Cathy Dobson
When Leslie Pullen discovered yoga she found it brought balance to her busy athletic life.
“I found it very calming. It centres and grounds me,” says the 38-year-old married mother of a three-year-old.
Pullen is originally from Vancouver and began practicing yoga there. It continued to be a big part of her life after moving to Sarnia in 2003, so much so she became a certified yoga instructor.
In 2014, she pursued it further and trained in yoga therapy to offer her clients a way to address emotional and mental challenges, as well as physical ones.
“You can adapt yoga to meet your own personal needs and my therapeutic yoga can help you do that. We all have stress, we all hold tension and have dependency and resistance in our lives,” said Pullen.
“Yoga can address that. It offers so many personal benefits.”
Five months ago she established Deep Roots Yoga & Therapeutics, focusing on group and private classes. She also offers courses and yoga teacher training, and sells eco-friendly yoga products such as biodegradable rubber yoga mats.
Her office at 568 North Christina St. has space that she says provides a safe place where clients can restore and find balance.
“My business name, Deep Roots Yoga, really resonates with me because I establish deep roots. It’s about finding connections.
“I feel this is an opportunity to have a more individualized, enriched yoga experience,” Pullen said.
Weekly group classes are held at the Sarnia Riding Club. For example, Release and Renewal classes are for busy people who want to slow down. Exploring Your Personal Yoga Practice includes cognitive training to be more aware of habits and changing the negative ones.
Online registration has started for the next sessions in January. An eight-week session costs $90, while a six-week session costs $68.
Private yoga therapy sessions cost $80 an hour.
Pullen is also celebrating the holiday season with two free classes on Dec. 21 at the Sarnia Riding Club, 980 Riding Club Lane.
“De-Stress & Celebrate” is from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A “Warm and Merry” class is offered from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat, a thick blanket if possible and a donation of warm winter gear or canned food for the less fortunate.
“Just show up,” said Pullen. “My hope is to help out people who may be feeling stressed and to build connections with the community.
Deep Roots Yoga & Therapeutics can be contacted at 519-336-5810, www.deeprootsyoga.ca, or on Facebook.
Got an interesting business story? Contact Cathy Dobson at [email protected] or 226-932-0985.