 "Photo: MCT Campus")
Yoga exercise has become fairly pervasive in recent years. Lessons are given on television, through private instructors and taught on many college campuses. It’s almost difficult to get away from those brightly rolled exercise mats and bare feet.
Among this sea of exercise gurus and their students is Carol Yeh-Garner, a yoga instructor. But what distinguishes her class from more traditional yoga begins with her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Known as Hyp-Yoga, Yeh-Garner has put more emphasis on the power of hypnosis and the link between mind and emotion already integrated into many yoga techniques.
“In regular yoga, you’re in a light, hypnotic zone already,” Yeh-Garner said. “For hypnosis in yoga, we bring that light state and (encourage) a deeper focus on ridding (the body and mind) of negative thoughts and negative energy.”
Yeh-Garner’s Web site, www.awelllivedlife.net, assures potential students that hypnosis is not to be feared and the average person experiences a hypnotic state three to four times per day.
“All hypnosis is essentially self-hypnosis,” the Web site states.
Yeh-Garner’s classes are geared toward weight loss, but also help cultivate a healthy lifestyle and find physical and psychological balance.
“Most people are coming to lose anywhere from 5 to 100 pounds,” Yeh-Garner said. “In addition, they are looking for stress reduction.”
A standard exercise regimen in Hyp-Yoga includes repeating affirmative mantras, such as: “My mind is strong, my body is healthy,” as well as visualizing excess weight melting away while directing stretching and breathing. Testimonials on the Web site frequently attest to the benefits of this hypnosis.
“Maintaining balance in your life is very important, (because) a lot of people are stressed out and aren’t aware of their emotional eating habits, etc.,” Yeh-Garner said. “This class is important to help people realize this and to get a workout, especially since it is increasing their endorphin levels.”
Yeh-Garner regularly administers an eight-week weight loss program to her students, making audio / MP3 tapes available to those who are otherwise unable to attend her classes. Her Web site also references other hypnosis-inspired practices such as HypnoBirthing and HypnoFertility — encouraging health and success through physical and psychological well-being.
“Everyone knows they should (live healthier), but there’s a gap between the ‘shoulds’ and the ability to do so,” Yeh-Garner said. “Then there’s that imbalance in their mind, then they’re not going to be successful. This class helps with that blockage ... and helps people get their minds and bodies in balance.”
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