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About
Barbara Olin:
Barbara came to
Ashland with her husband and son this past June
of 2008 after living in Smithfield, Virginia for 19 years. It was in Smithfield that she began
practicing Yoga about nine years ago. Says Barbara, “I
loved Yoga immediately. I find that many people do.
I had taken years of dancing as a child and teenager so I
believed it was the same required body awareness, the same
inner focus, and the overall sense of well being that is
gained in both dance and yoga. People who love to
dance usually love yoga.”
Barbara had always wanted to
teach yoga in a studio and had considered teaching in one of
the Richmond studios. But, she felt that
there was a need for more yoga classes in Ashland. One of her biggest initial
obstacles was to find a space. Fortunately,
Diane Hale agreed to allow her to lease her studio for yoga
classes. The studio provides a wonderful atmosphere,
warm lighting, soft, old hardwood floors, a good sound
system and great energy, (good chi). Barbara believes
that the great energy comes from the wonderful old building
and the many children who have spent years dancing in the
studio. Additionally, there is space outside the studio
itself, usually used as a waiting room for parents, for
persons to gather after class and have a little social time. Barbara is presently
conducting a special program for persons with back problems
on Sunday evenings. Beginning February 15th she
will add a level 1 class on Sundays from 6:00 p.m to 7:15
p.m. Barbara is presently completing a room in her home
that she can use for private yoga classes during the day or
evenings. “I love teaching yoga and my
most satisfying moments are when students tell me that yoga
has made a big difference in their lives. I have been
told by students that I have helped heal their back problems
greatly improving their quality of life, have increased
their range of movement and general activity level,
increased their strength, helped them to lose weight,
improve posture, and most importantly to bring about a peace
in their life they have yet to know.” Although, the
physical benefits of yoga are great, it is the meditation,
allowing the mind to be still and rest in the present that
is of the greatest benefit. Barbara loves to read and has
many “favorite” authors. Thomas Moore, a catholic
priest who is a wonderful spiritual writer, Eckert Tolle and
Deepak Chopra for putting complicated spiritual concepts
into such understandable , practicable form, Anne Lamont for
her humor and candor, Willa Cather for her beautiful,
touching prose. Her newest find is a book by Mary
Pipher, which will be released in March, called Seeking
Peace, Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World. If Barbara could meet one
world figure it would be the Dali Lama. Says Barbara,
“I wouldn’t ask him anything, I would just like to be in the
presence of someone who has it so together and is so happy
to just be alive. I don’t think words are really necessary
with him but I would certainly be thrilled to hear anything
he felt like saying.” Barbara really enjoyed his book,
The Art of Happiness
and think it’s a great read for anyone of any
religious persuasion. If she could go anywhere in
the world, she would go to the smaller islands in the South
Pacific off Tahiti via a sailboat. These many islands are seldom
visited except by sailing vessels. Barbara is an avid
sailor. She says, “Sailing is my most favorite
activity. We have a sailboat that we dock in Deltaville,
Va.and is the place we will spend most weekends in
fair weather.” Her favorite destination thus far has
been the British Virgin Islands,
but they are becoming more touristy and commercial every
year. Still, they are incredibly beautiful with
wonderful sailing.Barbara looked for a house for
many months and finally found one -- the new blue house on
the tracks. She loves the house but even more, she
loves the town. Immediately, she recognized the
appreciation of diversity in the town and came to understand
what a caring community she had come to live in. Says
Barbara, “I once had a very wise friend say you can tell a
lot about a community by the way they care for those who are
less fortunate than themselves.”
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