Fitness for all income levels, abilities: Ellsworth women want everyone to feel welcome – Pierce County Journal

By Sarah Nigbor

Getting fit doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, thanks to two small business owners in Ellsworth.

Angie Whelan of YB Urban? and CJ Pedersen of Country Fit Nutrition have made it their mission to provide affordable fitness options to the public.

“Gyms have just gotten so expensive,” Whelan said. “As a yoga instructor for me, I’ve always had a really hard time determining the cost of a class.”

Whelan, who considers yoga more of a lifestyle than just a fitness option, read an article in which other yoga instructors became anxious and stressed out when trying to figure out what to charge for a class. Those very feelings are the opposite of what yoga is supposed to do.

“They always felt they had to do more, have more and new classes,” Whelan said.

Which is why Whelan, who holds classes in her store space at YB Urban?, has made her classes donation-based.

“I’m supporting them and they’re supporting me, a kind of very circular based community thing,” she said. “When people are in financially bad situations, they probably need yoga more. It’s just such a healing thing, if you can get to the depths of yoga practice. It can be healing, it can be life-changing. Everyone needs that and finances just shouldn’t be a barrier to having a calm and peaceful life. I just feel like that should be accessible to everybody.”

Whelan offers classes several times during the week:

• Mindful Movement at 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays
• Slow Flow at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Restorative at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

All levels are welcome and the classes are drop in at YB Urban? Aroma Bar (243 N. Broadway St., Ellsworth).

“I as an instructor have never felt short-changed when people come to my classes,” Whelan said. “Many people are very generous, but some can’t pay and I’m just glad they are there. It just feels very right to me. I just put out my bucket. Everybody is welcome. Yoga is so much more than a physical activity. It’s about creating that peace within ourselves so we can take on life in a way that we can be very accepting of our circumstances. Struggles are a part of life and when things get rough, they will get better. I want to create a space for people to be able to find that sense of peace.”

Pedersen charges about $5 for many of her fitness classes, Whelan said. Country Fit is located at 273 Morse St., in the blue shed.

“That’s unheard of. There’s no one out there that is doing that,” she said. “Being able to have fitness classes with an instructor is huge. It builds a community. That is kind of a cool thing that is happening here in Ellsworth.”

Pedersen teaches a wide variety of classes and levels, including strength, cardio and yoga.

“I also teach several senior chair classes and a class that is for adults with disabilities,” Pedersen said. “It is important that we keep ourselves moving, strong and healthy at all ages. We keep our prices low so that everyone can attend.”

Both women said their classes are beginner friendly and geared toward all ability levels.

“You can start wherever you are on any given day. If you want it to be a more challenging physical experience, you can take it there,” Whelan said.

Follow YB Urban? and Country Fit on social media to learn more or visit yburban.com