Source Yoga in the North End offers an array of classes, series and workshops all centered on various forms of basic yoga and mindful awareness. The workshops center on one aspect of yoga practice and give individuals the opportunity to direct more time and effort to learn about the various parts that compose the experience.

“We like offering workshops because it allows our students to go more in depth with yoga practice, to spend more than an hour and 15 minutes in practice enhancing what they’re doing…more than the weekly routine in studio,” said Melissa Schussler-Paz, co-owner of Source Yoga.

The studio’s upcoming workshop, taking place on Sept. 19, is called “The Poetry of Yoga - Let Prana Move You” and will be instructed by Nathan Hayes, founder of Living Spirit Yoga in Olympia, who has been studying, practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for decades.

“It’s going to be an asana practice, which is the physical part of yoga, and talks about prana (breath) moving you, guiding everybody through and talking about how your physical practice is guided by the movement of the breath and that giving you access to yourself,” Schussler-Paz said. The class is meant for individuals with some prior yoga experience, she also noted.

Source Yoga’s workshops started in the first year of business, back in July 2005. Some individuals who take the classes return excited about what they learned in a prior workshop and are eager to check out others, such as specific physically-oriented offerings on back bending and hip opening. The workshops are a good combination of repeat attendees and new faces.

The collaboration between co-owners Schussler-Paz and Erin Joosse began in the late 1990s, when they were both students at University of New Mexico as dance majors. They had each been practicing yoga for years, and now both have been teaching for a decade. When Schussler-Paz came to Washington, both moved to Seattle, then Tacoma. “The only yoga I could find was the YMCA, and I found a real opportunity for yoga to be a part of the community…we decided to go into business together and things went really fast,” Schussler-Paz stated.

The form of yoga mostly instructed at Source Yoga is hatha, which is calming, meditative and the type most individuals think about when they hear the word “yoga.” But the studio provides a variety of classes, some of which have a flow to them, which are directed to more athletically-minded yogis.

         “All of our teachers are unique and they all have something different to offer - for beginners, people who need more therapeutic yoga, (gentler practice), prenatal, post-natal and kids yoga. We have something for everybody, and it feels that way with the type of people that are drawn to the studio,” Schussler-Paz affirmed.

Visitors can also practice meditation at Source Yoga, as the studio offers an introductory class that is quite popular. Schussler-Paz noted that the studio has felt the effects of the economic decline, but they are staying competitive while remaining hopeful.

“(We) did see a little decline…and people say they’re making cuts, but this yoga time they take is so important to their health and well-being. We have kept people that are members, and we’re definitely getting new people all of the time. Kind of riding the wave of it and we’re definitely staying afloat.”

With fast-paced lives, managing work, family and ourselves, yoga practice, even just short periods of breathing and being conscious, brings individuals inside themselves and allows them to put the outside world aside for a few minutes.

“(It) keeps you going, inspires and rejuvenates. We all need that. It’s important for our health. People with health problems get referrals from doctors to take yoga and learn to relax. A big aspect for people is to get balance for themselves,” Schussler-Paz said.

Anyone wanting to deepen their practice, learn more about how they can create more ease in their body and bring it about more into their daily lives will find something relevant and helpful to their specific needs in “The Poetry of Yoga - Let Prana Move You” workshop.

Source Yoga is located at 2712 N. 21st St., Ste. A. The workshop will take place on Sept. 19 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $45 and members receive 10 percent off. For more information about this workshop, other classes and promotions, call (253) 756-8066 or visit www.sourceyogaonline.com.