Just say ‘Omm’

by Rachel Esterline, Vision Mid Michigan

OmBodies Yoga Studio and Boutique in downtown Mount Pleasant is brightly lit in the front area with yoga mats and organic clothing available for purchase. Behind a wall, the muted lighting, candles and soft yoga music lend a sense of calmness to the people who are participating in the 5,000 year old practice of yoga on the wood floors.

Participants at the studio, which opened February 2009, range in age from 10 years old to 70 years old and there are a range of body types, said Heather Frees, owner of the studio.

“There are modifications that can be made, adjusting for every body type and for old injuries, and you can still see the benefits of yoga,” Frees said.

Frees’ studio is one of a number of mid-Michigan yoga studios that has sprouted up to cater to the growing demand by local residents.

Frees, who grew up in the mid-Michigan area, started doing yoga when she was living on the east coast. After practicing for four years, Frees got her teacher training certification. She trained for an additional three years with her teacher and continued her education with workshops and conferences.

“Then I decided to bring it home,” Frees said. “I wanted to get back to where I started. To do what I love to do, but have it fill my personal needs as well.”

Frees said yoga practice can help you become better at your other activities. Most activities, according to Frees, like running and cycling shorten your muscles, whereas yoga lengthens your muscles.

“There’s a saying that yoga is good for everything you do and everything you do is bad for your yoga,” Frees said.

Lisa Ferden, who has been going to the studio since it opened, said Frees is supportive, encouraging and positive.

“Heather gives us not just a physical practice, but also some yogic practice – some life lessons,” Ferden said.

Ferden said yoga also has helped ease aches and pains.

“I think she’s a great addition to the downtown area, catering to all ages,” Ferden said. “Yoga is a great element of my day,” she said.

Yoga for every-body

The studio, which offers classes seven days a week, recently began offering yoga for children.

“A lot of kids are being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD,” Frees said. “Yoga helps kids learn how to focus when they need to focus, even if it’s just for a half-hour.”

Frees also is certified in prenatal yoga. In addition to yoga being beneficial for soon-to-be moms, it also can help those after the baby is born.

“Yoga is beneficial throughout the entire pregnancy,” she said. “It gets her body strong for labor, delivery and after the baby is born. It’s geared on those muscles you’ll be using.”

Frees said expanding her class offerings is likely in the future.

“I’d like to maybe add gentle yoga or something else geared to older people,” she said.

Frees also would like to help people with problems such as Parkinson’s disease as well as offer yoga for cancer patients.

Stephanie Kelly, a Central Michigan University senior from Brighton, said the classes help her relax.

“I worry less. I just don’t let things get to me,” Kelly said. “With my body, I think I’m stronger. I don’t get as many headaches and backaches.”

Kathleen Bracken, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant and works downtown, said yoga helps her feel stronger.

“I did have high blood sugar, but I don’t anymore,” Bracken said. “My mood and everything is so much better. The benefits are endless.”

Find a studio in your area:

OmBodies Yoga Studio
126 South Main St.
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 317-3035

The Yoga Place
139 1/2 E. Main St.
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 832-8387

Studio Core
30 N. Center Rd
Saginaw, MI 48638
(989) 793-CORE

MyGym
888 S. Mission St. Suite 103
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 779-2310

Pure Prana Yoga Studio
128 Ashman Circle
Midland MI 48640
(989) 859-0444