Yoga classes at gyms are okay

This letter is in response to a beautifully written article titled "How to avoid yoga injures" by Ericka Bryant. As a yoga instructor myself, I agree with most of what was said about how to prevent injury when seeking a good yoga class.

However, I disagree about her statement about gym yoga instructors and her blunt statement to "avoid them if you can." I've been teaching for two gyms for the past three years in Newbury Park and Camarillo. Both gyms have established yoga communities due to the lack of studios close to these communities.

I disagree with her statement about large class sizes. One of these gyms has a mind/body room that has a capacity of 20 people, and most gym classes average 10 to 15 people and even less for the less popular times of the day. Also, many of our local gym yoga instructors also work for yoga studios.

As a resident of Newbury Park, my closest options for a yoga studio are Westlake and Camarillo. A problem that a great deal of people have is with the time and/or the financial cost of attending a yoga studio.

To take a studio class, you're paying anywhere from $10 to $18 a class, plus the cost of gas to get there. Then there's a larger time commitment because of traveling time. A lot of folks around here just can't afford that, especially during these tough economic times.

If you're strapped for cash or time, then try the gym classes; most gyms will give you a free membership for a week, giving a person a chance to try most of their yoga instructors. Or try a park and rec class; if you don't like it, they'll give you a refund.

There are several churches in Conejo Valley that offer free or low-cost yoga classes. You can also seek out a lowcost community class at a local studio. Pick and choose because there are a lot of options here.

I believe every yoga instructor has their own way of teaching yoga and it's up to the student to find that right person.

Yoga is good for everyone. Mary Watson Newbury Park