By Jenna O’Donnell
RED BANK – As the new year begins, one local yoga instructor suggests that people set intentions, rather than resolutions.
“Resolutions are about problems,” said Mary Ansell, founder of Open Heart Yoga, a nonprofit organization. “I don’t think we should think of ourselves as problems to be solved.”
One of those intentions, Ansell hopes, might be to practice some self-care and to share that gift with someone else – by trying out a yoga class at her recently opened yoga studio on Red Bank’s West Side. For the last eight months, Open Heart Yoga and its students have supplied free yoga to 10 affiliated community organizations through the organization’s “buy one, give one” system.
In starting her nonprofit, Ansell realized a long-held intention of her own. A former middle school teacher, Ansell took up yoga shortly after her first child was born and quickly realized its many benefits.
“It really enhanced my sense of presence,” she said. “I went to the yoga mat to relieve my back pain and I got so many other benefits that I just wasn’t expecting.”
Ansell also realized, over more than 20 years of practice, that her classes lacked diversity. The idea for her nonprofit arose from a desire to share the physical and mental benefits of yoga with anyone in the community who wanted them. Red Bank, a hub of community-focused nonprofits, seemed like a natural home for a yoga studio dedicated to serving the community.
“That’s the main part of the studio,” Ansell said. “You’re feeling good about yourself but you’re also feeling good about helping to give it to other people who can’t afford it.”
Community partners include neighbor JBJ Soul Foundation, Stephy’s Place, 180 Turning Lives Around and several others. Yoga students who pay for the $20 single class or for the weekly, monthly or yearly unlimited passes are allowed to choose which organization to share their free class vouchers with.
The studio is home to 10 different instructors who all practice different styles – some more strengthening, others more meditative. Instructors also go offsite for beach yoga, goat yoga and even a stand-up paddle board yoga class on Parker’s Creek near Little Silver.
“There are so many different types of yoga,” Ansell said. “Whatever brings you there, great. Whatever it is it is. There are lots of varieties of good and great.”
Eventually, Ansell hopes that her classes will be equal numbers of paying and receiving students, though so far that has only happened once.
“That class gave me inspiration that it’s working,” she said. “I understand that the people that we’re giving free yoga to have so many other variables that need to be attended to.
“We give free yoga to Lunch Break. Many are working to feed themselves.”
For people who are struggling – whether it’s addiction, depression or making ends meet – Ansell believes that yoga offers value.
“This practice is ancient and it stands the test of time for a reason,” she said. “You get the physical benefits but also the mental benefits. It doesn’t happen on Day One, but by my third or fourth class, I felt the benefits – not all of them. You really have to stick with it and try to make it a routine. But if you fall out of the routine, forgive yourself.”
This generosity – both inward and outward – is part of what the practice is all about. “Practicing kindness is a huge part of yoga,” Ansell said. “And visualizing wonderful things is another.”
For information about becoming a sponsor or donating yoga to recipients or volunteers, visit or openheartyoganj.org or call 732- 859-6749.
This article was first published in the January 9 – 15, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
