WILLISTON, N.D. - Marti Volz, Williston State College and TrainND's Community Education yoga instructor, recently completed her yoga teacher-training program in the dream setting of Alajuela, Costa Rica.
The 200-hour teaching training program included technical practice in hatha yoga, methodology of teaching, anatomy for yogis, and the history, philosophy and lifestyle practices of yoga. Volz studied 108 poses and modifications.
"The training provides a comprehensive overview of how differently each person's body is built; because of this, yoga poses need to be modified to safely accommodate body types or injuries," Volz explained. "Yoga isn't just about touching your toes; yoga can help build a strong and pain free body."
Volz began her training one weekend a month. She trained twenty hours per weekend at the Williston ARC for six months before traveling to Costa Rica to complete her training at the Pura Vida Spa and Resort from February 27 to March 6.
Volz first practiced yoga in 2002 while living in South Dakota. She immediately noticed the physical benefits. Once Volz attended a TrainND Community Education Class with Allison Rissel, a 500-hour certified instructor, her yoga practice intensified.
"Anywhere Allison taught a class, I was there" Volz explained. "I didn't know I wanted to instruct until I started substitute teaching classes for Allison, and then I knew I had to have more."
After Rissel moved to Colorado, the yoga teaching position opened. Volz jumped at the chance and began working with Rissel along with 11 other community members through Rissel's Camp Utopia certification program.
"WSC Community Education is proud of Marti on her recent certification," Taylor Gauthier Community Education Coordinator, said. "I love offering the community an affordable, quality yoga class."
TrainND yoga classes are available Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 at WSC in the Crighton Building. As the weather improves, sessions will move to WSC's front drive.
New sessions cost $25 and begin May 2 and run until May 25, but drop-ins are available at the door for $7. Spots fill up quickly so please make sure to sign up today at www.willistonstate.edu/trainnd.