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Much like starting a family, starting a small business can mean many sleepless nights, according to Gregg '92 and Sheri Biesiada '89, M'92. But their hard work has yielded them a family of 400 at Experience Yoga in Washington Township, Gloucester County. Since February 2006, Experience Yoga Studios has made this ancient practice accessible to novices and seasoned practitioners alike.

As a reading specialist at Thomas Jefferson School in Washington Township, Sheri understands the importance of patience in learning. She agreed that a beginner-friendly atmosphere is important to the studio's success. Sherri often practices yoga but still considers herself a beginner. "It's nice to accept that as you're learning, things don't have to be perfect," she said. Married since 1996, the couple live in Gloucester Township with their two sons, Evan, 6 and Ryan, 3. But the Biesiadas' history together goes back two decades. Gregg and Sherri met in eighth grade and were sweethearts at Burlington City High School. Unintentionally, the two ended up at Glassboro State together.

Sheri earned a master's degree in reading education after completing a bachelor's in elementary education and Gregg earned a bachelor's degree in economics. Long before kids, trips to Disney World, hockey practice and a growing business, the couple shared a Crossings apartment with friend Keith Gale '90. "Sheri was working already, so a lot of times when she'd be getting ready to leave, that's when we'd be walking in the door from the night before!" Gregg admitted. Gregg remembers the Glassboro student lifestyle well. "We lived on mac 'n' cheese," he said, being sure to mention that Sheri hid her "real food" from her two hungry undergraduate roommates.

The Biesiadas' studio is home to another Rowan alumna, yoga instructor Lynda Maguire '99. "It's a beautiful and serene space in which to practice and teach. There are few outside distractions and that really helps students stay focused," she said. The Biesiadas understand their clients' need for a few moments of calm squeezed in between work and shuffling the kids around. According to Sheri, "When you have no time to come to yoga is exactly when you need it the most." The Glassboro days may be far behind, but thanks to sons Evan and Ryan, there may be more "mac 'n' cheese" memories in the Biesiadas' future.

With their legs twisted up like pretzels and their hands resting on their knees, the 8-year-olds breathed in deep as their guest yoga instructor led them into their poses. "Imagine you're like a puppet and there's a string on top of your head pulling you straight up," said Paige Pellegrino-Teti, an instructor at Experience Yoga in Washington Township.

Zinski said she started the afternoon yoga with her students soon after she enrolled in her first yoga class. The 30-minute sessions with the students began with some of the simpler poses, but the kids have since become a bit more courageous. "Teachers are doing yoga with the kids before tests to activate their brains and also for relaxation," Zinski said. "A lot of special education teachers use it too."

The stretching exercise is part of the children's physical education curriculum, but it's rather different than shooting hoops or playing kick-ball. The kids still work up a bit of a sweat after the routine, but when they're through, they're relaxed and limber. Zinski said it also teaches the children to concentrate. "In third grade they're still really receptive to learning something new, but yoga for 8-year-olds is a lot different than yoga for adults," Zinski said.

Throw out all that garbage and chaos in your mind," said Pellegrino-Teti, waving her arms in the air. "Feel free to let go. Let's say goodbye to that math test, that homework." Ashley Basat had a concentrated look on her face as she tried to lean into her next pose. "Sometimes it's hard to balance and if it's the first time it might be really hard," she said. "I kept falling over a lot in the beginning." "I like it," said Quinn Bechler. "It relaxes me."

Research has shown it can also lead to lower blood pressure, reduce risk for heart disease and even pain relief from various conditions. While the common image of Yoga has become bodies twisted and contorted into various odd-looking positions, the basis of Yoga is in fact more rudimentary poses that require concentration and focus. Most important is composure and careful breathing, which can immediately reduce stress.

Before becoming familiar with Yoga, owner Gregg Biesiada said approached exercise like many others, working in health clubs where people were running to get there, running while they were there and then running back home to continue their busy schedules. "Exercising becomes as hectic as the rest of your life," Biesiada said. "Yoga is about trying to break that cycle."

A few years later, with a much calmer demeanor, Biesiada decided to open Experience Yoga and bring his new ideas of health and wellness there. Patrons who arrive are assisted by the dozen instructors there who conduct various kinds of classes. Yoga director Lynda Maguire teaches both beginner classes and Yin, where poses are held for long periods of time to enhance flexibility.

Experience Yoga also offers various other forms, as well as more common exercise routines like cycling and pilates. Maguire said they often assist newcomers who want to try Yoga and are unsure where to start. "It's about you and what you want to get out of a class," Maguire said. "All we ask is that you put your mind, body and breath into it."