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I've never done yoga -- I don't know what yoga is. I picture girls in spandex pants
and sports bras stretching. Well, I wished I could do it, but that would be a sight to
see. I do yoga on my Harley. That's how I Ohm. Ohmmmmmm, ohmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmmm. I thought
it'd be really neat to come back here to do yoga. I was sort of afraid to do it, a little
bit, because I thought everybody would just think it's silly or not for them or think
it was something cooky or strange. And I think a lot of people around here, they stay around
here a long time and they don't really know there's other things out there in the world
that can make them feel better. And I think yoga is one of those things that has a lot
of misconceptions. And it's really impacted my life a lot and I just wanted to share that
with my family and also other people around them in the town, so… Saturday, we've arranged
a yoga day event in the town square, which is really exciting. We called the mayor and
organized it. It's going to be a yoga class and an event celebration of everybody in the
town, and I'll lead a class, and we'll see what happens. So hopefully the people who
are interested show up. As much as I can remember, when I was a little kid, I was always moving
around and being really active. And I -- my mom always says that I wanted to go into dance.
She says I saw some little girl on TV kind of dancing around in a Pampers' commercial,
and I said "I wanna do that." So she took me to the nearest dance studio, and I loved
it. And when I was a little kid, I was sort of doing mediation without knowing it was
mediation. I'd go to the woods and kind of just sit really comfortably around and breathe
and kind of just, you know, in general feel connected to everything, and kind of center
myself. And I'd come back and tell my parents we're all connected -- the trees and the people
-- and they're like "Don't tell anyone that, that's crazy. You just have to talk about
normal stuff around here." She left, she was a dancer and into modeling. And I figured
that's mainly what she would pursue. I guess her ability to stretch, bend over, stand on
her head -- and because she is a kid, she's always doing things like that, tumbling and
jumping around.Well, the first commercial I ever did was for Illinois Tourism, and I
actually played a ballet dancer. And then when I moved to New York that was a little
bit of my niche for a while. I started doing tons of commercials. I was the PT Cruiser
girl for while, and that was kinda fun. Massive side pockets for all your stuff. Like Wendy's
commercial -- that was horrible. I had to eat this chicken sandwich with peanut butter
inside of it because they wanted to make it look bigger for the TV. And I was always doing
yoga at the time, interested in yoga. But, you know, I'd explain yoga to people that
I knew that didn't do it and they say "Well, I tried at one place once and I didn't feel
like I fit in, so I never went back." And, you know, how I understood yoga was something
that is for everyone and feels really good and doesn't have to be, you know, so cliquey
or confined within one style or one philosophy or one, you know, sort of way of thinking.
Originally, I would just think of somebody sitting there just concentrating, but it's
a lot more physical than that. It's an exercise -- something about exercise, I believe. Where
you stretch on a mat, that's what I think yoga is. 103.5, The Eagle. Good morning, and
welcome to the all request brunch bunch brought to you Newmark Steakhouse. 88 degrees right
now at 10:11. I got a special guest right now with me in the studio: Tara Stiles, good
morning. Good morning, thanks for having me. You don't wanna miss it -- it's a yoga party
tomorrow, Saturday, 3:30 to 5:00 PM at the Newton Town Square. First 200 people get a
free yoga mat. And come on out and do something that you don't normally get to do on the square
in Newton. My sort of overall mission is to make it for everybody. So coming back here
and doing this party on Saturday, I thought it would be really fun to say, you know: Hey,
you guys, like, you don't have to, you know, live in New York to do yoga. Or you don't
have to do the splits. And, you know, you can do some simple breathing techniques or
easy twists. And if you do it everyday, you know, back pain goes away, headaches go away,
you feel overall in a better mood, you have more energy. And my Uncle Norm is doing yoga
now in the field, which is hilarious. I just generally get up 4 o'clock or so in the morning.
We round about a 12 hour day. When the yields are extremely low like they are now it's -- yeah,
I guess you would call it kinda mentally and physically both stressful. Yeah, you just
kinda got the feeling that you failed. But everyone that you talk to and know that you
haven't really failed, it's just the weather, you know, that made the crop the condition
it's in. But that's just the way it is. Every so many years it happens. And this, unfortunately,
is one of them. I started out doing yoga years ago. Early one morning when there was really
nothing to do that early, just watching TV. And flipping through the channels, I ran on
to some yoga. And they was explaining how it helped your body as far as feel better.
