PAYETTE Free yoga has found its way to the Portia Club, and it all started with a cold call.

Offered on the second Wednesday of each month, the third free yoga session was hosted Wednesday at the clubhouse, where 12 individuals showed up for an hour of movement, sounds and breathing.

Known as Kundalini yoga, the free session is a result of one womans desire to continue the legacy of the Portia Club and to share the benefits of yoga with the community.

Janice Pasqualin, the yoga instructor who heads the free classes, said she loved the concept of the clubhouse and wanted to contribute to the mission of it.

It is an effort that was started by women for the community and I wanted to be able to offer this to the community, Pasqualin said.

When the thought came to mind to offer the yoga sessions, Pasqualin said she rang up the clubhouse to speak to Cleo Thompson, manager of the Portia Club, about her idea.

To her delight, Pasqualin said, she heard back from Thompson within 24 hours and learned that her proposal was accepted.

The first session was held in June, where only one person attended.

Of that day, Mary Trail said she enjoyed the one-on-one session she had with Pasqualin and is pleased

that more people are showing up to the classes.

The room was just filled the second time around and even now with it being the third time, she said. Its just a joyful thing to see it full again. You can just feel the peace and love.

For second-timer Elisa Massoth-Gray, she said its a totally different yoga than what people may expect.

Its so focused on breath. It takes a day that was completely hectic and turns it around. Just look at the vibrancy in this room, Massoth-Gray said after the Wednesday session.

Massoth-Gray adds that one of her favorite parts about Kundalini yoga is that anyone can participate, even if they are sitting in a chair.

Given the popularity of the classes, Thompson said she hopes the clubhouse can bump the session from once a month to twice a month. Pasqualin said she would be on board to do so.

Of the experience, she said, it has been wonderful.

I feel very grateful for the women of Payette who started this clubhouse and for the women who brought it back. I wanted to share this yoga, and with this space, I am, Pasqualin said.

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Clubhouse offers free yoga classes - Ontario Argus Observer