Business
Mar. 28, 2014
Ocean City Today
Page 31 REAL ESTATE REPORT
Legislation will stop insurance hikes for some
PHOTO COURTESY OF BIKRAM YOGA OCEAN CITY
Instructor at Bikram Yoga Ocean City Aviad Sasi does a toe stand in his West Ocean City studio, on Route 611 next to Shore Bank. Sasi offers classes for beginners and long-time Bikram fans alike twice daily in the 105-degree studio.
Some like it hot even with yoga We’re talking 105 degrees of Bikram practice for 90 minutes at West OC studio
By Clara Vaughn Staff Writer (March 28, 2014) If standing in a 105-degree room for 90 minutes sounds like torture, think again. Bikram Yoga Ocean City has been open just over a month, but already has a devout core practicing in its small West Ocean City studio every day. “It’s invigorating and cleansing and it gets you ramped up for the rest of your day,” said Kimberly Fernley, 44, who attends the 10 a.m. classes. “It’s my favorite workout,” classmate Vicky Liwusk said. Bikram Yoga Ocean City is the brainchild of local Aviad Sasi, who says the practice is “for everybody and every body.” He’s the first admit that he hated his first Bikram class, but the practice left him feeling so good he returned. Five years later, Sasi is a certified Bikram instructor. Bikram yoga is a 90-minute series of 26 yoga postures performed in a 105-degree room. The first half of the class is standing postures, followed by a series of sitting poses. The heat works to expand the veins
and arties, Sasi said, and the poses produce a “tourniquet effect” that blocks off part of the body and then restores blood flow with each shift in pose. “You’re healing the body from the inside out,” he said. “It’s way different from every other yoga class and any exercise you’ve done before.” Though the class sounds challenging — the goal for first-timers is to not leave for the full 90 minutes — Sasi has taught students up to 80 years old. “It’s just mind over matter every class,” he said. Since Bikram Yoga Ocean City is the only Bikram studio in the area, nearly everyone who comes in is new to the practice. Even longtime Bikram fans benefit from the class, thanks to the “constantly variable,” Sasi said. “It’s consistently the same postures, so you can see your improvement,” Liwusk said. “It’s a constant challenge.” Sasi got his start in Bikram when he moved in next door to a studio in St. Augustine, Fla. After training under a mentor there for six months, he went to Los Angeles for nine weeks of intensive schooling to become a certified Bikram instructor. He returned to his hometown last year, starting work on the studio in the Decatur Business Center on Route 611 in the fall.
As word of the studio travels, Sasi hopes to host other Bikram instructors, giving new input for returning students, he said. He would like to eventually expand the studio to include showers and a juice bar. Sasi teaches two classes a day, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., during the week and a 12 p.m. class Saturdays and Sundays. The first class is free for locals, or $20 for out-of-town drop-ins at the studio at 9748 Stephen Decatur Highway, next to Shore Bank. Come about 10 minutes early and enter through the studio’s back door. Don’t forget to bring a yoga mat, bathsized towel and water, or rent them before class. Visit www.bikramoceancity.com for membership packages and more information. Follow the studio at www.facebook.com/bikramyogaoceancity or the Twitter handle @BikramYogaOC.
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (March 28, 2014) On March 21, President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 into law. This law repeals and modifies certain provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, which was enacted in 2012. The Senate voted 72-22 and the House voted 306-91 to approve this legislative reform that will block dramatic increases in premiums paid by some property owners. The bill that passed was a compromise measure resulting from intense negotiations in the House. Under the bill, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums cannot increase more than 18 percent annually. Also, the bill allows people buying homes covered under the NFIP to pay the subsidized premium rate when purchasing, rather than the higher rate. This “assumption” of existing flood insurance policies has been an important role in selling homes in our area. According to FEMA, flooding is the most common natural disaster in the U.S. Recent years have seen more frequent severe weather events, like Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the East Coast. It is important to note that premiums under the NFIP have been heavily subsidized by taxpayers and the program is $24 billion in debt, so increases in rates are necessary, but need to be implemented responsibly. For anyone to be able to purchase an NFIP policy, the only requirement is that they live in a participating community. When joining the program, the community agrees to assess flood risks and to establish floodplain management ordinances. In return for taking these actions, residents are able to purchase federally backed flood insurance policies. One of the cornerstones of the NFIP is the flood mapping program. FEMA works with states and local communities to conduct studies on flood risks and develop maps that show the level of risk for that area, called a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The FIRM provides useful information that can assist in communities in planning development. Worcester County is scheduled to adopt new flood maps in 2015. Lauren Bunting is a licensed REALTOR®with Bunting Realty, Inc. in Berlin.