By LORIANNE DE LORETO | Tribune correspondent Published: January 16, 2013 Updated: January 16, 2013 - 12:00 AM

If you've never tried yoga before, there's an affordable class available right in our own backyard.

Calvary Lutheran Church, 5309 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach, hosts a weekly yoga class taught by longtime instructor Janie Ratcliffe on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

Ratcliffe practices Hatha yoga, which calls for gentle, basic movements; slow-paced stretching; poses with some simple breathing exercises and seated meditation. Her class is a place to learn beginners' poses, relaxation techniques and to become comfortable with yoga.

What makes her class unique is the way she teaches. During the hour-long class, Ratcliffe verbally describes every pose in detail, which helps create an ease of concentration.

The practice was born out of necessity, when she had a blind student in her class six years ago.

"As a (former registered) nurse, you find a way to help people," she said. "I thought if I can describe the poses to her, she will be able to participate."

So she did, and the woman stayed in her class until moving away six years later. Since that time she also has had deaf and hearing-impaired people who appreciate her gentle voice and attention to detail, she said.

Ratcliffe, 75, grew up in Charlotte, N.C., where she earned a degree as a registered nurse from the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1970.

She discovered yoga through a friend 25 years ago and found the practice helpful in relieving body stress and keeping it in balance.

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Yoga instructor, 75, leads unique class in Apollo Beach