Yoga warms up Patriot Place - Attleboro Sun Chronicle

BY AMY CAINE FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE

Those competing Saturday in the 2010 New England Regional Yoga Asana Championship held at Showcase Live in Foxboro include Sarah Hoover of New Haven, Conn. (Staff photos by Martin Gavin)
Regional championship held at Showcase Live FOXBORO -- Mats, spandex, and portable heaters covered Patriot Place's Showcase Live Saturday morning as 35 competitors accompanied by a large crowd of yoga enthusiasts from across New England, gathered for the 2010 New England Regional Yoga Asana Championship.

"We were looking for a more public place and professional environment. In previous competitions, we were in a smaller space with a lot of people. Showcase Live is an awesome venue, so we're happy to be here," Bikram Yoga instructor and previous NERYAC competitor Louise Giordani said.

Contestants traveled from all six New England states to compete, Giordani said.

The NERYAC is a nonprofit organization that gives participants of all ages an opportunity to perform and promote the practice of yoga. The money raised to run the competition helps the winners travel to Las Vegas to qualify for the International Yoga Asana Championship. The USA Yoga Federation is working on qualifying yoga as an Olympic sport.

"The New England regional competition has been going on for eight or nine years now. The ultimate goal is to carry yoga into the school systems. We want to get children involved, specifically through physical education programs," event director and competitor Norman O'Neil said. Natalie Jones of New Hampshire."The contest is open to all types of yoga; hopefully more studio owners will take part, so we can educate more communities."

The entrants had three minutes each to perform a series of poses known as "hatha yoga asanas." There were five mandatory asanas and two additional postures that could show off the individual's strength and flexibility.

The group of judges uses a gymnastics scoring system: 1 to 10 points to evaluate participants in junior, men's and women's divisions. Before the competition, a "young youth" division comprised of 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds presented an exhibition.

"I love yoga because it's fun and something different. I want to learn to do the Scorpion pose," bubbly 6-year-old Athena Merck, of Sharon, said.

Stepping backstage, the competitors bundled up in sweatshirts and slippers.

"Win or lose, doing these competitions is a great growing process. I did the NERYAC in 2005, 2006, and 2007. This year, I have practiced 10-11 times a week. I also had coaching sessions, which helped because they record us executing the routine and help with timing," Morgan Martinez, 41, of Waltham, said.

"I have done it once in Colorado; I am representing my studio today. I have no intention or desire to win; I'm just doing it for myself. I find these men and women so inspiring and supportive. I hope we can get yoga into schools and more communities because it really does change people's lives," Ayn Toppin, of Northampton, said.

The animated audience featured families, friends, vendors, followers and previous contestants.

"I competed two times, and what I loved most was that it didn't feel like a competition. You do your best and everyone is supportive. Coming to the Showcase Live is a nice change, as it has been in the same place for several years and this could give yoga a chance to become more main stream. If everyone did yoga, the world would be a better place," Jennifer Stevens, of Quincy, said.

For more information about participating in the 2011-2012 New England Regional Yoga Asana Championship, visit: www.neryac.com. To learn more about bringing yoga to the Olympics, visit: www.usayoga.org.