Free Yoga Classes Offered For Unemployed

Barbara Colber, founder of Santosha Center for Yoga, 27 Hawleyville Road, Route 25, is reaching out to the community of newly unemployed persons by offering free yoga classes now through the holiday season to the jobless.

“We have seen so many of our regular clients who have lost their jobs,” said Ms Colber, “and we have invited them to continue with yoga at no fee, because we feel they need yoga now more than ever.”

She decided to take the offer beyond just regular clients, though, as the center has also seen a number of jobless people who would like to join, but feel that it would not be prudent to spend the money on yoga classes.

“Yoga lifts depression. There’s a happiness factor with yoga,” said Ms Colber. “It relieves anxiety and brings back joy and inspiration. The positive energy may change things within their lives,” she said.  She has seen instances in the past six months when clients, newly energized, have found employment once again.

In the month of giving thanks, she said, it seemed appropriate to give back to the community. Yoga classes are offered at 9:30 am on weekdays, and at 9 am on Saturday; evenings, at 5:15 pm, 6 pm, 6:30 pm, 7 pm, and 7:30 pm. A complete class schedule is posted at santoshacenter.com, or call 203-364-0851 for more information.

Those looking for a nurturing environment in which to relieve post-holiday stress, whether employed or not, can also find inspiration and clarity at Yoga Dimensions, 87 South Main Street, where a free weekly meditation will take place beginning in January, Tuesday nights, at 6 pm, for one hour. “It will be silent meditation, mostly,” said owner Lynda Weber, “with an inspirational reading. With the group energy it can be very powerful.”  This class is particularly good for those who do not practice yoga, said Ms Weber, but who desire relief from stress.

For more information contact Ms Weber at 203-364-9500, or visit yogadimensions.net.

Prior yoga experience is not necessary for any of the classes at Santosha Center for Yoga, or for the meditation class at Yoga Dimensions.