The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: Variety

At four months pregnant, Kendall Kookagey, director of Athens Power Yoga, demonstrates the Warrior Two, the Bridge and the Side Plank poses. Photos by Daniel Shirey [Click to enlarge]

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Every college student knows that the start of the school year can be a time of worry, stress and high expenses. The ladies at Athens Power Yoga have found a solution to share with the Athens community.

Kendall Kookogey, owner of Athens Power Yoga, and her yoga teachers-in-training are offering pay-what-you-can yoga lessons every Monday and Wednesday night to anyone who wants to come and see what yoga is all about.

Recommended donation is $5 and the proceeds benefit local charities.

The charity event is also meant to begin introducing the studio's newly registered yoga teachers.

To facilitate their transition from student to teacher, Athens Power Yoga is combining their introduction to the public with a simultaneous benefit for the Athens Community.

"I am excited to have more teachers come on board because even though the procedures of teaching yoga here at the studio are the same, every teacher is different," Kookogey said. "One teacher might speak to someone and make a difference in a way that I cannot."

The studio began hosting a 200-hour teacher training workshop with Rolf Gates, a nationally recognized Vinyasa yoga teacher. Gates is still in the process of training the students who have expressed interest in becoming certified yoga instructors at Kookogey's studio.

The charity yoga drive is Kookogey's way of giving these instructors experience as they complete their training, as well as providing yoga classes for those who have never tried yoga or those who still aren't sure about it.

Stephanie Struble, a trainee at the studio, has been taking yoga for two and a half years and has decided to become a teacher because of her love of the art.

"Yoga started out as physical exercise for me, but it has grown into more of a mental and spiritual journey," Struble said.

"Instead of focusing on my faults, I have learned to celebrate what I can do, and I hope that, as a teacher, I can facilitate a path of discovery for others as well."

All proceeds from the charity event will be given to Mercy Health Center and Camp Summer Spree.

Mercy Health Center provides some health services to the uninsured in and around Athens.

"The healthcare crisis in this county is very near and dear to my heart," Kookogey said. "And I was thrilled to see that there is such an organization in Athens trying to reach out and help those who are dealing with the horrible situation of not having health insurance."

Camp Summer Spree is an organization that provides a recreational summer camp atmosphere as well as a learning experience to under-served youth in the Athens area.

Becky Lockman, founder of Camp Summer Spree, charges no fees to any kids or parents who want to attend her camp. The camp is run on donations and fundraising alone.

"The charity event helps connect us to the community in a broader way, people will inquire about us and hopefully want to become involved in what we're trying to do," Lockman said.

The yoga charity event is taking place through October 8. For regular class schedules, visit www.athenspoweryoga.com.

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