The Villages - June 2017 - 7

The session is our contribution
to National Yoga Day. It's our
way to celebrate with the
community and help people
share the practice with others.
- Katie Burns
"It's a balanced class, not necessarily for beginners
alone, but with lots of options because yoga can be very
gentle, mindful, yet strenuous," Burns said. "But it's a
great workout and it's fun to have different instructors
lead each portion."
Achieving an inner quiet is the main function of yoga,
but how is it possible amid a crowd of hundreds in a
public place? Burns said it's easy when you recognize that
everyone has come with the same intention.
"Very few people arrive with the intent to impress
others," she said.
Instead, it's a time to let go, let your limbs stretch and
explore, and allow your mind to befriend your body.
"The session is our contribution to National Yoga Day,"
Burns said. "It's our way to celebrate with the community
and help people share the practice with others. I
encourage anyone with an interest to try it. Everyone can
partake and be successful."
Burns hopes people will leave with an understanding
of how yoga affects movement outside of a class -
because yoga extends beyond the mat.
"It becomes more than mental and physical exercise,"
Burns said. "It teaches us how to properly move through
everyday life; we're training the muscles of the body to
support better alignment. Our hips, knees and toes learn
to turn in the right direction. And best of all, we find we
are able to invite new possibilities, achieve new things and
give ourselves the grace to challenge our fears."
Village of Charlotte resident Karen Beatty has been
practicing yoga for a decade. After her husband, Phil's,
heart surgery a year ago, she got him to join. Beginning
first with chair yoga, he worked up to a more vigorous
flow. The two take classes several times per week now,
including Burns' Centergy classes, along with other types
of exercise.
"Yoga keeps me limber," Beatty said. "And the older I
get, the better it is."
Burns said Centergy is faster-paced than the session
on the square. Set to upbeat music, it offers an aerobic
component.

"I've seen some wonderful things happen as a result
of the class," Burns said. "People who spent all their lives
exercising and being really intense find they can actually
enjoy exercise, be happy without the exhaustion. On the
flip side, those who have never exercised can get into it,
get comfortable with it and find they are willing to test
themselves. That confidence leads to other things."
As Burns gears up for the annual yoga soiree on the
square, she offers advice to those who can't wait to get
started. Ease into it with hatha, a light, yet invigorating
style of yoga that is not meticulously focused on
precision and alignment. And for those who want a
more dynamic flow, ashtanga may be the right fit. The
physically demanding practice offers longer holds, more
structure and emphasis on perfecting each posture.
Those who attend the yoga class at the square will
experience both styles.

NatioNal Yoga DaY
Join Burns and other yoga enthusiasts
of all levels for Yoga on The Square:
8 a.m. on June 21, at
Lake Sumter Landing Town Square
Mats will be provided.

MAGAZINE

7



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - June 2017

Contents
The Villages - June 2017 - Cover1
The Villages - June 2017 - Contents
The Villages - June 2017 - 1
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The Villages - June 2017 - 3
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