And so I tried and did it. Jasper County is very rural. There's only one, really, town
-- Newton is the county seat. Has population of around 3,000. And I've grown up in Jasper
County, lived here all my life, attended school here, my wife is from here, and, you know,
very happy to serve as the County Sheriff. Around the town here we've had several new
structures, and, you know, churches, and some new businesses. We're very encouraged by that.
In a small community like this we struggle for jobs because we don't have the manufacturing
and those kind of things to supply a number of jobs. A community like this, when we send
children away to college, we're buying them a ticket to leave here because that education
offers them an opportunity that won't bring them back to this community. We're very proud
of those people, don't get me wrong. We're very proud of those students that --- and
our neighbors that get a great education. The shame of it is, that's really buying them
a ticket somewhere else. You know, they're probably not gonna be the person that we bump
into at the grocery store. We're inside the Newton Museum. We are part of the library,
and then we've just got collection of goods from Jasper County. That's our goal: Is to
teach the kids and the adults as well about things that have happened in Jasper County
throughout time. So you're gonna learn a little bit about your roots. Yeah, I'm so excited.
Thanks for having us. We're really fortunate to have a lot of military things that have
been donated to the museum. Burl Ives was a folk singer, and he was born in Jasper County.
These pictures are photographs that were taken of the town square in the early 1950s. Town
square is a very important part of a rural community and rural community life. That's
the social life of the community. Alrighty, so we're going to the town square, which is
very exciting because this is going to be the place where Yoga Day is going to take
place. So, originally, we're gonna do the yoga party here on the west side of the lawn.
That's where the mayor said that we could be. But here, it's a nicer place because it's
sort of in the front part of the square -- it's very much more presentational and symbolic
for the town. And, again, there's a lot more space over here. So it's nice to have the
courthouse kind of anchoring the event. And, you know, it could get a nice expansive feeling
to it and really feel like it's part of the whole small town experience. My name is Mark
Bolander. I'm the mayor of the city of Newton. We are beginning to grow. It's been a slow
start. Are mindset for years, perhaps decades, wasn't the most optimistic about Newton's
community, our future. And we think we're turning the -- making the turn on that now.
As far as health in our community, as a matter of fact, we did a health assessment just not
that long ago with the help of one of the area hospitals. And one of the things that
came, you know, from that health assessment was we're all getting heavier and less healthy.
And, you know, we do have a need for diet and exercise, you know, fitness and those
kind of things. So there's a definite need for yoga and anything like it. I think, you
know, it's the same with small towns everywhere. One of the reasons I wanted to come here wasn't
just to highlight Newton as a town, but all small towns, specifically in America, that
for the most part, health and fitness and, you know, living a healthy lifestyle isn't
the top priority -- it isn't even probably in the top 5 things to do. I mean, everybody
is, you know, out working and they're doing this or that. And everybody by the time they're
age 50 and 60 start to have back problems. And even younger they have, you know, emotional
problems or they feel stressed or tired. Getting all of those things out of the way so they
can come back and feel connected, I think, is super important and valuable. And that's,
you know, exactly has to do with a healthy and active lifestyle. Big inhale, stretch.
We're going over to the kids' schools today -- we went there yesterday too -- and the
kids are all excited because, you know, they get out of school. You know, we did a little
class and all the -- a lot of the movements are, you know, like, fun and they can balance
on their arms. And lots of people came over for that, teachers and some of the parents.
We were talking to the newspaper and the editor of the paper there has MS, and I just showed
her a few simple things, and she said it really feels good right away. I mean, the benefits
are pretty much immediate. A lot of people don't realize with MS that you can look like
you're having a really good day, but you're really in pain because there's just pain constantly.
Well, that's why, when I was talking to you, I said, you know, I need to -- I would love
to be able to do some of that, but I'd love to be able to do some things here because
sometimes I sit for an hour straight and do not move from this desk. And then I get ready
to get up and it's just like I have to stop and think about how I'm going move. Because
if I don't, the feet don't go. So then after talking to you, and I was like, okay, what
can be done for me, you know? And you're like: Just some of the exercises and the breathing.
And it's like, oh heck, I can do those sitting here at the desk -- and nobody sees me, you
know? Yeah, yeah. I'm not out on the courthouse lawn in front of everybody. Yeah, yeah. So
it's like, okay, I'm gonna practice here before Saturday. Yeah, exactly. Now you're gonna
be the best one. Yeah, I doubt that. And here we are at Grandma's house. Grandma's house
has always been home base. Hi! How are you? How's it going? So good to see you. Good to
see you too. Hey, Alex. So do you think anybody's gonna come to this yoga party on Saturday?
