February 7, 2008
Yoga Stdio opens near Ash Springs

Photo by Dave Maxwell Alyssa Lee's Yoga Bliss Studio

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Alyssa Lee and Betsy Whipple have opened Yoga Bliss, a yoga studio, on the Whipple Ranch near Ash Springs. The studio is located in a building that Betsy converted to her own private gymnasium, “like something I was used to working out in in L.A,” she said.

Ms. Whipple, an investment banker with Morgan Stanley in Las Vegas, started converting the building last fall into a “very relaxing Yoga studio,” which also includes a Stairmaster and boxing bags. She eventually intends to add leg machines, free weights, squat machine, etc. It is different from the Lincoln County Fitness Center in Alamo in that it is “more of a gymnasium, not necessarily concentrated on therapy,” she said. “It’s going to be more free weights and individual muscles; more along the line of Gold’s Gym.”

At the same time, the building will serve as the Yoga Studio for Alyssa Lee to hold her classes. Alyssa is the daughter of Bob and Jolene Hosier of Alamo.

A Grand Opening for ‘Yoga Bliss’ was held February 2. The studio was quite well received and Alyssa offered three different types of classes; allowing people to see which one might be best suited for them. “I wanted to show what the studio is and what type of environment we have. Yoga is not only for relieving stress. You can actually get a physical aerobic workout through Yoga, without the running on treadmills, and other things that may hurt painful joints,” she said.

For those who do work out at the Fitness Center, she added, “Yoga is just an extra cross-training. If you are weightlifting, Yoga is a nice ‘add’ to any type of workout or sport that you’re doing.”

Different classes are offered throughout the week: beginners, advanced, and stress relief and management. “In the future, we will be adding some circuit training and things with weights.”

Alyssa has practiced Yoga for quite awhile herself and recently became a certified instructor. She said, “Yoga has lots of wonderful health, as well as, physical benefits.”

The five class basic package is $65. The more classes that you buy, the price comes down. There are discounts for Senior Citizens, age 60 and over. Private Yoga sessions for women are also offered. Coed classes could also be offered if there were enough men to sign up.

“Yoga means Union”, Alyssa said, “and is intended to bring into union your body, mind, and spirit. A lot of the things we do in Yoga actually help to benefit flexibility, stamina, balance, and concentration, in addition to numerous health benefits.” Research has shown that Yoga helps with insomnia, stress, carpal tunnel, diabetes, asthma, even Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Often thought of as being a type of eastern religious meditation, Alyssa said the type of Yoga offered at Yoga Bliss does not focus on the religious aspect, rather the physical, although she thinks meditation is useful.

Alyssa has a website at www.yogablissbyalyssa.com.