YOGA TEACHER | TEXARKANA COLLEGE, SELF EMPLOYED

Yoga benefits the mind and body. Although it has been around for many, many years, there is no better time than now to reap the benefits of this ancient practice. After retiring from teaching, Lynnel Westerman became interested in yoga and became an instructor. Those who attend her classes have found that this trusted practice can promote endurance, strength, calmness, flexibility, and well-being.

Why did you decide to be a yoga instructor?

I don’t recall making a conscious decision to teach yoga. Following retirement nine years ago from teaching in the public school setting, I attended yoga teacher training strictly for my own benefit. The next thing I knew I found myself in a New Boston gym in front of a group of teachers at the end of their day. I found I enjoyed guiding them into a peaceful body/mind yoga experience. Having been in their shoes, I knew I had something valuable to offer. That’s when Yoga with Lynnel was born.

Name one thing about your profession that people might not know.

There’s a lot that goes into preparing a 75-minute yoga class. My 38 years of teaching experience has served me well, even in the field of yoga. Each class is intentionally planned with an initial “reading” and a meaningful posture sequence that flows smoothly from pose to pose, making sense in the body. I love the creative process of crafting a session that realistically and compassionately meets students where they are, and then delivering it clearly. That process takes time!

Who has helped you become the person you are today, and how did they inspire you?

I am profoundly grateful for my parents and family for everything. I honor my teachers for gifting me with their knowledge. My fiancé has been a force of love and a catalyst for my life journey! My yoga students inspire me beyond measure. We connect live at the local church and from all four time zones on Zoom. My people tune in from homes, retirement facilities, and along the Cossatot River. My people demonstrate that yoga is for every body. They show up with hip replacements, Lyme disease, arthritis, and even loss of loved ones. I’m overwhelmed with extreme gratitude to know and love each one and humbled to roll out a mat with them every day.

Tell us one thing you can’t do without on Thanksgiving Day and explain why.

There is this organized frenzy of activity leading up to the feast, and I thrive on that joyful energy! Everyone is busy stirring, carving, decorating, baking, serving, singing, laughing! Thanksgiving is a clan of people, whoever shows up. “A good cook knows that it is not about what is on the table that matters, it’s what is in the chairs!” Oh, but don’t forget the Brussels sprouts, please!

What do you love most about the Four-States area?

I love the arts community in Texarkana! With a degree in music, I taught elementary school music locally for many years, and I appreciate the diverse offerings here. I can sing with the Texarkana Regional Chorale, enjoy a Texarkana Symphony Orchestra concert at the stunning Perot Theatre, view a TRAHC art event, attend a hilarious Tex*Rep show, and visit with local visual artists at a variety of hip new studios downtown. Even the culinary arts is strong!

What lessons have you learned from the pandemic?

The pandemic has reminded us that nothing stays the same. I had to let go, and seamlessly transform our traditional yoga room at the Pinkerton Center to an online format. I’ve been able to spread the joy of Kripalu Yoga far more broadly. We have co-created a sangha of shared spirit, no matter how physically far away we reside. How cool is that? I am now experimenting with a new web classroom! In March 2020, you could not have convinced me that this is where I would be today.

How would you like for others to remember you?

I hope to be seen as a lover and advocate of the arts. I also hope my passion for health, wellness, mind care, and longevity shines through as I continue to share the traditional practices of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. I wish to be regarded as an inspiring and creative teacher.

Feature Stories

Lynnel Westerman | Mindfulness and Meditation