MIKE BELL
LYW: What initially brought you to a yoga practice? How long have you been practicing?
MIKE: My wife and I began practicing yoga in 1995, after attending an orientation at the former Center for Yoga on Larchmont in Los Angeles. It seemed that Yoga would be a healthful thing for us to do together and that was indeed the case. The classes we took there were quite vigorous, and we continued practicing there and at Yoga House in Pasadena for several years, until we moved to Westchester. I continued to practice on my own at home until 2004, when a new job required me to be away for extended periods, and I stopped practicing until around 2017.
LYW: What brought you to LYW? And what keeps you here? How often do you practice?
MIKE: I began practicing anew at Live Yoga Wellness when I saw how my wife, Mary Ann, was physically and mentally benefitting from the classes, making healthier life choices, and enjoying new friendships. I wanted these too, and am happy to have these experiences as well.
LYW: Are there any observations/comments/anecdotes from a class or workshop that you care to share?
MIKE: I attend Prime of Life Yoga® classes with Don Henry on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Don’s approach is just right for me. He focusses on the needs and abilities of older people (I am nearly 75), and consistently brings his excellent teaching skills and deep understanding of yoga and yoga therapy to his students. I always enjoy his class.
LYW: Please share with us the benefits you receive from your yoga practice.
MIKE: I know that I need yoga at this time of my life. Having had a quadruple cardiac bypass in 2005, and a heart attack in November, 2017, as well as being diagnosed diabetic in 2014, it is clear to me that yoga, walking, and more conscious eating habits are my keys to better health. Yoga has enhanced my health in many ways; taught me how to relax, increased my body awareness and appreciation of regular exercise, provides a way to make new friends, and makes me feel good!
