News Article

Community Advocate

Westborough - Having been a software engineer for 23 years, Shawn Shaw found herself laid off in 2001 from the only career she knew. Now she is the owner and director of Metrowest Yoga.

"I always believed that being physically active improves the quality of life," Shaw said. "I've been involved in personal training, have run marathons, and have studied yoga for years. Because I was raising children, and working full-time, I didn't have much time to do these things. It was almost a blessing in disguise when I realized that here was an opportunity to get back into something I really loved.

"So, my path changed and I found myself on this new journey. Owning a business is a bit scary, but it's really fun and very rewarding."

Once Shaw decided that she wanted to teach yoga, she embarked on formal training and studied with masters like Baron Batiste, David Swenson, Meryl Bender-Birch and Shiva Rhea. Her teaching is particularly inspired by Batiste.

Shaw opened a studio and taught classes out of her home in Ashland for a few years before opening Metrowest Yoga in Westborough a few months ago. The studio is spacious and can hold as many as 50 students. There are two showers and changing facilities. All of the power classes are in a heated room, where the temperature varies from 90 degrees (considered mild) to as high as 100 degrees.

According to Shaw, yoga is a lot like dance in that it encompasses many different styles.

"It's [being in the new studio has] been a great experience so far," Shaw said. "I think a lot more people are realizing that yoga is not a passive sort of thing. People are also realizing the healing benefits to heat. It goes back to ancient times. Saunas and steam rooms were used often - there are detoxifying components to that.

"Another trend I'm noticing is a lot more men enrolled in classes than ever before. It is a challenging, rigorous but rewarding experience."

One question that is often asked is "Can I do this?" or "Where can I start?"  Shaw believes that you get out of it what you put into it. She wants her students to find some joy in moving their bodies. She also explained that everyone has limitations, so every pose can be modified.

"People are referred here to ease pain," she added. "You must give yourself permission to start wherever your fitness level is. You start where you are and you go from there. One misconception is that only athletic people can practice. This is not true at all. You will build strength, patience and an inner calm. One of the basic principles of yoga is finding a steady mind."

Shaw hopes to provide solitude, but also build a sense of community. She wants people to come to the studio and connect to their bodies and their minds. In the future, she hopes to be able to invite well-known guests and teachers. "I'd like to have that opportunity," Shaw said.

Metrowest Yoga is located at 69 Milk St. in Westborough. The studio is open seven days a week for various classes.