Calexico — Calexico Recreation Department’s summer programming is in full swing with the first session of the day being held at the Calexico Community Center. Yoga classes are open to adults 18 and older and seniors 55 and older, costing $25 for adults and $5 for seniors.
Classes will be led by Gabriela Ramirez, a certified yoga instructor who began practicing yoga in 2018. Ramirez was initially drawn to yoga for her son, but her practice helped her relieve chronic pain, which prompted her to pursue further certification in restorative and therapeutic yoga.
“I’ve taken certification classes in restorative and therapeutic yoga so I understand other people’s pain,” Ramirez explains. “I love seeing people’s progress and it’s rewarding when they come up to me a week later and tell me they can use their arms better now.”
Ramirez advises yoga beginners to find a style and teacher that fits their needs: “Some people say, ‘Go to yoga,’ but that’s like saying, ‘Take an aspirin for the pain.’ You actually need to find a style of yoga and teacher that works for you. Learn how to improve your breathing, your movement and your posture.”
The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to attend classes and enjoy Ramirez’s teaching style, and she plans to continue learning and sharing her knowledge with others in Calexico and the Imperial Valley.
In this session, Ramirez introduced Yin Yoga, a slow-paced form of yoga that incorporates principles from traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on different internal organs depending on the season. In this session, the focus was on the small intestine and the heart. Ramirez demonstrated each pose to her students, making sure they understood and could reproduce the movements. She observed the participants closely and made modifications as needed. Relaxing music was played during the session, creating a calming atmosphere.
Ramirez spoke to the students while they held the poses, making the session both physically and mentally therapeutic. During the “melting heart” pose, Ramirez encouraged the students to release any emotional baggage.
“I leave what’s in my heart on the mat,” she said, “and sometimes that’s something I don’t tell anyone.”
Students like Carolina Virgen and Arlene Renteria have been attending the classes for a year. Carolina was drawn to yoga after suffering a back injury, when her doctor recommended it as part of her treatment. She’s made a big recovery since then, and credits Ramirez’s personalized instruction with knowing how to do back-safe exercises. Arlene, an office manager, started doing yoga to relieve work-related stress. Looking for a yoga class, she found the session on social media.
The session ended with students placing their hands on their hearts in a prayer for peace and chanting mantras together.
Sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays with two time slots: 5:00-5:50pm and 7:00-7:50pm. Classes will begin on June 10 and run through July 10. Due to limited space, participants can only register for one session and must bring their own yoga mat.
For more information about yoga sessions and other summer programs, call (760) 768-2176.
