Carmen Bell demonstrates the elegant Sundial Pose, called Surya Yantrasana in Sanskrit. David F. Rooney photo
By David F. Rooney
The Taproot Yoga Centre’s space is spare — almost spartan. Its concrete walls are bare — but with sensuous splashes of colour that excite your senses. Four brilliant tapestries and its richly coloured floorboards enliven a vast room from whose south-facing windows you can look down on Mackenzie Avenue.
For its owner, Caroline Reid, the Taproot Yoga Centre is both a business and a sanctuary of peace where she and her staff can both practice teach the physical and meditative disciplines of this 2,000-year-old practice.
“Yoga practitioners of all levels, including those who have never tried yoga before, are welcome to come and practice here,” said the former medical researcher who established the centre last November.
You can find out more about the Taproot Yoga Centre, located at 215B Mackenzie Avenue (though its entrance is in the back alley behind the building) by going online to www.yogarevelstoke.com. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoys these photos of Reid and teachers, Sheri Zebroff, Carmen Bell and Michelle Puzzuoli demonstrating some of the postures of their ancient tradition:
Sheri Zebroff, Carmen Bell, Caroline Reid and Michelle Puzzuoli prepare to demonstrate some of the yoga techniques they teach in the Taproot Yoga Centre's space in the loft at 215B Mackenzie. David F. Rooney photoThis is Trikonasa, or Triangle posture. This is the quintessential standing pose in many styles of yoga. David F. Rooney photoAnother view of the Trikonasa Pose. David F. Rooney photoCaroline Reid and Michelle Puzzuoli demonstrate the Paravritta Trikosana, or Revolved Triangle Pose. Usually a counter-pose to Trikonasana. It is also, according to www.yogajournal.com, a preparation for seated forward bends and twists. David F. Rooney photoA slightly different view of the Paravritta Trikonasa. David F. Rooney photoCarmen Bell, Caroline Reid and Michelle Puzzuoli perform the Downward-facing Crazy Dog or Adho Mukha Svanasana. This is one of the poses in the traditional Sun Salutation. David F. Rooney photoCaroline Reid and Carmen Bell perform the Reverse Warrior or Virabhadrasana Pose. David F. Rooney photoReid and Bell smile engagingly as they perform the Reverse Warrior. David F. Rooney photoCaroline Reid (left) and Michelle Puzzuoli are bent almost in two as they prepare to attempt the Pincha Mayvarasana, or Scorpion, Pose. They are assisted by Sheri Zebroff (foreground) and Carmen Bell. David F. Rooney photoCarmen Bell and Sheri Zebroff assist Caroline Reid and Michelle Puzzuoli as they adopt the Pincha Mayvarasan, or Scorpion, Pose. David F. Rooney photoCaroline Reid and Michelle Puzzuoli in the Scorpion Pose. David F. Rooney photoWhile the loft where these women and their students practice Yoga is spare, there are touches of comfort, such as this cabinet of towels and mats. David F. Rooney photoSheri Zebroff, Michelle Puzzuoli, Caroline Reid and Carmen Bell demonstrate the postures of the Rajakapotasana or King Pigeon Pose. David F. Rooney photoCarmen Bell arches backwards in the Urdhva Dhanurasana, or Full Wheel Pose, over top of Michelle Puzzuoli who is in the Purvottanasana or Table Pose. David F. Rooney photoThere are visually quiet but ascetically appealing corners in the loft. David F. Rooney photoA bronze effigy of the god Shiva, in one of his many incarnations, appears to dance on the window sill against the distant peak of Mount Mackenzie. David F. Rooney photoCarmen Bell (left, back) performs a Sirsasana B or Headstand Pose as Michelle Puzzuoli demonstrates the Salambarvangasana Supported Shoulder Stand and Caroline Reid (right) performs the Sirsasana A Headstand. David F. Rooney photoAnother view of Reid, Puzzuoli and Bell in their respective positions. David F. Rooney photoAnd yet a third view of this Pose. David F. Rooney photoFor Caroline Reid's dog Maya, all the yoga being demonstrated at the Taproot Yoga Centre is no reason to get excited. David F. Rooney photoFour pairs of feet come together as Reid, Bell, Zebroff and Puzzuoli prepare to perform the Paschimottanasana or Forward Fold Pose. David F. Rooney photoMichelle Puzzuoli (left) Sheri Zebroff, Carmen Bell and Caroline Reid (right) perform the Paschimottanasana or Forward Fold Pose. David F. Rooney photoThe women's hands join above their geometrically aligned feet in the Paschimottanasana or Forward Fold Pose. David F. Rooney photoMichelle Puzzuoli and Sheri Zebroff perform the Janu Sirsasana or Head to Toe Pose. David F. Rooney photoCaroline Reid smiles as she sits in the Padnasana or Lotus Pose. David F. Rooney photoCarmen Bell performs the Surya Yantrasana or Sundial Pose. David F. Rooney photo
