Yoga instructor opens new studio

Chet Thomas poses for a picture at his new yoga studio, Om Town Yoga. (Photo/Marcus Crawford)

A chart of the skeletal system at Om Town Yoga. (Photo/Marcus Crawford)

The door to Thomas' studio at Om Town Yoga. (Photo/Marcus Crawford)

By Marcus Crawford

What do an astrologer, a mechanic and Chet Thomas all have in common? All three individuals are concerned with alignment. And while Thomas might not be able to read your horoscope or align your tires, he can definitely give you a workout.

Thomas, the sole instructor at Om Town Yoga, has been practicing yoga for about 10 years. His background is primarily in Iyengar yoga, a method that emphasizes the alignment of mind, body and spirit, but Thomas teaches Hatha yoga at Om Town. Hatha yoga focuses on anatomical alignment in order to develop increased flexibility, strength and stamina.

Om Town Yoga, located at 190 Park Ave., is a relative newcomer to the Boulevard neighborhood that insulates the studio from the commercial cacophony of Prince Avenue. When Thomas opened Om Town Yoga six months ago, he hoped that locating his studio within a residential area would encourage his students to walk or bike to class.

Thomas’ emphasis on the Athens community is even evident in the studio’s name – “Om Town,” which is a play on words meant to remind the reader of “hometown.” Thomas’ communal and intimate approach to yoga has earned him a dedicated and diverse following.

“It’s kind of a mixed range of backgrounds and ages that come to class, ” Thomas said.

Helen Fosgate, the editor UGA Research Magazine, has been going to Om Town Yoga since January 2009. She has been practicing yoga for 10 years due to her desire to maintain flexibility as she ages. Fosgate also noted that students could glean an important life lesson from yoga’s more complex poses.

“The entire point is learning how to relax in difficult places,” Fosgate said.

Yoga poses, or “asanas,” offer different degrees of challenge. The shoulder stand, also known as “Sarvangasana”, can be particularly formidable for those new to yoga. Fortunately, Thomas encourages all of his students to work to their individual limits.

While beginning students at Om Town Yoga might be too exhausted to ponder life skills, Lynn Kovaciny, a longtime student of Thomas’, emphasized the importance of thought in the practice of yoga.

“It’s hard, but you use your brain and body at the same time,” Kovaciny said.

Throughout the class Thomas reinforced the necessity of conscious thought, instructing students to relax their face muscles and keep their limbs active whilst maintaining specific poses.

Thomas holds classes at Om Town Yoga from 6:15 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. on Mondays and from 5:45 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, interested readers can check the studio’s website at http://www.athensomtownyoga.com.

Edited by Lindsay Dobras