By Jan Jackson
To meet Tsipora Ann Berman, is to learn that yoga is more than an exercise. A master holistic education specialist, movement therapist, yoga instructor and science teacher from Kennebunk, Maine; Berman recently opened a yoga studio in the Silverton Hills. Geared for ordinary people in everyday life, her classes and sessions are an eclectic blend of yoga styles suited for all ages and fitness levels.
“It was hard to move away from our farm in Maine because I loved everything there, but we had to do it for health reasons,” Berman said. “I have a sister in Corvallis and we have a daughter and son close by so we came west. My husband, Dan, took the city planner position in Stayton and we chose this spot in the Silverton Hills for the setting, for Silverton’s vibrant downtown and the ease of driving the beautiful Cascade Highway to Stayton.”
Silver Falls Yoga Studio sits “all sides to nature” on a 6-acre farmstead.
“It was an old ranch house with small rooms but it was brilliantly placed,” Berman said. “We had to do a major rebuild to open it up so we could live and work out of all sides of the house. We came from 65 acres down to 6 acres and are having to learn how to do things differently. This little farm came with a robust kiwi, some apple trees and some hops; which I’m sill trying to figure out what to do with. We raise chickens for eggs and are leasing our field to a man with a horse. We were very experienced at growing organic market vegetables in Maine but are learning to grow things now in Oregon’s climate.”
Tsipora, whose Hebrew name was given to her at birth (pronounced with a silent T), was one of five children born to a doctor father and an artist mother. A native of Washington, D.C., she followed a friend to Maine. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan, a master of education from Antioch New England Graduate School and certificates in kindergarten through 12th grade teaching from University of New England. After building a house and raising two children, she and her husband left Maine a year ago for the Oregon move.
During the past 30 years, Berman has taught a creative, integrated curriculum in every grade level – pre-kindergarten through high school – including teaching in-service and pre-service courses and workshops for teachers through school districts and local colleges. She founded and directed a non-profit science school before creating her own yoga studios in Maine and Silverton.
“My father is an MD (who is still practicing at age 82), and though he wanted us to be one too, none of us are,” Tsipora said. “I have a brother who works for the military in Washington, D.C., a brother and a sister who are chiropractors, a sister who is an osteopathic doctor and I’m a holistic education specialist. In encouraging people to take the journey to joy, I try to help them expand their moments and be fully present. Science integrates and stimulates the connections between the body, mind and spirit and may be taught through many activities including art, movement and music. I love that.”
Sherry Pollock, president of Silverton Grange, was eager to talk about Berman’s involvement in the dance programs at the Grange.
“Though I went on sabbatical a year ago, I am also a yoga teacher. I have the highest praise for Tsipora,” Pollock said. “When she first moved here, I called and we met at her studio and I very quickly saw what a wonderful multi-dimensional teacher she was. We’ve been lucky to have her attend some of our potlucks programs at the Grange. She is truly a treasure to our community.”
Berman is expanding her fall classes to include one for moms and babies, some for over-50s, one for the whole family and one for rehab from illness or surgery. For more information visit www.silverfallsyogastudio.com or call 503-873-0947.
STRESS RELEASE
Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By encouraging relaxation, yoga helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.
PAIN RELIEF
Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fribromyalgia, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report emotional pain can be released through yoga.
BETTER BREATHING
Yoga teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths. This helps to improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation, response and increase the amount of oxygen available to the body.
FLEXIBILITY
Yoga improves flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first yoga class. Practitioners begin to use the correct muscles to make the movement and, over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles gradually lengthen and elasticity is increased. These gradual changes can mean that more and more poses are possible.
INCREASED STRENGTH
Yoga asanas (postures) use every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. And, while the postures practiced in yoga strengthen the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Yoga (even less vigorous styles) can aid weight-control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning excess calories and reducing stress. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being and self esteem.
IMPROVED CIRCULATION
Yoga improves body alignment, resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems.
CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING
Even gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.
BETTER BODY ALIGNMENT
Yoga helps to improve body alignment, resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems.
FOCUS ON THE PRESENT
Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become more aware and to help create mind body health. It opens the way to improved coordination, reaction time and memory.
– From Yoga Alliance, 2006
