Yoga is for Everyone

Yoga helps Dot Nelson look forward to a healthier future

Yoga can seem like an intimidating activity, but according to Kroc Yoga Instructors Andrea Doellman and Dot Nelson, that perception couldn’t be further from the truth.

Both Andrea and Dot have been practicing yoga for four years and instructing yoga for one year. Dot instructs Gentle Yoga at The Kroc Center, and Andrea instructs Yoga. While the length of time they have been practicing yoga is almost identical, both women have their own reasons for why they practice, as well as why they instruct.

A Source Of Strength

Andrea credits her yoga practice as a source of strength that helped her through tough times. “Yoga helps to build confidence,” stated Andrea. “As I have become stronger, I have noticed that I can hold poses longer. I have better mental clarity. I sleep better and experienced weight loss.”

Dot began her journey of practicing yoga when she was faced with her sixth joint replacement due to arthritis. “I decided to search out something to help better my strength and improve my health,” stated Dot. “It was in that search that I found yoga. I began practicing yoga and noticed I was healthier and stronger. I had a successful joint replacement, and I decided that I wanted to practice yoga for the rest of my life.”

Both instructors are passionate about helping others discover the benefits of practicing yoga. They have both experienced something that has brought positivity into their lives, and they simply want to share it with anyone willing to try. “I love instructing yoga and helping people in their practice. If they have a pose that they need to work on, we will work on it. If they can’t get into certain poses, which is totally normal, there are different techniques I can teach them. Yoga is for everyone, and I like that fact,” stated Andrea.

A few benefits of practicing yoga include weight loss, improvement of sleep quality, hormonal balance, strength building, increased flexibility, balance, and coordination.”

“I really enjoy the idea that one size does not fit all,” stated Dot. “The one thing that really inspired me to become certified in yoga at my age was that I began to see people around me, at every age, who had stopped moving. You could see it in the way they walked, in the way that they breathed, and in their whole mindset. I am inspired to help people become healthier.”

Embracing What You Can Do

When asked if class participants would need previous yoga experience to take their classes, both instructors said the same thing, “No! Experience is not necessary. If you can breathe; you can do yoga.”

Don’t let any misconceptions about yoga deter you from trying a class. “You can do yoga in a chair or on a mat. The flow can be a fast-paced, calorie burning session, or it can be a slow flow with more stretching,” stated Andrea. “People shouldn’t just think of yoga as doing a crazy headstand poses.

Yoga is for everyone, and everyone can do yoga.”

“Practicing yoga is about celebrating your body and not what your mind tells you your body can’t do, but about embracing what you can do,” stated Dot. “I guarantee you will leave class feeling better.”

Want To Feel Better?

Find the class dates and times for Dot and Andrea’s classes in the monthly Class Schedule or online at KrocQuincy.org. If you have had a positive experience with yoga or any of the other group fitness classes at The Kroc Center, we would love to hear your story! Share it with us on Facebook or tell your class instructor. ●

Join Andrea for Yoga on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and Dot for Gentle Yoga on Thursdays from 11:15 a.m. – Noon.