Yoga teacher helps Mat-Su calm down

March 23, 2007

By SHARON G. McBRIDE

Frontiersman

PALMER - Finding ways to unwind and de-stress can be hard to do, but if you are looking for way to do that and take in beautiful scenery, Tammy Moser, a yoga instructor, is ready to help.

Moser began teaching in the Valley more than 20 years ago, and opened a studio and retreat center at her home near Hatcher Pass to provide area residents a place to practice yoga and relax without having to commute to Anchorage for classes.

She teaches Iyengar yoga, a type of yoga that focuses on correct body alignment to achieve the best results from various positions.

&#8220We use props like bolsters, blocks, chairs or blankets to help our students adjust to the postures without compromising the alignment of the spine,” she explained.

If you are all for minimizing stress, but maybe you're just not into saying &#8220ommmmmm” or meditating, that's OK too, she said. Moser said she just wants everyone to reap the benefits from yoga and not be put off by the spiritual connotation that many people think yoga is all about.

&#8220It's not a religion,” Moser said.

&#8220It's just a way for the body to feel strong and flexible. Yoga is a tool to calm the mind and promotes optimal health.”

For example, one of the newest classes Moser has added her studio's schedule this year is called &#8220Mindfulness Yoga.” It's an eight-week class that is solely for stress management.

&#8220Research suggests that chronic stress and/or lifestyle choices have a significant impact on both the cause of and recovery from many health disorders,” she explained.

&#8220Yoga may prove extremely helpful because of its calming effect on the mind and nervous system, while the stretches help to release built up tension held in the muscles, and improve circulation, digestion, elimination, and hormonal function.

&#8220Yoga can be incredibly powerful tool to mitigate stress,” she explained.

&#8220It can also be a tool to heal the body naturally, where you don't have to depend on someone else to improve your health.”

Dori McDannold, a co-instructor at Yoga in the Valley, said that was just one of the reasons she became interested in yoga while she was in

college.

&#8220I realized there was more to it than just stretching,” she said.

For more information about yoga and its potential health benefits, or for a schedule of classes, interested persons can send an e-mail to tammy@yogainthevalley.com.

Contact Sharon G. McBride at 352-2250 or sharon.mcbride

@frontiersman.com.