The Villages - June 2022 - 41

Yielding to Yoga
Martin taught a class called " Stretch Your Pain Away, " which
eventually led her to Pilates and yoga. " Pilates originated out of
yoga, which really is the basis for everything, " she said. After
advancing through many levels of training and coaching,
even teaching physical trainers, Martin and her husband
Jack moved to The Villages in 2017. She continued her wellness
career and earned her Florida license in massage therapy, a field
she had previously worked in.
" Massage was like typing - you can take it anywhere. I worked as a
massage therapist in Florida and turned my third bedroom into my home
office. I started teaching and I volunteered my time here in The Villages. "
Martin is now an instructor through the Enrichment Academy. She
brings 40 years of knowledge to the classes she teaches at area recreation
centers, combining the elements of water exercise with the principles of
yoga.
Yoga is a gentle practice that engages the body and mind, offering
anxiety and stress relief through powerful movements (asanas) that
increase awareness and flexibility, and often leave the practitioner with a
sense of gratitude and peace.
" I teach from a fascial point of view, " she said. " So, I teach yoga
differently, and this has made a huge difference. If I say, 'Come on, stand
up; think about having a pillow between your legs and you're pressing
in, and we're just coming up into mountain (pose). That's one way of
standing. Now think about your toes and the balls of the feet, and I want
you to dial them outward energetically, heels dial inward and all of a
sudden you feel a pelvic floor lift. That's fascia. "
The Benefits of Buoyancy
Incorporating the benefits of working in a buoyant environment,
Martin leads students to the water, where classes may be less intimidating
for those who struggle with balance. " You've got the resistance of the
water. And you're not going to fall on your face because you're buoyant. "
Martin says the class is fun - always a perk when it comes to building
lasting health and wellness habits.
" I have really bad knees because, for a 10-year period, I thought
I was an athlete. I became a triathlete, a distance runner and I
did maybe 60 to 100 miles a day on my bike. Oh yeah, so my knees are
gone. "
Martin says her classes allow her to teach while caring for
her knees.
" I am not having surgery, " she said.
MAGAZINE
41
The Villages - June 2022

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