“Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness.” – Indra Devi
John Belk was our Mayor and Richard Nixon was President. Charlotte was transitioning from textiles to banking. SouthPark Mall was new, and liquor by the drink was still almost ten years away. The Charlotte Hornets played baseball in the Dilworth neighborhood at Clark Griffith Park.
That was the time Ann Owens started teaching yoga at Myers Park Baptist Church.
Today, I can find Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Hot Yoga, Iyengar, Kripalu, along with Vinyasa and more to fix my anxiety and stress. Charlotte Agenda lists 42 yoga studios and, apparently, we have room for more as yoga is also offered in health clubs, community centers, brew pubs, jails, and many places of worship.
I can only scratch my head and wonder what people must have thought back in 1970 when Ann began explaining the benefits of yoga to her friends. I know anxiety and stress were alive 45 years ago, but it all seems like a more simple time. Just the image of people from Myers Park – on mats – in a church – doing Downward Facing Dog is more than I can take in.
Ann recently talked to me about finding yoga, and her choice to look deeper:
“I was studying voice in NYC where my husband was in graduate school. My coach recommended a chapter in his book on breath control. I read the entire book; it was my introduction to Hatha Yoga. Later we moved to Rüschlikon, Switzerland where my husband taught in an International Baptist Seminary.
“Selvarajan Yesudian and Elisabeth Haich had an institute in nearby Zürich; I began my study there. It truly changed my life.”
With that background, Ann began her classes in Charlotte. They were popular and well attended; people liked this new-style wellness.
Mary Lou Buck had heard of Ann’s reputation as an inspiring yoga teacher and was curious to learn more, but she was teaching swimming at the YWCA, and had a hard time making it to Ann’s classes. So she studied a book and practiced with Lilias Folan on TV to learn everything she could on her own. Finally, she was able to make it to Ann’s classes. The two women deepened their friendship, sharing philosophy and exploring this unique style of wellness. When Ann stopped teaching, Mary Lou was ready to step in.
Mary Lou says:
“Yoga changed everything for me. I was often tense and nervous. Yoga helped me relax my body, especially my shoulders. With yoga, I could sleep at night and live a better life.”
In 1980, eager for formal training, she studied with an Indian teacher in Philadelphia then learned about Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA and studied there in 1985 and 1986. In 1987, she completed four-week teacher training and has continued to return to Kripalu most years for inspiration and additional training. She completed her 500 hour professional certification in 2001.
In 1998 Mary Lou opened Yoga for Life in Dilworth, a studio that grew to 36 classes led by nine teachers. Today, Yoga for Life, a Kripalu Affiliated Studio, is part of Centered Wellness on West Morehead in Charlotte. Karen Williams is keeping the journey to health and happiness alive.
Charlotte is not the same city Mary Lou and Ann knew in 1970. We are a better community because of the thousands of lives these two early yogi pioneers touched over the past half century.
Today, Mary Lou teaches at The Cornwell Center, often with Ann Owens in the front row. These two women may be older than most in the class, but you would never know it – they are younger in mind, body and spirit – and they would be eager to tell you why, and show you how. Mary Lou also teaches at the YWCA.
Do you know Ann Owens and Mary Lou Buck or other yogi pioneers like them?
Will you please share your memories here so they can be remembered and passed on.
As you begin thinking about New Year resolutions – should yoga be on the list?
Is a yoga practice part of your life today? When did you start and what would you list as benefits? Do you do some of the styles listed above? What is your favorite?
As always, the conversation starts here.
“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.” – Eknath Easwaran
Epilogue
Never done Yoga? Want an introduction? Watch this video and see if Yoga might be what has been missing in your wellness routine.
Well I never took swim lessons or yoga sessions from Mary Lou but we did raise our kids together. Mary Lou, where is your family now? Spread all over the place like mine our I’ll bet. Rick is still in Marietta, GA and Scott is in Seattle, WA. Scott is still into bike riding and has both of his children involved also. What a wonderful short journey back in times this story was. Thanks for the memories.
