H E A LT H become through yoga, more patient, giving, compassionate.” Lindy Lewis, who offers classes at Natural Fitness as well as one-on-one sessions in homes, has infused yoga into Pilates to create, what she calls, Piloga. “Pilates is rigid and precise,” she says. “The yoga component brings in intentional stretching, leading to a strengthening and lengthening practice.” Lewis came to yoga and Pilates after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis five years ago. Faced with a situation that would put many people in a state of defeat, Lewis instead took it to the mat. “MS was a gift to me,” she says. “It made me choose my health. In my mind, I feel that I’ve left my diseased body behind.” At every studio, a breathing success story, such as Lewis, stands in the room. “mommy-and-me” yoga, as well as dance classes. Nearly all yoga studios give back to the community by Sandpoint Hot Yoga specializes in Bikram yoga, which is ideeither offering an open class or giving donations to a worthy ally practiced in a room of 102 degrees with 40 percent humidity. The same 26 postures repeated throughout the series can be local cause. Sandpoint’s most recent community treat took place last found in any Bikram studio throughout the world. August when local studios came together to create an unforMasochism? gettable experience. Mico knew that musician Michael Franti “It’s actually one of the most beginner forms of yoga,” was a yoga practitioner, and he was scheduled to perform says instructor Kerri Kuntz. She cites benefits of heat: the at the 2010 Festival at Sandpoint – sparking an idea. Mico ability to go deeper into poses because muscles are warm invited Debbie Dippre, one of Sandpoint’s original yoga pioand relaxed, thus preventing injury as well as boosting heart neers, to host the event. An invitation was extended to Franti, rates; increasing circulation; promoting natural detoxificabut no one knew if he would be able to make it. tion through sweat; and stimulating focus and concentration “Not only did he come,” said Tamara Verby, the festival’s through each pose. accounts manager, “he actually led yoga for the first 15 min“It really just intensifies the whole experience,” Kuntz utes!” said, adding that everyone gets to their own level on their Mico added: “Michael led the opening meditation. When own terms, and consistent practice is key. he walked out from his bus, over to where we were, it was “It’s the most unselfish thing you can do,” she says. “You beautiful. Birds were chirping, drums were beating. It was a magical day.” More than 200 people turned out for the event, raising nearly $2,000 to benefit the Festival at Sandpoint’s educational mission, as well as Franti’s Sandpoint’s active yoga community is well-represented Stay Human project. by the number of studios, practitioners and types of “I was just hoping for maybe 100 yoga offered. Following are 11 offering classes regularly. people,” Mico said. Dyno Wahl, the festival’s executive Downtown Yoga, 119 N. First Ave., 255-6177, www.downtownyoga.us director, said there is talk about hostHope Memorial Center, 415 Wellington Pl. in Hope, 264-4581 ing a yoga event again next year; she Inquire Within, 516 Oak St., 255-7903, www.inquirewithin.com hopes to hold it on a Saturday so more The Integrative Athlete, 506 Oak St., 946-4855, www.theintegrativeathlete.com people can attend. “This really showed that there is a Gardenia Center, 400 Church St., 255-4450 true yoga community here,” said Mico, Mudita Yoga, 525 S. Florence Ave., 610-8470, www.yogathreads.org naming off the many local studios that Natural Fitness, 1103 Superior St., 263-0676, www.naturalfitnessgym.com participated. “Within your own studio, Sandpoint Hot Yoga, 1237 Michigan St., 263-7666, www.sandpointhotyoga.com you don’t realize how big the culture Sandpoint West Athletic Club, 1905 Pine St., 263-6633, www.sandpointwest.com is, but then to see all the studios come Twisted Root Yoga, 334 Pine St., 963-9642, www.twistedrootyoga.com together, and the different types of yoga and talented instructors, it’s really The Yoga Studio, 1309 Ponderosa Dr., 290-8789, www.sandpointyogastudio.com inspiring.”
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