Resolutions; Eat healthy. Get fit. Stretch and meditate? “I think most people tend to make resolutions to get fit or lose weight and I think yoga can help with that, ” said Sarah Smeby, owner and instructor of Green Lotus Yoga in Cochrane.
Resolutions; Eat healthy. Get fit. Stretch and meditate?
“I think most people tend to make resolutions to get fit or lose weight and I think yoga can help with that, ” said Sarah Smeby, owner and instructor of Green Lotus Yoga in Cochrane. “It can be quite a physical practice, it is a work out for body, mind, and soul and you can do that simply by practicing and you can develop the skills to keep resolutions. ”
Green Lotus Yoga, the latest yoga studio in Cochrane was opened last September, located in Sunset Ridge with currently 34 classes to choose from.
“Sometimes resolutions can come with a lot of stress. The whole idea of a new year resolution is a fresh start, ” Smeby said. “Closing off (last year) and we have all just had these crazy holidays, yoga is a nice way to quiet the mind after you maxed yourself out emotionally and that I think is a good way to go. ”
The classes vary from beginner to intermediate levels, with some added children's classes as well.
“None of our classes are expert, although experts are more than welcome, ” Smeby explained.
“That is what I love about yoga, I can go to a beginners class and challenge myself even with simple poses. ”
Smeby said she worked most of her life at “normal jobs ” but her yoga practice was always an important aspect of her life.
“I always thought I would have a yoga studio at one point - I worked in the US Government for the archeology department for 10 years full time, then my husband and I moved to Australia and I worked for a health insurance company and it's just kind of your average jobs, ” Smeby said. “Then I got pregnant with (my daughter), I moved to Canada and I didn't have a job. I was being a full time mom and I realized how important yoga is to me and the opportunity came up with finding the space and it just seemed like everything fell into place. ”
Smeby said she always wanted to have a yoga studio that created a safe space for people, who may be intimidated by yoga.
“People think you have to be really strong or bendy to go and that is really not the (case), that sometimes happens, but I wanted to create a space where people feel welcome, ” Smeby explained.
The clientele at Green Lotus Yoga ranges from little kids to seniors and with 15 instructors, the owner said that so far everything has been going well.
“The space is beautiful and we love being up in Sunset -there is a pub next door, which is fun, ” Smeby said with a laugh. “It is a really great community to be a part of. ”
For more information for the studio and classes, go to thegreenlotusyoga.com
