Start the year off with yoga

Ajna Yoga studio and training centre hopes to attract some new clients

Michelle Schroeder leads Jules Payne through some basic yoga poses at Ajna Yoga on Theatre Lane before the two co-owners of the studio welcome their first clients of the day.

Michelle Schroeder leads Jules Payne through some basic yoga poses at Ajna Yoga on Theatre Lane before the two co-owners of the studio welcome their first clients of the day.

A new business in Oak Bay wants to kick start resolutions to get fit.

Ajna Yoga studio and training centre hopes to attract some new clients and reward those who have already found the hideaway with free classes yoga throughout the week.

The studio and training centre certified yoga instructors rented space before setting up shop in Oak Bay Village last October. Since the business began in 2008, Ajna has trained about 200 yoga teachers in either basic or therapeutic yoga. Therapeutic yoga, said Jules Payne, co-owner of Ajna Yoga and director of teacher training, is often helpful for those with sports injuries, chronic back issues, anxiety and depression, as well as for post-natal well-being.

They now offer a range of classes, including sessions targeted at the over-50 demographic, to strengthening back muscles and Vijnana, a slow moving Hatha flow. The therapeutic yoga is built on the concept of finding alignment by using breath.

“We had our opening party in October and so many of our grads came,” Payne said. “The space was just filled with yoga teachers. … We now get to connect with people who have been with us for years in our regular classes.”

Free yoga at Anji (located at 2185 Theatre Ln.) begins Jan. 6 and runs until Jan. 11. After this week, classes will go back to their regular pricing of $13 each, with the first class free.

More information, including an online registration system, can be found at ajnayoga.ca.

Oak Bay News