December 2, 2024

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New yoga studio to promote health for all

New yoga studio to promote health for all

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What they do is all in their name.

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Sherwood Park Yoga has been opened for more than a month in the Millennium Professional Centre at Unit 220, 849 Premier Way, on the second floor next door to Crescendo Music.

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With six instructors, the new yoga space provides the typical traditional classes but has a strong focus on pain care and the therapeutic side of yoga. Its goal is to provide a variety of classes for all ages and abilities in an accessible and inclusive environment. The studio welcomes those new to yoga and those who have mobility restrictions or health conditions that require modifications.

The News dropped by the new sun-filled, airy studio on Thursday, April 11.

“I definitely want to help people. I want to help people who are in pain or are seeking peace or performance,” said Sherwood Park Yoga owner and certified instructor Jason MacDonald.

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MacDonald’s yoga practice is rooted in empathy and personal experience. He began practicing yoga in 2007 when he wanted to add it to his routine to gain more flexibility while he was playing competitive hockey and soccer.

“I was shocked immediately in my first class,” MacDonald recalled. “I was always the guy who stretched more than my other teammates. And in that first class, I still remember it, there was a feeling shooting down my right quad to my knee and I was wondering if I was having some kind of medical thing. These areas were so locked and what you normally do for stretching in sports wasn’t even touching these spots. So that was the big eye-opener and that started the journey.”

Sherwood Park Yoga
Sherwood Park Yoga owner and certified instructor Jason MacDonald began practicing yoga in 2007 and over time, he used it to manage pain and increase flexibility. Lindsay Morey/News Staff jpg, SP, apsmc

Outside of coaching hockey and basketball since 1994 that involved aspects of yoga, and teaching friends and family, this business is his first foray into teaching yoga professionally.

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The former welder and financial service professional suffers with chronic pain and arthritis, but yoga has helped alleviate that pain.

“As I increased my practice and increased it, I noticed that certain things started to fade away. I noticed that I was under the deck fixing something in a crouched position and I haven’t had to bail and reset. And things started to get better and better. I literally went from taking painkillers and sleep medications to get to sleep and sleeping four or five hours to not needing it anymore,” MacDonald said.

“I thought about what if others are in a similar situation and what if we can help them, so I said let’s go for it,” he added.

The family-owned business has quickly jumped into giving back to the community through its first karma class held last Friday with all proceeds supporting the Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) Society as well as leading a free kids yoga class last Friday afternoon at the local Chamber’s Great Canadian Trade Fair.

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Sherwood Park Yoga
Sherwood Park Yoga offers traditional types of yoga classes and focuses on pain care. The studio welcomes those new to yoga and those who have mobility restrictions or health conditions that require modifications. Photo supplied jpg, SP, apsmc

Sherwood Park Yoga also made sure to shop local throughout its construction, using local companies to get the job done.

The studio will soon offer yoga workshops for teens for both general yoga and for sports teams looking to work on injury prevention, physical and mental health and strength. The business also offers specialized kids yoga.

The business is also renting out some studio time for those needing to practice, dance or needs a space.

If you’re interested in trying the studio, everyone’s first class is free.

For classes, download the MindBody App and search Sherwood Park Yoga. The business is also offering unlimited yoga for your first month for $59.

For more information, go to sherwoodparkyoga.ca or call 780-905-9642. You can also follow Sherwood Park Yoga on Facebook and Instagram.

[email protected]

X: LindsayDMorey

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