Yoga for Every(body)

FOR NINA ZALTZMAN, daily yoga practice is essential to her ability to stay present in the moment and calm her body and mind—particularly during life’s tougher seasons. It’s a gift to her, and one she hopes to share with students at Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga, the studio she opened nearly 13 years ago.

At the peaceful space nestled downtown on Sycamore Avenue, she says all are welcome—from experienced yogis to those hoping to begin their journey in the ancient practice. Each is made to feel comfortable developing at their own pace and, thanks to a group of instructors that are celebrated for their varying teaching styles and specializations, there’s truly something for everyone.

“I recently had a student leave one of our classes and say that she has practiced yoga all over the world, but this is her favorite space,” Zaltzman says. “It’s warm, the teachers are excellent, and we have a beautiful community; it’s like home and such a special place, and I am so proud when I receive feedback like that.”

MORE THAN THE PHYSICAL PRACTICE

Zaltzman, originally from Finland, says she grew up with yoga in her home. Her mother has practiced since 1968 and still does.

Inspired by her mom, Zaltzman did yoga off and on for many years. But about 20 years ago, she really began to rely on it. She was in a rocky marriage and began practicing daily (in fact, twice daily for a time).

“I needed something that would calm my mind,” she says. “It helped. It’s about staying in the moment and trying not to worry about the future or think about the past. I’m not a patient person; I’m more patient because of yoga.”

When she decided to train to become a certified yoga teacher, Zaltzman says it was not with the intention of actually teaching classes, it was to deepen her own practice.

Friends and fellow yogis eventually convinced her to give it a go.

“I get very nervous in front of people—in my early classes I could hear my voice become shaky. But I overcame the fear just by doing it.”

Specializing in stretch and strength, Zaltzman says she teaches people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis, or those that might be recovering from surgery.

“It’s so rewarding seeing their progress,” she says.

Zaltzman says her spot at 18 Sycamore Ave. was formerly a reiki studio. She took over the space in 2013 and began building a staff, based on referrals and experience.

Each teacher brings something special to the table.

“They teach the way they teach—I don’t tell them what to do,” Zaltzman says. “They can be creative and improve their yoga as well because they’re comfortable and can go to the next level.”

It’s one thing that teacher Tara Merson loves about Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga and working for Zaltzman.

“Nina treats her yoga teachers like artists—she steps back and doesn’t give us guidelines on how to create the art; she gives us the freedom to express and guide yoga classes in a way that’s comfortable for us. She’s really encouraging, supportive and makes me feel valued.”

Much like Zaltzman, Merson was introduced to yoga early on in life. Her grandmother suffered from migraines and tried everything to ease symptoms, eventually discovering relief with yoga, which wasn’t as ubiquitous in America at the time (the 1970s).

Merson’s first yoga class was when she was around 10 years old, with her grandmother as her teacher. She…didn’t love it.

As she went on to receive an MBA and climb the corporate ladder in business and finance, she kept yoga in the picture but just thought of it as her stretch after more strenuous workouts.

After having children, Merson stopped working in finance and eventually was drawn toward wellness, becoming a certified health coach in 2015—a move she says was more in line with who she really is and what she’s passionate about.

Still, it wasn’t until she was introduced by teachers to the philosophy behind the asana practice (the physical body positions or poses) that her eyes were opened to the wonders of yoga. This awakening coincided with issues happening in her family; Merson says yoga was the one thing that helped her navigate really hard times.

“Yoga is so much more than the physical practice,” she says. “I sometimes share with students that there are 196 yoga sutras; only three talk about the physical practice. There are 193 other beautiful gems. And Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga embraces that. It’s very cliché to say mind and body but it’s a space that really encourages that.”

She says she strives to create a sacred space that’s very different from the outside world during her classes. She plays the harmonium, which is a keyboard instrument invented in the early 1800s. The sound and vibrations fill the room, Merson says, helping to define the space.

Merson starts each class with the dharma (in Buddhism, the Buddha’s teachings that help people overcome suffering and achieve liberation). She introduces yoga philosophy but in a very practical way, she says.

“The priority is to look toward the other 23 hours of the day, and can this one hour uplift you?” she says. “It’s a journey—I want to ground you, calm you, and relax you, but then let’s move and build up heat; I want you to get all those physical benefits: cardio, strength and stretching. And I also really want you to have fun.

Sometimes we move from ethereal music to something like Justin Bieber. I think everything has balance.”

Teacher and Ho-Ho-Kus resident Fran Marino knows about balance. She’s an attorney. It’s a lot of work and sometimes really stressful, she says. That’s where yoga comes in.

“Thank God for yoga; I say that every day,” she says. “The 6 a.m. class is my favorite to teach and take because it sets you up for your day. I know it’s going to be a busy day for me and that it won’t end until tonight, and I have a lot of responsibilities and obligations, but yoga gets me ready for my day by giving me lots of energy and a good attitude and it carries through.”

Marino says she’s been practicing yoga since high school, when she opted out of regular gym class to take yoga with a biology teacher that offered to teach it.

“From the minute I understood what it was I loved it,” she says. “I was never good at sports; I never considered myself an athletic person. But yoga allows you to move your body in a way that’s accessible while also soothing the heart and making you feel good.”

Marino says she was taking a class taught by Zaltzman about 10 years ago when she gave her a pamphlet about teacher training. Her kids were getting older and didn’t need her as much,

so she decided to go for it and was hired by Zaltzman after becoming certified.

“It was the best experience of my life,” she says of the strenuous training. “Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga is one of the bright spots in an already beautiful town. The teachers, studio and environment are exactly what I need when it comes to yoga and it’s right in the middle of town.”

MOOD FOLLOWS ACTION

Thinking of trying out yoga? One of Merson’s favorite sayings is, “Mood follows action.” Don’t wait to be in the mood, she says, just act. Baby steps are OK. Maybe start with a 10 to

15-minute-long video or check out a class, she adds.

“Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga is a beautiful place to start,” she says. “You will feel safe and comfortable. It really doesn’t matter what level you are, truly all are welcome.”

Clients agree. Abby Mayer says Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga is a welcoming community and Kristen Voglewede called the space “inclusive.” Kristina Filler says it’s a “judgement-free zone,” which is refreshing in a world where many gyms have a competitive vibe, she says.

“The classes made restarting yoga after many years less intimidating,” Mayer says.

Merson says the physical benefits of yoga are many, but there is not meant to be pressure or judgement in the practice.

“Yoga doesn’t think you need to get stretchier, stronger, or more flexible,” she says. “It looks at you like you’re perfect and whole right now. You’re not broken regardless of whether your head can touch your toes. It’s about healing, rejuvenation, being strong and flexible so you can act in the world as the best version of yourself.”

Mentally, Merson says she believes the biggest benefit of yoga is that it can help people navigate challenges and bumps in the road.

She says:“It doesn’t mean you’re not going to have ups and downs, you are, that’s the human experience. But perhaps you’ll be able to navigate them with a little more clarity, better perspective and with hope.”

BY SARAH NOLAN