Martina Maxfield, left, has instructed residents in yoga and meditation for the past 15 years. Her sessions are held in the lower level of the Farm Bureau Building, 100 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL. One woman, Kaywyn Beswick, right, has been an avid student for those past decade-and-a-half. Now she has become a colleague of her long-standing teacher.
“We’re really excited that [this is] happening!” stated Maxfield.
Life changes allowed Beswick to make a pleasant transition. In March 2018, she took early retirement from a 37-year career in nursing. On Saturday, May 12, her daughter graduated from college. Her sister and Maxfield both urged Beswick to become an instructor. On Sunday, May 20, she graduated from the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago, IL, as a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor.
Beswick noted, “I’ve taken yoga since my kids were little, in the late 1990’s, and took classes with Martina before she was certified. I have taken classes two times a week. Last fall, Martina asked, ‘Why don’t you teach?’ It’s about focused awareness, one sensation at a time. Yoga has been there forever.”
“I have more time for other things,” she noted, but Beswick will continue managing the Morrison Friends Food Pantry and American Red Cross Blood Drives.
She earned her Teacher Training Certificate after an in-depth, 200-hour program. It consisted of learning about the full breadth of yoga practice and instruction, including the poses, history, philosophy, meditation, and breath work. Kaywyn will offer Beginning yoga classes as well as Restorative Yoga (deep relaxation.)
Her classes start Monday, June 4. Registration is now open. Each seven-week session is $75; classes meet once per week.
- In Beginning Yoga classes Kaywyn skillfully guides you in an array of basic yoga poses. Together you will explore breathing, moving, and relaxing. Classes are Wednesdays, 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.; Thursdays, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m.; Saturdays, 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
- The Restorative Yoga is Kaywyn’s absolute favorite. It is open to all that are seeking renewal of body, mind, and spirit. It is deeply relaxing and revitalizing for body and mind, through light movement and supported yoga poses. This is a time of letting go and a compassionate connection to one’s inner landscape. Restorative Yoga is the practice of deep nurture and self-care. Classes are Mondays, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
“Restorative classes,” said Beswick, “have fewer poses, which are held longer. It is a different kind of yoga. Martina offers it the last week of her classes.”
Maxfield added, “It is really nourishing” with light movement to relax the mind, replenishing the body and calming the chatter.” Up to ten beginners can create a session. “I want beginners to not be afraid. Come and try it! If yoga weren’t working, people wouldn’t keep coming back for 15 years.”
Maxfield said of her pupil-turned-teacher, “Her radiant personality, love for the yoga, and caring nature make her an ideal addition to YOGA with Martina. Kaywyn’s goal is for everyone to leave class feeling great–the same way she has been experiencing yoga classes herself.”
Please register by calling Kaywyn Beswick at 815-718-5117 or by e-mail to bkaywyn@gmail.com.