Athmar Park

Great Health in Athmar Park

May 20, 2004

by Mark Costello

The Athmar Park neighborhood has a great resource for health. We have a yoga and alternative health studio located on the east side of the neighborhood, at Virginia and Navajo. It is called the Sina Center, and it has been in Athmar Park since January of 2001, when it was relocated by the T-Rex project, from South Pearl, near Wild Oats. (Wash Park?’s loss is our gain!) The studio is a peaceful place and a wonderful space to relax and de-stress.

Linda Sue Shirkey, who has been involved in alternative healing for many years, runs the Sina Center. She is dedicate to being a part of this community and participating in the events and projects of the neighborhood. Linda Sue would like for the neighbors to feel like they are welcome at the center. ?“Not just for our ongoing classes, but also as a resource for those who would like to teach classes or workshops. We do have an extremely limited lending library of Yoga videos and some books available. The center is also looking for holistic practitioners who would like to have a place to practice.?” says Linda Sue, before going to teach a moms-to-be yoga class.

For those of you who have been groaning that your poor body needs exercise, but you are having trouble finding the time, this is a great opportunity. The studio is five minutes away from most of the neighborhood. Classes are in the evening and the extra energy you get from doing yoga lasts for days. The best part is that once you get there, you just relax and follow the instructor through the shortest hour of your week.

I go to the evening classes and by the end of seventy-five minutes of mild stretching, and quieting my mind, I am much more relaxed and invigorated for my week. I sleep better after a class, and I notice better energy and will-power for the next few days. Some of the benefits you can expect from practicing yoga include; relaxation, muscle strengthening, reduced chronic pain, increased flexibility, weight loss, detoxification via increased adrenal stimulation, lower blood pressure, fewer headaches, better sleep, less stomach/digestive problems, increased blood circulation and increased libido.

Now is the time to get started on that long-promised exercise program with a trip to the Sina Center for a yoga class. Make it a regular part of your week!