FALL CITY – Robin Rothenberg, owner of the Yoga Barn, prides her business as one of relaxation through exercise.

The Yoga Barn has been in the Snoqualmie Valley for 11 years and is located just outside of Fall City. As a master of yoga, Rothenberg still believes that everyone can benefit from yoga both mentally and physically, a belief she bases her business on.

Rothenberg became acquainted with yoga more than 20 years ago when she was pregnant with one of her two daughters. Once her daughter was old enough, Rothenberg began to take yoga classes in Seattle.

“I found that although I was stressed with raising children, yoga provided a sense of balance and health, which I had never had the luxury of,” Rothenberg said.

Rothenberg said that she simply began to take classes with more intensity and when the opportunity presented itself for her to learn how to become a yoga instructor, she seized it.

“This is really what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said.

The advanced yoga instruction allowed her to learn the philosophical basis of yoga teachings, not just its physical postures, but there is still plenty to learn. Rothenberg said that according to yoga teachings, one does not become a master of yoga overnight.

“It takes 10 years to become a master of the yoga practice and art,” Rothenberg said.

When her family decided to move from Seattle to Fall City, Rothenberg realized that she had a prime location for a yoga studio on her property. She designed the studio with a simple interior as well as a “barn” exterior. The Yoga Barn, due to its remote location and serene setting, is an ideal location for deep relaxation because it is away from the demands and the noise of the rest of the world.

As her business has developed, so has Rothenberg’s specialty within yoga. One of the unique aspects of her program is her emphasis on yoga therapy, a stress-reducing way for people to gently exercise their bodies that is also restorative.

There are many different types of classes offered at the Yoga Barn for people who are looking for an elementary introduction to yoga or those seeking a more strenuous exercise. Rothenberg also has a yoga conditioning program for individuals seeking a challenge that works with weights while the body keeps a pose.

Another interesting program that is offered through the Yoga Barn is the Yoga for Kids program, which allows children to relax and concentrate. Yoga for Kids helps teach children to breathe properly and also helps with posture. The class is catered to the energy level of children and does not include having to hold postures. Posture is a crucial part of yoga that children need to be aware of due to the fact that bad posture is one of the main causes of lower back pain later in life.

“The children enjoy the class because there are games involved, and when they get home they are much more relaxed and centered,” Rothenberg said. “Parents constantly make remarks about how calm they are after class.”

Along with having the studio in Fall City, Rothenberg expanded her business five years ago to open a studio in Issaquah as well. The Issaquah location, along with having a yoga studio, also has a holistic healing center. This shares the practice of a holistic physician (holistic mental health practitioner) and massage practitioner, as well as others.

Fall City ends up being a great location for retreats for both companies or groups. Its location and natural sounds provide an escape that is hard to come by. It is perfect for people seeking to learn more about yoga teachings, but in a way that is not too manufactured.

* For information about both locations of the Yoga Barn, check out its Web site at www.yogabarn.com.