This new weekly series is here to help to connect those who practice yoga together with Hilary at Somerset Lake or New Garden Township with one another and with others who may perhaps be considering giving yoga a try.

Check in weekly to meet new yogis and yoginis who share their personal insights into the practice, and if you are interested in being highlighted as a WOW! please submit your responses through the link below.

Week of 3/16/20-held in limbo

• WOW: Linda A.

  Attends Somerset Lake

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  18 months

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  It was available near my house

•  What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Classes are easy to attend, but I recognize that I need more than just 1 time a week

•  What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Cat/Cow – feels great!

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Yogi squat - uncomfortable

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  Breathing and Flexibility

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  How regularly I attend class

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  Don’t worry about how you will fit in to class or about being self-conscious – just try it!

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  She provides great direction and shows empathy to all in the class.

Week of 3/9/20

Alex R.

Practices at New Garden Township Hall

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  A year and a half.

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  My girlfriend had been doing it for a while, and then Hilary offered a "Bring A Friend for Free" deal for a month. So, I started coming to that and really liked it. So, at the end of the month I bought a class package of my own and have been coming ever since.

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Flexibility. 

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Headstands! I've been able to do it since I was little and have just always enjoyed it. It's a nice combo of relaxing but having to maintain focus as to not fall over.

• What I,s your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Poses that involve squatting. Because of my lack of flexibility, I can never get my feet planted on the ground while squatting. I always am on the balls of my feet and it really throws off my balance and makes those poses difficult to maintain for a long period of time.

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  Regular and consistent exercise every week.

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  How much I've enjoyed it. I thought it would be something I would do for awhile and then fall off the bandwagon, but the classes are always fun and I feel really good afterwards. Kept me going this long, and I plan for it to do so into the future!

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  In the words of Shia LaBouf, "Just do it! Don't let your dreams be dreams!"

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  Hilary and the people who attend. Since it's a smaller class it feels a lot more personal which is really nice.

WARRIOR OF THE WEEK FOR 3/2/20

Christa A.

Practices at Somerset Lake Clubhouse

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  About 20 years

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  Though I’d try something new

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Sitting cross-legged

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Bridge Pose, releases my lower back

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Downward Dog, makes me dizzy

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  Stay somewhat limber, good for my arthritis

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  To give it a try, good for your joints

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  Variety of practice, helping hands

WARRIOR OF THE WEEK FOR 02/24/20

Kim E.

Practices at Somerset Lake Clubhouse

• How long have you been practicing yoga? 

  Less than a year.

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  A friend recommended it to me and I’ve always wanted to try it.

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice? 

  Other commitments that come up on Monday nights.  

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Child’s pose because it stretches my lower back and inner thighs.  It’s relaxing and fairly easy to do.

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Any pose that strains my neck.  Camel pose because it stretches the throat and just feels weird.

  How have you benefited most from yoga? 

  So many!  Increased flexibility, better muscle tone & strength, more energy, cardio workout and stress relief.

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started? 

  Surprised that I am able to do some of the moves.

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet? 

  Try it...you’ll like it!

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  Hilary!

WARRIOR OF THE WEEK FOR 02/17/20

Lauren B.

Practices at Somerset Lake Clubhouse

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  2 years

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  somewhere between hating to work out and needing some time for myself, yoga came to me as a fit for both. 

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Time.  I really have a hard time finding the time, with two young boys at home in a dual career household. 

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Happy Baby. I got into my yoga practice right after i had my second baby and felt that pose was so real because he was doing it at home but it also stretches muscles for me that i didn’t know needed stretching!

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  I’m struggling with lunge positions because my hips and tailbone are sore and it definitely works them. Maybe it means i need more lunging!

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  My mental health. Taking care of me and finding time to get to the mat has been very stress relieving and really helps me day to day. 

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  I’m better at it than i expected. 

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  Yoga is really a class for anyone. Any level. Any goal. It can be relaxing and stress relieving or it can be sweaty and intense. You can decide what you want.

Week of 2/10/20

J.K.

Practices at Somerset Lake Clubhouse

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  About 2 years.

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  My father was a nationally ranked hardball squash player and played into his late 80s. I used to go to tournaments with him; it was a wonderful sport to watch and also had a lovely social aspect to it. One of his worthy opponents in the 80+ age bracket, walked like a man in his 20s. When I asked him what his secret was, he told me he had been practicing yoga for over 20 years. I want to have that flexibility and balance, at every age.

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Myself. I spent years as a single mother and had a busy career and home and helped care for a mother with Parkinson's and dementia. Time constraints made exercise take a back seat, and old habits die hard. I can always find something that "needs" to be done right now.

