Yoga books tell us that Yoga, as we all know, is aimed to unite the mind, the body and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right yoga kit and tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body’s posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start Practicing Yoga — to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful.

With all of the bends, twists and poses that work your body into a human pretzel, yoga is certainly a form of exercise that stretches you out. Yoga can improve flexibility, increase range of motion and just make you feel longer and leaner.

But if you’re someone who gets discouraged because you can barely touch your toes without bending your knees no matter how many sessions of yoga you do, take heed. Yoga is about much, much more than flexibility.

In fact, being super stretchy doesn’t make you better at yoga at all.

The biggest misconception is that one must be naturally flexible to practice yoga. But that is why there are so many different varieties of yoga. For starters, yoga is good for what ails you. Specifically, research shows that yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases. We all have something on that list. What’s more, yoga:

•Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina

•Reduces stress and tension

•Boosts self esteem

•Improves concentration and creativity

•Lowers fat

•Improves circulation

•Stimulates the immune system

•Creates sense of well being and calm.

That’s just on the surface.

In the month of August the Senior Center is offering Yoga classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sara Spevacek wants to make sure that anyone that wants to try it can, so we are offering your first time free.

After that there is only a $2 charge per class for additional classes. Sara is a Physical Education and Health Education student at Wartburg College. She has been practicing yoga for five years and has been teaching classes for two years. To sign up for this class stop by the front desk or call 433-2370 ext 0.

 Upcoming Events

Monday: Yoga 8 a.m.; blood pressure, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie, 1 p.m.; yoga, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; art class, 1 p.m.; Zumba, 3 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Yoga, 8 a.m.; Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; macular degeneration, 10 a.m.; Cards 12:30pm Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; yoga, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; art class, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; computer class, 2 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:35 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

July 23, four tables

1st Pat Swenson, 2nd Joanne Maxfield, 3rd Mary Johnson, 4th Arnie Lang, 5th Bud Higgins, 6th Caroline Higgins

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

July 24, 4.5 tables

1st Ray Schmidt, 1st Gail Schmidt; 2nd Joyce Crowe, 2nd Marge Blaser; 3rd Jaynard Johnson, 3rd John Allen; 4th Vandy Newman, 4th Steve Howard

Tuesday “500”

July 25, five tables

1st Eddie Hall, 2nd Eloise Willianette, 3rd  Dennis Bray, 4th Jerry Downing

Pinochle

1st Dave Solomonson, 1st Hilton Henschen, 1st John Karnes

Friday Bridge

July 27, three tables

1st Joyce Fadness, 2nd  Joanne Maxfield, 3rd Pat Swenson, 4th Lois Johnson, 5th Loretta Nelson

Weekly Cribbage

July 25, four tables

1st  Floyd Matter, 2nd Burt Svedine, 3rd Barb Dickman, 4th Russ Vaale

Weekly “500”

July 27, five tables

1st Wayne Chilson, 2nd Dennis Bray, 3rd Marion Zimmerman, 4th Dave Solomonson

 Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Meatloaf

Tuesday: Chicken pasta salad

Wednesday: Country style BBQ ribs

Thursday: Spaghetti and meat sauce

Friday: Fruity chicken salad