Stepping into local yoga studio It’s Yoga Las Vegas is a welcome relief from the blinding sun and bustling traffic of a hot summer day. The lights are dim within the spacious studio, which has two large, sunlit rooms reserved for yoga practice; the doors are shut for privacy. The air is perfumed by essential oils. It is a space designed for inner exploration and outer development, a true melding of mind, body and spirit.

Yoga rapidly gained popularity during the latter half of the 20th century and is still growing steadily. According to Yoga Journal’s 2008 “Yoga in America” study, 15.8 million Americans practice yoga, and 18.3 million non-practitioners say they are extremely interested in the practice. Many non-practitioners come to yoga for the rehabilitative benefits that can result after using yoga as a supplemental remedy for a health concern.

“Everybody kind of comes to it for their own reasons. For most people, that’s gleaned in the first class that they take,” said It’s Yoga Las Vegas owner Maggie Verderame. “They’re usually really, really surprised that they were quieter in their mind or a little bit calmer, or they came in stressed and they left less stressed. Usually that person that has that experience in that first class, they came because they had a back injury or they wanted to lose weight. It usually starts at the physical level.”

Yoga beginners may start attending classes for the outward benefits, but quickly realize that practicing yoga also brings a sense of peace. This is a slight inversion from the original intent behind yoga, which was focused entirely on spirituality with little or no regard for outer results. Hindus in India used yoga to quiet the mind and eventually to reach moksha, or nirvana. In the Western world, yoga has become less about transcending the material world and more about toning abs, but Verderame argues the spiritual aspect of yoga is what separates it from other forms of fitness.

“The way that we teach it is that there’s this quiet space within every human being, and if we can just work through all the chatter and all the layers, that we can get to that quiet space,” she said.

 The teachers at It’s Yoga Las Vegas train students in ashtanga vinyasa yoga, which is a specific type of yoga aimed at syncing breathing to poses. Practitioners of ashtanga vinyasa yoga practice six series of poses in the same order with varying speeds of movement, allowing the practice to become more fluid. Linking breathing to movement also turns yoga into a cardio workout.

There are many criticisms of yoga; phrases like elitism, Westernization and New Age have followed the practice for years. Verderame acknowledges that modern yoga is not what it once was, but said she tries to maintain dedication to the art in its original form.

“One of our purpose statements is to teach with a lot of integrity and always having a sense of homage to the tradition, knowing that that was coming from a need,” she said.

Many consider yoga to be a “hippie” practice, a thought at which Verderame laughed and shook her head. She said yoga opens the mind and awakens the spirit—and of course, all the talk about peace and love is akin to flower child philosophy. But she advises non-practitioners to look more closely.

“With yoga in the West, it’s almost like the whole eco-movement. It’s becoming not hippie to be green—it’s actually highly functional and really cool and very important. I see that happening in yoga, finally,” Verderame said. “Everybody that comes to it, their health is changing, their strength level is increasing, their ability to breathe and see clearly is changing. Everything starts to improve, so it’s really, really necessary.”

 Verderame hopes her yoga studio, and yoga in general, can create a sense of community in Las Vegas, from students to Strip performers to parents. It’s Yoga Las Vegas offers a variety of classes and workshops throughout the week. Price packages are listed on the studio’s web site, www.itsyogalasvegas.net.

And for those curious about the effect yoga can have in their lives, Verderame has an analogy all Las Vegans can appreciate:

“Blue Man Group and yoga are so similar. You can’t really describe them that clearly… because it’s such a different experience for everybody,” Verderame said. “Then you go to the show or you get on the mat, and you’re like, ‘Oh! That’s what that was.’”

Tools of the Trade
Items you need to perfect your yoga practice

Comfortable clothing. Yoga, like any other form of physical fitness, involves a great deal of movement, so it is important to feel at ease in your outfits. Try full-length or cropped pants in breathable fabrics, as well as tank tops that fit close to your body. Retailers like lululemon athletica offer a range of clothing designed specifically for practicing yoga. Items are available in both synthetic and organic fabrics. Visit lululemon.com for more information.

Yoga mat. Comfort is key to practicing yoga, which is why most practitioners use specially designed mats to support their movements. A mat also provides a stationary place for a student, to prevent moving into others’ spaces or sliding on the floor. There are many different types of mats to choose from, so it’s best to speak with a yoga teacher to select a suitable one before making a purchase. Many studios also provide mats for student use.

Accessories. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can incorporate a variety of accessories into your practice. Yoga balls, blocks and straps are used in certain types of yoga to enhance your practice; they provide a certain amount of resistance and are designed for specific poses. Many retailers also sell mat bags to store yoga mats, which is a simple and practical solution.

Supplements. Many retailers sell instructional materials to aid in practicing yoga at home, including DVDs and books. It is best to work with an experienced yoga practitioner if you are a beginner in order to avoid injury, but supplements are useful for practicing when out of class.

It’s Yoga Las Vegas

4634 S. Maryland Pkwy. #101
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

702-798-9642

By Caitlin McGarry

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