Last modified Thu., July 27, 2006 - 01:38 AM
Originally created Thursday, July 27, 2006
White-collar lotus
Many office workers finding the pace and benefits of yoga
uniquely suited to their needs
By CHRIS LAUDERMAN, The Times-Union
Cramming one more activity into an over-scheduled life doesn't
sound like the best way to reduce stress.
But many professionals on the First Coast are doing just that
- by adding a yoga regimen to
their daily routine.
Bethany Crawley, an attorney, is just one of the many white-collar
workers in Jacksonville
who have found value in the ancient practice. She took up an
athletic style of yoga
four years ago after a back injury that forced her to stop training
for triathlons.
"Yoga is most effective at keeping someone sane,"
Crawley said.
She's not alone in her thinking.
Shri Hamilton-Hubbard, owner of Bliss Yoga in San Marco said
the number of
professionals practicing at her studio has increased significantly
over the past five years.
"The studio has become a half-way house for attorneys,"
Hamilton-Hubbard jokes.
Yoga practitioners point to each of its three elements -
physical, mental and spiritual - as useful.
Hamilton-Hubbard said the physical techniques keep the body
healthy, the mental techniques develop
concentration and help to manage stress and the spiritual
techniques lead to peace and happiness.
Ken Revell started doing yoga 4 years ago for a fuller workout.
JOHN PEMBERTON/The Times-Union
Several medical studies, published in journals like the Annals
of Internal Medicine
and the Medical Science Monitor have pointed to yoga as everything
from
a back pain reliever rivaling traditional treatments - one
study said yoga was
even better than physical therapy for back pain - to a real-life
de-stresser.
Dr. Alan Halperin, a professor in the University of Florida's
Department of Internal Medicine
at Jacksonville is not surprised that cubicle dwellers have
found yoga.
That's because, as he points out, yoga not only builds muscles
in the abdominal and back areas, improves
posture and makes joints more flexible, but it also makes
people feel energized and stronger.
And, he said, yoga often helps people sleep easier.
Michael Gilbourne, who owns Bikram Yoga in Neptune Beach,
says his studio
has seen a steady increase in business people. He thinks the
root of the increase is twofold.
For one, many people find yoga can be more powerful than other
forms of exercise. Instead of just working one
part of the body, yoga works every part of the body from head
to toe. And, as word of mouth has spread that idea
through the business community, more busy executives and middle
managers give yoga a try.
Jennifer Watson, another studio owner, has seen more executives
coming through the door
- herself included. Watson, who owns Yoga Fusion in San Marco,
also works full time as a manager
at a Fortune 500 company in Jacksonville (an agreement with
her employer prevents her from naming the company).
Watson says she can relate firsthand to her customers and
their stresses.
Ken Revell, an accountant who works up to 58 hours a week
during his busy season,
began practicing yoga 4 years ago when the gym wasn't meeting
his needs. Yoga, he says, works his whole body
and helps him relax. He practices Ashtanga, an athletic style
of yoga, which he says is great for managing
the hectic moments in life and is a natural fit for a type-A
person in a high pressure job.
"During tax season my colleagues say, 'Don't you need
to go to yoga?'" Revell said.
"I do make time for it. It makes me a better person to
work with."
chris.lauderman@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4608 |
Simon
Park Yogic Arts Workshop Photos