I really don't know. I don't know how Newton gonna take a yoga class, you know? Yeah. I've
never heard too many people talk about it, but at my age, I don't get out among the younger
people either. I think people in this area are curious about yoga because it's getting
to be a sleepy little town, and I think that they need something to give them a boost,
and yoga's not gonna hurt a thing. Alright -- Reebox sent 200 yoga mats. It's very exciting.
Oh wow! Oh, they're bright blue. Yeah. A nice blue color. Look at that. That's great. What
do you think, grandma? Ooh, I like them, I like them. Yoga party. Sweet ride! Of course.
Good to see you two! Hi! Thanks for coming. Hi guys, how you doing? I'm really excited
about what Tara offers because it seems to be yoga for anyone, and I think there's a
stigma that goes a long with yoga, unfortunately, that, you know, even people that I know that
I tried to say "Okay, come do yoga with me," they're like "Oh, I can't do that." They just
-- they don't realize how attainable it is. And I've done it and know that if I can do
it then a lot of people can do it. Yeah, nice to see you too. Everybody said they heard
you -- heard us on the radio, so, yeah… That was really -- that was really fun. Found
Tara through the internet, of course, and her YouTube videos, and have enjoyed those
for several years. And actually emailed her several months ago trying to get her to have
a yoga studio in Kentucky not far from here, about three hours. And to see if maybe she
could come down and do a workshop. I saw the video she posted where she was from Newton,
you know, and I thought, well, that's close. You know, maybe while she's in town she can
come teach a workshop? So, emailed back and forth, and she said "Well, you know, we're
gonna do this class in Newton -- why don't you come up for that?" So here we are. So
good you came! Thanks for coming. Yeah, no problem. That's awesome. We're the front of
the class at? Oh, around there. Right there? Yep. Okay, I'm gonna be up here somewhere.
Okay, great, yeah. Alright guys, thanks for coming. Yay for Yoga Day in Newton. Thanks
to all members of my family and extended family for hooking everything up. And the mayor's
here, which is amazing. Chiropractor. Everybody from all different surrounding areas. So,
I'll stop talking -- we should do some yoga. Okay. Okay, let's just start sitting up nice
and easy here, however you can sit comfortably. Alright, so just gently close your eyes here,
starting to draw your attention a little bit deeper inward. And just simply start to lengthen
your inhales a little bit and deepen your exhales. Alright, so take a big inhale, reach
your arms all the way up over your head. And at the tops of this, close your eyes, bring
your palms together, bring your palms right in front of your chest. I guess what yoga
is to me is something that is really expansive. So it's hard to define or even put in a box
of this is what yoga is. So it's something that makes you feel incredibly strong and
healthy and emotionally available and ready to go and, you know, spiritually connected.
And from there, once you feel that great, you're able to go out into the world and,
you know, help yourself, help everybody else. It makes you feel like you are ready to do
anything. And also, in the kind of good, happy feeling ways of I wanna make a difference
in the world, I wanna help people around me, it makes you feel less grumpy and less anxious,
and just, you know, really connected into who you actually are. Lift your chest up a
bit. If it feels nicer to stretch your arms up -- nice, you got it! You can even sway
in the breeze a little if that feels good. Yeah. I'm somewhat in the know on yoga. You
know, we found out that I had some health issues myself a couple years ago, so I got
-- became a member of our local fitness center and they had some yoga classes available.
I know a few of the terms. I know a few of the positions. And, but what I found besides
that, you know, it was a clearing of the mind. You know, towards the end we always -- there's
always that relaxation period, that period that kinda takes you to that desert island
with the breeze and the palm trees and all that stuff. You know, we're in the Midwest,
we are slow to change. But I can also see that if you get enough people excited about
it and trying it and seeing the benefits from getting involved with yoga, I could see that
leading into some very positive things for not only those individuals, but for their
mindset and for their overall health. You know, not just physical but mental and spiritual
as well. Twice more just like that here, big inhale lifts you all the way up. Nice. And
as you exhale, sink all the way back down. One more time just like that here. Big inhale
lifts you right up. Peoples that got problems with their backs or joints, I tell them that
maybe you ought to try it, you know, yoga, to see if it would make a difference. And
I have had some tell me "You know, we went to the doctor, and I ask them, and they did
suggest that that would help." And I talk to them some weeks or months later and they
said "It really did make a difference." So, I feel that, you know, I think it does help.
