By Cameron Dunlap
The Mason Times
From Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 Mason native Toby Mohlman returned to his hometown to find a yoga mat for the Mason community.
Toby Mohlman, who lived in Mason until he was 18, has since spent his years living in Colorado, Massachusetts and currently Cleveland. He began practicing yoga in 2000 with his girlfriend as a form of physical therapy. He liked it so much it inspired him to get a teaching certificate in yoga, which he just recently obtained. He was mostly looking forward to linking back up with old friends and seeing family, while doing something that means a lot to him.
“Yoga is a good way to get together with people I know. We can engage we can socialize, do some yoga, stretch, and teach some people,” said Mohlman.
Mohlman looks to use the week to see if he should return to his hometown and open a yoga studio and host daily classes, something Mason hasn’t seen in four years, according to him. He’s expecting no more than five per class now but is not opposed to more. He was once close to opening up a studio in Mason, but decided against it at the last minute. If Mohlman generates enough interest he already has some spots in Mason in mind for his new studio.
Currently a yoga teacher in the Cleveland Clinics Employee Wellness Program and Clinical classes, he subs at a handful of studios in the Metro Cleveland area, teaches foster boys of the Fostering Hope program in Ohio and last year started a yoga program for inmates at the Men’s Reintegration Center, Men’s Prison Center, in Grafton, Ohio.
Mohlman, a third-generation teacher of Amrit style yoga is certified to teach seven different styles of yoga. With this knowledge, he is equipped to accommodate people with different body shapes, experiences and backgrounds. Deborah Fogg, a participant from the first day of yoga classes who has trouble with her joints, was even able to enjoy herself and get in a solid workout.
“The class was carefully taught with good explanation of what we were doing in the poses. I got a good workout, but it was not too much for me,” said Fogg.
Fogg enjoyed the first class so much it enticed her to come back that following evening despite being sore.