More are turning to yoga to lower stress levels

By Krista Jahnke

Detroit Free Press

(MCT)

She's stayed because it did that and more — it helped her combat chronic stress.

She's not the only one letting go of stress through yoga.

As the nation suffers through a recession that has touched nearly everyone — whether through unemployment, foreclosures or worry over money — area yoga studios are seeing more people looking for an antidote to rising stress.

Orbovich said, on average, 90 students attended classes each day a year ago. Now, despite the continued economic troubles, that's up to 100. She tops out with about 150 in classes each Monday.

Other studios have also seen an increase.

"On a Sunday morning, it's like a parking lot on Black Friday," said Tennyson, who describes her own stress as "typical." The mother of three works as a freelance writer, and finding assignments has grown more difficult as media outlets have slashed freelance budgets. Her husband works in the auto industry.

"It's very therapeutic," said Tennyson, who attends class every day. "It's quiet. It's thoughtful. You just feel better. I don't understand enough about yoga to know how it works. I just know it does."

Yoga has become a nonintimidating option for the masses.

"You see everyone walking around now with a yoga mat. They come because they know you're going to be stronger, more flexible and you'll get calmer, too. It's all good stuff."

Her stress is constant and, because of complications from her transplant, she is short of breath. The steroids have made her face swell; her self-image has been damaged. Saad said the hardest part is realizing she'll never go back to her old self.

But yoga helps.

"If I could, I'd go to yoga twice a day," Saad said. "I look forward to it and plan my day around it. I always feel better after going."