This summer, the Ross Medical Education Center Port Huron, Michigan campus welcomed Rhonda Jones, Co-Owner of Happy Dog Yoga Studio to campus to share with the students. Rhonda had prepared a very interesting and detailed presentation to share with the students in the Medical Assistant class and Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration class. She discussed the health benefits of yoga including how yoga integrates with the medical field.
Rhonda opened Happy Dog Yoga studio a few years ago so that she could teach the benefits of yoga to the citizens of the St. Clair County area. After taking yoga for many years, she realized the need in this area. Rhonda states on her web page, “Yoga has been a passion of mine for over 10 years. It brings a sense of calm and balance to my hectic lifestyle. I had been waiting for a dedicated yoga studio to open in the Port Huron area for many years. My family and I decided to wait no longer, and Happy Dog Yoga Studio was born. It is our goal that the studio is a safe and happy place for ALL to learn and practice yoga.” Rhonda is registered with The Yoga Alliance and holds the certification of RYT200. This certification is internationally recognized and shows that she has met the minimum standards of yoga training.
Rhonda shared the different types of yoga classes offered at her studio and how each can benefit a person’s overall health and well-being. Classes start at a beginner level, some are mixed levels of experience, while still others focus on mind, body, and spirit. Additional classes can build strength and stamina as well as lengthening muscles for greater flexibility. The studio also offers SUP, which is Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga at 5:45 every Saturday and Sunday morning, weather permitting. Rhonda shared that yoga can be helpful in managing stress, depression, anxiety, poor balance, arthritis, migraines, low back pain, restless leg syndrome, and cancer-related fatigue just to name a few. Yoga is also the only exercise recommended for multiple sclerosis patients.
Jeniel Greenlaw, student in the Medical Assistant program, stated that her mother’s physician asked her to take a yoga class. She asked Rhonda which class she should consider. Rhonda replied that if her mother has never taken a yoga class, she should start with a gentle class for beginners. Stacey Clark, Assistant Campus Director of Education, asked what supplies a student should bring to class. Rhonda responded that all equipment is located at the studio including mats, bolsters, and props. Rhonda stated that arriving in comfortable clothing is the only expectation. Eric Liagre, Medical Assistant student, asked if the studio did assessments. Rhonda replied, “yes, in private sessions.”
There are thirteen instructors employed at Happy Dog Yoga, each teaching various classes including reflexology, meditation, and massage therapy. Happy Dog Yoga Studio also offers workshops, retreats, and teacher training. There are two locations to choose from: one in Port Huron and one in St. Clair. All the information on classes, pricing, schedules, instructors, and locations can be found at www.happydogyogastudio.com. The first Yoga session is free.