Going with the Flow
story by Ashley Elvington • photos by Ivana Reay-Jones Photography
Many who happen to meet Veronica Robertson will agree that she is a ray of sunshine, exuberating joy and kindness and warmth that puts a soul at ease. Originally from Colombia, South America, it didn’t take long for Veronica to feel at home as many in Florence welcomed her with the open loving arms of a family, especially in Downtown Florence… But, more on that in a minute.
Veronica and her family moved to Florence almost a decade ago when her husband accepted the position of Medical Director at McLeod Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department. “We have found a home in Florence. Both of our daughters were born here and we are grateful for all of the opportunities the city of Florence has provided us. We are committed to this community and we expect to raise our family here and grow Flow Town Yoga.” Before she opened her own yoga studio, Veronica received 200 hours of yoga teacher training through Charleston Power Yoga in Charleston, South Carolina. Since then, she has completed a 500-hour yoga teacher advanced certification through the Kunga Yoga School at the Wilmington Yoga Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.
She noticed that Florence was missing a yoga space led by trained and certified yoga instructors. Inspired to be the change the community needed, Veronica made plans to open her own studio in Downtown Florence. “I imagined a studio that offered varying formats, reaching individuals from a variety of populations and needs: seniors, children, males, females…from all backgrounds, body compositions and fitness levels. Anyone can find a class that fits their needs, from Senior Chair yogis to the Power Vinyasa yogis.” Doors opened in February 2017 and in less than two years, Flow Town Yoga has grown from offering 12 classes per week to over 32. “We now have two studio spaces in Downtown Florence, a heated room and a cool room. We feel honored to be a part of the development and growth of Downtown Florence.” Flow Town Yoga is now a Kunga Yoga affiliated studio and will soon be a Yoga Alliance registered school of yoga, the first of its kind in Florence. “We will train the next generation of yoga teachers who will share this beautiful practice with our community and beyond.”
For Veronica, work weeks are easy to endure when you love what you do. “Yoga is accessible to everybody. It is not about the pose, but about what we learn in between. As we move through postures using our breath, we can find a place of calmness within ourselves where we can reflect and learn… Discovering tools that we own and can carry with us everywhere we go.” She enjoys teaching beginners, especially seniors. “Witnessing the growth and joy I see in others is amazing. By growth, I do not mean being able to do advanced, intricate yoga poses. It means being able to feel comfortable and powerful in their bodies… Being able to stand up from a chair using one’s own strength, being able to move confidently, to reconnect with your body and the present moment… Watching students walk out of the yoga room renewed, smiling and confident. Knowing we help in any little way to get them to that place, is very rewarding.”
Flow Town Yoga | 152 S. Dargan Street, Heated Studio | 127 N. Dargan Street, Cool Studio | Downtown Florence
To learn more, as well as view a schedule of their classes, visit www.flowtownyoga.com.
These 6 movements Rotate, flex, extend and align the spine, stimulating spinal nerves, toning abdominal and back muscles, and improving breathing. It activates digestion and relieves constipation, increases circulation, and brings fresh oxygen to musculoskeletal system.
Twist:
Find a comfortable seated position, on the floor or on a chair. As you begin to awaken the spinal muscles, allow the movements to be slow and mindful. There is no need to rush. Hold each pose for 3 breaths. Find length in the spine and a neutral pelvis, twist to one side starting the movement from the torso. Lengthening on the inhale and gently twisting deeper on the exhale.
Benefits: Rotating the spine consistently and correctly will help us keep our range of motion healthy and flexible so that daily movement becomes easier and less painful. Twisting hydrates the intervertebral disks and massages the organs within the abdomen supporting digestion.
Lateral Flexion:
Start on an easy seated position with your legs crossed. Inhale reaching up with both arms then on the exhale placing your right hand on the floor and reaching over with the left arm creating a C shape with the spine. Hold for 3 breaths and repeat on other side.
Benefits: Lateral flexion is a movement that bends the body to the right or left side. It helps to open up the side-body, strengthens the obliques, and is helpful in increasing flexibility of the spine lengthening the muscles between the ribs and pelvis, plus parts of the lower back. Lateral flexion also opens up the ribcage, helping to expand the lungs and aid in deeper breathing.
Spinal Flexion:
Start on table top on your hands and knees. Hands directly underneath shoulders, and your knees directly underneath your hips. Keep your back flat, and your head in line with the rest of your spine. INHALE. With an EXHALATION tuck your tailbone, round the spine towards the ceiling and gently bring your chin towards your chest. This is called Cat pose.
Benefits: This shape expands the back-body, stretching the back of the lungs, increasing breath capacity, and tones the abdomen with an engaged core. It allows us to turn inward for reflection and calmness.
Spinal Extension:
After Cat pose and exhaling, INHALE, tip the tailbone up, drop the belly and chest toward the floor, and lift your head and chin forward and up. Think about lengthening the spine as you do this movement. This position is Cow.
Benefits: This is a lengthening pose particularly for opening up the thoracic spine and the muscles of the chest and shoulders. It strengthens the lungs and facilitates deeper breathing. When done in a chair, place hands on your thighs and extend and flex the spine with the flow of the breath. Establishing a breathing rhythm. Inhaling deep with the Cow position and exhaling completely with the Cat position.