By Leila Javitch

Although most of the yoga programs in our area are based in one locale, Jan Sarala Troy, who teaches Anusara Yoga, might be aptly described as an “itinerant yogi,” as she offers classes in Kent, Goshen, Washington and West Cornwall.

Troy has practiced for over 20 years, training initially in Iyengar Yoga and studying with the master yogi Iyengar himself. Anusara Yoga, combines the Iyengar emphasis on correct alignment which must underline the body postures, but stresses equally the therapeutic benefits of spirituality and an awareness of the joy of yoga. Anusara means “to follow your heart.” Troy’s classes aim to increase the practitioner’s sense of joy as well as one’s energy level and sense of well-being. Troy can be reached at 860-491-4063 or at Yogasangha.net.

North of Norfolk, weekend yoga classes are offered at Mepal Manor and Spa in New Marlboro. The Mepal teachers come from Yoga Great Barrington, a center offering traditional Hatha Yoga which focuses on the study and practice of asanas, the body postures, and pranayama, the breathing techniques.

Deborah Salem Smith, who has practiced and studied yoga for over 30 years, led the Saturday class that I attended. She invited the more advanced students to move into demanding postures if they wished  by saying, “Try this if you do it in your practice.” This approach allowed those of us at a more basic level to feel comfortable about not attempting postures that were too challenging.

Classes at Mepal are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. For an additional small fee, the Spa also offers the use of its sauna and whirlpool facilities. Call (413) 229-3498 for more information.

North and west of Norfolk is Tri Yoga on Rt. 7,  just beyond Sheffield. Classes are offered every day, most of them led by Martha Hamilton, who is a disciple of Kali Rai , a yogi currently teaching in California. Tri Yoga is described on its Web site as “a systematic method that includes the full spectrum of traditional yoga practices.”  In a typical class, emphasis is placed on the practitioner’s ease in flowing from one posture to another. There is always music to aid  the flow. The studio has a thick carpet on the floor which is kind to elderly knees. More information can be found at Tri Yoga’s Web site: Triyoga.com.

To the west of Norfolk in Lakeville is Yoga at Space directed by Sarah Getz. I was unable to attend a class there, but Getz e-mailed me that Yoga at Space has been operating for six years and offers classes and workshops in a variety of yoga traditions. All teachers are certified yoga instructors. Getz has studied numerous schools of yoga, including Hatha Yoga, Astanga, and Iyengar. She has been teaching for 12 years. The Web site is Yogaatspace.com.

Finally, we have Full Spectrum Healing right here in Norfolk. It is  an approach designed by Nini Gridley, who has been teaching yoga-based workshops for ten years. Gridley trained at Kripalu Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, which was founded on the teachings of a Kundalini master yoga, Swami Kripalu.

Full Spectrum Healing workshops focus on opening and energizing the “chakras”— the seven primary energy centers which relate to the major functions of human life. The chakras correspond to nerves in the spine; the practice of yoga becomes instrumental to healing because yoga stretches the muscles along the spine releasing the tension which can create emotional or physical illness.

Until recently Gridley directed the yoga program at Mepal Spa. She plans to offer more  classes in Norfolk in the immediate future. In essence, she sees yoga as a “path to transformation” and a way of life; and a fitness routine for body, mind and spirit which promotes “self-awareness and self-care” at any age. For more information, she can be reached at 542-1111.

Elin Larson’s Yoga for Seniors, which I was unable to attend, is meeting now at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the chapel of the Norfolk Congregational Church.