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Don't laugh .... it's Savasana. It is the time I can completely clear my mind and totally relax. I find peace in the calm. The meditation aspect works wonders.

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  I don't have a least favorite. I have enjoyed trying each one to see how much flexibility I still have or need to try and reawaken. I am often surprised either way.

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  Learning breathing techniques has improved the way I feel physically and has also been useful in de-stressing. Increased O2 flow gives me more energy, and controlling my breathing helps me get in or out of my own head.

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  How much energy I have after practice. The physical aspect loosens me up, and the mental focus gives me both energy and calm which I can take through the day/week.

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  There are options in the poses that make it adaptable for all stages of life and flexibility. Don't be scared you can't do it; no one cares if you can do it or not.... we’re all too absorbed with ourselves! And stick with it. It doesn't change your life in 2 weeks, but it will change your life over time with subtle building blocks.

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  Hard to choose a "best" thing. It might be that the respect that is shown between teacher and student, and between the students themselves. It provides an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and camaraderie. (And the chocolate.)

Week of 02/02/20

Marta B.

Attends New Garden Township & Somerset classes

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  Over five years.

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  I was at a point in my life where I needed to take care of my mind and body, rather than being so tough on it. 

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Yoga is the one treat that I give to myself, so I make it a priority in my life.

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  I love Downward Facing Dog.  I love the stretch it gives my entire body every time I do it, especially my hamstrings, which are always tight.

•  What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Triangle pose is a little difficult for me to maneuver.  Hilary has assisted me in getting better at the pose.

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  Yoga has helped me to become much more aware of my body and has really helped me to relax my mind and be in the present moment, which was always an issue for me.

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  I have become so much more flexible and realize just how much I look forward to spoiling myself with Yoga.   I am asthmatic and am amazed at how being aware of my breath has helped so much.

•   What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  There is NO judgement in Yoga.  It is your practice and each and every one of us works to the best of our ability.  I love the friendships I have made in my Yoga practice and can’t wait for my next class!!

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  Every week she does something different and her class always has a “special” purpose.  She puts so much into our classes and just literally spoils us.  She has props in class to help us so that we can feel successful in our practice.  Can’t thank you enough Hilary for your time and effort!

Week of 1/26/20

William M.

Attends New Garden Township classes

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  7 years

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  I was initially invited by my wife who asked me to go for 2 years. I never thought it would be enough of a work out. What I found it was so much more than a workout! Helped my flexibility and mindfulness and destress!

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Time to go and sustain that. Had to be intentional and when I am it always rewards me

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Lizard, Warrior one, hip openers. I am a desk jockey and I need to stretch regular in addition to exercise. So, these poses help me release and stretch and become engaged.

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Headstands are hard need to work the core, and any pose with hamstring stretch where you are seated and bending I just can’t fold like that.

• How have you benefited most from yoga?

  Flexibility,  poise, confidence, Core, Mindfulness, meet interesting and engaging people…

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  It is such a workout of the mind and body and being aware, that you can take with you out side of the practice immediately.

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  Try it your like it and will help you focus, confidence, and flexibility Mind, Body and Spirit!!!

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  She educates, as she guides and provides insight into practice. She makes you feel welcome and appreciated helping you work your practice

Just for the fun of it, here are my responses:
Hilary F.

Teaches classes held at Somerset Lake and in New Garden Township

• How long have you been practicing yoga?

  Over 10 years

• What made you start practicing yoga?

  Was very surprised by the asymmetry of my hamstring tightness and how it affected my martial arts practice.So I started with yoga in the hopes of relaxing the tension in my legs and hips.

• What has been your greatest obstacle regarding your regular yoga practice?

  Life! Really, family, work, home, other interests, so much in life that blocks me out at times, but I would always come back.

• What is your favorite yoga pose and why?

  Half Moon pose! Love the way it challenges my core, balance and gets into my headspace. It is always a pose that brings a new experience, never a dull moment.

• What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?

  Well, right now I do not have any poses that I hate, some are challenging for sure, but I used to HATE with a passion Triangle pose, cursing and swearing at the instructors when it was cued (all in my head, of course!).

• How have you o most from yoga?

  How long do you have?

• What has surprised you most about the practice since you started?

  There is always something to be learned, life changes, your practices changes with you, but it always serves my highest being.

• What would you tell someone who has always wanted to try yoga, but hasn't taken the plunge yet?

  Wear comfortable clothing, arrive early and introduce yourself to the instructor. Set up your mat and be open to the experience. Get to know those in your class, I've seen many great friendships grow with those who come to the mat together. Oh, and you do NOT need to be flexible in the body for yoga!

• What do you like best about Hilary's classes?

  Hmm..not sure I can answer this without bias. But well, I guess because she offers chocolate after class!