Cancer survivor so grateful she found Yoga Suzanne McCall was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002, but through much courage and resolve, she has managed to turn her illness into something positive. Ironically, Suzanne says she’s thankful for what cancer has given her: finding the gift of Yoga and the seeds for a more meaningful life. […]

Yoga Plays a Big Role in Actor\’s Life It’s no act when you listen to Traci Gardner extol the benefits of her Yoga practice. The professional actress, who just recently was cast in a scene with Helen Hunt in “Shots Fired,” a FOX upcoming drama series, and who played a tough bartender in “Swamp Murders,” […]

Yoga just the right thing for soon-to-be moms Brianna Wiener, a family nurse practitioner, was determined this time around not to pack on the 60 pounds she had gained during her first pregnancy. Now 35 weeks pregnant, Brianna’s proud to say she hasn’t put on that extra baby weight, thanks in part to Summer Stipe’s […]

Yoga is part of cycling pro\’s routine For several years, professional cyclo-cross racer Ally Murphy has put the pedal to the metal, racing on the world’s number one women’s team and, as she says, ‘lucky enough’ to ride with some of the sport’s legends. But she’s not sure she could have competed as well as […]

Massage offers so many benefits Nick Ball is game for almost anything. An avid sports fan (Go Duke and Rolltide!) and computer whiz who was born with cerebral palsy, this 33-year-old has had to step out of his comfort zone his entire life while confined to a wheelchair. “I try not to let my disability […]

Yoga helps boost a healthy body image Heather Mabrey, a part-time health and fitness coach for the past two years, admits she’s had to struggle a bit to maintain a healthy, happy body image. But after practicing Yoga at YAM for several months now, Heather says she has a deeper appreciation for her body and […]

Yoga hits a high note for this singer Wendy Jones loudly sings the praises of Yoga. As a vocal teacher at Brevard College as well as a professional jazz and opera singer and dancer who has performed worldwide, Wendy uses breathing techniques and asanas she’s learned from her own Yoga practice at YAM to help […]

Yoga hits a high note for this singer A little over a year ago, Laura Meherg Teel was single, living in Birmingham, Alabama, far away from family and running a small consulting practice, Wicker Park Group. Talk about big changes in her busy life: Laura, 46, is now married for the first time, has two […]

Yoga complements this active athlete Outgoing Aubry Carmody is no stranger to challenges – especially physical ones. This young athlete has played any number of sports in his 26 years. He loves them all – football, baseball, tennis, basketball and Crossfit. But it wasn’t until taking a finance job in Chicago after graduating from Ole […]

Yoga revitalizes body, spirit Susan Laborde swears that her 10 years of Yoga practice have minimized the effects of aging. “Absolutely no doubt in my mind that Yoga is a vital routine that supports the aging process like nothing else can,” says Susan, a medical office manager by day, and a tennis player and avid […]

Why weight? Sean didn\’t, and lost 200 pounds Almost a year ago, Sean L. was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. His doctor told him that if he didn’t change his lifestyle and lose more than 100 pounds, he would die at a very young age. “He promised that my health would decline rapidly, I may […]

Yoga is for \’regular\’ guys, too At first glance, Barry Bonnett, a former wrestler, football player, history teacher and coach, looks like one tough guy walking down the street, someone many people would never think was a practicing Yogi. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving, and Barry wants to prove to himself, […]

Just let your ego go Some folks believe Yoga requires flexibility, strength and an optimum body weight. That’s nonsense, says Jim Holleman, a general surgeon and chief of staff at St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus who regularly attends a variety of YAM’s Yoga classes at least six times a week. “Flexibility is not at all […]

Yoga helps with shoulder injuries For three years, Candace Elizabeth Pearson has struggled with intense shoulder pain, the result of repetitious lifting of heavy boxes of products used at her Candy Cakes Bath Bakery. The 32-year-old co-owner of Hendersonville’s Candy Cakes tried orthopedic doctors, physical therapy, massage and acupuncture to relieve the pain, but she […]

Yoga helps to create balance in busy lives For the past five years, Elizabeth (Ibby) Whitten has had a history of high blood pressure and was prescribed medication to help lower it to a normal range. But the medication – along with a proper diet – just didn’t do the trick. Her average reading in […]

Yoga helps learning to love yourself For more than 20 years, Marybeth Burns thought she could never be too fit or too thin. The mother of two adopted Russian children and business partner at Hendersonville’s Summit Marketing Group, Burns had long suffered from exercise addiction and anorexia. But she is getting ready to celebrate three […]

Yoga, meditation powerful tools to deal with change Our lives are constantly changing. Change asks us to be brave, to let go of our expectations and learn from life’s ups and downs. But it isn’t easy. IT Project leader Michael Creel, 43, has recently experienced big changes in his life: A new job, the passing of […]

Way to go, Christy! Talk about being disciplined. It’s one thing venturing out to a new yoga studio not knowing a soul and telling yourself you’ll ease into a practice – maybe going to class 2-3 times a week. It’s another when you’re a beginner Yogi and commit yourself to doing 30 days of Yoga […]

Yoga helps strengthen the spirit There’s no mistaking Jamael Rahill. He’s the 20-something, soft-spoken and kind Yogi who kicks butt during YAM’s Hot 26 classes, a long ways away from where he moved – Peru, by way of Miami, Fla. “After living in Peru, I could not continue living in south Florida. It’s just not […]

Yoga\’s for guys as well as gals Elissa Marie Redden, a licensed massage therapist, had one goal in mind when she began her Yoga practice at YAM a few months ago – she hopes to drop the 40 pounds she gained while not practicing Yoga for the past year and a half. “I adopted unhealthy […]

Workshops Benefit Yogis of All Levels Having never regularly attended yoga classes before, YAM client Paige Hafner jumped right in and began her practice by attending a six-week Yoga for Beginners series last fall with instructor Sonya Klepper. Paige got so much out of the first one that she’s now attending Sonya’s more advanced four-week […]

Yoga’s a Great Cross-Training Tool Sue Bargeloh has witnessed first-hand the benefits a Yoga practice has on other sports. An avid equestrian, Sue, who weekly attends several different kinds of Yoga classes at YAM, has noticed huge improvements in her horseback riding. “If I lose my strength and my flexibility, I will not be able […]

Having Massages Regularly Vital for Self-Care Debi Miller always considered massage therapy as relaxing “me-time,” not something you do on a regular basis – until one of YAM’s therapists, Tish Hilyer, worked her magic. “I’ve received massages before but never on a continual basis,” says Debi, a retired flight attendant and special education teacher who […]

Improved balance, weight loss among many benefits of Hot 26 Over many years, Darlene Das has seen hundreds of patients suffer with excruciating knee and hip pain. As a surgical technician, assisting her husband, Dr. Amal Das, with hip and knee joint replacements at Park Ridge Health, Darlene has also witnessed the benefits of Hot […]

Yoga Practice Can Begin at Any Age! So you\’ve always wanted to try yoga, but the thought of taking a class is a little intimidating, especially if you\’re middle-aged, out-of-shape and have some health issues. Many older adults are looking for ways to improve their quality of life and remain active, and yoga has been […]