Community Spotlight by Julie Reynolds
C
onveniently located at 617 E. Savidge Road in the Village of Spring Lake, On The Path Yoga is one of the few true yoga studios in the Muskegon/Ottawa County areas. There may be others who teach yoga classes and yoga hybrid classes at fitness gyms, churches, or even in multi-purpose rooms, but those do not compare with a studio environment that is truly designed to focus on yoga in its purest form. It is here where people will find a calming, tranquil place to soothe the soul and let the worries of the world fade away. Sandy Parker is the owner, creator and one of the principle instructors of On The Path Yoga. This business was born just over a year ago in a building that was tastefully transformed from a real estate office to the earthy place it is today. In a studio environment, she is able to better control the lighting, flooring, hours of operation, class size and have all the necessary yoga props including a rope wall. Over 25 classes are scheduled each week between a few regular instructors. Some of the classes currently being offered are: Gentle Yoga, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Adaptive Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and alignment-based Level Classes. They even offer specialty classes such as: Yoga for Runners, Shakin’ Shakti (yoga rave/dance party), Pelvic Floor Workshop, Partner Yoga, Men’s Power Yoga, Zoo Zen, Women’s Weekend Retreat and even a pre-natal class called Bija Yoga. Times vary for the specialty classes. The studio is equipped with everything that practicing yogis need, although personal props and mats can be used as well. Parker’s plans and dreams continue to evolve as she strives to create new classes to meet the needs and schedules of her clients. Sandy Parker first began practicing yoga as an escape when her children were young. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and spending more than 25 years teaching aerobics, instructing and learning yoga, coaching runners and swimmers, practicing massage therapy and working in the health and fitness world, she decided to make her dream a reality. Carolyn Heines, Kat McKinney and Senior Level Iyengar Yoga teacher, Mary Reilly, helped Parker learn the skills and knowledge that she has today, which has enabled her to build this business. Parker shows a strong passion for her craft and is dedicated to making her business the best it can be through one-on-one time with students, flexible hours and a variety of classes to choose from. Recently, Parker traveled to Chicago for an intensive workshop on pelvic floor disorders and is happy to now offer a class to help clients who have those types of needs. In addition, Parker is a certified Healthy Foot Specialist, a yoga instructor under the Yoga Fit system and recently completed training for certification as a pre-natal exercise instructor. One unique way that this yoga studio serves its clients is by offering Return2Wellness, an on-site Naturopathic Therapy business in a private, connected office. Anne VanderHoek, NT, runs this part of the business and offers a variety of complimentary therapeutic wellness practices and operates her own schedule and makes her own appointments. VanderHoek offers nutritional counseling, naturopathic consultations and body work including: relaxation massage, reflexology,
lymphatic drainage, cranial sacral, light healing touch and energy work. Clients who feel the need for the type of additional support that Anne offers have the added opportunity to be able to schedule an appointment with her when needed. On The Path Yoga is a successful, true yoga studio that fits perfectly in the village of Spring Lake. Stop by, call or sign onto the website for more information or to register for a class. Currently space is limited, classes are capped at 10-12 people per class and sign-up sheets are available in the studio as well. Classes are $10 each session with no long-term contract. There is also an option to purchase an all-inclusive type membership to take as many classes as desired. Additional resources include a Friday open studio time, which has different yoga stations set up as well as a “Zoo Zen” kids’ class that is offered monthly in the winter and weekly in the summer. Everyone is welcome at On the Path Yoga. Leave worries and cares at home and bring your body, soul, and personal spirit to On The Path Yoga in downtown Spring Lake to experience what Sandy Parker and staff have to offer. You will surely go home with a calmer, healthier body. On The Path Yoga will be moving just down the street to a new, larger facility in late spring. This move will enable them to accommodate slightly larger classes, a separate changing area and a personal gear storage area. Their new address will be at 701 E. Savidge Road. For more information, please contact sandy@onthepathyoga.com or call 616-935-7028. See ad page 16. Julie Reynolds is a contributing writer for Natural Awakenings. She has a degree in journalism and also is a certified teacher. Julie lives in the Muskegon area with her family and works as a real estate agent for Greenridge Realty and also as a substitute teacher. natural awakenings
February 2013
15