614 Magazine - Columbus, Ohio

Striking poses

By Stephanie Fortener-Atwood

5 Comments

An ancient and powerful practice, yoga is also as young and dynamic as its many practitioners. Join Stephanie as she explores some of the forms of yoga available in Columbus, and see which style might be best for you.

Whether you're new to the practice of yoga or a seasoned yogi, it's fair to say there is always something more to learn. Yoga isn't just a simple set of 'asanas' (the Sanskrit word for 'poses'); it is a living, breathing, dynamic practice. For some, it becomes a way of life. The earliest archeological evidence of asanas was found on stone seals in what is now modern day India, dating back to around 3,000 BC. Since then, interpretations and extensions of the practice have developed, resulting in dozens of methods practiced throughout the world. Variation even exists within a particular style of yoga. As yoga has evolved over thousands of years, an individual's experience of it evolves as well. I'm pretty sure this is why it's referred to as a 'practice' - whatever your level, you are always a student.

In Sanskrit, the word 'yoga' means 'union,' referring to unity of body, mind, and spirit. Although most of us associate yoga with the physical asanas, according to The Yoga Sutra by Pantanjali (the yoga philosophical foundation written in 200 AD), the physical element of yoga is just one of yoga's eight steps, or 'limbs,' which comprise a holistic practice, transcending the corporeal experience.

Basically, yoga can be a lot of things to a lot of different people. It can be stretches to help you heal, a way to manage stress, a physical workout, or the foundation of your spiritual well being.

I have been practicing yoga for four years and I have a great appreciation for it in all of its many forms, but there is a dizzying amount of information out there, and a bewildering number of forms, schools, methods, and styles, and, like a vinyasa, the styles flow together. You may see the same pose across styles, but the approach changes the experience.

Hatha Yoga

I think of Hatha as an umbrella over other styles of yoga. Hatha's playbook of asanas is daunting, so class options are limitless. As a general observation, Hatha is a more meditative, relaxing, and mellow form of yoga than Ashtanga, power yoga, or Bikram. But I don't want to mislead you - the term 'Hatha' is like the term 'beverage.' A beverage could be chamomile tea, diet coke, or absinthe. Likewise, Hatha can be gentle, therapeutic and healing, or it can be an hour of difficult twists, inversions (i.e. standing on your head), and backbends. It comes down to the class, the teacher, and your background. In Columbus, beginner Hatha classes are a great way to introduce oneself to yoga.

"The postures are a way, a path; not a destination or a goal. Everybody is going to look different in their best energetic placement," said Michele Mangione, owner of Hatha studio, Wiseways Movement and Art Education, located in Grandview Heights. Don't be shy just because you can't touch your toes. You don't need to be flexible to benefit from the asanas.

Ashtanga Yoga
Unlike Hatha, Ashtanga yoga is composed of a set series of asanas linked with concentrated breathing ('pranayama' in Sanskrit) and vinyasas. Vinyasas are a flowing sequence of poses performed in concert with breath.

