by Julie Eisenberg

Yoga is not just a passing fad. According to a recent study, 36.7 million people in the United States already practice yoga, up from 20.4 million in 2012. That means that over 10% of the US population now already takes yoga classes (or practices at home), and another 24% have said that they are likely to start practicing in the coming year!

Luckily, Petworth residents have an easy way to get started. Lighthouse Yoga Center, a small, community-oriented and locally-owned yoga studio located at 4203 9th Street NW, offers a 6-week course called Yoga Fundamentals that’s a great way to introduce you to the practice in a non-competitive and unintimidating way. (Ed note: Petworth News readers can save 10% off when you register with code PNews5 at checkout.)

*Yoga instructor Naomi teaching a class*

Our first Yoga Fundamentals series started just under two years ago, and since then dozens of people of all ages and walks of life have completed the course. Many of our Fundamentals students have continued through our Level 1 and Mixed Level classes to build a consistent practice. Others have repeated Fundamentals numerous times in hopes of developing a solid home practice. Two or three have even entered our Teacher Training program after discovering that they love yoga so much that they want to share it with others!

But maybe you’re asking yourself, “Why do I need to do yoga?” The majority of people who start taking yoga classes do it for physical exercise, stress management, or improved health. According to the NIH, yoga may help alleviate low back pain, lower blood pressure, and relieve anxiety and depression. People often notice the benefits right away; many of our students at Lighthouse comment how they feel so much more relaxed after class!

It’s important that you start by taking classes with teachers who are trained and certified. That way you’ll develop a solid foundation for your practice and you’ll get help with any pre-existing injuries or special conditions you might be dealing with. You may be a world-class athlete, or maybe you’ve been living as a couch potato for these past couple years, or maybe you’re a busy parent of young kids who barely has time to take a shower. The great thing about yoga is that you can go at your own pace; you start by learning the basic postures and build from there.

*Students participating in a recent Fundamentals class*

Committing to a short-term yoga course like Fundamentals allows you to ease into the practice. It’s an hour a week of self-care that hopefully will open up a world of possibilities. Once you’ve had the opportunity to try it out, you can explore the different styles of classes, work with different teachers, and maybe even make a commitment to becoming a regular!

Check out our upcoming Yoga Fundamentals series at Lighthouse Yoga Center and join your neighbors to give it a try. The next course begins on July 27.

We look forward to seeing you soon on the mat!

Ed note: I'm pleased to present an article by Julie Eisenberg, owner of Lighthouse Yoga on 9th Street and a long-time sponsor and supporter of Petworth News. Julie wrote this sponsored article on behalf of her studio's latest yoga class for beginners, called "Yoga Fundamentals."

Petworth News readers can save 10% off when you register with code PNews5 at checkout.