As the name implies, Yoga Sanctuary greets the senses with a calm simplicity designed to melt away daily worries. Tensions begin to ease away as you turn into the driveway lined with old cedars and rich with South Whidbey flora. The old ship slack and cedar sided building has seen huge improvements. Once the original homestead building of the Quade family, rich in history, steeped in community involvement, it is now home to beautiful Yoga Sanctuary, owned by Jim and Kathryn O’Brien. Working closely with Keith Fallows and Scott Jennings of Red Barn Construction, building materials were recycled, salvaged wood was milled and restored to life, and safe, environmental paints and wood sealant were used to create the serene space. “A spacious tranquil space in which to practice yoga is a luxury, simply pure pleasure. It cannot be found in the hype of the city or a gym; there is honestly no comparison.” says Kathryn.

Yoga has been a tremendous transformative experience for Kathryn over the last 10 years, as a teacher, a student, and manager of two Yoga Centers in California (where she met her husband Jim). “Leaving behind the distractions of fast-paced life, accountability to others, and stimuli overload, is a nurturing gift to yourself. Taking the time to get back in touch with your body, healing old wounds, finding peace within, truly is rewarding. Obvious benefits include: increased flexibility balanced with strength - (tight hips strain the knee joints due to improper alignment of the thigh and shinbone, tight hamstrings can lead to flattening of the lumber spine, which can cause back pain; strong muscles protect us from conditions like arthritis and back pain, they look good too), joints and spinal discs are taken through full range of motion,- (these parts crave motion, this is the way they receive nutrients to stay supple and healthy), corrected posture, improved circulation, easier breathing, better sleep, all the systems in the body — from the lymphatic to the digestive to the cardiovascular — benefit from yoga. So often we forget about our bodies, willing them to keep going under tremendous stress. We complain about our aches and pains, we deny ourselves the fun we used to have when our bodies were young and more forgiving. Yoga gives you the tools to let go, strengthen and be at peace with who you truly are. Our bodies respond when we sincerely listen.”

It has long been a dream of Jim’s to develop his own Yoga Center. Introduced to yoga over 13 years ago because of knee problems and pain associated with knee surgery, Jim has been passionately hooked ever since. Not only did yoga heal his knees and improve his overall well-being but his study and passion for the practice of yoga inspired him to teach others. ‘Helping people to help themselves’ is Jim’s motto. “It is not often you find a teacher as dedicated to yoga as Jim,” says Kathryn. “He lives and breathes yoga. He is very disciplined about his daily practice and up each night at 3:00am to do his breathing exercises. He is a well-respected teacher in many yoga circles and is very serious about his work.”

Kathryn and Jim moved to Whidbey Island four years ago from San Luis Obispo, California, leaving a very lucrative yoga business behind, to bring their two sons, Patrick, 7 and Clay, 4 to the Waldorf School and a rural island life. “Jim and I agreed to give Whidbey Island two years, before we truly settled here. We rented a home and were immediately welcomed into the community. It was unbelievable. We thought we were on another planet when a neighbor brought over fresh peach cobbler! We are dedicated islanders now.” Jim found work teaching yoga at Boeing, two Yoga Centers and a gym. Kathryn worked from home, continuing her home yoga practice, developing their web-based business Yoga Designs and raising their sons. She also holds part-time work at Whidbey Institute - Chinook, a non-profit educational retreat and conference center.

They invite you to practice yoga with them. With classes offered seven days a week, there is bound to be class that meets your needs and schedule. All you need to get started is the desire to find out what yoga can do for you. You don’t have to be flexible to begin - no one is too stiff or too stressed to benefit from classes. You don’t have to call ahead to register. You can even start today if you like. Show up. Be present. Watch the benefits happen.

For more information and full class schedule, call (300)579-2389 or visit Yoga Sanctuary’s web site at www.yogadesigns.com For quick reference: Mondays: 9:30am - 11:00am (all levels), 5:45pm - 7:15pm (all levels), Tuesdays: 9:30am - 11:00am (Restorative Ahhh...), Wednesdays: 9:30am - 11:00am (all levels), 5:45pm - 7:00pm (beginner), Thursdays: 7:45pm - 9:00pm (PM yoga), Fridays: 6:00am - 7:30am (all levels), 9:30am - 11:00am (gentle yoga), Saturdays: 10:30am - 12:00pm (all levels), Sundays: 9:00am - 10:15am (beginner), 10:30am - 12:00pm (community class every week for $5).

Paid Advertisement