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.
"Their health will improve as they become more aware of their own body and start listening to their body," said Balaji.
Knowing how stressful being a mother can be, she also offers an adult class specifically for moms.
Appropriate for all fitness levels, the hourlong class combines meditation, breathing techniques and physical poses followed by guided meditation.
"My main goal is to spread the benefits of yoga to everyone," Balaji said. "As long as you're breathing, you can still do yoga and feel happier and healthier."
Sumithra Balaji contributed photo / Signal Mountain resident Sumithra Balaji is offering ongoing yoga classes at Mountain Arts Community Center.Kids' classes are offered Tuesdays from 2:30-3:15 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:30-5:15 p.m. The cost is $40 a month for one class per week.
Yoga for moms is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-10:15 a.m. for $10 per class or $40 for five classes.
A free trial class is available for both adults and kids. All classes are ongoing and participants are welcome to register for class the day of.
The Mountain Arts Community Center is at 809 Kentucky Ave. and can be reached at 886-1959, or visit signalmacc.org for more.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.