Richard –
Thanks for reading the story. I am glad it connected in that special way..
– Bruce
I really enjoy what I’ve read on your Blog. Glad you’re doing this.
Peggy –
Thank you for your comment and for reading Choices Do Matter.
– Bruce
Thanks Bruce for bringing this to light. Our family fondly remembers “growing up” in Charlotte.
George –
Thanks for commenting and for being part of Choices Do Matter.
– Bruce
A trainer told me years ago that flexibility, more than strength, is essential as we grow older. So, I started practicing yoga some years ago to improve my flexibility. It has but the astonishing benefit I did not expect was quieting of my mind during a practice. I don’t pretend to understand it but surely one reason this occurs is because when I’m concentrating on instructions from my teacher and the pose I’m in, I’m in the present; my mind is not worrying about the past or the future. What a great gift! Finally, I am sure there are many… Read more »
Jerry –
Your comment is important to my understanding of the value yoga and other alternative wellness practices provide. Shavasana, for me, is important. It is where I am challenged to enjoy the moment and not be planning the rest of my day or worrying about yesterday.
I like Karen’s Yoga for Life, especially Sara Vavra of VA! for BodyWork and Wellness. Sara is a valuable part of Karen’s team.
– Bruce
Mary Lou is one of the most inspiring people I know. I, like many local yoga teachers, started my journey with her. I am grateful for the profound effect she has had on my life, and aspire to do the same for those whose paths cross mine.
Debi –
Thanks for being part of the conversation. I know, with your attitude, your students will benefit over the years just as Mary Lou has provided benefit to so many.
– Bruce
What a wonderful tribute and perspective, Bruce! The admiration these ladies have for each other is palpable, and the number of folks whose lives have felt healthier, happier and more fulfilled because of their teachings is immense! The Cornwell Center enjoys their presence on most days as Mary Lou continues to teach many, including her mentor, Ann. We are all blessed!
Jenny –
Yes, the community is better for their presence. Thanks for everything the Cornwell Center does for so many.
– Bruce
Yoga is extremely important to me. I practice it at home, in bed, on the floor or in a chair, whenever I can. It makes me feel so good.
Ann,
It is great to have something so good for you be so portable. Thanks for your comment.
– Bruce
Thank you, Bruce, for writing this lovely piece about these two Charlotte yoga pioneers. Without them, our community would not be as rich or as expansive. I am grateful for the fertile soil they prepared for me and so many others to root and grow our practices. Namaste
Sara –
It is a pleasure to know these two wonderful women. They have done so much for so many – just as you and the many others following the path are doing today. With everyone adding their own drops to the bucket we reach the fullness of life in our community – drop by drop.
Namasté.
– Bruce
Bruce, you write the most interesting and thoughtful blogs. This one is especially meaningful to me as I have taken yoga classes for years. I first took an evening class at CPCC followed by many years at the Harris YMCA. I’m not even sure they could call it yoga back then. They called it stretching. I had some wonderful instructors, Cheri Reynolds and Jan Pendleton were two. Now I feel so fortunate that I can go to the Cornwell Center and take great yoga classes with Mary Lou Buck and Robin McCoy. Thank you for sharing the history of yoga… Read more »
I took yoga class from Mary Lou in the mid 80s in a high school library. It changed my life.
Thank you, Mary Lou, for giving me the gift of yoga and meditation. It has been my “go to” for happy and stressful events throughout my adult life. My daughters, 23 and 21, both practice yoga on a regular basis. They know you through your VHS tape of years ago!
Many Thanks,
Jacqueline Jameson Schreiver
Jacqueline –
Thanks for joining the discussion, Mary Lou will be pleased to hear from you. I hope you are still practicing and it is great that you exposed both of your daughters to this wonderful experience.
– Bruce
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