September is National Yoga Month, a national observance designated by the Department of Health and Human Services, designed to educate communities about the benefits of yoga. To honor the observance, I spoke with Lynne Begier, the owner of Back Bay Yoga Studio in Boston, Mass., about her successful studio and how yoga has impacted her life.
Begier was introduced to yoga while attending Georgetown College in the 90s. Struggling with eating disorders, Begier turned to yoga as a gentler form of exercise. “It helped me reconnect with my body in a way that wasn’t competitive,” she said. “It was more therapeutic.”
Begier became a full-time yoga instructor in 2001, and opened Back Bay Yoga Studio in a small 1,000-square-foot space above a pizzeria in 2002. Since then, it has continued to grow, and now boasts 8,000-square-feet of space spanning two floors, and 80 classes per week.
According to Begier, Back Bay Yoga differs from other studios in the variety of yoga styles it offers. “We have a lot of variety,” she said. “Some studios just specialize in one or two styles. A big goal of mine was to offer a wide range of yoga.” As a result, members can choose from a variety of different classes such as Vinyasa Flow, Hip Hop Yoga, Jivamukti Vinyasa and more.
Begier said there’s one myth about yoga she’d like to dispel – the one that states you have to be extremely flexible to practice it. “A lot of people say they’re not flexible enough to do yoga,” she said. “Even just the basic poses are going to give you just as much benefit.”
Additionally, Beiger said you may not “get” yoga right away. “Everyone should try yoga at least a dozen times,” she said. “When I first tried yoga it wasn’t this immediate love affair. It might take you a couple of times to find what’s right for you at this moment in you life.”
Currently, around 20 instructors teach at Back Bay Yoga Studio, and it has become one of the premier yoga studios in the area.
Do you offer yoga at your club? If so, September’s the perfect time of year to push member participation in your classes. Take advantage of summer’s nearing end and hold free outdoor yoga classes courtesy of a popular instructor, and invite the whole community.
And, if you haven’t tried yoga yourself, try giving it a go! Use National Yoga Month as an opportunity to take advantage of an exercise that’s continually growing in popularity, year after year.
Rachel Zabonick is the assistant editor for Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@clubsolutionsmagazine.com. Reach out to her about exciting events or programs your club has implemented, or to share the amazing accomplishments of a member.
