That’s why Patch’s classes, taught through the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan (WRBM) recreation center, won’t take drop-ins. People who sign up commit to seeing just how much their bodies can do — when they’re given the time to do it.
“There’s a myth around yoga of, ‘I’m not flexible enough; I can’t even reach my toes. How am I going to do yoga if I have no flexibility?’” Patch said. “That’s what yoga helps with: to loosen those muscles, to bring oxygen to them to be able to move.”
It takes more than one or two sessions, though, to see the kind of progress Patch knows people can make.
“As people continue into yoga, they’ll see that see that the body is responding more,” she said. “Yoga can address headaches, depression, backaches, high blood pressure and the other things that go with a busy life and busy body. During these sessions, we let our bodies recuperate.”
Giving bodies and minds time to heal is something Patch has experienced firsthand.
After losing her father, she began taking yoga classes as a way to deal with her grief. Past injuries had also left her needing something easier on her body than the usual high-cardio or high-impact classes.
When it came to healing and strengthening Patch’s mind and body, yoga was the perfect fit. And it wasn’t long before she noticed she wasn’t alone.
“It seemed like other people were wanting something else, too,” she said. “Since I had really enjoyed it myself, I wanted to be able to share it with others.”
In October 2013, Patch joined the Academy of Yoga in Grand Junction to become a certified yoga instructor. Throughout the nine-month training program, she attended three-day intensive classes that covered a range of skills, from philosophy and poses to health benefits and business elements. She was graduated from the program in June after completing 200 training hours.
Depending on whether students join beginner, restorative, family or youth yoga, Patch maintains that anyone can learn and grow from the experience.
“Yoga has changed and evolved so much,” she said. “It originated in a foreign culture, but it’s come to our Western culture now. It’s mainly about relaxing and using your breaths, which are very in tune with each part of your body. Anybody really can do yoga.”
To learn more or to join a class, call the Rangely recreation center at 675-8211.