Oh, hey, there you go, check you out. Nice. I didn't know a whole lot about yoga except
for some of things you see on TV or the videos and it's all the crazy Oriental or Mid-Eastern
stuff, and I was really glad to read a little bit about yours that it's more down to earth.
And I think more people, especially in our small town community here, will relate to
that a lot better. Going into this, I thought there would be a ton of, you know, conflict
and people saying no way and I will have nothing to do with that, you know. In a lot of ways
I agree with that. You know, I've been in New York and I've seen the almost ridiculousness
that goes on in the yoga community and how they think they're superior to everybody else,
you know. So I do agree with that, but I don't think that's what yoga is about. I think that's
what some people fall into when they do yoga. And, you know, yoga is something that makes
you feel really good and it could make you feel powerful, and I think when anybody feels
powerful, you know, either you can help people or you can say "I'm powerful and now I'm going
to tell you that you're not." So, you know, I think that's something, you know, that's
happened in the yoga world. So I agree with everybody around here. I think that's sort
of one of my main points is: Yeah, what you've heard about yoga is probably right, but that's
not yoga's fault. Like, yoga is great, but it's like some people sort of take it and
make it a different thing and all of that. So that's what I'm up against. But I think
the conversation there is "Hey, I agree with you," and, you know, it doesn't have to be
something that's crazy, and it can be something that makes you feel good, and you don't have
to be somebody different than you already are. And, you know, there's nothing wrong
with you already, you're not broken. You know, I'm not coming in trying to fix anybody. So,
its sort of -- this is something that's a useful tool that, you know, can be useful
for everyone. And I'd like to share that. Last one just like that, big inhale, and long
exhale. And namaste. Thanks for coming guys. Thank you. Good job guys! Yay! Beautiful day.
I feel very relaxed and empowered. Wow, I feel fabulous. I feel relaxed and calm and
all stretched out and mediated. Or medicated, I don't know, whatever. It's great, it's great.
It was hard as my 5 mile run this morning. I love it. I wouldn't of missed it for anything.
We came about an hour drive and it was worth every minute of it. A few of them looked like
they was really almost professionals at it. Last year, my daughter talked me into taking
a yoga class. And I was having wrist pain before that, and after two sessions the wrist
pain started going away, and I just kinda stuck with it. But that was one reason. The
other reason I wanted to do it: So I could beat my friends in golf. And I did. So, it's
good, yeah. I really enjoyed myself, and it was nice to get to do it with a bunch of other
people that are doing it. Because normally I just do it on a tape. So it was nice to
be able to do it with other people. I feel pretty good. I mean, I couldn't do a lot of
it, you know, I have my limitations, but for what I did I feel pretty good. And my daughter
was beside me and so we decided we're gonna watch the videos and do a little bit at a
time. I'm pretty sure that this isn't going away, and I should of started the first time
someone suggested it to me I should of started, but anyway, today's a start. I thought it
was exceptional -- I enjoyed it. I sweated profusely, but I enjoyed it. Oh, it was amazing.
It was such a great class and such a cool atmosphere out here on the square. And, I
mean, there's just nothing like small town America. Really, it's just beautiful. I think
Yoga Day was fantastic. I -- it went super. I think it was much better than what I ever
thought it would be. I just figured it be a few little skinny ones running in, and,
you know, throwing out their mats and doing yoga, and, you know, it be kind of like hippish
or whatever. But we had a great turnout. Yesterday was amazing! I mean, it was -- it couldn't
of gone better. I was so excited. You know, a lot of people from the town came, a lot
of different kinds of people came. The mayor came. The captain of the football team that
went to school with my dad showed up. And, you know, lots of kids came. All my relatives
came. I think also being here for as long as we were here and sort of going out talking
to everybody in the beginning was really necessary in order to get everybody to get excited about
coming on Saturday. And I think if I was just to come in and try to do an event or do a
class, I don't know if the turnout would of been as great, or I don't know if anybody
would of came. I think it was a really cool, hopefully informative, kickstart for these
people. Well, what made me feel proud about Tara was I've been in her class, like I said,
in New York City before, where people come in to class are in a real happy and, you know,
joyful mood and having a good time, and then they feel the same way when they leave. And
the people that came to this class yesterday, some of them never seen Tara before, but after
the class was over, I was talking to them and they were saying how proud they were or
how they felt that Tara was doing such a good job of making it fun and not just hard to
do the yoga class. And they were really impressed the way she taught her class. I thought that
that was really nice. I think there would be a very good response if she came back to
Newton again. Now they know how to spell yoga, and they can get more interested in doing
yoga here in this town.