Meditation is often described as a way to clear the mind and ease many health concerns, such as high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. Meditation can also help individuals relax, reduce stress, be content, have inner peace and enjoy life more.

Carolyn Evans, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) of Sat Nam Healing in Burlington, teaches a meditation class 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday at The Art of Yoga, 1104 Ave E, in Fort Madison.

Participants learn basic meditation techniques. The class includes gentle yoga stretching for major joints such as hips, shoulders, and the neck. Evans said they also do guided meditation, breathing exercises, body relaxation, and different methods on how to clear the mind.

Meditation is what grounds you. Its what keeps you going, Evans said.

Last Tuesday, Evans taught loving-kindness meditation which is also known as metta, as it is called in the Pali language. It is unconditional, inclusive love, a love with wisdom.

Evans said she does yoga because it reminds her to turn down the volume on her self and her critical mind.

Yoga teaches us to embrace where we are today, Evans said. If you are your own worst critic, I beg you to change that. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important one.

Evans said the group meditation class helps people feel like they are accountable.

Being in a group setting helps you focus a little bit better and helps you feel like youve got the routine down, Evans said.

Anyone, regardless of age, one can drop-in for a $12 fee. Evans said they have mats, blocks, and pillows, but she recommends attendees wear comfortable clothes.

The class will be open for participants until June 27. After June 27, the meditation class will be offered again in Fort Madison in August.

About Evans

Carolyn Evans is from West Burlington. She is a 2006 graduate of West Burlington High School. In her early 20s Evans was working in the service industry as a waitress and bartender when she first started practicing yoga and meditation as a way to ease her mind from being anxious. Evans was attending William Penn University in Oskaloosa to pursue a degree in human sciences, but after practicing yoga Evans was looking for something different. She decided that becoming a health and wellness instructor for the mind, body, and spirit connection was her calling.

I decided to follow my passion doing what I love, Evans said.

Evans attended the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Ariz. where she completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training course and earned a degree in massage therapy in 2012.

She worked at a variety of gyms and yoga studios in school and around the Phoenix area. In 2013, after learning different styles of yoga and meditation, she decided to bring back what she learned to Iowa. The name of her company, Sat Nam, means divine truth is my name or truth is my name.

Evans said she has been inspired by those at the Dubuque Yoga Festival. There, Evans learned how to make yoga classes accessible for all bodies with Dianne Bondy, who is a body positive movement yoga instructor. Evans said she teaches people to embrace the body that were in.

Evans main goal coming back to the midwest is to offer yoga and meditation classes to help bring together people in community.

I believe in working with your mind and what you can do to have a healthy body, said Evans.

Since October 2016, Evans, has been leading the Saturday morning Yoga in the Park sessions at North Hill Park in Burlington. She also has an introduction course in meditation at the Southeastern Community College Center for Business.

Evans works out of her office at Sat Nam Healing 400 S. Leebrick St. in Burlington.

If unable to attend the Fort Madison classes, Evans has classes in Burlington on Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m., at Yoga for You, 217 Jefferson St. There is a $12 drop-in fee or a $50 for 5 classes package.

Evans will also have a Yoga Fest from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at the Perkins Park in Burlington.

For more information about classes, workshops and information about Burlington Yoga Fest call (319)-572-3753 or e-mail at satnamcarl@gmail.com you can also checkout Sat Nam website http://www.satnamhealingtherapy.com.

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Burlington instructor brings meditation, yoga to FM - Fort Madison Daily Democrat