“Yoga is not about self-improvement. It’s about self-acceptance.”
Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
Yoga is a great way to help cultivate a peaceful, mindful and healthy lifestyle. And now one community member has stepped up to fill a gap and provide much-needed yoga classes for our area. Her name is Mari Pirie-St. Pierre, owner of Maple City Yoga, and she is located right here in Ogdensburg, NY!
Mari is a Certified SVAROOPA ® Yoga Introductory Teacher. Her approach is gentle and mindful. Her classes are suitable and beneficial for everyone, regardless of age, physical fitness and flexibility.
What is Svaroopa Yoga?
The following excerpts from Yogapedia.com help to explain the practice of SVAROOPA ® yoga:
SVAROOPA ® yoga is designed to trigger the body’s natural healing capabilities, using spinal decompression techniques to release stress from the back, neck and shoulders. By releasing and relaxing the back muscles, the practice helps to open up a flow of energy along the spine.
The practice takes a subtle, gentle approach, using props, such as blankets and blocks, to assist with the poses. SVAROOPA ® yoga tends to involve a lot of hands-on adjustments by the yoga instructor.
Mind Clearing Focus
The first thing you will notice when you enter her studio is an immediate clearing of your mind and a sense of safety, warmth and well-being.
Mari is there to greet you with her warm and friendly smile. Her calm composure creates an environment that seems to banish anxiety and worries, for the hour and a half that you are there.
Being mindfully present is a concept in meditation in which you turn off thoughts about the past and future, allowing you to heighten your awareness and full observation of the moment.
Mari has a gift of completely disarming anxiety and allowing you to focus on breathing, body alignment and poses.
Body
Proper and regular practice of SVAROOPA ® yoga yields many health benefits. Make sure you are cleared by your medical doctor before starting a class and let Mari know of any medical conditions you have, so she can adjust your poses for maximum benefit.
Mari’s poses are all designed to release the built-up tension in the muscles surrounding the entire spine. This is not “pretzel-bending yoga. The poses are easy, yet effective for:
- Easing back pain due to stress and muscle tension
- Promoting proper posture and body alignment
- Allowing optimal oxygen intake through a technique called Ujjayi breathing.
This time of year, with all the upcoming holiday celebrations, I suffer from anxiety and become a hot mess of social awkwardness. Mari’s classes are most helpful in dealing with the hectic holiday season ahead. I urge all my local readers to attend at least one of her classes. Her hours are flexible, and you won’t regret it!
To learn more about Maple City Yoga or schedule a class, click on the link below:
Thank you for reading! – Barb, the River Blogger (Btrb)
Feel free to reblog anything I post. I welcome all comments and discussion.
The River Blogger 
Useful information.
I began my Yoga Journey several years ago before I took the road full-time. I still keep my equipment with me, and use online Yoga services, and occasionally use a flat service in the woods to enjoy a session.
Too bad she told me she’s uncertified for online yoga classes.
I’m sorry to hear this.
Living the dream!!
You know it! 😍
I’m sold! I am going to write Mari to inquire whether she offers any of her classes online via Zoom?