Finding peace through yoga

FRANKLIN — Cancer survivor, advocate against domestic violence and accomplished yogi, Keri Marino is much more than another local business owner.

Marino opened PEARLL Yoga in Franklin to offer other practitioners the same peace that she has found as a student of yoga.

Offering peace through yogaPEARLL, which stands for peace, enlightenment, awareness, reawakening, life and love, has been a long time coming.

“It started as an idea many years ago,” she explained. “As a survivor of domestic abuse, I always knew that I wanted to give back. A former client myself, for years I donated anonymously to DASI (Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention Services Inc). In 2008, I was invited to join the DASI Board and am currently the DASI Board President.”

Marino found a way to heal through yoga.

“I left my abusive situation in 1996 and although I moved forward in my life and career I was always just ‘surviving,’” she said. “I suffered from PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] and was never able to truly live in the moment, to enjoy life."

In 2002, she had a bad horseback riding accident and started taking yoga classes to stay in shape while recuperating.

"Along with discovering the amazing physical benefits that yoga offers, for the first time since my abuse, I was able to truly enjoy life," Marino said. "I was able to thrive in my life, not merely survive. A calm rational confidence replaced the fear, anxiety and ‘monkey chatter’ of the mind. I was able to feel love and offer love.”

Battling cancerDespite surviving an abusive situation and a severe riding accident, Marino’s path remained rocky.

“In 2013, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “I was already enrolled in school for my yoga teacher training certification when I was diagnosed with the cancer. My yoga practice allowed me to face the challenges of cancer treatment. The cancer itself was the impetus to make PEARLL Yoga a reality, to no longer wait for some distant ‘some day.’”

Participation at the studio has health benefits and is beneficial to a worthy organization as well.

“I donate the majority of PEARLL Yoga's proceeds to DASI, the remainder is donated to the Marine Corps League Detachment 747, which helps service members and their families who are in need,” said Marino. “We are not a not-for-profit. This is just my way of giving back. PEARLL Yoga offers a peaceful oasis amidst an often hectic, chaotic world. We offer a safe, judgment-free space for students to deepen their practice.”

Finding ZenThe studio offers a variety of classes for people with different levels of experience.

“All of PEARLL Yoga's instructors are Certified Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teachers,” Marino explained. “We are open for classes seven days a week with a wide variety of classes for students of all levels including ‘Tween Yoga,’ ‘Special Needs Yoga,’ meditation classes, ‘Ashtanga,’ ‘Hatha,’ ‘Mindful Flow,’ beginner classes and even a ‘Goddess Belly Dance’ class which has become very popular. We also offer two free meditation classes each week and a Sunday morning ‘Community Class’ which are free of charge. No pre-registration is necessary.”

The studio also offers workshops, events and special promotions. It is located at 91 Main Street in Franklin.

For more information and class schedules visit pearllyoga.com. The studio can be contacted by e-mail at pearllyoga@gmail.com, phone at 973-271-0015 and on Facebook.