Ashtanga yoga, developed 100 years ago by Sri Pattabhi Jois, is known to be athletic, physically challenging, and sweaty. It builds strength and stamina. Although breathing is imperative in an Ashtanga class, the practice is light on meditation. There are six series of Ashtanga, but the most commonly practiced is known as the 'primary series.' Although it looks intimidating, poses in the Primary Series can be modified to accommodate different fitness and flexibility levels. And, several area studios tweak traditional Ashtanga by offering classes that introduce students to Ashtanga asanas over time. Expect the class to last approximately ninety minutes. Along with your mat, bring a towel and water.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga, developed by Bikram Choudhury in the early 1970's, is often referred to as 'Hot Yoga.' It might not be the most creative nickname, but it's certainly appropriate. The classes are intense: it is practiced in a room heated to about 105 degrees F with about 40% humidity. Like Ashtanga, Bikram consists of a set sequence of poses. In a 90 minute class, students move through 26 poses, each performed twice. According to Dr. Pam Popper, director of Bikram Yoga Columbus in Worthington, "The best advice is for new students to be patient - almost everyone has trouble with the heat; eventually people love it." This seems to be great advice - Popper herself started Bikram eight years ago and has since completely reversed injuries she suffered as a result of a car accident. Why practice in such a hot room? Well, not only does the heat promote detoxification through sweating, it allows muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stretch further and to be more flexible. Bikram Yoga Columbus attracts a range of students from age 9 to over 70. Approached with patience, this practice is suitable for beginners, but still challenging for athletes. My personal opinion? Sweating that much feels pretty awesome. After class, it's like your slate has been wiped clean. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Power Yoga
Generally speaking, the term 'Power Yoga' refers to a practice centered on vinyasas. If you recall, vinyasas are also incorporated in Ashtanga. Power yoga actually developed out of Ashtanga. Like the name implies, it is a powerful and athletic practice, cardiovascular in nature. Power yoga isn't bound to tradition, so the practice allows for a lot of creative instructor influence. V Power Yoga, located in the warehouse district in downtown Columbus, pairs its classes with music. "The one thing that our clients have in common is that they are enthusiastic and like to have fun. They don't take themselves too seriously," said Julie Verhoff, owner of (and instructor at) V Power Yoga. "They enjoy practicing yoga, and they like to have a glass of wine afterward!"

Beginners are welcome in many power yoga classes, but it tends to attract high energy people with established cardiovascular routines. If you want to try yoga, but are wary of a class too heavy on meditation, try power yoga. If you already belong to a gym, you'll probably find power yoga on the class schedule.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga, developed in the mid-1900s by B.K.S. Iyengar, is a form of Hatha yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar was a sickly kid who lived a tough life. His yoga practice actually improved his health and the well-being of his students in such a dramatic way, he was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2004. He is also predominantly responsible for the introduction to and popularity of yoga in the Western world. Not a bad track record. While the practice is composed of Hatha asanas, its approach is unique. In Iyengar, asanas are aided by props and are generally held for longer periods of time. Alignment is crucial. Props like cushions, benches, blocks, and straps allow a broader range of students to experience poses that might otherwise be inaccessible. This means beginning students, injured students and disabled students can experience more asanas more fully. Lots of yoga instructors incorporate the Iyengar approach in their practice. However, the Center for Wholeness in Clintonville offers a regular schedule of classes based explicitly on Iyengar's teachings.

Meditative Yoga
Meditation is fundamental to the practice of yoga. Most classes, whatever the style, include some form of meditation. Concentration is found through the use of breathing techniques, or pranayama, during practice. Columbus has a lot of options for students who want to practice meditation independent of the physical asanas. According to Balanced Yoga, located in Clintonville, "The goal of an asana practice is to prepare the body for meditation." It seems the natural progression of a yoga practice leads the student to a regular practice of meditation. Yoga on High, located in the Short North, and Balanced Yoga have the broadest meditative yoga options. Both studios boast regular pranayama classes, among other guided group meditation sessions and chanting.

Meditation is also a very spiritual practice. Depending on your interest, you can probably find a Columbus-area group to guide your meditative development. The Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Upper Arlington fosters individual spiritual development and hosts weekly satsang and Guru Gita sessions. In Sanskrit, 'satsang' literally means 'in the company of truth.' In Siddha Yoga practice, satsang consists of group chanting and meditating. The Guru Gita is a sacred text explaining the nature of the Guru-disciple relationship. In practice, students chant the Guru Gita. I'll be honest, this part of my research caused me to panic. I can't begin to scratch the surface of the spiritual meditative paths of yoga. If you are interested in learning about a particular form, start by asking one of Columbus' studios for more information.

Yogalates
I know Yogalates isn't a traditional yoga practice and it's relatively new. But there's a lot of it here in town and I think it's worth mentioning. Besides, it reminds me of broccalini or grapples or labradoodles. And in the Western world, combining things you like makes sense. If you're going to make grape flavored apples, you'd better have a yoga-plus-pilates class. Several Columbus-area gyms offer versions of this yoga-pilates hybrid. Pi-Yoga or Yogalates: whatever you call it, it's a fusion of two beneficial types of exercise. Grow Yoga in Grandview and Alphastate in Harrison Park both offer versions of the popular crossbreed. This may be the next incarnation in the evolution of yoga, so it's worth checking out.

