ATTICA, Ind. — For some Americans the word ‘yoga’ evokes images of wrinkly Hindu gurus folding themselves up in one mind-boggling position after the other, pushing the limits of the human body and defying the laws of nature. The good news is you don’t have to be able turn yourself into a “human pretzel” like the old yogis in order to join a yoga class, according to Rachel Polezoes of Williamsport. “Anybody and anyone can benefit from yoga,” the assistant yoga instructor said.

For the past year, Polezoes has practiced yoga under careful mentoring of her instructor and friend from high school, Tommy Galloway of Attica. On most weekdays, the two can be found holding classes in a discreet steel building just outside Rob Roy, but now Polezoes is getting ready to start several new classes on her own, including one in Williamsport and one in Covington.

“I’m really optimistic and excited. This is a big highlight for me,” she said about becoming an independent yoga instructor.

Hindus have practiced yoga – which means ‘union’ in Sanskrit – for thousands of years and the techniques that Galloway has taught Polezoes blend several traditions, including Hatha, Ashtanga, Tantra, Kriya and Mantra yoga. Galloway, a martial-arts specialist and 1993 graduate of Attica High School, discovered yoga 14 years ago as a way of rehabilitating the injuries he sustained while he was in the military. Today he also uses yoga and meditation as tools to balance his mind. “It gives me peace of mind and a healthy perspective on world conditions. But the best part of yoga is the community of people who participate. That’s very important,” Galloway said.

In recent years gyms and fitness centers have helped popularize yoga in the U.S. by promoting it as a way to gain physical strength and flexibility. In traditional yoga, however, posture is only one of several key elements. Galloway and Polezoes said their classes are different from most of those found in gyms, since they also emphasize meditation and sometimes include discussions about health and nutrition. “We always start (class) with an opening meditation, so people can turn off their busy day schedules,” Polezoes said. “The meditation stills your mind and lets you appreciate the simple things in life.”

Polezoes, a 1992 graduate of Seeger Memorial High School, said she started practicing yoga about two years ago as a way to increase self-awareness. Since she was already fit and flexible from years of training karate, Galloway was able to fast-track Polezoes through the formal three-tiered program to become an instructor.

On Saturday, which happens to be National Yoga Day, she’ll start her first classes at the Warren County Learning Center in Williamsport. Later this spring she plans to hold classes in the basement of Fourth Street Gallery in Covington. Gallery owners Debra Duncan and Jim Deschene are in the finishing stages of remodeling this space and will announce a start date for the classes closer to time.

Polezoes welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, and said yoga can benefit people in different ways depending on their experience levels.

“For a lot of people half the battle is just walking through the door,” she said.

Galloway added that participants can expect to receive a lot of “genuine support and enthusiasm” from their instructors. “Some people are really shy about coming to class, and some have a lot of body issues, so (being supportive) is a big focus for us as instructors.”

FYI

Rachel Polezoes will hold yoga classes at the Warren County Learning Center in Williamsport at 10 a.m. EST Saturdays beginning this week. The cost is $50 for eight weeks. Register by calling the center at (765) 764-1880. Classes will be held at Fourth Street Gallery on the courthouse square in Covington later on. Contact Polezoes at (765) 299-5257 for details.