The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: Variety

Media Credit: WAITES LASETER Five Points Yoga is one of only a few studios in Athens offering yoga instruction. It also hosts classes in Tai chi, ballet sculpt and Pilates. [Click to enlarge]

The building may no longer churn out freshly dry-cleaned garments, but some definite cleansing still goes on at 1687 South Lumpkin Street.

When the space that formerly housed New Way Dry Cleaners closed in October, Five Points Yoga owners Shannon Frank and Debi Garrett saw a big opportunity.

"We both knew it was our dream to eventually open up a studio," Frank said of their fortuitous business venture, which opened at the Five Points site in December.

The studio, located between Earth Fare and Five Points Bottle Shop, has an unassuming, discreet exterior, sitting quietly in the middle of a bustling intersection.

The inside presents a warm, welcoming space with a subtle Southwestern feel, adorned with golden string lights and walls painted mustard-yellow.

Five Points Yoga specializes in the foundations of vinyasa and anusara-inspired yoga.

Translation for non-yogis: vinyasa literally means "breath-synchronized movement," while anusara translates to "flowing with grace."

At its most basic, yoga is a way to exercise one's body and mind simultaneously. In doing so, the participant moves toward a balance between physical and mental wellness.

Though for the most part, all forms of yoga strive toward a similar goal, the actual techniques vary significantly.

Vinyasa flow classes are fast-paced and heavily focused on the breath. Although they can be challenging, modifications are always an option for beginners, Frank said.

In contrast, anusara-based lessons hold poses longer, stressing the integrity of the pose and instilling alignment-based principles.

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