BROOKHAVEN — Yoga is back and Brookhaven native Betsy Belk could not be more excited for the return of her passion. Her Stillwater Studio closed in 2021 but she announced she would start teaching again on April 13. 

People can block off their Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to come stretch out and relax. 

Belk advertised the Yoga Class return will be for everybody and every body. She said people do not have to be super flexible or be able to touch their toes to participate. The first class will be held at the Homestead-Whittington Farms on US51. Each class is $10. 

“If the demand is there then I will add another night. I will take it as it comes,” Belk said. “Kara Whittington is a friend of mine. She offered to let me use the event venue space and I said alright. I am excited. There is a lot of good feedback and a lot of people interested.” 

Since she announced her return with Yoga classes on the Stillwater Studio’s Facebook Page, 34 people have commented on the post. She still answers calls about the studio and decided with some free time she had she would make a comeback. 

People do need to bring comfortable clothes they can move around in and a yoga mat if they have one. Stillwater takes its name from Psalm 23 which is about how the Lord comforts as a shepherd. “He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” 

COVID closed her business but there is still interest in the area. She said she fields several phone calls each week asking about the yoga studio. 

“It breaks my heart to tell people I haven’t been teaching yoga. After COVID, we shut down for four months. I tried to make changes. I taped out spacing on the floor,” Belk said. “We did what we could. I also lost one of my teachers. Angie Smith passed away unexpectedly. Mood Salon rents the space now and I have been able to step back and get involved in my day job and with my kids. There hasn’t been time to teach but now I have a window.” 

From about April to August she has a free night each Thursday where no soccer, baseball or softball games conflict. She said she will give it a try and see if anyone is interested in doing more classes. 

Belk said yoga is good because it allows people to breath, slow down and be intentional with their movements. It also gives a person awareness about their own body. “It really shocks people how much they love it,” Belk said. 

Since 2014, she has had the chance to teach nearly 400 students and work with 20 different teachers at her studio. 

Her start in yoga came from wanting relief for back pain. After three weeks, she said she noticed a difference. It will likely stay part-time for Belk but she can not help but dream. “I’m a dreamer,” she said.

“I want everyone to try it out and come when they can,” she said. “I will stay in my marketing position with Team Title. I love what I do. I can’t help but dream though,” Belk said. “I plan to do  private yoga classes if schedules allow. Maybe do day retreats and do a couple of traveling yoga adventures too. I would love to have a committed yoga group.”