An evening of relaxation

Molly Shore

Teri O’Neal takes yoga classes at the Burbank Family YMCA, but when

she had a chance to share the experience with her three daughters,

she quickly registered for the class.

“I thought the girls would enjoy it,” O’Neal said.

She was right. The O’Neal sisters -- Brenna, 13, Gillian, 8, and

Avery, 6 -- all liked the one-hour hatha yoga class they took with

their mom Tuesday evening.

The class served as an introduction to several new family programs

the YMCA will offer in the fall. In addition to yoga, families will

soon be able to participate in cardio kickboxing, aerobics and

circuit training -- which uses different types of strength equipment.

“I thought it was very challenging,” Gillian said. “It was a great

opportunity for me to relax. Hopefully, we will continue to come to

this class.”

Brenna said the best thing about coming to yoga with her mother

and sisters was being able to hang out with them.

“It was hard,” Brenna said. “But I got a lot out of it.”

Hatha yoga focuses more on the overall exercise benefit, said Jodi

Reneaud, YMCA youth and family director.

“It’s a good style because it complements our spirit, mind and

body mission here at the Y,” she said. “We try to implement that in

all our programs.”

Reneaud said parents are encouraged to fill out a survey to

determine what additional activities and classes the Y can provide

for the entire family.

“We want to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our families

here,” Reneaud said. “If we target the entire family, it will

reinforce healthy lifestyles.”

Yoga instructor Patricia Joye taught the family yoga class in a

corner of the children’s new workout room, which was humming with

activity as children 9 to 14 exercised on scaled-down equipment.

The classes are included in the price of a family membership,

Reneaud said. The monthly fee for a family of two adults and up to

six children is $63. For more information on YMCA programs, call

845-8551.