Namaste, new year

Last summer, I had the opportunity to take one of Kathryn McKinley's yoga classes with a friend.

Having prior spent quite a few hours in yoga studios, discerning good and bad instructors has become a second sense.

There are the select few whose "imagine you are on a beach" speech during savasana will have students so relaxed they may nod off to sleep, and, unfortunately, the ones who lead a dull, unchallenging practice or force their class into painful positions, despite protests.

But McKinley was everything a good yoga teacher should be: soft-spoken, patient and encouraging.

Even though most of the participants were twice my age, the class was just what I needed at that point, having recently been sidelined with a nasty grade two hamstring tear.

And after a good class, students feel peaceful, relaxed and comfortably stretched out, all at once--like a power nap, but better.

Even with the wonderful instructors in our community, I find it unfortunate that stereotypes about yoga still exist

Yoga is for everyone: tall, short, thin, heavy, young, old, inflexible, Gumby-like.

It's also for all fitness levels, ranging from avid walkers to marathoners. When mainstream impact exercise, like weightlifting, running and biking, can stress the body and make it tense, yoga undoes the damage by unwinding tight muscles and achy joints while relaxing the mind.

Not sure what to expect during a class? To get the most out of the practice, wear comfortable, close-fitting clothing and lose the socks while on the mat.

Class typically begins with breathing techniques, before transitioning into sun salutations that involve planks and downward dog. During the heart of class, practicioners move through dynamic poses during warrior series, perfect their balance with one-legged exercises, later focusing on specific body areas, such as the spine or hips. The practice finally concludes with students stretched out on their backs during final relaxation.

Try a yoga class this year--your joints will thank you.

* Ashley Miller is a member of the Pilot news staff. Reach the columnist at amiller@stormlakepilottribune.com