Curative Yoga brings locals together through donation-only classes

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word to “unite,” and that’s exactly what Carolina Cotman hopes to do at Curative Yoga in Bigfork this month. All classes at her studio are being held on a purely donation basis throughout February, in an effort to invite people — particularly locals — to practice yoga, relieve stress and share in the community.

“I’m a firm believer in having yoga accessible to everyone,” said Cotman, who opened her second Curative Yoga location in Bigfork in November, 2014. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to do since we opened.”

Throughout February, all classes at Curative Yoga — such as Gentle Yoga, Guided Mediation and Hatha Flow — will be donation-only. The four instructors will still be paid the same, however.

Cotman said the idea stems from her firmly-held belief that yoga is a service to its practitioners.

“I truly believe in giving, we receive,” she said. “We have to put that into practice.”

Since opening the headquarters of her yoga instructor training program in Bigfork, Cotman noticed February tends to be the hardest months out of the year for locals longing for sunshine and relaxation.

She observed most residents have packed schedules in the summer during the height of tourist season, and a lot of these people can’t afford to get out of town for a sunny vacation during the gloomy winter months. She wanted to give locals an affordable, accessible way to relax and rejuvenate during the winter doldrums.

“February is the hardest month in Bigfork,” Cotman stated. “It’s the perfect time to just test this … and see how local people benefit.”

She insisted yoga is for everyone and encouraged all Bigforkers to stop by the studio during the month-long promotion.

“The number one thing I get is ‘I’m not flexible,’” Cotman said of first-time yogis. But she pointed out, “that’s why we practice.”

Cotman, who has been practicing yoga since having her first child 17 years ago, said the exercise has a range of physical and mental benefits. For her, the practice is also spiritual, but she noted this aspect isn’t necessary if it doesn’t fit into a yogi’s interests. She said those who appreciate the spiritual side of yoga will seek it out in the exercise, and those who don’t will still find other benefits, like reducing stress, improving balance and finding unity with other community members.

“I want to encourage and motivate people to come and be together, especially in a time of such immense separation,” Cotman said.

She said yoga is particularly effective at bringing people together through practices like breathing techniques, which force participants to all breathe in unison.

And especially in a town like Bigfork, Cotman added, it’s important to foster a sense of community since so many people come and go with the seasons.

And at the end of the month, Cotman said she will re-evaluate and see if Curative Yoga will have the capacity to expand future donation-only options.

“It’s not about the money,” she said. “I wish I could just give it.” ¦

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.