Sumithra Balaji initially became interested in yoga as a way to potentially help her son overcome breathing problems he was experiencing. The difference it made for her son, who, through practicing yoga, was able to stop using an inhaler, led her to want to continue to share the benefits of yoga with others, she said.
A yoga instructor for the past three years, Balaji went through a 60-day intensive yoga teacher training in Pondicherry, India, as well as a 200-hour yoga teacher training course. She recently moved to Signal Mountain from Tampa, Florida, for her husband’s job at Unum, and began teaching yoga for women and children at the Mountain Arts Community Center this month.
Balaji specializes in Iyengar yoga, which focuses on precise body alignment for maximum benefit.
Her kids’ class, designed for ages 5-12, helps children bring awareness to their bodies and learn to control their emotions and stress responses. Classes begin with games or stories related to the day’s yoga practice, which includes breathing techniques and learning poses using proper alignment. Practice ends with guided relaxation.
Sumithra Balaji contributed photo / Signal Mountain resident Sumithra Balaji is offering ongoing yoga classes at Mountain Arts Community Center.When kids practice yoga regularly, she said, benefits include improved concentration and focus and the ability to express emotions such as anger and frustration in positive ways.