A cobalt blue strip of fabric hangs from the old tree in front of yoga instructor Jenna Stanko’s home. Many who pass by her yard in Historic Downtown Plant City are puzzled by the shimmering sheet of silk.
What is it?
Although the U-shaped silk resembles a hammock, it actually is a yoga swing. And every morning, Stanko rises at 6:30 a.m. and practices yoga on the swing.
“Some people will be driving by and then stop and stare,” Stank said, laughing. “It allows you to get deeper into the pose. It’s great for working on abs. And, it’s just fun.”
Stanko is bringing her yoga expertise to Plant City. She started a yoga class Aug. 6, at Veterans’ Memorial Monument Park. The class meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays.
“It was very hard for me to find a yoga community here,” Stanko said. “So, I thought, ‘Why not start one myself?’”
A Yoga Alliance-certified instructor, Stanko first became interested in yoga during her time at Youngstown State University, in Ohio. She decided to take a class and was hooked instantly.
After earning her degree in fine arts photography, she continued her love of yoga. Studying under Stephanie Keach, at the Asheville Yoga Center, in North Carolina, Stanko earned her certification.
“It was amazing,” Stanko said. “I’d love to do it again.”
In just three weeks, she completed 230 hours of training. Stanko studied a wide range of yoga. Not only did she learn yoga poses and theories, but also Stanko learned about bones and muscles.
“It was very scientific,” Stanko said. “But, we did learn mental processes. We were able to talk to people and how they use yoga at different stages in life.”
After moving to Arizona, Stanko visited her best friend in Riverview. Within six months, Stanko moved to Plant City. She found work at a studio in Tampa, Yoga Downtown Tampa. Stanko wanted to bring Tampa’s thriving yoga scene to Plant City.
“There’s no yoga really anywhere in Plant City,” Stanko said. “Valrico doesn’t have a lot either. Lakeland is too far.”
Stanko encourages anyone, especially beginners, to attend her class.
“In this fitness-crazed world, everyone feels they need to be as good as the person next to them,” Stanko said. “But, it’s about what is good for you.”
After teaching a session, Stanko feels a sense of release and mental clarity. She sees it in her clients, too.
“All of them have this glaze over their eyes, and you know they feel good and don’t know how to describe it,” Stanko said. “It makes me feel awesome as a teacher. Being able to bring that to others just completes me.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
YOGA CLASS
WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesdays
WHERE: Veterans’ Memorial Monument Park, N. Wheeler Street and County Road 39 South
COST: $5
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Stanko-Yoga/143286045879036
