Breathe, Balance, Believe: Empowerment Through Yoga

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH – La’Shawn Martinez, a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 500, has been teaching yoga since 2020. On Monday, July 7th she held an “Empowerment Through Yoga” class at The Newburgh Free Library. She emphasized inclusivity, making her class available to those of every background and physical ability.

“Yoga instructors don’t look necessarily like me… I noticed that people were like, ‘Oh, this makes me feel comfortable. This makes me feel good.’ And so, a lot more variety of people started coming to the different classes… as soon as I was doing it. Just seeing a different type of face was like, ‘Oh, okay… I can do yoga. It is for me,’” said Martinez who has inspired people of color to practice yoga. “It’s for everybody and every body. So literally… if someone comes in and says, ‘My knees are hurting,’ I use the chair for them. So, everything that I’m doing on the ground I can always do elsewhere as well.”

Martinez is an expert instructor, adapting poses to every ability so everyone reaps the health benefits. Practicing yoga can enhance sleep, reduce stress-related tension, boost circulation, support joint health, build strength, and increase flexibility.

“The older I get, my range or my mobility range of motion is decreasing. I feel like every morning I wake up stiff. So, I want to find ways to loosen up,” said Elan Shoulders who looked forward to stretching her joints, twisting, and reaching.

Dilma Suazo, whose two children aged six and four were there playing on their tablets, discussed her motivation for practicing yoga. It allows her to find personal centering.
“I’m in the place of finding what’s my niche. We have to relax. Yoga helps me center myself. It works and helps me,” said Suazo. “I need time to be just Dilma for a minute so that I can be a better mommy.”

Married couple Maggie and Evan Gottfried enjoy the recreation benefits of practicing yoga. They also appreciate the deeper connection it fosters.

“It’s one of our things that we do together. It helps us to connect, not just with other people, but each other, and nature,” said Maggie. ‘I love her classes because… she is unorthodox, I guess… She talks in classes and it’s fun and you get to make new friends.”
Attendees came together in a tree pose. They also shared something they were grateful for or proud of.

“Empowerment Yoga… allows people to come here and build community… and it allows people who may not be used to it, know that they are welcome,” said Martinez.

If you missed “Empowerment Through Yoga,” catch her on Monday, July 14th at The Newburgh Free Library for Socacize Fitness, a creative blend of Caribbean and African dance techniques combined with effective fitness moves. It includes a Bacchanal Warm-up, “Wine” & Tone, Cardio Soca Jam, and Groovy Stretch. For more information, visit newburghlibrary.org/programs-events/calendar-of-events.

Journalist Ms. Jones