“Sometimes you hit a home run and this program was one. It was fantastic,” said Don Murphy, president of the Sun City Center Men’s Club. He was referring to the Sept. 20 meeting where about 170 men heard about yoga from Lynne Sells, an ERYT. That’s yoga-world talk for Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. Murphy had proposed putting Sells on the program after his niece, Pamela Hack kept raving about her SCC Yoga Club’s classes.
Because we read constantly about the mental and physical benefits that yoga offers, there are those of us who say we “really would like to” but somehow just don’t — for whatever excuse we choose to use. It seems that some Men’s Club members just needed a nudge to push them off that fence; many members told Murphy they were going to check into it and some of them have already started showing up for classes — Murphy being one of them. “I tried the Chair and Bar Yoga and was terribly impressed. In that first session, I was doing things I didn’t think I could do anymore,” he said.
This area has some very vocal advocates for practicing yoga — Utley Smith for one. His three weekly Chair and Bar Yoga sessions are part of his pain management regimen. “Almost anybody can do this; it is just as intense as regular yoga. I have seen many people improve their health and learn to relax, plus it’s a confidence builder,” he said. “Everyone is friendly, supportive and encouraging — certainly not competitive.” Smith started yoga six years ago at DaVita (then JSA) when his doctor recommended it. The health gains he saw made him a believer, so when DaVita discontinued the program, Smith joined a class offered by the SCC Yoga Club.
Margaret Lambie started at DaVita too, on the advice of her doctor. She said yoga has done wonders for her “round back” as she calls it. “I still have health issues, but I am doing everything I can do,” she said. “I go to four or five yoga classes a week including Beginner Yoga (with a mat) because my body can actually move and I can get up and down now.”
Sells is what many of us would call a “yoga guru.” She was passionate about the practice even before she developed spinal issues of her own and experienced the restorative benefits first-hand. When she first started, she was amazed — and pleasantly pleased — that some of the yoga movements were somewhat the same that she had done in college dance classes. She moved to SCC in her fifties and quickly found a class, but was disappointed every time the class changed instructors. That’s when she decided to become certified to teach sessions herself.
According to a 2016 survey, more than 36 million Americans practice yoga, and that number is growing. Sun City Center residents are indeed fortunate to have so many opportunities available. In addition to the SCC Yoga Club, Kings Point, Aston Gardens, Freedom Plaza, SouthShore Library, United Community College, SCC Chamber of Commerce — all offer classes; some open to the public, some not. (Sorry for any omissions.)
Don’t be intimidated; check it out. Your body will thank you.