Yoga for mind and body, offered at Fitness Source

The Fitness Source has two yoga instructors on hand who provide a unique and challenging fitness experience for the individuals who participate in their classes. Val McCartin is one of those instructors and she has been providing fitness education for more than 22 years.

''As you get older, you have to start being more careful with your body. Yoga is great for flexibility and a great exercise for increasing upper body strength. On top of that, it's relaxing. You can totally zone out of it. Your body does the motions and your mind goes to another place,'' she said. ''For active duty personnel, it's a great thing to do if you've had a stressful morning. Some people take a yoga class to put their mind at peace and then go back to work ready to face the day,'' said McCartin.

Adding yoga to an already established fitness routine also proves to be beneficial in achieving higher health and conditioning goals.

''I have been taking the class for over a year now. I do it for personal wellness, to reduce stress and increase flexibility. I run three miles each day and by adding yoga to my workout, I have found that I run smoother and my breathing flows much easier,'' stated Lt. Alexander Moir of Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Detachment Jacksonville.

During a yoga class, the instructor will put you through a series of many different positions that focus on flexibility, strength and balance. Photos by MC1(SW/AW) Heather Ewton

''My fitness training test scores have increased dramatically and my flexibility and stamina has gotten a lot better. My exercise routine was at a plateau where I didn't feel like I was making any more advances in strength or stamina. This yoga class added to that,'' commented Anita Thomp-son a nurse with the Army National Guard, Florida Medical Detachment.

''Everybody can do yoga but not everyone can do all of the postures. We use aids in the class to help people get into certain poses, such as blocks to shorten the distance between the ground and your hands or athletic straps to support arms and legs,'' said Wendy Tappen, another yoga instructor at the Fitness Source. ''I teach a class that is a fusion of yoga and Pilates called yogalates. We do a lot of abdominal, mat and core work then add in yoga to get the complete stretch and relaxation,'' said Tappan.

Yoga has been labeled by some as an easier type of activity or even viewed as something that a less conditioned person would be interested in. One Sailor had those same views on yoga and changed his mind when he gave the class a try. ''I didn't expect this class to be as challenging as it was, but it worked muscles that I didn't even know that I had! Even though it was more difficult than I anticipated, it provided me with an invigorating workout and I will definitely be back to take another class,'' stated AT3 Levan West of Naval Reserve Unit 62.

Whether you are looking for something new to try, trying to up the ante in your stagnant fitness routine or just interested in getting started, the Fitness Source is always there with a solution.

Tappan offers yogalates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon and McCartin holds yoga classes on Tuesday and Thursday at noon.

Contact the Fitness Source for a complete group exercise class schedule at 542-3518.