By Terry L. Hapney, Jr.
The Ironton Tribune

As part of a larger effort to help women and families in the community become healthier, the Lawrence County Health Department is offering free yoga classes.
Paola Litton, health educator at the LCHD, said the classes are one way the organization is encouraging women to get healthy. A health and wellness grant pays for the classes, which will continue for the rest of 2024.
“We were offering the class once a week,” Litton said. “Now we’re offering classes twice a week.”
Kathy Mejia of Eternal Yoga in Ashland and her colleagues teach the classes at Ohio University Southern’s Campus and Community building (near Central Christian Church), located at 1508 S. 9th St. in Ironton.
The new hours for the yoga classes are 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10-11 a.m. on Thursdays.
“These hours allow us to get more people, like kids, to participate now that school is out,” Litton said. “It’s family yoga, so children are welcome. Tuesday’s time remains the same.
Chair yoga for older people or anyone who has mobility issues concluded last month.
The classes starting this month are available to children and adults—not just women. Interested participants may show up on the days and at the times of the classes by entering through a side door in the basement of the building. There is a sign-in sheet.
“We have approximately 15 people attending the classes,” Litton said. “Kathy is really good. People like it.”
Litton said participants do not have to bring anything with them.
“It is provided for them,” she said. “If you have your own mat, you may bring it. Some people are more comfortable with their own. The teacher is friendly.”
The LCHD, according to Litton, educates people on chronic diseases, and the yoga classes are part of women’s wellness.
“It’s not necessarily to keep them in shape, but to keep them well,” she said. “We are excited and hopeful to bring in more people during the summer.”