One Powerful Workout

Midwest Power Yoga one of few Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga studios in state

By Ann Brownfield

Yoga, once shrouded in Far Eastern mystique and loosely associated with the hippie culture of the 1970's, has become so mainstream that practitioners are listed in the local yellow pages. A discipline which seeks to enhance the body, mind and spirit, yoga classes are available at studios and fitness centers throughout the area.

Not all yoga is the same, however, Midwest Power Yoga, one of only 15 Baptiste Affiliate Yoga studios in the United States, opened in Mequon in January. Owner Deborah Williamson opened a similar studio in Appleton a year ago with one teacher and now has nine on staff to meet the demand. She hopes to duplicate her success locally.

Williamson, a graduate of UW-Oshkosh who has extensive training in fitness, exercise and is a nationally certified yoga teacher, is trained in Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. Referred to as Baptiste, this type of yoga, is according to Williamson, "physical, You sweat, you move, it's meditation in motion. It can be technical, but it's adaptable, and is not as precise as some of the eastern yogas."

Yoga is based on a series of postures, or positions, Williamson explained. There are many different types, most of which Williamson has studied over the years. In 2000, she met Baron Baptiste and began the process of learning the Baptiste method. According to Williamson, Baron Baptiste learned Eastern yoga from his parents, both trained yogis, while growing up in California. Sensitive to the needs of the West, however, he developed his own style of yoga which was more adaptable than some traditional disciplines. At the same time, Baptiste provides a vigorous workout. Movements are tight, requiring a relative small amount of floor space per person, and the sessions are conducted in a room with bare walls, heated to 90 degrees. Williamson said at first the heat is "shocking" to students because typically exercise facilities are air conditioned. But the heat warms the body quickly and students find that "they can't practice elsewhere."

With no mirrors in sight, class participants listen as Williamson walks the room and teaches, talking about her own experiences, addressing the whole person. According to Williamson, "this yoga is personal and a way of discovering your own path. No matter what your age or experience level, this will take you to your edge and pull more out of you than you ever thought possible."

"People respond the same in life as they do here," she said, describing how students react to the challenges of yoga. "They may make excuses, may feel tension and look for an 'exit door' to deal with stress. But you have to feel to heal. You will discover strength and energy you never knew existed," according to Williamson.

Williamson said that her students are drown to yoga for a variety of reasons: those seeking functional fitness, those who want the cardio workout that comes with Vinyasa Yoga, and people who are trying to improve strength, flexibility, and lose weight. Her structure of classes is flexible; all are on a drop-in basis, and all are suitable for students at any level. Students can pay by the class, purchase a pass good for a specific number of classes, or pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to classes.

"People can come in when it fits," she said, explaining the schedule. "no one can commit any more," she commented, so the schedule is structured to give maximum flexibility to come when it works for them. She notes that about half of the students are from the Mequon/Cedarburg/Grafton area, and the rest often drive as far as an hour to get to class, specifically having sought out Baptiste. "We also have people in town on business coming here." Williamson said, because they are familiar with Baptiste, which is rare in the Midwest, but more well known on the coasts.

Williamson was a successful manager at several major fitness facilities before leaving her last position to start Midwest Power Yoga. Her passion for Baptiste and its impact on her life is obvious. "Yoga was becoming an important part of my life," she said. "I loved it, practiced it, it brought me back from injuries, and so I decided to open my own studio." As she teaches and shares her experiences, Williamson encourages her student to find their own inner strength, trying as she does, "to do just a little better each day."

Midwest Power Yoga is located at 11124 Cedarburg Road in the lower level of the Riversite. For more information they can be contacted at 414-828-9642 or www.midwestpoweryoga.com

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