By Shannon Seyler

Special to the Sun-News The popularity of yoga is increasing not only nationwide, but also in Grant County.

Several varieties of yoga are being taught in this area, including a lineup of classes offered at the Lotus Center at 211 W. Broadway in Silver City.

At the Lotus Center, Marilynn Freeman teaches Restorative Yoga, and Matthew Sommerville teaches Svastha Yoga.

There are also other instructors teaching yoga regionally, each offering a rich variety of techniques, backgrounds and training.

Freeman has been studying yoga since 1978.

"I began taking yoga classes because I never got out of work early enough to register for dance classes," Freeman said. "The registration person suggested that I might enjoy yoga instead of dance. Little did she know!"

Her journey in yoga continued, eventually leading her into teaching. "I substitute taught for my teacher in the '70s and '80s, but received formal certification in Kundalini Yoga in 2003," she said. With a background in Iyengar Yoga and Kundalini Yoga, she is currently teaching Restorative Yoga at the Lotus Center.

"I began making yoga a daily practice around 15 years ago," Sommerville says. "Around six years ago, I realized that yoga was becoming the focus of my life. It was at that point that I trained to become a certified Svastha yoga instructor. I'm currently finishing my 500 hour Svastha yoga therapy certification." He adds, "Svastha yoga follows quite closely the ancient classical approach to yoga, placing much of its emphasis on the breath and the way the breath, the body and the mind interact."

Both Freeman and Sommerville agree that yoga is highly beneficial.

See the rest here:

Yoga more than pants, postures