Specialized Yoga Classes
After looking over my Columbus yoga research, it seems appropriate to address the dozens of local yoga classes designed for a specific demographic. Each class is specially tailored, thoughtfully combining relevant asanas and breathing techniques to address a particular type of student. To summarize, whether you're pregnant, diabetic, a teenager or toddler, overweight, battling cancer, or confined to a chair, there is a yoga class specifically designed for you. Yoga on High and Balanced Yoga are both at the forefront of specialized classes, so if you are looking for something special, they are great places to start.

Which Practice is For You?
So, you've read through an overwhelming list. What next? The best advice I can give you is to start trying out some classes. Most studios have 'drop-in' classes so you can feel out the style and instructor. Don't get discouraged if you don't gel with a particular studio - think of it as an opportunity to try out the next. Whatever your abilities, limitations, or goals, you can find a yoga class that works for you. Yoga can make your heart light and your psyche calm. I think Michele Mangione, owner of Wiseways, says it best. "The highest form of yoga is pure play."

Namaste.

Columbus Area Yoga Studios

Please keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list. There are many instructors out there who teach in community centers, recreation centers, churches, and other alternative spaces. Additionally, gyms and clubs often offer yoga. The studios on this list generally offer yoga classes only and operate at a consistent location.

Alphastate - Harrison Park
433 W Third Ave.
(614) 299-6636
www.alphastatelife.com
Yogalates, pilates, workshops

Arjuna Movement Arts and Naga Yoga - Clintonville
4290 Indianola Ave. Suite 202
(614) 432-8333
Yoga, ayurveda

Aura Yoga Spa Boutique - Downtown
382 E Town St.
(614) 228-1888
www.auracolumbus.com
Ashtanga, Hatha

Balanced Yoga - Clintonville
3526 N High St.
(614) 265-9642
www.balancedyoga.net
Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, pranayama, specialized classes, workshops, yoga teacher training

Bikram Yoga Columbus - Worthington
510 E Wilson Bridge Rd. Suite F
(614) 846-9642
www.bikramyogacolumbus.com
Bikram

Center For Wholeness - Clintonville
3408 Indianola Ave
(614) 784-8488
Iyengar, Power Ashtanga, Hatha, pilates, yoga teacher training

Grow Yoga - Clintonville and Grandview
4290 Indianola Ave., and 1780 W Fifth Ave.,
(614) 487-9642
www.growyogacolumbus.com
Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yogalates, workshops

Harmony House Wellness Center - Powell
420 W Olentangy St.
(614) 792-9295
www.harmonyhousewellness.com
Hatha, Vinyasa, meditation, specialized classes, workshops

Siddha Yoga Meditation Center - Upper Arlington
1250 Old Henderson Rd. Suite C
(614) 326-2586
www.symc-columbus.org
Meditation

The Yoga Factory - Westerville
223 B E Broadway
(614) 891-8866
www.theyogafactory.com
Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, pilates

The Yoga Room at Temptations - Dubin
35 S High St.
(614) 734-0618
www.knit2temptations.com/yoga.html
Hatha, Vinyasa, specialty classes, workshops

Tracey Gardner Yoga - New Albany
New Albany Ballet Company, 5051 Forest Dr.
www.traceygardneryoga.com
Power yoga

V Power Yoga - Downtown
240 N Fifth St.
(614) 228-9042
www.vpoweryoga.com
Power yoga

WiseWays Movement Arts and Education - Grandview Heights
1520 W First Ave.
(614) 488-3041
www.wiseways.net
Hatha, meditation, Tai Chi, workshops, yoga teacher training

Yoga on High - Short North
1081 N High St.
(614) 291-4444
www.yogaonhigh.com
Hatha, Ashtanga, pranayama, meditation, specialty classes, workshops, yoga teacher training

Yoga Studio Jimmy 24 - Downtown
143 E Main St. Suite 200
(614) 506-8970
www.yogastudiojimmy24.com
Hatha-Vinyasa blend

Originally Published: October 1, 2009

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