be able to bend and twist ‘like the best of ‘em’ now, but being able to flex more than I’ve been able to in years is a pretty good reason to keep going, in my book.
Since I’ve lived here there have been yoga teachers who’ve come down for at least a part of the winter season, and no doubt I could have gone to their classes (work hours permitting) but the fact that they’d be gone sooner or later always gave me an excuse not to bother starting. That’s the way I looked at it, anyhow. But that sorry excuse went when Sylvia Gotzeler arrived in town and started giving classes in July this year.
Sylvia, a Canadian, has practised yoga for about 4 years and, on completing the requisite course, is a certified teacher. She practises Hatha and Astanga Yoga and has knowledge in meditation and breathing (pranayama) techniques. She chose Zihuatanejo to live after visiting the area on vacation a couple of times. A familiar story - this place does get to you! As she says, “What an ideal place to be able to make a living by teaching yoga - the fresh air, the warmth, the sound of the waves - ahhhhhh!”
Yoga can be done by anyone (which now even ‘Mz Stiff As A Board’ here has to believe). “It’s very important to keep muscles and joints open and flexible. Unfortunately, as we get older, our muscles get shorter and our joints stiffen. Yoga is an ideal way to keep our flexibility or regain it. It also helps to open our bodies to keep the lines of energy flowing through blockages which cause headaches, insomnia, digestive ailments, stress and fatigue. Other benefits are an increase in energy, a relaxed state of mind, an improvement in posture and a building up of strength. And of course, with the deep breathing an increase in oxygen.”
So, it doesn’t matter how (in)flexible you are. In the classes I’ve attended there are people who can do what to me are amazing things and those of us who can’t. And yet, there are some things that even we ‘stiffies’ can do as well as any other, which I have to tell you, makes me feel pretty **** good. Of course, we’re not supposed to look at each other, but ..... sometimes, just a peek? Actually, I have found that it doesn’t bother me knowing that there are people looking at us from the beach, which surprises me when I think of it. You really do get ‘into’ it.
The first thing Sylvia will ask you is if you have any injuries. And even weeks later she does remember to tell you when there is something you shouldn’t do because of an injury. She is able to judge how flexible you are and is very careful to check that you’re doing something safely so as not to cause any new or further damage. “Your body tells you how far you can get into postures. With time, you’ll be able to move further into the poses naturally. What’s more important is to be in proper alignment.”
So - are you ready?
Sylvia’s public classes are held at Hotel El Paraiso Real on La Ropa Beach from Tuesday to Friday, 9.00 - 10.15 am and Saturday morning from 11.00 am - 12.15pm. She gives classes by appointment to guests at La Casa Que Canta and Hotel Villa Del Sol (check with reception or phone Sylvia direct). Private one-on-one classes available on request.
As yet Sylvia hasn’t worked in Ixtapa, but would be happy to do so. The classes are given in English but that hasn’t been a problem for the locals attending.
Prices available on request.
Phone No: 044 755 55 7 84 18. |
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