Laura has really made me want to visit Eureka Springs one of these days! After her post about her health yesterday, I thought I'd chime in with another local who is doing great things.
I have taken a yoga class from Nobby Ota for the last 6 or 7 or possibly 8 years. He lives in Owensville, but teaches classes in different locations throughout the region. And after all these years of teaching, he now has a brand spankin' new website - Nobby's Yoga.
Nobby is a practitioner of Kripalu yoga, which is a very gentle form of the exercise. One of the main reasons I love his class is that he is always keeping the poses fresh, while honoring each individual's abilities. There is never a worry that I'll hurt myself because Nobby does not adhere to a stringent routine. Each person can do their own form at their own pace. We all learn from each other and Nobby himself learns from each of us. I love his insights that he shares and his easy-going nature.
A frequently heard Nobby-ism is "keep the visit short," a reminder to not stay in a position so long that you become fatigued or hurt yourself. One of my favorite quotes of Nobby's is "what can be lighter, softer, freer?" It always lets me take a step back from struggling in a pose and just enjoy an easier stage of the pose. Eventually I find that the more advanced stages of a pose will come if I can just enjoy the beginning phases for as long as my body needs them without judgement.
I encourage anyone to join a yoga class, but most especially to experience Nobby's class at least once (or for many years in a row like me!).
Happy Trills,
Katie
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