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  • Former Mt. Vernon Rams basketball player, Jon Knoche, practices Bikram yoga. Knoche, who injured his back in college, turned to yoga as an alternative healing method. He now is a certified instructor in Arizona and will be offering a free yoga class at the YMCA on Nov. 9 at 7:15 p.m. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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November 1, 2009

Former area athlete finds alternative healing method through Bikram yoga

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — When Jon Knoche played basketball for the Mt. Vernon Rams and later in college, he considered himself in top physical condition. But a herniated bulging disc in his back shot down his dreams of continuing his basketball career.

“I used to run 10 miles a day and I’d go in and play basketball,” Knoche said of his career. “I was in the best condition than anyone — I had to be in peak physical performance and once that was over, once the last buzzer rang, it was very emotional.”

Knoche, who went on to play for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas after playing two years of junior college basketball in Vincennes, Ind., said he eventually ended up in an emergency room where doctors ultimately recommended back surgery.

“My left hip was four inches taller than my right,” he said of his injury. “I couldn’t get out of bed and when I did, I would slowly get out of bed — I was crooked.”

Rather than undergoing surgery as recommended by doctors, Knoche began searching for an alternative method to heal his back. He found it in Bikram — or hatha — yoga.

“It started out I supposedly was to walk into surgery, but I walked into a yoga class instead. Five years later, I’m still doing it and competed at the national level last year,” he said. “I just feel like I’ve got a whole new sense of accomplishment. ... I found a thing I can keep up with and keep in physical shape for the rest of my life. It’s a new way of physical fitness. For me, it means a lot to be able to do that.”

Knoche, who said he “knew a little about yoga and stretching in general,” then began to study Bikram yoga, which he says is therapeutic. He is now a certified instructor teaching yoga classes in Arizona, and says he has no pain in his back whatsoever.

“It’s a total workover of the whole body from inside out,” he explained. “There are beginner poses and basically every pose has a therapeutic benefits. ... Some people with injuries see it as an avenue to heal injuries. That’s what it was like for me.”

On Monday, Nov. 9, Knoche will be returning to his hometown to offer a free yoga class at the YMCA.

“It’s going to be a great time,” he remarked. “I’m doing it for free — it’s my gift (to Mt. Vernon). I had so many good times in Mt. Vernon and took what I’ve known and shared it with the world. That’s a big portion of who I am today. The least I can do is give back.”

The class will begin at approximately 7:15 p.m.

“I want everyone to feel real comfortable,” Knoche said. “It’s a 90 minute class and that will be enough time to go over things and learn how to practice. I’d love for other teachers to also come and talk about the community of yoga.”

For more information about the class, or other programs at the YMCA, call 242-7500.

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