Yoga after 40
Jon Duvall talks brighter moods, better sleep, and big community at his favorite local yoga studio
Soul Society Yoga monthly family member since January 2020
Classes taken at Soul Society: 121 (and counting)
Favorite SSY class: Vinyasa
Fierce pose: Headstand
Spirit pose: Savasana
“I enjoy the workout, I enjoy the community. I enjoy the high that I get out of class. I am very productive the days I take yoga. I’m very efficient. I just seem to have another gear,” says Jon Duvall, who has been a monthly member of Soul Society Yoga with his wife, Shannon, since we opened in January 2020.
Jon started yoga when he turned 40 at a friend’s recommendation. He had aims of keeping his body young and flexible instead of “falling into a rut,” he says. But he got so much more than just physical benefits.
Yes, he’s toned his physical body from head to toe. “It seems like a layer of fat around my entire body has disappeared. And I’ve improved my muscle tone and flexibility,” he says. But what amazed him most when he started practicing was how well he slept. Then he started noticing he had more energy throughout the day.
He compares the asana practice followed by savasana (final relaxation) to powering down your phone or computer. “It’s like cleaning out my hard drive. It needs to rest to function properly.”
As a business owner and father to a special-needs child, Jon says life can get pretty stressful, but yoga has alleviated a lot of that for both him and Shannon.
“I’m much more centered with yoga. It definitely reduces anxiety. I have brighter moods. I’m more living in the now instead of dwelling in the past or the future. I realize that I don’t really have total control over things, and you just have to let life carry you. After yoga, class I can just take it one moment at a time.”
In addition to physical, mental and emotional benefits, Jon says he and Shannon truly value the connections they have made at Soul Society Yoga with other members.
“One big aspect of the whole studio is a supportive community. I don’t really get that out of other workouts except bicycling. I like the fact that everybody supports each other here no matter your skill level. Everybody is trying to do their best to help out their mind and body.”
While he and Shannon don’t often have the opportunity to practice together, they have both found yoga classes that fit their schedule at Soul Society. Jon aims to practice at least three times a week and prefers the 60-minute Vinyasa, though he does love the challenge of a 90-minute Hot Vinyasa or Barkan Method Hot Vinyasa. “I love the heat. I like to sweat. I feel like I’m getting toxins out,” he says.
And while he says the Hot Vinyasa and Barkan Method Hot Vinyasa are challenging, “I do enjoy it.”
His advice for newbies: “Everyone at Soul Society Yoga is very non judgemental and very supportive of beginners. You can go at your own pace. You won’t regret it.”
