A big HEY! and shout out to Sarah Ryder and The Hammock for their thrice-weekly ZOOM yoga sessions that have put some anticipation, routine and stress-relief into my aimless and disjointed life during this pandemic. I WILL remember your gracious gift of free yoga during this time and when we can once again meet together in your studio, I will be a most loyal client! Thank you! -Lynda
Such a great class! You teach such good yoga classes, Sarah. Great variety of poses, you are intuitive to the attendees, and you explain everything well. Thank you for your gift of teaching. Lowell is blessed to have The Hammock and you. -Tammy J.
I have been practicing yoga with the Hammock, beginning with only Sarah, for over 10 years. I keep coming back because yoga makes me feel good! It works the body/mind connection, and learning is ongoing. I am still learning to use the power of the breath and to focus on only my own mat…each student’s yoga class is for no one else in the class. All Hammock instructors want us to challenge ourselves, but at the same time are accepting and respectful of limitations and where you are on your yoga journey. -Kathy B.
I met Sarah and started yoga about 4 years ago. Had gone to yoga classes when my boys were younger with a group of friends. All of whom are still friends today. As I remember, it was much easier back then than when I started with Sarah. At the time I investigated yoga again I was having difficulty with my knees, back and getting up and down off the floor. Our beginning Gentle Yoga class was just three people, Barb, Bonnie and me. It was a great way to start strengthening my body. The class has grown and I’m fortunate to have many new friends from our class. I’m 76 years young and plan on continuing to come to yoga until I’m no longer physically able to make it. It not only keeps our bodies flexible and moving but it wonderful for the soul. -Sharon D.
My good friend Marge told me about the yoga classes at The Hammock, so I came because of her. I have been practicing yoga for about 9 years now and plan to always practice yoga for strength, balance, and flexibility. My body really needs these.
I love the atmosphere at The Hammock: the personalities of the teachers and their styles of teaching yoga; the room and lighting. Lovely people practice yoga. I have made friends there and the classes are fun. The classes offered at a yoga student’s swimming pool are such a treat every summer.
Simply go to a class to experience it at your own pace. Know that each person is there for themselves and their own workout journey; there is no competition. Breathing is a primary part of yoga and the teachers help you learn this. It is very important to how your body works in yoga. – Tammy J.
I was having a very difficult time with arthritis in my hips, knees, and hands. I started taking yoga classes with Sarah and two years later, the results of beginning this form of exercise has been amazing. Even a month after beginning classes I noticed a difference. Now my flexibility, balance, and strength are nothing short of a miracle. “I am nearly pain-free.” – Marcia K.
I was reluctant to get into yoga as I thought it not much of a physical But with the urging of Marcia Kapolka; a fitness friend from a Toning with Weights class, I tried the yoga experience. How wrong I was in my thinking that yoga was an ineffective exercise regimen! As I struggled to hold my first Warrior pose for the requisite 30 seconds, I was certain my arms weighed at least 10 pounds apiece! I soon realized that yoga is kind of a sneak attack exercise practice. To hold a yoga pose demands that all of your concentration and body be attuned to the muscles required to hold your arms in this way, your legs in that way, your core helping stabilize and center your efforts. I could no longer let my mind drift to tasks on my to-do list and run through the motions in a yoga class. It took almost a whole year of a regular yoga practice to even learn to breathe properly – as Sarah says “There is power in the breath”. When I learned to breathe with my poses, I became more attuned to slight nuances in body alignment that helped enrich the pose and my whole practice. I now know the power of the breath and have passed it on to my Storytime kids in my job at the public library.
Yoga is a time just for myself. I can let the stress and worry of everyday life melts away and focus solely on myself and how I am feeling. I think only of the breath, the opposing movement of arms, legs, feet, hands and head and of balance. I can tailor my movements to how I am feeling in the moment because the movement is just for me, not the rest of the class or the instructor or anyone else. It is my hour of that day where I can put ME front and center with no regrets, apologies or shame. I hope to engage in a regular yoga practice until a very old age. I have made some wonderful friends in this studio. Yoga makes me happy, a peaceful happiness. Thank you. -Lynda A.
Having to handle everyone’s emergencies on a daily basis is really draining and yoga is my outlet to regroup myself and let go of any anxiety I’m holding onto. I can honestly say I notice a change in my anxiety levels if I take a week off from yoga. Probably my favorite part of yoga is the balancing poses. It really helps me focus and be present in the moment. What I love about attending yoga at The hammock is the variety in the teaching styles. It keeps things interesting and encourages me to attend more than one class throughout the week. -Rachel
