By Joseph Bell

Record Staff Writer

Donna Kreckel and Judi Freedman, who both currently work at the Ridgway YMCA along N. Broad Street as yoga instructors, recently traveled to Atlantic City, N.J., to further their yoga studies.
According to Kreckel, David-Dorian Ross, a world-renowned yoga teacher and T'ai Chi Ch'uan, taught the class.
Ross' repertoire includes four U.S. gold medals, two world bronze medals and a world silver medal, the highest award ever bestowed upon a non-Asian for T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
During the trip to Atlantic City, Freedman also earned her Level II Pilates certification as she stayed an extra day to train with Pilates expert Kris Kory.
Kreckel and Freedman are now Level II certified in both yoga and Pilates.
According to Kreckel, the benefits of yoga are endless and not locked into any specific age group.
"Anyone can start a yoga program at any time in his or her life," Kreckel said. "We offer many different yoga classes at the Ridgway YMCA and at all different times and levels from a chair-based gentle class sponsored by Highmark for the Silver Sneakers program to a faster-paced intermediate-level class for those with more experience."
Kreckel said that despite differing class levels, the results always remain the same.
"You achieve an increase in flexibility, balance, breathing and relaxation techniques," Kreckel said. "To achieve the safest and greatest benefits from a yoga program, one should always make sure the person teaching the class has had formal training and holds accredited certification."
Kreckel said prospective individuals interested in yoga or Pilates may contact the Ridgway YMCA at 776-1146.
Yogastretch is on Monday at 10:30 a.m.; Beginner Yoga is on Monday at 5 p.m.; Beginner/Intermediate is on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; and Morning Yoga is on Saturday at 8 a.m. The Pilates schedule includes classes on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m.