Muskegon Yoga Center opens downtown

June 14, 2009
By Marla Miller
Muskegon Chronicle

Local yogis have a new place to practice, and get calm and centered, in downtown Muskegon.

Muskegon Yoga Center, at 825 W. Western, opened in mid-May with three certified teachers offering nine classes per week.

A beach yoga session with Barb Badolati started June 2 and will meet 6-7:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 18 at Pere Marquette Park in the grass near the Cost Guard Station.

The yoga center is designed to be a peaceful place conveniently located across from the YMCA, where all ages and skill levels can further their yoga practice or come to rest and rejuvenate from everyday demands. With the Lakeshore Trail bike path nearby, it also is a nice addition to the hub for health and fitness for the Muskegon area, said teacher Peter Violino.

Grand Haven and the White Lake area both have yoga studios, and it was time for Muskegon to have one, said Badolati, who has taught classes at various locations downtown.

Badolati has been teaching yoga along the lakeshore for 15 years and finally has a home in which to offer classes. The demand for yoga has been growing, she said.

In fact, yoga has grown to become one of the most popular physical/mental activities in the United States. In 2008, 29 million people participated in yoga, Violino said.

The Muskegon Yoga Center was the brainchild of Warren Mosley, certified in yoga from the International Sivananda School. Warren, a native Muskegonite, recently returned after a 20-year career in the military and 10 years at the Department of Defense. He began taking yoga classes in the Washington, D.C., area to relieve stress, which helped him also improve mental acuity and focus, he said.

Mosley believes that Muskegon is ready to grow into a healthier place, both physically and mentally.

"In stressful times and economic uncertainties, people draw strength and comfort in the ability to control their own lives," he said. "Muskegon is experiencing a paradigm shift right now. To adjust to the changes occurring, it is important for people to be equipped to take on these challenges. Yoga provides this and much more."

Some of the benefits include relaxation, concentration, flexibility, strength, a better diet, calmer mind, immune function, and relief from back, muscle and joint pain. Â

Badolati will continue to offer life coaching and wellness services out of her office in the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, but hopes to host women's retreats and workshops on nutrition and wellness at the center, she said.

Other specialty classes such as Partner Yoga, YogaKids, Power Yoga and pilates are planned, plus sessions geared at cancer patients, golfers, the lunch hour crowd and more.

In addition, paying students are welcome to visit the center anytime the flag outside is raised, Badolati said. They can practice if there is no class in session or find a quiet place for a few minutes of meditation and reflection.

Many yoga centers have been successful in downtowns probably because yoga is an experience that values aesthetics and character, something plentiful in downtown cities, Violino said. The center's central location off of Seaway and Shoreline Drive is within 10 minutes from North Muskegon, Norton Shores and anything in between.Â

Violino is also a certified massage therapist who practices massage and gives private yoga lessons out of Badolati's Frauenthal Center office, Suite 308. Violino received certification as a yoga instructor through YogaFit Inc. in 2005. He was formerly an instructor at Norton Pines Athletic Club and teaches at the new Tanglewood Park for seniors. His focus is Hatha yoga with a free flowing vinyasa style as well as power yoga and Yoga for Golfers.