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Business & Tech

Shanti Yoga Brings New Options To Local Practitioners

Perceiving a shortage of yoga practice spaces on the East side, Grosse Pointe Woods resident Cheryl Koch has opened a new studio in St. Clair Shores.

“Be well, be free, be peaceful, be happy” is the mantra of Shanti Yoga, a new studio opened by resident Cheryl Koch.

Located at 23217 Nine Mack Drive in St. Clair Shores, Shanti Yoga has seven certified instructors who offer “a full range of yoga for practitioners of every capability,” said Koch, who has been teaching since the mid-1990s. “We are delivering health and well being to people who need it.”

Named after the Sanskrit word for “peace,” Shanti Yoga offers an array of practices that focus on relaxation, flexibility, and the prevention of adverse health conditions such as high blood pressure and circulatory problems. They include:

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Sunrise Ashtanga: A shortened form of the primary series of Ashtanga Yoga taught by internationally known ashtanga teacher Sri Pattabhi Jois, this involves sun salutations, a standing series of postures, seated series, gentle back bending/heart opening, inversions and rest.  All with breath-linking transitions known as vinyasas.

It's Your Back Yoga: A “challenging yet relaxing yoga practice” that combines postures and breathing techniques that help prevent as well as treat back pain.

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Hatha Yoga Flow: A flow of postures and breathing techniques to make the spine supple and promote circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues.

Candlelight Flow: Surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight, students breathe and stretch with a vinyasa flow and long, “restorative” postures.

Be Happy Hour Restorative Yoga: This practice uses props to support the body and internal organs and engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to lower the heart rate, blood pressure, and restore the immune system.

Koch, who has been teaching throughout the community in schools and gyms, opened Shanti Yoga to have her own dedicated practice space and to provide more options to practitioners in St. Clair Shores and the Grosse Pointes, which she considers “underserved” areas.

“People from the East side have been going to the West side to practice yoga, but it’s important that people look to what’s here before going over there,” said Koch. “It’s all about sustainability, just like eating local and not driving gas-guzzling cars. Yoga’s not a place; it’s inside.

Shanti offers package rates for classes as well as 30 days of unlimited yoga for $108. Its “drop-in” fee for a one-time practice is $15. It also offers a free one-week trial to residents of Macomb, Wayne and Oakland Counties and a 10 percent discount on yoga class packages to students 24 and younger and seniors 65 and older.

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