Yoga studio to open in Norway

Photo: Kayla Collins

EXCITED — Yoga instructors Katey Hawes, left, and Kathryn Gardner stand in the new location on Tannery Street in Norway during its mid-construction preview and open house last Saturday. The two say they can't wait to begin teaching classes. 

NORWAY — A studio run by three certified yoga teachers will soon open its doors at 15 Tannery Street, a move that owner Katey Hawes believes the locals will greatly appreciate. 

"It will be a really nice fit for the community," Hawes said during her mid-construction preview and open house last Saturday. The grand-opening is slated for January 1. 

Hawes said her 740-square-foot studio will have a hardwood, semi-spring floor along with a few other rooms designed specifically for therapeutic yoga and physical therapy. 

The studio will also give local groups a space to rent for dance classes, T'ai Chi, Zumba, Reiki or other similar programs, says Hawes. 

Hawes, MS, PT, RYT, along with Kathryn Gardner and Katey Branch, the women who make up Possibilities and OH Yoga! have been teaching Vinyasa and therapeutic yoga classes at the Center for Movement and Meditation above Books N Things on Main Street since May. 

All three women are longtime practitioners of yoga and recently received their yoga teacher certification through the Shala Institute of Yoga in Bridgton.

In addition, Hawes, who has been a physical therapist for 20 years, will teach Vinyasa Flow and yoga therapy. Both Gardner and Branch are licensed massage therapists who will also teach Vinyasa.

Vinyasa, according to Hawes, covers a broad range of yoga classes and is synchronized to the breath.

Hawes says the studio will be a place for people to either energize or relax and focus on health and happiness.

Therapeutic yoga classes are designed to address imbalances, dysfunction, or disease that may be affecting individual participants, explains Hawes. No prior yoga experience is needed. 

"It's not just a place to fix your shoulder," she says. "You also focus on emotions." She says her classes are "pretty low key and there are no expectations." 

Linda Frechette of Norway, who has attended a few of the OH Yoga! classes, says she can attest to that. "I was new to yoga. I had never done it before," she admits. 

"Her [Hawes'] classes are ideal for beginners. She helps you along, it's easy pace, it's relaxing," says Frechette. "I think there is a big need for it in the area. I think everyone will benefit." 

Gardner, who has been a massage therapist since 2000, says she can't wait for the new facility to open. 

"I am so excited that Katey is opening a therapeutic yoga spot," she says. 

She is mostly excited for all three of them to have their very own space. Not to mention "it's fun to work with your friends." 

"We know how to communicate with each other," agrees Hawes. 

During the open house Saturday, visitors said they were really looking forward to having a studio in downtown Norway. Hawes says the location was one of the biggest motivations for buying the building on Tannery Street. 

"It's accessible. It's just a block off Main Street," she points out, and it will be "really relaxing, and comfortable." According to Hawes, the new location offers a much bigger space than the current location above Books N Things. 

"I am very excited and impressed with the vision, dedication and following through with Katey and Jeff [her husband] to see this happen," says Eliza Beghe of Norway, who attended the open house. 

"Our goal is for it to be a community space where people can feel good and be healthy," says Hawes. 

Alissa Leonard of Norway says she's looking into taking classes to "stay healthy" and as "a way to meet new people." 

After all, "yoga is a lot of self-inquiring," says Hawes. It's a way to "to get in touch with yourself. It's amazing how much we can figure out without a doctor." 

Construction on the building is expected to be completed in about another month. 

For more information, contact Katey Hawes at 890-4319 or visit www.facebook.com/ohyoga or www.facebook.com/posabilities4u.