CHESHIREPracticing yoga in the water provides a popular form of low impact exercise. Many people find water soothing, both physically and mentally.

This past Friday, the Cheshire Community Pool offered a free Yoga in the Water class to anyone in the community, not just limited to Cheshire, taught byLisa Cammuso of Southington.

The free trial served as a preface to a Yoga in the Water series Cammuso and Cheshire Community Pool Director, Shelia Adams, hope to continue offering.

When asked about the facilitys safety protocols Adams said, If we are open, lifeguards are here.

The pool has multiple cascading stair entrances and a ramp.

During the class, attendees stood in about 4 feet of water and were not required to submerge themselves entirely.

Cammuso recommended attendees bring a bathing suit. She also said the facility has flotation devices available for participants.

At the beginning of class, Cammuso gathered attendees into a huddle and sat at the edge of the pool to give instructions.

Cammuso gave participants a rundown of how the class would be structured and then advised them to find their own space where they could comfortably move their limbs around.

We usually start with meditation, then we warm up and go through some flow and then lead up to Shavasana, said Cammuso.

For Shavasana, participants were invited to float on their backs and pay attention to their breath.

Being in the water presents new challenges for people who feel out of their comfort zones.

When I teach, I always try to tell people to be aware of whats happening within their body, said Cammuso.

Cammuso said something as small as a stubbed toe can impact balance during yoga poses.

I always ask people to practice self-awareness said Cammuso.

As with yoga on land, there (are) always challenges if youre working with injuries. said Cammuso.

She said that its important to let the instructor know of any injuries that may inhibit you from doing certain movements

Cammuso added that instructors could offer modifications to participants for certain poses.

The Cheshire Community Pool has aqua jog belts, noodles, and other water aerobics equipment available to participants.

Its really a nice alternative for those with injuries, perhaps those with joint issues,Cammuso said.

Practicing yoga in water gives participants a new perspective on their favorite yoga poses and provides the opportunity for them to try poses they otherwise may not.

You find that you can perhaps get into a pose in the water where you might not have been able to do so on land, said Cammuso.

Aqua exercise can help participants improve strength and flexibility while relieving joint pressure.

Its just really beneficial in so many ways, Cammuso said.

To learn more about Yoga in the Water offered at the Cheshire Community Pool visit:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/cheshirecommunitypool/posts/?ref=page_internal

Kristen Dearborn is a Wallingford native, NASM certified personal trainer and author of the blog dearfitkris https://dearfitkris.com/

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HEALTHY LIVING: 5 things to know about water yoga in Cheshire - Meriden Record-Journal