There are a wide variety of yoga styles being practiced throughout Sonoma these days, Bikram being one of them. Nada Rothbart, owner of the local Bikram studio, recently extended an invitation to teens at the Boys & Girls Club to attend her classes for free. So far, eight teens have taken her up on the offer.
“I love the classes,” said B&G member and new Bikram convert Ricardo, who has attended five classes so far. “I’ve found that yoga relaxes me after a long week of school. I play basketball for fun and yoga helps me stay in shape for that. Nada is a good teacher. She’s very supportive, helping us learn the correct postures and how to do them.” After talking positively about the class to friends, three have joined him on Friday nights.
Derived by Birkam Choudhury in the early 1970s from traditional hatha yoga, Bikram Yoga consists of a set series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises practiced in room heated to 105 degrees with a humidity level of 40 percent.
“The sequence of postures is put together based on the science of how the human body works. The order of postures combined with the warm air and humidity allows you to gradually and safely warm up and stretch your muscles, joints and every part of your body. At the end of each class, students’ bodies have received 100 percent fresh, oxygenated blood, which rids the body’s organs, glands and tissues of toxins. Consistent practice of Bikram yoga will heal and prevent future injuries, increase strength and balance, improve bone density and more. This class truly changes the human body at a cellular level”
Rothbart was inspired to offer her classes free to teens when she attended the annual Fashion in the Vineyards fundraiser at the Boys & Girls Club. Unable to contribute monetarily, she decided instead to give back in a different way, knowing that the teens could benefit from the practice of yoga. She says that more and more teens attend the class each week.
“The teens tell me they feel calmer and more focused from practicing yoga. It’s fun to see them work hard and make progress. I can already see lots of improvements,” said Rothbart.
Bikram’s Yoga Sonoma is located at 721 West Napa Street. For more information call 935-5862.
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