With each new year on the horizon, we are patterned to reflect on the past 12 months. We hope and believe we can improve in many ways, whether in health, relationships, spiritual goals or finances.
This pressure can add to insurmountable stress and impossible goals. After all, life often reminds us we are not always in control of our desired outcome.
One positive step we can take is the practice of yoga. Becoming centered and present is not only an exercise of the mind but also involves our body in a confluence of breath and movement, strengthening our awareness and sense of self in the moment.
Two yoga studios are located here in Fredericksburg. Both are very much a growing part of our community for all ages and genders.
Evelyn Washburne founded Blossom Yoga after incorporating the practice back into her life after becoming a certified teacher. As a mother, wife and business owner, Washburne felt the call to return to a practice she began as a child. She cites her parents’ love of yoga as something akin to the first "Freethinkers" that settled in our area.
This helped Washburne throughout her life and especially during her pregnancy. Washburne states, "So many sports look at measurable results. Yoga incorporates how to move your body and spirit by staying connected through practice. The gift of yoga is that it can be done anywhere, it does not need a dedicated space (but) can be done anytime, anywhere."
Washburne opened Blossom Yoga so she could "help the community find calm and connection through nourishing, daily movement.”
Classes are posted on her website. Washburne encourages all ages at any stage of life to come in and explore with her growing community.
"Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would,” Washburne said.
Another yoga instructor using her passion to provide healing is Alison Pounds of Good Foundation and Blossom Yoga. Pounds’ need for yoga developed while in college as she suffered with anxiety and serious illness, and suffered from symptoms that flared up with her emotional and mental health.
"With yoga at this time I saw a noticeable improvement in all aspects of my life outside of talk therapy.” This is why Pounds is very vested teaching through somatic healing work- yoga for trauma. She is very involved in working with clients of all ages to help heal and process trauma, chronic stress, postpartum depression, domestic violence and more. Pounds instructs how to understand balance and boundaries through movement, breath work and flow.
These self-care practices allow her students to connect with their own bodies by turning inward and listening, re-establishing that connection and sense of strength to one’s physical and emotional self.
Pounds states, "The goal of trauma-informed yoga practice is to build resiliency and establish greater self-regulation. It's about feeling safe and at home in our bodies, creating a sense of stability, healthy self-esteem and sustainable healing.”
Soma yoga classes and private sessions with Alison Pounds can be found online with both Blossom Yoga and Good Foundation as well as alisopoundsyoga.com.
Whatever goals or intentions you have set for the new year, Alison Pounds and Evelyn Washburne wish to remind us that yoga is a wonderful way to incorporate more of "yourself" in your daily life.
Blossom Yoga is at 334 West Main St. in Fredericksburg. Their website is blossomyogafbg.com.
Alison Pounds offers both group and private yoga sessions and can be reached at 423-295-5294 or visit her website at alisonpoundsyoga.com. Good Foundation is at 613 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg.
Pounds states, "The goal of trauma-informed yoga practice is to build resiliency and establish greater self-regulation. It's about feeling safe and at home in our bodies, creating a sense of stability, healthy self-esteem and sustainable healing.”