Fitness From The Field: Zaanti Yoga, Hatha Yoga Path To Peace

The Rural Intelligence region offers a plethora of fitness and healing modalities, but it can be hard to know which is the one that fits your needs, your body type and your schedule. Enter Paula Boyajian, a yoga instructor certified in Interdisciplinary Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child, who has taken on the role of RI’s fitness contributor to sleuth out the details of the many health and wellness options in our area.

Sunday mornings = fat newspapers to peruse and no mail to sort; savoring mugs of coffee rather than gulping them down in a rush to get out the door and making your way to yoga class because you want to, not because you’re supposed to. A yoga class on a Sunday morning is an absolute treat at Zaanti (pronounced 'Shanti") Studio. Zaanti is the Sanskrit word for peace, and after taking a class with Cathy Salvini, M.Ed. CYT, I walked away feeling peaceful and connected to myself and the world around me. What It IsThis is traditional hatha yoga taught in a gentle, flowing manner. What makes this class stand apart from others is certified yoga instructor Cathy, whose calm voice is soothing and inspiring, allowing you to find a deeper sense of self-acceptance and confidence. As you begin to move, she reminds you to check in with “Body." At first I thought it was unusual that she didn’t use possessive pronouns, but then I started thinking about “Body" as someone’s name, like “check in with Suzy and see how she feels." I realized “Body" is me. What better way to wholly and genuinely experience the literal meaning of yoga: “to yoke; to unite" your mind, body and breath. BenefitsOf course, you will develop flexibility, strength and coordination and you’ll get some cardio exercise in with sun salutations, but Cathy’s class can also help you release all the “stuff" you cling to despite its negative nature. I was more able to cultivate a deep sense of what is truly important, here, than in any class I’ve taken. Her steady reminders to take each pose and movement “one breath at a time" helped me stay in the moment and develop attentiveness and grace. In fact, during Tree pose, I felt my arms moving upward so effortlessly that if I'd been told strings were attached and someone else were controlling me, I'd have believed it. After an hour and a half of yoga, I felt nurtured and supported. I can’t count the number of yoga classes I‘ve taken, but I can say this class is the one that left me closest to what you'd imagine yoga is all about. Activity LevelModerate: There is the assumption that we have enough yoga experience to know how to do the poses, so more time is spent on holding the pose, tuning in and reaping the benefits. This doesn’t mean Cathy won't assist you or suggest using of blocks or taking a break any time you need it. She leads you to do what Body and Breath want to and feel ready to do. Overall, this approach creates a smooth flow that helps you feel poised and self-assured. Zaanti also offers beginner, all-level and restorative yoga classes as well as Pilates classes. A pre-natal yoga class will be starting soon.

Instructor InformationIn addition to being a Kripalu-certified yoga teacher, Cathy has both a bachelors and masters in education and has taught elementary education for 28 years. The caring and devoted nature that it takes to be an elementary school teacher shows in her personalized classes, in the way she greets students by their first name and welcomes you to connect with each other by sharing “Namaste" at the end of class. With her open mind, generous heart and genuine love of sharing yoga with the world, Cathy, a lifelong resident of the Berkshires, is a true gift to us all. Facility/AmbienceZaanti is the prettiest yoga studio I’ve ever been in. As you near the studio entrance, a sweet, contemplative Buddha welcomes you. The lobby has comfy coaches and plenty of room to take off your shoes and organize yourself without bumping into other students. On a more practical level, the studio boasts 2,300 square feet and is divided into a lobby, two yoga studios and a massage room, all spotlessly clean with shiny bamboo floors. CostIndividual classes are $15. Packages — that don’t expire —are available: $120 for 10 classes and $65 for 5 classes. There are also monthly specials and currently there's an unlimited summer package for $100, allowing you to go as often as you'd like through September 1. Yoga classes are 1½ hours long, Pilates classes are 1 hour. Private yoga sessions, massage and Reiki are available by appointment. Zaanti Yoga449 Pittsfield/Lenox Road, Lenox, MA (turn in at the Hampton Inn sign, studio is on lower level.) (414) 496-YOGA or teachcathy@msn.com