Caverhill now offering yoga classes
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
LiveWell United co-owner Stephanie Caverhill continues to look for new ways to help clients improve their lives, be it through massage or her latest endeavor as a yoga instructor.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
STEPHANIE CAVERHILL, co-owner of LiveWell United, stands in her newest studio located at Rum Rapids off the Washburn Road in Crouseville. She will be offering yoga classes and massages from the riverfront property, and will continue to offer both at the North Street facility in Presque Isle.
Caverhill is now offering her services at LiveWell United’s North Street location in Presque Isle, and has added a second site: Rum Rapids on the Washburn Road in Crouseville.
“I feel this is really a beautiful place for people to come. It’s a healing space,” said Caverhill from her sunny studio overlooking the Aroostook River. “Cliff and Judy Boudman have graciously offered me space to work here.”
Caverhill recently returned from her second yoga class, where she learned the fitness routine is more than various body positions.
“It’s a whole-body experience. I’ve taught Zumba classes and give people massages. I’ve always struggled with how to put people in touch with their own bodies,” she said. “With any exercise, one’s energy is always going out. Essentially we live in ‘flight or fight’ mode.”
“What we are really searching for is inside each of us. I took a 200-hour certification course in yoga in June, then in September I attended a retreat for additional training, but this time it was more about learning to love myself. I was told ‘If you don’t learn this, how can you expect to help others.’ Until I had that experience, I didn’t know how to pull that knowledge forward,” Caverhill said.
Caverhill said 99 percent of one’s life is determined by habits. Once a person realizes that, they can make positive changes.
“It’s also about breaking down one’s ego. That’s your protective mechanism. You build walls around your heart and soul. This means you set up your life around weaknesses. Until you break through that, essentially you’re living in fear,” said Caverhill.
Caverhill admitted she learned a lot about herself while at the retreat.
“I always felt I wasn’t good enough. Once you say it out loud and realize the world’s still there and everyone’s still there in your life, it’s easy to move beyond the fear,” said Caverhill. “This work really inspired me to help others.”
Caverhill said she’d like to offer “mindful relaxation retreats” to aid others.
“Often people feel they have no hope. It’s not true what society tells us. There is hope,” said Caverhill.
“Yoga is a perfect way to relax, both body and soul. “It’s based on a 7,000 year old lineage from India. When it first came to America, people wanted to look good and were concerned about posture, so they used the exercises to address that. But it was really designed to reach your inner self; body fitness was just a benefit,” said Caverhill.
Caverhill said through practice, the “lineage comes through you.”
“You may not have the poses but you’ll get the teaching. You’ll begin to understand,” said Caverhill. “I’m so glad they (instructors) held us to it. I’m so honored to carry this through.”
“It’s really a system based on passion and belief. It teaches participants it’s OK to be you and to stop comparing,” she said. “There’s no judgment. It’s about you being the best you. We’re all on our own paths. I can teach that now through yoga.”
While Caverhill plans to work with individuals, she said she wants to do businesses retreats for bosses and employees too.
“I feel drawn to work with companies. I can go to them or have them come to me,” she said.
She said she’ll continue to offer her services at the North Street location but the Rum Rapids site offers a bit more peace and quiet — something some of her clients prefer.
“During the busy times at LiveWell United, some of my clients found the activity distracting. When you’re getting a massage, it’s meant to sooth and relax. Not everyone felt that way when a class was in session in the next room. Here, it’s quiet and the view is to die for,” she said.
In addition to massage and yoga classes, Caverhill said she’d like to add a nutritional element at some point.
“Rum Rapids has this amazing kitchen. I’d like to teach mindful eating. Food is a huge part of our livelihood but we take it for granted. We eat in our cars — that’s energy spent driving, taking in sights, etc. It’s important to learn to enjoy the moment, the meal,” she said.
She said since taking the classes, she sees her daily life in a whole new way.
“I always felt I was on a time crunch. Now I feel I have all the time in the world. I have the same amount of time to do everything, I just look at and handle things differently,” said Caverhill.
For the rest of October, Caverhill will be offering free yoga classes on Sundays at 6 p.m. and Mondays at noon. “This gives people who are interested an opportunity to check out what I’m offering,” she said.
“I’d like to begin retreats next month. I’m still doing massages as well,” Caverhill said.
“I feel honored to have been given this gift — feel this passion. I want to share it with others,” said Caverhill.
Caverhill said she’s still involved with fitness activities at LiveWell, where she continues to offer massages and will instruct yoga classes there too.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 227-4453 or visit www.livewellunited.com.
