Yoga relieves stress, helps achieve peace

20 Dec 2002 | Cpl. Alisha R. Fitzgerald Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Yoga is a from of spirituality that was developed on the Indian peninsula over a period of some 5,000 years. Underlying all forms of Yoga is the understanding that the human being is more than the physical body and that, through a course of discipline, it is possible to discover what this "more" is.

Tina Marie Heinzer has been a personal trainer/fitness trainer/aerobics instructor for 20 years. About a year ago, she added yoga to her repertoire and began teaching it to classes at the Marine Corps Community Services-South Carolina Combat Fitness Center.

"At first, I hated it," said Heinzer. "It made me hurt. Once I began doing more of it, and my body got used to it, I really enjoyed it."

There are a couple of different levels of yoga the center offers to patrons. The one Heinzer instructs is designed for anyone of any fitness level, concentrating on stretching and relaxation.

"Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits," said Heinzer. "I definitely feel more flexible."
Yoga has become very popular in the past couple of years. One of the reasons being increased amounts of stress in our daily lives.

"There can be some days when you walk in the door and you'll feel like your whole body is about to explode," she said. "All the breathing you'll do here and all the stretching you'll do helps you to calm down and relieve the stress that's in your body. I'll leave here totally calm. Even my clients say they feel a lot better when they walk in the door."

Normally, Heinzer's classes only total about five or six participants, especially during this holiday season. She encourages anyone who may be even slightly curious about the class to give it a try. Especially those feeling overwhelmed by everyday activities. Even those who are looking to tone up and lose fat can help achieve their goals through yoga.

Yoga can be practiced for all sorts of reasons: to remain fit; to stay healthy or recover from health problems; to balance the nervous system; to calm a busy mind, and to live in a more meaningful way.

"I recommend the class to the drill instructors, especially," said Heinzer. "After a long day of dealing with the recruits, it would be so beneficial for them to come and participate in the class."

Yoga also acts as a supplement to improve the body's function in other activities. In weight training, it lengthens the muscles. For aerobics, it increases flexibility. It helps your body relax after a long day's work.

"It's great because it allows you to do more in other things," said Susan Haas, Depot family member. "When you're physically active, your muscles get really tight. This helps them relax and get stretched out."

Yet, traditionally, yoga has for several millennia been employed as a pathway to liberation or enlightenment. This is also something that some Depot patrons rely on it for. At the end of each session, Heinzer takes them into a deep relaxation while visualizing something calm and peaceful.

"I usually use that time for meditation and prayer," said participant Haas, who's been going to the classes for a few months now. "It's a hectic life, you come to depend on the sessions."
The fitness center also offers a Power Yoga class for the slightly more advanced patrons. Mondays and Wednesdays there is a Yoga Fit class at 6 a.m. There's also a Yogilates class at 11:45 Monday and Wednesday, as well as Power Yoga at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Yoga Fit goes at 8 a.m. Power Yoga is also held on Saturday at 9:15 a.m.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command