Many Americans have turned to yoga to stay healthy, but the ancient exercise has many more benefits than physical health.
Yoga can be used to help numerous other aspects, including a reduction in stress, anxiety and depression, improving sleep and quieting the mind.
Kathy Stephens, owner of the new yoga studio in downtown Newton named Hunky Dory, said yoga is something that she has used to help cope with the stresses of daily life. Her late husband, Dennis, mentioned that he saw a dramatic change after she started doing yoga.
And it has also been a way she has been able to deal with the loss of her husband.
“He told me, ‘Don’t stop doing yoga,’” Stephens said. “It calms the mind, quiets the chaos and helps you relax. Sometimes, emotions will come out while you’re doing yoga, but you can go into a child’s pose until you can resume doing yoga.”
Stephens’ new studio is located at 112 Fourth St. in downtown Newton. Her official open house will be Aug. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. while classes open to the public on Aug. 21.
Stephens is a certified yoga instructor and uses the teachings of YogaFaith, an organization that uses a Christian foundation to teach yoga.
“It’s Jesus first, and yoga second,” Stephens said. “Some of the things connected with yoga teachings are very similar to teachings of the Bible.”
Hunky Dory will have classes available for all ages. On Mondays, Stephens will teach a senior chair class in the morning, a morning Hatha yoga class for women and Monday evening men’s Hatha yoga class.
Tuesday features morning and evening Hatha yoga classes for women. Thursday will also have a morning senior chair yoga class along with morning and evening Hatha classes for women.
While there are no classes scheduled for other days during the week, Stephens said she plans to add yoga retreats on weekends and possibly other classes geared toward youth.
“Everyone can benefit from yoga,” Stephens said. “For seniors, it can improve your balance and mobility. Your balance is very important. It also improves your circulation, and it has proven to help with osteoporosis.
“Children can also benefit from it, as it has been proven to help with ADHD, ADD and other disorders. For everyone, meditation is one of the most important things. The Bible talks about meditation. It’s important to be able to be still and know.”
In addition to the studio, Stephens will also have a juice bar where you can purchase nutritious juices, shakes and smoothies. She also plans to invite chefs to come in and teach classes about healthy eating.
“It’s not just about yoga. It’s about healthy living,” Stephens said. “That’s why my motto is ‘Living Life Well.’ It’s about a person’s whole health, mind, body and spirit.”
Stephens said God gave her the name “Hunky Dory” while attending a Christian retreat. After she looked up an old definition of the word, she understood why that would be the name of her business.
“An 1847 definition of the word said a place of refuge,” Stephens said. “It came from the term ‘hunker down.’ After I saw that, I knew that this what I wanted this place to be. I want it to be a place of refuge for people.”
Stephens said it’s been a challenge getting the building ready to be opened. She had to gut the building and rebuild it from the ground up.
“This is probably the least prepared that I’ve been for any business that I’ve ever had,” Stephens said. “I’ve been depending on the Lord, but I’ve had a peace about everything.”
For more information on Hunky Dory, call 601-513-2686.
