New yoga class blends art, meditative practice

"Both yoga and art aim at the same thing; that is, to re-establish our personal connection with the world around us according to our own inner creativity." This quote by Dona Hollemann sparked the idea for Debbie Padnuk, a new teacher at the Alliance for the Arts, to immerse her yoga students in a space filled with creative expressiveness.

Ms. Padnuk has selected the main gallery in The Place for Arts in Lee County for her students to unroll their mats, relax and re-energize amongst with the arts. She hopes that the visual stimulation will add an extra element in the mind, body and soul experience students receive practicing yoga.

The class, titled Yoga: the Art of Experiencing You, for beginner and mixed-level students, will be held Tuesdays through from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

"With yoga postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama) and meditative practices, we'll explore how this marvelous vehicle (aka you) functions," said Ms. Padnuk. "Then, go beyond that neck tension, backache, or stressed-out mind to relax into the peace and equanimity that lies beneath. Experience the joy and creativity of being…you."

Registration is now open. Yoga: the Art of Experiencing You is $65 for Alliance members and $75 for nonmembers, $13/class for members and $15/class for non-members. For more information, call Ms. Padnuk at 851- YOGA. To register, call the Alliance at 939-2787.

The Alliance for the Arts supports the artists and arts organizations in our area as the state-designated Local Arts Agency for Lee County. Alliance Galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd., just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.artinlee. org for more details.