Yoga – the thousands of years old trend that keeps us flexy
By Chelsea Valcourt. Photo courtesy of Erica Onofrio from Soul Dreams Studio yoga.
YOGA is a form of exercise that combines physical movement with meditation. Beyond increasing physical fitness, yoga offers many mental health benefits. The tranquility found on the yoga mat allows you to work through anxieties and gain a better understanding of your own body.
In recent years, increased free time due to a global pandemic paired with a growing body positivity movement created the perfect storm for traditional yoga to blossom into something more. These shifts have brought a lot of positive change and an illuminated future for spiritual practice.
The impact of the pandemic
With 24/7 coverage back in the COVID days on viral statistics and best practices, there was little respite from the news. Many people began to evaluate their health, which combined with extended free time, allowed for a boom in at-home exercise. Alternatively, broken daily routines and the closure of many public places, including gyms, paved the way for folks to engage in more unhealthy behaviors.
This time also brought about a desperate need to find ways to cope with the unprecedented isolation, uncertainty and grief many were experiencing.
Those interested in yoga during quarantine could participate in outdoor and online courses, while those who struggled to maintain healthy habits could get back into the groove after the pandemic.
Now yoga classes are filled with students of all backgrounds, from those who have never taken a lesson to those who are instructors themselves.
An emphasis on the self
In recent years there has been a big push toward self-acceptance and self-love, regardless of body size.
Yoga encourages a deeper awareness and appreciation of one’s body; yoga can be a powerful tool in understanding your body and engaging in a culture centered around healthy behaviors.
Despite all good intentions, some might find themselves tense and distracted as they engage in a class, comparing themselves to others and fussing over the way they look. This has led some studios to move away from the traditional mirror-walled studios.
“I don’t want anyone obsessing over themselves,” Suzanne Chew, yoga teacher and owner of Yoga Ginger in Ocean City, said. “When you close your eyes and you practice yoga, you’re so in the moment that nothing else matters. That’s why you come out feeling good because you’re only concentrating on the moment.”
Ultimately, yoga is for everybody and everybody. It may take some time to figure out what form of yoga works best for you, but with a variety of options there’s something for all body types and abilities.
Connecting with nature
Proximity to the shore has implications on any business, but for yoga studios, it can be both a game changer and a challenge.
On one hand, being connected to such a seasonal and tourist-driven economy can be tricky to navigate. With an influx of new faces during the prime beach-going months, it is important to have a firm base of local regulars.
“It’s been really cool over the last four years because I’ll see the same people one week every summer [when they’re on their annual vacations],” Erica Onofrio, yoga instructor and founder of Soul Dreams Studio in Ocean City, said. “I really enjoy the winter months too as we get more people from the mainland who will come onto the island and take classes.”
On the other hand, its closeness to the water allows studios to offer yoga on the beach – a beloved activity in Ocean City and beyond. With a symphonic harmony of waves, wind and seagulls, traditional yoga courses are treated to an extra layer of tranquility.
“We all take these things for granted,” Suzanne said. “But when you sit in that moment and you find that stillness, you hear the ocean – like it’s lulling you into the sea – and the birds and you feel the warmth of the sun.”
Looking forward
As class enrollment continues to climb and a wider range of yoga offerings attract more folks into yoga studios, it’s becoming a routine tradition.
Yoga is evolving into something more than just a class; it’s a way to connect with loved ones and celebrate important milestones.
“One [trend] that I really love is families doing yoga. One time we had four generations in for a private class and it was just so cool,” Onofrio said. “Another thing that I love that has really increased in recent years is bachelorette parties. Usually there’s some people that have never taken a class, but they’re doing it for the bride.”
Now yoga is truly more than an activity – it’s a culture and a community of its own. Its benefits extend far beyond the studio, and for many instructors and students it has become an important part of their daily lives.
“I love what I do and I’m so passionate about it. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without yoga,” Suzanne said. “The best part about it is that it’s like a big family. … My heart gets so filled with so much love and joy from teaching and being with them day in and day out. I feel very blessed.”