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At 72, Mary Lou
Buck, displays the strength, flexibility and
spirituality she says comes from practicing yoga in
Charlotte, North Carolina. Buck guides an advanced
yoga class at Yoga for Life, one of Charlotte's oldest
private yoga studios. Buck, who founded the studio and
sold it earlier this year, has taught yoga for 30
years and will continue as an instructor at Yoga For
Life.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the early 1970s,
mainstream America was a long way from embracing yoga.
Most people were wary of the exotic-sounding
postures and philosophy rooted in ancient eastern tradition.
It was considered a bit of a hippie thing.
Back then, Mary Lou Buck was a young mother
in Charlotte, N.C., who was often tense and had trouble
sleeping. "I was a good little girl who had to do
everything right," she recalls. "The tension went
right to my shoulders."
She'd taught swimming for years, but was
looking for another exercise that would help her feel better.
One yoga class at her church and she was hooked.
"With yoga I was able to relax,"
she said.
Buck, now a petite 72-year-old with silver
hair, would become one of Charlotte's pioneer yoga
instructors. After teaching and studying for years, she opened
the city's second private studio, Yoga for Life in Dilworth,
in 1998. Phyllis Rollins opened the 8th Street Studio believed
to be the first, in 1993.
"Mary Lou has been a fixture in the
yoga community for many years," Rollins said. "She
has introduced so many people to yoga."
Though she sold her space this year, Buck
plans to keep teaching until students stop flocking to her
classes.
"Yoga is a journey," she said.
"You're bringing your life into balance..."
Buck has watched yoga blossom. It's been
labeled anti-Christian and is often misidentified as sprouting
from the Hindu and Buddhist religions.
Though yoga's precise history is unknown,
evidence of yoga postures was recorded as early as 3,000 B.C.
and its origins lie in the East, according to the American
Yoga Association.
REDISCOVERY IN THE '90S
Yoga started catching on again in the 1990s;
today more than 15 million people practice yoga, according to
a study published in Yoga Journal.
"It's really boomed in the last 10
years," Buck said. "A lot of people have come to
yoga to deal with stress; they want to exercise but want
something a little more spiritual."
Buck begins her classes by ringing Tibetan
bells, welcoming her students to the moment. Then, with
sunlight flooding the purple-carpeted studio, she guides them
through salutations to the moon or sun. Her low, soothing
voice leads the class between poses and breathing exercises
while peaceful music plays and scented candles flicker in the
corner.
"Be aware of the love that surrounds
you," she said softly during an advanced yoga class, arms
lifted over her head and eyes closed.
With a degree in physical education from UNC
Greensboro, Buck calls swimming her original passion. The
sport, coupled with time spent hiking, prepared her to teach
yoga.
"I was used to movement," she
said. "I had the body knowledge and I felt prepared and
could keep my students safe."
Drawn to yoga's holistic nature and union of
mind, body and spirit, Buck began watching instructors on
television and taking classes herself in the early 1970s, all
while teaching swimming and raising three children. After
training in 1980, Buck began teaching yoga at the YWCA and
Central Piedmont Community College. She earned her Kripalu
teaching certification in 1987.
After teaching in various settings, Buck
wanted a space to call her own, which meant a large studio
with mirrors lining the front wall, windows on the right wall
and natural light.
"It started out very simply," Buck
said. "I just called on some former students to
teach."
Debbie George is a longtime student of
Buck's and instructor at Yoga for Life in Dilworth.
"She is a gentle soul," George
said. "She has a heartfelt desire to guide you."
EXTREME YOGA STYLES NOW TRENDY
Buck said she is concerned that as yoga
becomes trendier, people may be deemphasizing the original
philosophy of inner balance. More extreme types of yoga have
been cropping up lately, including hip hop yoga and yoga for
dogs.
"I feel that many people have gotten
away from the essence of yoga," she said. "Some are
putting the emphasis on looking good and wearing pretty
clothes."
Buck believes sticking with the basics is
best.
After an hour and a half, she closed a
recent Yoga II class with a 10-minute shavasana, or relaxation
period. Students, stretched across their mats, covered their
eyes and released deep breaths as Buck offered peaceful
instruction for them to carry throughout the day.
"Breathe, relax and feel," she
said.
MORE INFORMATION
The new Yoga for Life
New owner Karen Williams hopes to carry on
Buck's tradition. Yoga for Life is scheduled to relocate to
1410 W. Morehead Street in early August. Additions include two
yoga studios and wellness practitioners.
For information on classes and instructors,
visit www.yogaforlifedilworth.com or call 704-344-YOGA (9642)
Beginning in August, visit www.yogaforlifecharlotte.com
Mary Lou Buck
Age: 72
Childhood: Born in Statesville, N.C., grew
up in Gastonia, N.C.
Family: husband George, 75, three children
Brian, 43, Eric, 41, Robin, 37
Favorite yoga pose: Lateral angle, used for
strengthening.
GETTING STARTED
For recommended book and DVD titles, visit
www.yoga.com/store
Clothes/Equipment: yoga mat, comfortable
pants and shirt.
For information on the different types of
yoga: www.americanyogaassociation.org/