Inhale forward … and exhale back … Inhale up … now exhale down.

As peaceful tribal melodies play in the background, Helen Kunze guides her students through the positions of the art of Yoga. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-10 a.m., members of the community are attending class to learn and maintain this flexible method of exercise at the Fair Acres Family YMCA.

"I have a pretty good turnout, and we’re getting some men in the class too," Kunze said.
On Friday, there were 10 students, but Kunze said she averages six to seven students per lesson. The class is always a beginners to intermediate level.

“There’s always new people," Kunze said. "And you have to explain each position whereas in the upper levels, they just do it.”

Kunze practiced Yoga long before she instructed. At one time, the YMCA had another instructor, but when she passed away on March 3, 2006, the students left. Kunze chose to continue her Yoga practices with videos at home, until September 2007.

“I got tired of not having a teacher, so I started teaching it myself,” Kunze said.

Kunze will complete her 200-hour training this month at the Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville, Ark. Her expertise is in Variyoga, which is a blend of three different types of Yoga. There are several different types of Yoga, and Kunze said some it can be strenuous.

When word got out that Kunze was teaching a class, some of the original students under the former teacher immediately signed up. Kunze said the same people who were her workout buddies are now her students.

"She rocks," said Kristin Huke, who has known Kunze for a while. "I have a weak lower back, and so Helen showed me how to make it better, and I can absolutely tell the difference. It’s strengthening the core of the body.”

The class provides straps, blocks, and students are to bring (if needed) blankets, mats and bare feet. For sanitation purposes, students are encouraged to purchase their own mat for Yoga. The bare feet are more helpful than wearing shoes, because toes are a main sourse of balance.

As students position themselves in the beginning sitting pose, Kunze explains that all breathing in Yoga is done through the nose. Then, all students close their eyes.

"I know that’s weird to come to a class and close your eyes," Kunze told her students.
Through the different positions of Yoga, students balance thier weight, focus on single points, relax and yet try to flex different parts of the body.

“I’m finding muscles I didn’t know I had,” said Pam Schaffer, who is experiencing her first Yoga. “It is hard, some of those stances are difficult to hold.”

For Jacquelyn Potter, Yoga is not new to her.

"I do what I can do," she said. "I’m by far the oldest person in here, but I still like to do it."
At the end of Yoga, the students “Oaaammmm” and then are encouraged to come back next time.

Going out the door, Jim Kerr said Yoga loosens his back and legs, and is a relaxing activity.

"I could tell my heart rate when way down," he said.

Kunze says she appreciates her students, and is willing to give one-on-one training. This Minniapolis native has lived in Carthage for 12 years with her husband, Randy, and family. She said Yoga is something special to her.

"It keeps me young and makes me feel good," she said.